Shred's pitch is "pick your goal, get a program, follow the videos." It delivers on that. Around 39,000 iOS ratings averaging 4.8 and a 5.0 on Google Play from a smaller crowd. Garage Gym Reviews gave the pricing a 4/5 and praised the demos and step-by-step instruction. The recurring criticism is the one that matters if you lift: it's built for circuits and momentum, not for managing a heavy squat across a 12-week block.
What you get
- Programs by goal: build muscle, shred fat, home, gym, with equipment options.
- Video for each exercise with written cues, which reviewers consistently call out as a strength.
- Customization: swap exercises, adjust length, pick your split.
- Leaderboards and challenges for people who train better with a scoreboard.
- An AI coach layer for suggestions and questions.
- iOS and Android, unlike Ladder.
Where it falls down
Progressive overload. Multiple reviewers, including ones who like the app, say the same thing: it's great for circuit-style sessions and staying motivated, and it doesn't do the job of managing your working weights week to week the way a lifter needs. If your goal is a bigger bench or a heavier deadlift, the app will show you good demos and then leave the numbers to you.
Shred vs Ladder vs GymAdapt
| Shred | Ladder | GymAdapt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99/mo · $119.99/yr | $29.99/mo · $179.99/yr | $7.99/mo · $49.99/yr |
| Trial | 7 days | 7 days, no card | 7 days, no card |
| Platform | iOS, Android | iOS | iOS |
| Program style | Goal-based templates, circuits | Coach-led 6-week blocks | AI-built 6-week blocks from your goal and equipment |
| Manages your working weights | Limited | You track; block is fixed | Yes, from reps and RIR you log |
| Community | Leaderboards | Teams with coach chat | Crews and leaderboards |
Who should get Shred
People who want variety, a scoreboard, a clean video for every move, and a program that doesn't require them to think about periodization. People on Android who liked the look of Ladder. People training for general fitness rather than a specific lift.
Who shouldn't: anyone whose goal is measured in pounds on a bar. For that you want an app that owns the number, which is what GymAdapt and Fitbod do, or a fast logger like Hevy and a program you trust.
Questions people ask
How much does the Shred app cost?
$19.99 a month, or $119.99 a year which works out to about $9.99 a month. There is a 7-day free trial.
Is Shred good for building muscle?
It has dedicated muscle-building programs with good demos. Reviewers note it is weaker at managing progressive overload than dedicated strength apps, so serious lifters may outgrow it.
Is Shred on Android?
Yes, Shred is available on both iOS and Android.
Shred vs Ladder: which is better?
Ladder has stronger coach-led strength programming and a bigger team community but costs more and is iPhone only. Shred is cheaper, cross-platform, and better for circuit-style training.
If the number on the bar is the goal, get the app that manages the number.
GymAdapt sets every target from what you logged last time, shows the video, and tells you why.
Get GymAdapt on the App Store → $7.99 a month or $49.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial. iPhone only.