Best Bodybuilding Apps for Android
The reason I went looking for bodybuilding apps for my Android powered OP2 is that it helped me come prepared to the gym. Bodybuilding is not just about pumping iron; posture and diet are equally important, if not more. While trainers are available only inside the gym, and unless you get a personal trainer, he is most likely overseeing workouts of several other guys and girls, which means he has little time for you. A bodybuilding app can guide you when the trainer is not around, saving you time and nudging you in the right direction.
1. Nike Training Club
Like Steve Jobs once said, Nike honors athletes and athletics. This is what they represent and their motto says it loudly – Just Do It! I am using Nike Training Club for some time now and I absolutely love it.
It features more than 160 workouts to choose from and covers strength, endurance, yoga, and mobility training. Each training contains a detailed video tutorial. Nike Training Club is really flexible. When you are creating your profile, it will ask you whether you have any equipment or not, and based on that will recommend training for you. There are different levels and intensity to choose from depending on what you are trying to achieve. The app comes with clean UI and HD videos, which you can also save for offline use, in case your gym doesn’t have a WiFi. There is also an option record all your activity in the app to keep track of your progress. To motivate you to work regularly and harder, Nike is working closely with some of the top sports personalities in the world like Christiano Ronaldo, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Kevin Hart, etc. You can follow their fitness regime, however, I recommend you to create your own after some time. This is because every person’s body is unique and depending on your goals and needs, it is not wise to follow your idol blindly to the T. Level: Beginner to Intermediate Price: Free Verdict: Nike Training Club is a great app for beginners and intermediates who are either yet to begin their journey or want to learn some new workouts.
2. Freeletics Bodyweight
Bodyweight training is one of the many ways to build your muscles. Freeletics Bodyweight focuses on this method to help you train your body instead of going for the traditional weight lifting methods. This is not to say that one is better than the other. More often than not, serious bodybuilders use both the techniques in conjunction. Bodyweight training is great if you want to stay lean and lifting weights is better for bulking up. There are more than 900 workout variations and the community is a strong 20 million members.
As it is bodyweight training, you can do it anywhere and anytime. In fact, there is a 2×2 mode which will allow you to work out in just 2 by 2 meters of area. Level: Beginner to Advance Price: Freemium. The app is free to use if you do not need any sort of help. You can set up the app and choose from the many inbuilt training exercises. If you do need expert advice, you can hire a coach who can help you reach your fitness goals. The coach version comes with Freeltics Training Coaches. This simply means access to more training and videos. Pricing begins at $9.88. Verdict: Freeltics is a great app for those who are looking to workout in open spaces. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, Freeletics has you covered.
3. JEFIT
JEFIT comes highly recommended by those in the bodybuilding community. The app is known to be the best out there when it comes tracking your progress and maintaining a gym log. This is not to say that this is just a digital notebook app for gym goers. JEFIT also offers detailed workout programs that you can follow. There are instructional videos available in HD quality. In fact, the database is currently sitting at over 1300 variations and demos that you could choose from.
Create a workout plan, watch the instruction videos, workout, and log results. There are different types of training programs to choose from like weight loss, powerlifting, greyscale, strength training and more. Or you can create custom routines and add custom exercises to your liking. Though one thing I found missing is that, there is no way to export data from the JEFIT app, but you can do it from its website after every month or so. Level: Beginner to Intermediate Price: Although the app is free to use, the video tutorials are available to members. Subscription plan starts at $4.99 and also offers advance reports, additional features, and an ad-free experience. Verdict: If you are looking for the best app to log gym workouts, like your reps/sets, and weights etc. then JEFIT is what you need.
4. You Are Your Own Gym
YAYOG, as it is popularly called, is another bodybuilding exercise app that focuses on bodyweight workouts rather than visiting the gym. Mark Lauren, the founder of the app, is a trained US Special Forces operative. And everything that he learned in the Special Forces can be found in this app. This is the most authentic elite training that you can get without having to join the army. Mark is a celebrity bodybuilder and trainer who was responsible for raining 700 operatives during his 10-year stint in the army.
The app offers different types of timers like interval sets, tabatas, supersets, stappers, and ladders. There are more than 200 variations to choose from. You can also install the video pack, for free, to get high-quality instructional videos. Level: Beginner to Advance Price: Free Verdict: Another app for people who like to use bodyweight for training sessions. If you appreciate the army regimen and their dedication to their body, this is it. Note: There is another app called 100% Army Fit which was made by British Army. Another amazing app for those who are looking to follow the army regimen.
5. BodySpace
BodyBuilding is one of the most popular health and fitness forum out there. A very strong and helpful community. BodyBuilding offers several apps and has its own store for those who are looking to buy supplements and accessories. They also have a social bodybuilding app called BodySpace. They have tied up with some of the most popular athletes, trainers, and some Ph.D. holders to create and offer training programs. Its main strength lies in its social and active community who is always willing to help you.
Several training programs were also built by community members that will show you the basics of bodybuilding. It offers literally thousands of exercises to choose from depending on what muscle group you are targeting. The training sessions are rated by the community to help you choose. There are also instructional videos available along with fitness tracker. There is a store built in where you can buy supplements. Level: Beginner to Advance Price: Free Verdict: BodySpace is a great app for those who want to learn what it takes to be a bodybuilder, who sppreciate the strength of a strong community, and who like to be social while looking good.
Wrapping Up: Best Bodybuilding Apps for Android
So these were some of the best bodybuilding apps for Android in no particular order. They all have their strength and weaknesses and in the end, you should use the one that works for you. Your objective is to build your body, not obsess over the app and the features it offers. Bodybuilding app is just a means to an end. Some people want a social element, some want to pump iron, and some want to train without equipment. Remeber your goal.
