I built GainsLog to record a workout and make the next target easier to choose.

The loop I want the app to support

Log

Capture the workout without spreadsheet friction.

Review

See what moved forward and what needs attention.

Progress

Turn the next session into a clear target.

I've used different workout tracking methods since I first stepped into a gym. I still have some records from 2016. Progress has not been a straight line: I have switched programs, stalled when I lacked direction, and built strength during a bulk only to lose some of it during the next cut.

GainsLog workout screen showing exercise tracking

The problem I set out to solve

I've always enjoyed tracking and adjusting things, which is probably part of why I became a data engineer. That led to spreadsheet programs with formulas, colors, and drop-downs for me and a few friends. They were useful at a desk, but awkward to use between sets.

I tried RepCount, StrengthLog, RP Hypertrophy App, and Strong. Each got part of the job right. I wanted RepCount's quick logging, StrengthLog's programs, and RP Hypertrophy's progression logic in one place. That combination became GainsLog.

GainsLog workout review screen with performance metrics

What GainsLog does differently

GainsLog is built around progressive overload. The app keeps the plan, the session, and the next target visible so you can make a reasonable decision without rebuilding the whole workout in your head.

In practice, that means:

  1. A next target

    The app gives you a number to work toward instead of making you guess between sets.

  2. A readable history

    Your previous sets, reps, and PRs stay available when you need them.

  3. Less setup

    Programs and workouts are ready to use, so a session does not start with spreadsheet maintenance.

GainsLog workout log showing training history

How it works

  • Pick a program or workout and start the session.
  • Log sets, reps, and PRs as you train.
  • Use recent performance to choose the next target.

Built by a lifter, for lifters

This is not a corporate fitness app. I built GainsLog because I needed a workout log that fit around a full life outside the gym. The goal is simple: spend less time organizing the session and more time doing it.

If you want less guesswork during training, you can try it here. It is still a work in progress, but it is the system I use.

GainsLog is available on the iOS App Store. It is free to use.