Review Insights · App Store
Strong Workout Tracker Gym Log
Strong Fitness PTE Limited · 108,436 ratings · ★ 4.9
4.9
★★★★★
108,436 ratings
🎯 Build a better version
Top complaints - extracted from 25 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"watch"
16 negative reviews mention this · 64% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Useless Watch Integration. Watch App Integration bugs on EVERY Workout. Timers not updating and ending significantly earlier/later, Delays and Failures in workout syncing, and app crashes on watch and phone make using the app absolutely irritating when tracking worko…" - T I.
2
"phone"
13 negative reviews mention this · 52% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Useless Watch Integration. Watch App Integration bugs on EVERY Workout. Timers not updating and ending significantly earlier/later, Delays and Failures in workout syncing, and app crashes on watch and phone make using the app absolutely irritating when tracking worko…" - T I.
3
"workout"
12 negative reviews mention this · 48% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Illogical Workout Finish. There is no way to make skipped sets carry over to future workouts without losing other changes. You will see skipped exercises disappear or else newly added exercises disappear, depending on which of the 3 illogical “finish workout” option…" - chim617
4
"workouts"
12 negative reviews mention this · 48% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Illogical Workout Finish. There is no way to make skipped sets carry over to future workouts without losing other changes. You will see skipped exercises disappear or else newly added exercises disappear, depending on which of the 3 illogical “finish workout” option…" - chim617
5
"been"
10 negative reviews mention this · 40% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Used to be good. Little changes have been made that make no sense. Why can I take notes on a set of any given move, but when I view the history of that move I can’t see the notes? When I do a move on Wednesday, I can’t see the angle I used or changes I made…" - Cb1087
6
"sync"
9 negative reviews mention this · 36% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Useless Watch Integration. Watch App Integration bugs on EVERY Workout. Timers not updating and ending significantly earlier/later, Delays and Failures in workout syncing, and app crashes on watch and phone make using the app absolutely irritating when tracking worko…" - T I.
7
"apple"
8 negative reviews mention this · 32% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Slow updates, buggy as ***. I’ve been a strong user since ~2018. I like it, I really do. However there are *so* many bugs I run into *every single workout*. And it is infuriating to see that instead of fixing these bugs or improving the existing flow, y’all instead p…" - George the iOS engineer
8
"years"
7 negative reviews mention this · 28% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Illogical Workout Finish. There is no way to make skipped sets carry over to future workouts without losing other changes. You will see skipped exercises disappear or else newly added exercises disappear, depending on which of the 3 illogical “finish workout” option…" - chim617
9
"update"
7 negative reviews mention this · 28% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Update is trash. Been using it for years. It was absolutely phenomenal until the last update. All of my years of data are gone. My workouts are gone. And now everything requires money. I can’t even save a weeks worth of workouts without paying anymore. Time…" - JC187
10
"apple watch"
7 negative reviews mention this · 28% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Slow updates, buggy as ***. I’ve been a strong user since ~2018. I like it, I really do. However there are *so* many bugs I run into *every single workout*. And it is infuriating to see that instead of fixing these bugs or improving the existing flow, y’all instead p…" - George the iOS engineer
11
"every"
6 negative reviews mention this · 24% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Update is trash. Been using it for years. It was absolutely phenomenal until the last update. All of my years of data are gone. My workouts are gone. And now everything requires money. I can’t even save a weeks worth of workouts without paying anymore. Time…" - JC187
12
"since"
5 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Slow updates, buggy as ***. I’ve been a strong user since ~2018. I like it, I really do. However there are *so* many bugs I run into *every single workout*. And it is infuriating to see that instead of fixing these bugs or improving the existing flow, y’all instead p…" - George the iOS engineer
📋 All 25 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
Update is trash
Been using it for years. It was absolutely phenomenal until the last update. All of my years of data are gone. My workouts are gone. And now everything requires money. I can’t even save a weeks worth of workouts without paying anymore. Time to find a new app.
I watch app stopped syncing with phone.
Last update hosed the syncing between a watch and iPhone. Uninstalled and reinstalled the app on the watch and it won’t accept my account password. Buggy software.
Slow updates, buggy as ***
I’ve been a strong user since ~2018. I like it, I really do.
However there are *so* many bugs I run into *every single workout*. And it is infuriating to see that instead of fixing these bugs or improving the existing flow, y’all instead push an update to add …widgets!?
The Apple Watch <-> iPhone sync engine is *terrible*. There’s literally no way y’all don’t know about this cause I have issues with it every single workout. I’ll mark a set as done on my phone then my watch won’t see it so I do it there, then I go back to my phone and I’ve lost like 5 sets and have to re-enter them.
My patience is wearing so thin. I’ve even sent multiple emails to the developers, including one that was being nothing but positive and understanding. However it’s been 3+ months since then and I have seen no (noticeable) improvements and I’m honestly not convinced the developers even care about this stuff?
I really want to keep using Strong but y’all are making it harder and harder for me to stay and not move to a competitor. And honestly the only reason I haven’t is cause there is overhead in switching.
Surely y’all care about craft and details more than this.
However there are *so* many bugs I run into *every single workout*. And it is infuriating to see that instead of fixing these bugs or improving the existing flow, y’all instead push an update to add …widgets!?
The Apple Watch <-> iPhone sync engine is *terrible*. There’s literally no way y’all don’t know about this cause I have issues with it every single workout. I’ll mark a set as done on my phone then my watch won’t see it so I do it there, then I go back to my phone and I’ve lost like 5 sets and have to re-enter them.
My patience is wearing so thin. I’ve even sent multiple emails to the developers, including one that was being nothing but positive and understanding. However it’s been 3+ months since then and I have seen no (noticeable) improvements and I’m honestly not convinced the developers even care about this stuff?
I really want to keep using Strong but y’all are making it harder and harder for me to stay and not move to a competitor. And honestly the only reason I haven’t is cause there is overhead in switching.
Surely y’all care about craft and details more than this.
It stinks now
It used to sync well with my watch. Not anymore. Almost useless.
Worthless on watch
I wouldn’t recommend anyone try using the watch app in tandem with the phone app, it never works.
Yes, I have reset my stuff, multiple times. Consistently freezes and un-syncs.
Don’t bother.
Yes, I have reset my stuff, multiple times. Consistently freezes and un-syncs.
Don’t bother.
Mediocre UI
UI is mediocre. Only 3 free templates and a $99 lifetime license. Get a $1 notebook and a box of pens. Your iPhone already has a timer.
App is free otherwise to see the prebuilt templates.
App is free otherwise to see the prebuilt templates.
Disappointed, buggy
Subscribed to PRO for multiple years. App is fairly straightforward but ultimately doesn’t offer much. Essentially it allows you to build workouts into templates using their library of exercises (templates are limited to 3 unless you sign up for PRO).
Past that, it tallies metrics (how much you’ve completed of your workout, what that ends up being in pounds, running tally of total workouts). Syncs with Apple Watch with varying degrees of success.
Ultimately cancelled membership and deleted app for two reasons:
-There are better apps that offer better data tracking and customization for free. Ultimately the limitations of Strong and its ability to show what it’s actually done with your data are what got me to quit it. Don’t even bother with Strong PRO
-For what little it did track (in this case, workout tallies), the app inexplicably stopped syncing (and this is from someone who only uses their phone). I lost 6 months of data without any reason, and it’s not recoverable
Past that, it tallies metrics (how much you’ve completed of your workout, what that ends up being in pounds, running tally of total workouts). Syncs with Apple Watch with varying degrees of success.
Ultimately cancelled membership and deleted app for two reasons:
-There are better apps that offer better data tracking and customization for free. Ultimately the limitations of Strong and its ability to show what it’s actually done with your data are what got me to quit it. Don’t even bother with Strong PRO
-For what little it did track (in this case, workout tallies), the app inexplicably stopped syncing (and this is from someone who only uses their phone). I lost 6 months of data without any reason, and it’s not recoverable
Was a great app/ now doesn’t work
I have done over 1000 workouts on Strong and now watch and phone will not work together. All software is updated. Rebooted both multiple times. It has been a couple weeks and I’m about to go find a new app.
Regret.
This is one of those apps that I genuinely regret spending money on and waiting for them to improve or add features from their roadmap, that still haven’t appeared years later.
I just launched the Apple Watch app, now I have to sign in on the Apple Watch app as if it’s some completely disconnected thing from my phone, I use a password manager and my password is about 16 digits long, common letters, capital letters, numbers, and special characters, that I have to type manually on the tiny Apple Watch screen.
Even when using iOS keyboard to type, I can’t copy and paste the password.
I mean, who the hell designed an app where you have to enter a password and a username on a 40 millimeter screen.
The app is supposed to be a companion app, it’s like every other fitness company can get this figured out, but these guys.
I just launched the Apple Watch app, now I have to sign in on the Apple Watch app as if it’s some completely disconnected thing from my phone, I use a password manager and my password is about 16 digits long, common letters, capital letters, numbers, and special characters, that I have to type manually on the tiny Apple Watch screen.
Even when using iOS keyboard to type, I can’t copy and paste the password.
I mean, who the hell designed an app where you have to enter a password and a username on a 40 millimeter screen.
The app is supposed to be a companion app, it’s like every other fitness company can get this figured out, but these guys.
Terrible Apple Watch connection
What do you mean I have to start my workout on my watch for I to see my progress there? Literally every other workout app allows you to start it for the phone and then continue seeing your progress on the watch app
Absolute Fkn Garbage
App used to be great. Had everything you needed and made getting the pro version a good investment. Now they’ve just been screwing it up for the past few months. Constant sync issues every workout. Constant glitching, freezing, and clashing. Failing to track workouts. The workout I had yesterday wasn’t recorded at all in my history despite have completed it and refreshed multiple times on my watch. Last week the app even completely deleted my entire workout and all of the values I had for it after I finished the workout. Don’t know what the hell the devs have been doing to make improvements when all it’s done is make things worse.
Update: App is completely irredeemable now. Cant even go ten minutes into my work out before I get sync issues with my Apple Watch. I spend probably 15 minutes out of my already 3 hour workout just fixing the mismatch. Only reason I put up with this is for the convenience of having my workout on my watch, but since that’s petty much ruined, I might as well switch to another app.
Update: App is completely irredeemable now. Cant even go ten minutes into my work out before I get sync issues with my Apple Watch. I spend probably 15 minutes out of my already 3 hour workout just fixing the mismatch. Only reason I put up with this is for the convenience of having my workout on my watch, but since that’s petty much ruined, I might as well switch to another app.
Used to be good
Little changes have been made that make no sense. Why can I take notes on a set of any given move, but when I view the history of that move I can’t see the notes? When I do a move on Wednesday, I can’t see the angle I used or changes I made from the last Friday. That USED to be possible, and I even emailed about it last year, but it’s still gone. That’s useless.
Illogical Workout Finish
There is no way to make skipped sets carry over to future workouts without losing other changes. You will see skipped exercises disappear or else newly added exercises disappear, depending on which of the 3 illogical “finish workout” options the app offers. Very frustrating. Difficult to maintain a consistent routine. People have been complaining about this for years on Reddit but it’s still not fixed.
No Longer Updating
The app is good except for the fact that is seems like they've stopped caring or updating the app.
The list of workouts in their database is extremely limited. You can add your own, but they don't allow you add any images/ videos/notes for reference. I think with ALL the apps out there, they should be updating their list of workouts weekly to include visuals and notes. Or at least let users upload their own videos/photos/notes when adding a new workout.
I also think whenever you use a template for a workout, if you change it during your active workout and then finish - there should be a 3rd option to "Save As New" that doesn't alter your original template but allows you to save what you created as a whole new template. They only currently allow you to either keep your original template or override your original template.
The list of workouts in their database is extremely limited. You can add your own, but they don't allow you add any images/ videos/notes for reference. I think with ALL the apps out there, they should be updating their list of workouts weekly to include visuals and notes. Or at least let users upload their own videos/photos/notes when adding a new workout.
I also think whenever you use a template for a workout, if you change it during your active workout and then finish - there should be a 3rd option to "Save As New" that doesn't alter your original template but allows you to save what you created as a whole new template. They only currently allow you to either keep your original template or override your original template.
Useless Watch Integration
Watch App Integration bugs on EVERY Workout. Timers not updating and ending significantly earlier/later, Delays and Failures in workout syncing, and app crashes on watch and phone make using the app absolutely irritating when tracking workouts. Fix your watch integration.
Love the app, sync getting worse
I’ve been using this app for years and have loved it. Recently, the quality seems to be slipping, or sync’ing between the phone and watch has gotten more difficult over the years. I was on the TestFlight, and figured that was the issue, but it’s just as bad on the App Store version. Going to hang in there for a little while longer before switching. I hope they are able to fix sync so I don’t have to think about moving all my workouts to another platform.
Erases data
If you use the “live sync” feature to track a workout using both the phone app and Apple Watch, the app will regularly lose sets you have already saved. Super frustrating that the app cannot perform its basic functionality.
Try a different app
I have been using this app for a few years. It’s been great for tracking my workouts and progression.
Unfortunately since the last few updates where it’s run from the watch instead of the phone it’s become unreliable to use.
- Rest timers not working consistently.
- Various sync issues such as after completing a set, it unchecks it randomly. Entire workouts go missing sometimes. Live sync works 50% of the time having to force close the phone and watch app. If I want to adjust my workout while I am in the middle of it, it is super buggy and annoying to update my plan for that workout based on how I feel that day.
- Templates don’t always save
I hope it gets fixed once and for all since I just paid for another year of subscription. Really disappointed. Try a different app for now, honestly.
Unfortunately since the last few updates where it’s run from the watch instead of the phone it’s become unreliable to use.
- Rest timers not working consistently.
- Various sync issues such as after completing a set, it unchecks it randomly. Entire workouts go missing sometimes. Live sync works 50% of the time having to force close the phone and watch app. If I want to adjust my workout while I am in the middle of it, it is super buggy and annoying to update my plan for that workout based on how I feel that day.
- Templates don’t always save
I hope it gets fixed once and for all since I just paid for another year of subscription. Really disappointed. Try a different app for now, honestly.
Templets
You should let people do more then three templets without the pro I know your trying to make money but like four not three you guys are just trying to take money from people
Constant Apple Watch Sync Issues
I’ve had several workouts that just aren’t saved because the Apple Watch app is horrible. Using this app with the Apple Watch is incredibly frustrating, and has been for years.
Fix the syncing issues
I have been using this app since 2018 and I love the features but recently syncing my phone to my watch is a nightmare. Every workout I waste 15-20 minutes at the gym trying to get my watch to the home page. I’ve restarted my watch and reinstalled the app on the daily. Please fix this
Needs Live Activity in Dynamic Island
Update: uninstalled and went with Hevy. Shame because I bought a lifetime subscription so I’m throwing money out the window but this is such a critical feature. Over a year and they never built Dynamic Island and lock screen access. This is a huge miss.
----
The app is generally quite good. The problem is it doesn’t have Live Activity (it doesn’t show up on the Lock Screen or up at the top of the screen in the background during your workout). That means if you’re doing something else with your phone there’s no easy way to get back to your workout. You need to find the app manually again which is a big hassle if you read or whatever between sets.
I contacted the developer back in May and they said they were working on it, but haven’t heard anything since then. I’m downgrading to three stars until then.
----
The app is generally quite good. The problem is it doesn’t have Live Activity (it doesn’t show up on the Lock Screen or up at the top of the screen in the background during your workout). That means if you’re doing something else with your phone there’s no easy way to get back to your workout. You need to find the app manually again which is a big hassle if you read or whatever between sets.
I contacted the developer back in May and they said they were working on it, but haven’t heard anything since then. I’m downgrading to three stars until then.
Needs Garmin Access
I love the app but I love my watch more. I will be changing to a different one until they decide to unlock garmin capabilities
Has all of the potential, but none of the consistency
I want to love this app. But I just don’t. It is easy enough to use and build workouts. However, the UI and Sync fail frequently, making tracking your workouts and progress to be nearly impossible.
5 of my last 7 workouts synced and recorded…or so it showed. But when i opened the app the following day, my prior workout was no where to be found.
Not a good look or an app that will be around for much longer unless changes are made.
5 of my last 7 workouts synced and recorded…or so it showed. But when i opened the app the following day, my prior workout was no where to be found.
Not a good look or an app that will be around for much longer unless changes are made.
Does this not sync to Strava… or any other app?
Seems to lack 3rd party connections. None of my workouts show up elsewhere. The app itself is good. But the lack of 3rd party connections is troubling… I guess I’ll be looking for something else. It connects to apple health but apple health is a joke so, yeah this app itself would be great if the work outs showed up on the place where I look at all my workouts lol. I’ll update this review if they fix this…
Sentiment summary
98%
Positive (4-5★)
1%
Neutral (3★)
1%
Negative (1-2★)