Barbell 5x5
A structured barbell training app for iOS and Apple Watch. In development.
Why I built this
I'd been running a 5x5 barbell program for a while when the app I was using moved to a subscription model. I looked at alternatives, but everything felt cluttered—too many buttons competing for attention, no clear primary action on any screen. I figured I could build something better: an app that knows what workout you should do today, tells you exactly what weight to load, and gets out of the way.
I was already using AI to calculate a daily readiness score—weighing sleep, HRV, and training load to decide whether to push hard, deload, or do active recovery. Building that directly into the app became one of the first features that pulled the project beyond a simple tracker. From there it grew into a full-featured app with iCloud sync, Live Activities, and a standalone Apple Watch companion.
I spent time learning iOS design principles: when screens should feel precise, when they should feel confident, when they should feel warm. That thinking—one primary action per screen, motion that explains rather than decorates—shaped every decision in the app.
What it looks like
Key features
8 built-in programs, 50+ exercises, and dozens of achievement badges.
StrongLifts 5x5, Starting Strength, Madcow, Texas Method, Wendler 5/3/1, GZCLP, nSuns, Reddit PPL—plus a full custom program builder.
Multi-signal algorithm weighing sleep, HRV, heart rate, respiratory rate, training load, and fatigue to recommend workout adjustments.
Rest timer and workout progress on the lock screen and Dynamic Island—no unlock needed between sets.
CloudKit-backed sync across devices with offline fallback, so your data is never lost.
Standalone watch app with offline-first architecture. Tracks full workouts independently and syncs every state change in real time.
Automatically calculates warm-up sets based on working weight, with per-exercise configuration.
Weight progression over time, exercise balance across movement patterns, and volume tracking.
Exercise form guides
50+ exercises, each with an animated form guide showing proper technique through the full range of motion. Check form between sets without leaving the app.
Apple Watch companion
A standalone watch app that tracks full workouts independently—no iPhone required. Every state change syncs in real time between devices, so you can switch mid-workout without losing a rep. It also has its own plate calculator so you know exactly what to load.
Interested?
Barbell 5x5 is still in development. If you'd like to know when it launches, send me an email and I'll add you to the list.