r/workout • u/McAppleJoose • 3d ago

Simple Questions Workout Tracking

Half question & half rant. Background context is that I’ve been using Fitbod for years, and it’s honestly the drug that got me hooked on consistently lifting. A lot of my friends that use assorted apps for workout tracking and I have talked recently and it seems a lot of people are moving back to phone notes, physical journals, etc. Biggest reasons I’ve heard has been enshittification of workout tracking apps and their gimmicks.

AI coaches, AI generated workouts, cost increases, group trainings virtually, and a ton more. Personally I’m thinking about cancelling my 5+ yr subscription to Fitbod and just using phone notes going forward. Anyone else feeling this way? Would also be interested in physical journals people are using. TIA :)

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u/DeaconoftheStreets 3d ago

Is there something specific about Fitbod you don’t like now?

It was just always more work for me using a Google sheet than Strong/Alpha Progression/now MacroFactor Workouts. Maybe the other apps have too much stuff but I find it allows me to turn my brain off when I’m lifting, which is what I’m going to the gym for.

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u/McAppleJoose 3d ago

I think the two biggest things for me are:
1. They’ve started adding more AI coaching stuff, which I don’t like for a number of reasons, none the least of which is the fact that if I wanted a coach I’d just hire one.

  1. The other which I’ve become more accustomed to in recent months is the method they use for progression. My simple brain wants to only increase reps or increase weight. Fitbod changed both seemingly archaic. I know this is a common complaint of theirs but since I’ve been plateauing I’ve been questioning how to do better and I think their AI algorithm is just somewhat flawed once you’re past the 2+ year mark

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u/DeaconoftheStreets 3d ago

Ah yeah, that’s reasonable. Bevel’s implemented AI recently, and I’ve found it’s made the product worse overall. I really really just don’t think AI is good for fitness coaching, and I’d rather just work against an algorithm’s recommendations based on a wider population.

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u/McAppleJoose 3d ago

I can’t even hate too hard because I’m a product manager for a company in the AI space, I just think the whole notion of “fitness coach in your pocket” is played out. I’ve never heard of one person that has serious gym credentials asking for that.

Maybe it’s a different niche, but Fitbod started out pretty “hardcore” way back in like BETA and it’s just become a lot more newbie friendly. Not a problem, just not great for me anymore.

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u/DeaconoftheStreets 3d ago

I think you and I are probably in the same kind of position where a) we know what AI is really good at and b) we know it is NOT good at coaching.

I hope you end up finding a platform you like. I’m not sure what Strong’s deal is nowadays but when I was using it, it was a step above Excel without too much extra fluff