# German Volume Training - GVT Weightlifting — Powerlifting Workout

> Automated German Volume Training (GVT) workout planner and tracker. (iPhone/iPad app by Charles Vanderhoff.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/german-volume-training-gvt-weightlifting/id1227476341 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Charles Vanderhoff](https://appshunter.io/developer/950621709)
- Category: Health & Fitness, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.30/5 from 26 App Store ratings · 23 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 18 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-05-02
- Data updated: 2026-08-18
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/german-volume-training-gvt-weightlifting/id1227476341/reviews.md

## What is German Volume Training?

Automate your German Volume Training (GVT) routine! Lose the spreadsheets and streamline your workout.

The German Volume Training app includes the original 5 day German Volume Training (GVT) split:
- Day 1: Chest & Back
- Day 2: Legs & Abs
- Day 3: Rest
- Day 4: Arms & Shoulders
- Day 5: Rest

Also customize the GVT routine to your liking! You have complete control over exercises, rest periods, tempo, weight, sets & reps!

German Volume Training Tips & Tricks

- EXERCISES: Pick exercises that provide the most bang for your buck. Don’t use machine exercises. Use compound movement exercises. You will be performing only one 10×10 exercise per muscle group.
- SETS & REPS: Perform 10 sets by 10 reps for each primary exercise. Assistance exercises are usually 3 sets by 12 reps.
- REST: Rest between the 10×10 sets on main lifts is kept to a strict 90 second. Rest for accessory lifts is limited to 60 seconds between sets.
- MUSCLE GROUPS: If you can, work using antagonistic muscle groups. Chest & Back, an Overhead Press and a Lat exercise (pull down or pull ups), Quads and Hamstrings, or Biceps and Triceps.
- WEIGHT: Start with approximately 55% of your one rep max, or a weight in which you could perform a single 20 rep set with.
- WEIGHT INCREMENTS: You only add weight when you are able to perform 10 reps for each of the 10 sets. Do NOT train to failure on any of the sets.
- FREQUENCY: Training each muscle group every 4 to 5 days is optimal.
- TEMPO: It is recommended to use use a specific tempo depending on the type of lift. For long-range movements such as squats, dips and pull ups, a 4 second negative is recommended. For shorter range movements such as curls and tricep extensions, a 3 second negative is recommended.

German Volume Training (GVT) was popularized by German national weight lifting coach Rolf Feser. It is especially useful on two fronts:

- Building muscle mass
- Burning unwanted body fat

Canadian strength coach Charles Poliquin and Jacques Demers, a team Canada lifter, accredited his amazing leg size to German Volume Training. Female bodybuilding sensation Bev Francis has also stated that she used German Volume Training during her early years to build muscle.

It is said that that German Volume Training was such an effective routine that it was not uncommon for lifters to move up a weight class after only 12 weeks.

Please Note:

- Due to the intense recovery demands associated with this program, trainees may want to consider working each body part only once per week.
- Eat aggressively while utilizing German Volume Training.

## Key features

- Automated GVT routine
- Customizable exercises, rest, sets, reps, and weight
- Original 5-day GVT split included
- Tips and tricks for GVT
- Track progress and weight increments

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| German Volume Training Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 23)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/german-volume-training-gvt-weightlifting/id1227476341/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Missing features especially for a paid app

*2025-08-31*

This app is missing a lot of essential features. No ability to adjust reps. No abiliity to adjust weights. No audible alarm for the end of rest. No ability to adjust the rest period. The rest timer resets when leaving the set page for any reason. No ability to adjust the weights for dumbbells. Given its age, I’m guessing it’s not getting any kind of update.  Too bad, I really wanted to try GVT for a bit.

### 1/5 — Need a lot of improvement

*2022-10-22*

Can’t adjust weight easily. Timer works only sometimes. Frustrating app. Reset makes everything reset. Dumb. Also if you open another app, sometimes this app will start over. Just what you need in the middle of a workout.

### 3/5 — Needs flexibility

*2022-05-31*

The app is good but could definitely use the ability to adjust the weight and the reps.  It adds 1 lb to the next workout when I’m using dumbbells, my dumbbells are in 5 lb increments as I’m sure most are.

### 1/5 — A joke

*2021-04-16, version 1.0.4*

This app has got really bad. I had the premium paid for app but changed phone. Can’t get the premium back and the developers don’t respond. Check out the last update! Now I’ve got an advert right in front of the timer so I can’t even see the countdown. Don’t waste your money is my advice.

### 3/5 — Good but needs work

*2020-10-23, version 1.0.4*

It’s a good app but could do with improvements, if I fail to complete 10 sets of reps it would be useful to know at what point I failed and show it when I start the exercise the next week so I have a goal to aim for. 

The timer is hit and miss with its notifications and it’s very easy to misclick and delete past completed sets.

### 3/5 — Needs work

*2020-07-18*

I got this to begin a GVT routine. I like that the app has the first phase populated, but the app seems incomplete. The plate calculator should include the option to include unique plate weights. Further the timer resets when switching between other apps such as music or even when trying to look at what exercise is next within the app...very annoying.  Additionally, I wish it had an option to track max rep and what was lifted in case other than 55%/60% RM was used.

### 3/5 — Good start

*2020-07-02, version 1.0.4*

Simple app to use. Need to be able to Input actual reps completed and have the weight you lift adjust accordingly. Otherwise a solid app

### 2/5 — Just Ok - Needs enhancements

*2020-03-04*

Issues are - app crashes is you look at another app like your music for more than a few seconds. This makes you go back to find your workout and resets the timer. 

Does not have function of you are unable to compile all lifts. Which would change the next workout. 

Does not have function past 10 rep week. GVT should have phase 2 and 3 with lower reps at higher weight.

### 2/5 — Too rigid!

*2020-02-25, version 1.0.4*

The platform is very rigid, if you don’t complete all the sets for whatever reason when you finish the workout it automatically completes the remaining sets, should you fail to hit the rep range you can change them to accurately track your workout. Likewise should you need to drop or increase the weight this isn’t possible either.

### 4/5 — Nearly there

*2020-02-25, version 1.0.4*

A great app for tracking sets and rest periods. Would like to see it updated to allow failed sets and adjustment to weights used during a workout

## Frequently asked questions about German Volume Training

### What is German Volume Training (GVT)?

German Volume Training (GVT) is a popular weightlifting routine popularized by Rolf Feser, known for its effectiveness in building muscle mass and burning body fat. It typically involves performing 10 sets of 10 repetitions for primary exercises with strict rest periods.

### What are the key features of this app?

This app automates your GVT routine, offering a pre-set 5-day split and full customization options for exercises, rest periods, tempo, weight, sets, and reps. It also provides tips and tricks for optimizing your GVT workouts.

### How does the app help with weight progression?

The app guides you on weight increments, suggesting you only add weight when you can successfully complete 10 reps for all 10 sets of a primary exercise. It emphasizes not training to failure on any sets.

### What kind of exercises are recommended for GVT?

The app recommends compound movement exercises that provide the most benefit, advising against machine exercises. For primary exercises, you'll perform 10 sets of 10 reps, while assistance exercises are typically 3 sets of 12 reps.

### Is this app free to use?

The app is free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases available. These purchases likely unlock additional features or content beyond the core functionality.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.0.4 — 2017-07-26

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- Bug fixes and performance improvements

Let us know if we can do anything to make the app better for you! Please be sure to review the app so others can find it when searching.

### 1.0.3 — 2017-07-01

- Bug fixes and performance improvements

Let us know if we can do anything to make the app better for you! Please be sure to review the app so others can find it when searching.

### 1.0.2 — 2017-05-25

- Bug fixes and performance improvements.

Let us know if we can do anything to make the app better for you! Please be sure to review the app so others can find it when searching.

### 1.0 — 2017-05-01

No release notes.

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## More apps by Charles Vanderhoff

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All apps by Charles Vanderhoff: https://appshunter.io/developer/950621709

## Related topics

[gvt](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gvt)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-18.*
