Comparison

Sheiko vs Calgary Barbell Training App

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sheiko

Access 13 classic Sheiko powerlifting programs with calculated weights based on your maxes. Log your completed workouts, view your entire training block, and track progress. Supports offline use and custom plate loading.

Highlights
  • 13 classic Sheiko powerlifting programs
  • Calculated weights based on 1RMs
  • Log completed sets and reps
  • View entire training block progress
  • Offline workout tracking
  • Customizable plate loading
  • Rest timer between sets
Features
Read full description

Know what to lift today, and see the whole block ahead. Choose from 13 classic Sheiko powerlifting programs, get your squat, bench press and deadlift weights calculated from your maxes, and log the work you actually complete. SEE THE WHOLE BLOCK - A chart of every session in the program shows where the heavy weeks are before you reach them. - Each week's workload at a glance: how many lifts, how heavy on average, and total tonnage. - Intensity zones show how your work spreads from 50% up to 90% and above, week by week. - Always know where you stand: the next session is ready and the block's progress is filled in as you train. KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO LIFT - Every main-lift weight calculated from your 1RMs and the program's percentages. - Variations follow their lift: front squat, narrow-grip bench, deadlifts from boxes and to the knees, and more. - Weights rounded to the bar and plates you own, with the plates to load on each side. - Pounds or kilograms. 13 PROGRAMS, INTERMEDIATE TO ELITE - Intermediate, up to 3 days a week: #29, #30, #31, #32, #37, #39 and #40. - Advanced, up to 4 days a week: CMS-MS Prep 1, 2 and 3, and CMS-MS Comp. - Elite, up to 5 days a week: MSIC Prep and MSIC Comp. - Compare programs before you start: length, sessions, weekly volume and each lift's top set in your own weights. - Prep blocks build volume. Comp blocks taper into a light final week before the meet. LOG THE SESSION YOU ACTUALLY LIFTED - One tile per set: tap to log it, tap again to take off a rep. - Change the weight or reps of any set, and add your own weights for accessories. - A rest timer between sets, and the screen stays awake while you train. - Save a partial workout, add notes and log a session on an earlier date. - A "How to run it" guide for each program: reading the notation, choosing a 1RM and what to do when a day is too heavy. TRAIN OFFLINE. NO ACCOUNT. NO ADS. Your programs and workout log work offline, without signing in. Optional backup, sync across devices and data export. Sheiko programs are demanding, competition-style training for lifters who already know the lifts. Use good technique and listen to your recovery. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Boris Sheiko. The programs are the classic Sheiko templates shared among lifters for years. Some features require a subscription. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Privacy: https://vandersoft.co/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Calgary Barbell Training App

Access a vast library of strength training programs, with tools for customization and detailed progress tracking. Connect with coaches for personalized guidance and upload training videos. Syncs with Apple Health for comprehensive fitness data.

Highlights
  • Extensive program library
  • Interactive programming tools
  • Detailed training log
  • Video upload and sharing
  • HealthKit integration
  • Direct coach access via Discord
  • Exercise demo videos
Features
Read full description

Members of the Calgary Barbell Training Team get a multi-faceted resource to help propel your training beyond just downloading a template with 0 guidance. Our App includes: Programming: You get access to a continuously growing library of nearly 50 programs, and access to any new programs added. These plans run the gamut from competition-specific powerlifting peaks to powerbuilding, equipped lifting, and cater to a wide array of experience levels, from first-time lifters to advanced powerlifters. Tools for Individualization: There are many baked-in tools to help you swap and modify the programming to *actually* suit your *individual* needs. You're not locked into a spreadsheet template, you actually have interactive programming. Beyond this, using our community Discord, our coaches will actually guide you in making those decisions and individualizations. Extensive Training Log: Track your progress, store and upload all of your training footage (no more full phones from trying to keep track of your lifting footage!), and always be able to reference back to your past training data quickly and easily. Sync data from Apple Health to stay accountable with step counts, bodyweight tracking, and nutritional data/ Coaching: Through our exclusive app-users-only Discord, Bryce and the Calgary Barbell coaches do weekly video check-ins and are constantly available to answer questions about the programs, take suggestions for new programs, and generally offer a very hands-on coaching experience alongside the program library. Features to highlight include - Know exactly what weight to put on the bar for optimal training (%1RM / RPE) - Upload videos and share them. - Keep track of your actual results directly in the app - Watch exercise demo videos directly in the app to perfect your lifting technique - Automatically track all your training metrics to ensure you are progressing toward your goal - Mark sets off as complete as you progress through your workout to stay organized. - Sync your account with HealthKit to track all your health and fitness data in one place including nutrition, steps and bodyweight. - and much more…

Screenshots

Sheiko4 screens
Calgary Barbell Training App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Calgary Barbell Training App at none against Sheiko's 3. Calgary Barbell Training App also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 33%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). Sheiko's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.9). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sheiko sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per 3 months. Calgary Barbell Training App asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sheiko holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 10 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Sheiko's written reviews are positive against 67% of Calgary Barbell Training App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sheiko ships an update every 5 weeks, Calgary Barbell Training App weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Sheiko versus Calgary Barbell Training App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSheikoCalgary Barbell Training App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (20 ratings) — better3.9 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings20 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCharles VanderhoffMy Strength Book Inc

Customer experience

Sheiko

All ratings20 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

Calgary Barbell Training App

All ratings10 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Sheiko

Subscriptions2
  • Sheiko Pro 3 Months$12.993 Months
  • Sheiko Pro Annual$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Sheiko Pro$5.99
None

Calgary Barbell Training App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sheiko free?
Sheiko is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Calgary Barbell Training App free?
Calgary Barbell Training App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sheiko or Calgary Barbell Training App?
Sheiko is rated higher. Sheiko averages 4.3 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Calgary Barbell Training App averages 3.9 from 10 ratings.
Do Sheiko or Calgary Barbell Training App have ads?
Neither Sheiko nor Calgary Barbell Training App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sheiko or Calgary Barbell Training App?
Sheiko ships an update every 5 weeks, and Calgary Barbell Training App weekly. Most recently, Sheiko was updated on November 6, 2026 and Calgary Barbell Training App on November 7, 2026.

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