Comparison

5/3/1 Workout vs Forge 5/3/1

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

Head to head
About

5/3/1 Workout

This app simplifies strength training by automatically calculating and tracking progress for the 5/3/1 program. It focuses on key compound lifts and offers a guided approach for beginners and advanced users alike. The first two weeks are free to help you start building strength.

Highlights
  • Automated 5/3/1 progress calculation
  • Focus on compound movements
  • Guided workouts for beginners
  • Progress tracking with graphs
  • Warmup calculator
  • Weight and rep calculator
Features
Read full description

● Easiest program to calculate and track your 5/3/1 progress. ● Focuses on key compound movements. Bench, Squat, Deadlift. ● This program is not affiliated with Wendler and is adjusted for efficiency. 531 Workout is designed to be friendly for first time lifters, but can also be tailored towards veterans. The workouts focus on 4 movements. Squats, bench press, deadlifts, and overhead press. Getting started in weight training can be intimidating, but we've taken out the guesswork and doubt. There are many flavors of 3x5, 5x5, 531, and other powerlifting programs. At the very core of the these lifting programs, they share the same proven elements. Results have been proven time and time again for the past decades since the original 5x5 by Mark Berry in the 1930s, Reg Park in the 1950s, Bill Starr in the 1970s, and the many versions you see today. 531 Workout by Zen Labs Fitness includes the simplest version to make getting started easy. We've broken down the process into one workout a day. Guaranteed results. This program includes your first 2 weeks for free! ≈ Only 4 Simple Workouts ≈ Day 1 - Squat Day 2 - Bench Press Day 3 - Deadlift Day 4 - Overhead Press ≈ Starting is EASY ≈ 1. Enter your current 1RM (1 rep max) for Bench, Squat, Deadlifts. (or press beginner) 2. Our app will automatically calculate your program tailored you 3. Press start and start building strength! ≈ FEATURES ≈ ◉ First 2 weeks are free! Get started today! ◉ Workout 4 days a week. ◉ Workout weeks are grouped into "blocks". Each "block" is 4 weeks. ◉ Entire program is 7 blocks. Guaranteed gainz! ◉ Core program is only 1 workout per day. Simple! We focus on compound movements for efficiency. ◉ Progress graph to keep track of your PRs (personal records) ◉ Multiple cycles. After you finish 7 blocks, deload and start a new cycle! ◉ Warmup calculator to help you properly warm up and prevent injury. ◉ Weight and reps calculator ◉ Accessory workouts to add more volume for advanced users ◉ Apple Health integration ≈ NEW Zen Unlimited Pass - Try it for free! ≈ ◉ Award winning music curated from top DJ's! ◉ Scientifically proven to increase motivation by 35% ◉ Unlimited access to all pro features across ALL Zen Labs Fitness apps Questions/comments regarding the app? Please email us at contactus@zenlabsfitness.com or visit us at www.zenlabsfitness.com. ≈ Connect ≈ Facebook: @C25Kfree Twitter: @C25Kfree Instagram: @officialc25k Hashtag: #C25K https://forums.zenlabsfitness.com Subscription pricing and terms: The subscription will automatically renew unless turned off in your iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before current period ends. You can go to your iTunes Account settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Your iTunes Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. If you subscribe before your free trial ends, the rest of your free trial period will be forfeited as soon as your purchase is confirmed. Privacy Policy & Terms of Use: https://www.zenlabsfitness.com/privacy-policy/ Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it or by Zen Labs LLC are for educational purposes only. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program.

About

Forge 5/3/1

This powerlifting app helps users follow the Wendler 5/3/1 Boring But Big program with personalized workouts. It offers detailed tracking, history, and gym-ready features, with optional premium upgrades for advanced customization and data management.

Highlights
  • Personalized 5/3/1 BBB workouts
  • Classic Wendler progression
  • Log sets, reps, and weights
  • Volume and estimated 1RM tracking
  • Offline functionality
  • Plate calculator
  • Customizable training percentages
Features
Read full description

Forge 531 is your powerlifting companion for Wendler 5/3/1 Boring But Big—built for lifters who want precision, customization, and privacy. No ads-driven onboarding and no required account. PROGRAM & WORKOUTS (included) • Enter one-rep maxes for squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press—Forge generates personalized 5/3/1 BBB sessions from your training maxes • Classic Wendler progression with Boring But Big assistance work • Four-week cycles including deload; intuitive week navigation and cycle management • Metric or imperial units—switch anytime in Settings TRACKING & HISTORY (included) • Log sets, reps, and weights for every workout • Volume totals (weight × reps) • Estimated 1RM from AMRAP sets (Brzycki) • Full history with analytics so you can see progress over time GYM-READY DESIGN (included) • Optional keep screen awake during sessions • Dark theme suited to dim floors • Fast movement between weeks and workout detail PRIVACY & SIMPLICITY (included) • No account—ever. Nothing to register; nothing you must log into later • Your data stays on your device—not tied to a Forge cloud profile • Works offline for everyday training PREMIUM — SMART PLATES & LOADS (14-day free trial, then one-time purchase — no subscription) • Plate calculator — visual plate combinations for any target weight • Plate settings — barbell weight and inventory that match your gym • Full calculator access lines up with your metric/imperial choice once Premium is active PREMIUM — TRAINING CONTROL (same trial / purchase model) • Training max % adjustments — tune percentages off Wendler defaults • Progressions customization — adjust weekly progression percentages • Warm-up sets — bar-only and configurable percentage warm-ups before working sets (deload options in Settings) PREMIUM — DATA PORTABILITY (Not included in the free trial — unlocks with Premium purchase) • Import/export — backup and restore workout history via CSV HOW PREMIUM WORKS New users receive a 14-day trial for most Premium features listed above.** Import/export requires a Premium purchase and is not part of the trial.** After the trial ends, Premium remains available as a one-time purchase—no subscription.

Screenshots

5/3/1 Workout4 screens
Forge 5/3/14 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Forge 5/3/1 at 100% against 5/3/1 Workout's 33%. Forge 5/3/1 also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). 5/3/1 Workout's advantage is ratings volume (213 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. 5/3/1 Workout sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Forge 5/3/1 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Forge 5/3/1 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 5/3/1 Workout has 213 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of 5/3/1 Workout's written reviews are positive against 100% of Forge 5/3/1's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

5/3/1 Workout ships an update every 2 months, Forge 5/3/1 every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
5/3/1 Workout versus Forge 5/3/1: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter5/3/1 WorkoutForge 5/3/1
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (213 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings213 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size193 MB25 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperZen LabsMuscott Digital, LLC

Customer experience

5/3/1 Workout

All ratings213 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral5.2%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

Forge 5/3/1

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

5/3/1 Workout

Subscriptions3
  • Zen Unlimited Pass Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Zen Power Playlist 3 Months7 Days trial$29.993 Months
  • Zen Unlimited Pass Annual7 Days trial$74.991 Year
1 purchases

Forge 5/3/1

One-time1
  • Premium Features$4.99

Questions

Is 5/3/1 Workout free?
5/3/1 Workout is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Forge 5/3/1 free?
Forge 5/3/1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 5/3/1 Workout or Forge 5/3/1?
Forge 5/3/1 is rated higher. 5/3/1 Workout averages 4.6 out of 5 from 213 ratings, while Forge 5/3/1 averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do 5/3/1 Workout or Forge 5/3/1 have ads?
Neither 5/3/1 Workout nor Forge 5/3/1 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 5/3/1 Workout or Forge 5/3/1?
5/3/1 Workout ships an update every 2 months, and Forge 5/3/1 every 3 weeks. Most recently, 5/3/1 Workout was updated on October 24, 2026 and Forge 5/3/1 on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons