Comparison

Foundation Training vs Surf Athlete

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

Head to head
About

Foundation Training

This app offers body-weight exercises designed to improve movement, reduce pain, and enhance performance. It focuses on activating posterior muscles, stabilizing the hips, and decompressing the spine for better joint health and injury prevention.

Highlights
  • Access entire content library
  • Download videos for offline viewing
  • No equipment required
  • Beginner to expert instruction
  • Workout durations from 5-45 minutes
Features
Read full description

Change how you move and change your life for the better. No matter your age or your fitness level, Foundation Training puts you on the path to wellness. Through a series of body-weight exercises, Foundation Training activates your posterior muscle chain, anchors the hips, decompresses the spine, and teaches you to take the burden of supporting the body out of your joints and put it where it belongs - in your muscles. Foundation Training is an accessory tool like no other, taking you from pain to performance. It is a unique combination of prehab and rehab, both preventing and helping treat pain and injuries. Get an advantage over your opponent and an effective mechanism for injury prevention. Features: • Access to the entire Foundation Training content library. • Download videos to your device for offline viewing. • Workout anywhere, anytime, with no equipment. • Easy-to-follow video instruction for beginners through experts. • Videos perfectly times for your life with options from 5 to 45 minutes. "Like so many people who have found relief with Foundation Training, I am grateful for the healing." – Chris Hemsworth, Actor “Foundation exercises have been a great addition to my exercise routine. My back doesn't just feel better, it feels strong.” - Jeff Bridges, Actor "Foundation Training is the answer to my many years of research on the negative effects of sitting. It is a ticket to discover a more vibrant health life – no matter your age.” - Dr. Joan Vernikos, Former NASA Director of Life Sciences & Author of Sitting Kills, Moving Heals ▷ Already a Member? Sign-In to access your subscription. ▷ New? Try it for free! Subscribe in the app to get instant access. Foundation Training offers an auto-renewing subscription that will allow you unlimited access to content on all your devices. Payment is charged to your Account at confirmation of purchase. Pricing varies by location and is confirmed prior to purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. Cancel anytime in Account Settings. For more information see our: Terms of Service URL: https://www.foundationtraining.com/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy URL: https://www.foundationtraining.com/privacy-policy

About

Surf Athlete

This app provides surf-specific training programs designed to enhance strength, endurance, and mobility. It offers workouts, stretching routines, and breath training to improve performance in the ocean and prevent injuries. Users can join a community and track progress.

Highlights
  • Surf-specific workouts
  • Strength, endurance, and mobility training
  • Stretch routines
  • Breath training
  • Technique tutorials
  • Global surfer community
Features
Read full description

The #1 Surf Fitness App Train anywhere, anytime, with minimal or no equipment. Build the strength, endurance, and mobility that actually carry over to your surfing. Whether you're chasing bigger waves, longer sessions, or just want to feel better in the lineup — Surf Athlete gives you the exact tools to get there. WHY SURF ATHLETE? Because you're a surfer, you're an athlete. Stop letting time, equipment, or excuses hold you back. Join over 50,000 surfers training smarter and surfing stronger. Feel results in the ocean. From paddle endurance to pop-up speed, the workouts are designed specifically for surfers. Learn the right way. Every exercise comes with coaching cues, detailed demos, and surf-specific explanations. Train for longevity. This isn't just fitness — it's surf performance. We blend strength, mobility, breathwork, recovery, and mindset training to keep you stoked in the water for life. FREE FEATURES Bodyweight & mobility workouts Stretch routines for surfers Breath training to stay calm in heavy water Technique tutorials & surf-specific drills A global community of frothers sharing the journey Upgrade anytime to unlock full surf-specific programs, personalized training plans, and ongoing coaching from Surf Strength Coach. TRAINING BENEFITS Paddle longer, recover faster, surf more waves Improve flexibility & mobility for fluid movement Build strength & endurance that transfers directly to surfing Prevent injuries and surf pain-free Train anytime, anywhere — no excuses Sync with Apple Health to track progress Your surfing doesn't improve by chance. It improves by training smart. Download Surf Athlete today and start building the fitness, confidence, and durability your surfing deserves. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://surfstrengthcoach.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Foundation Training3 screens
Surf Athlete4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Surf Athlete at free with in-app purchases against Foundation Training's subscription. Surf Athlete also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (93% vs 68%). Foundation Training's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Foundation Training sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $27.99 per month and Surf Athlete sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $18.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Surf Athlete holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 87 and 388 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Foundation Training's written reviews are positive against 93% of Surf Athlete's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Foundation Training ships an update monthly, Surf Athlete every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Foundation Training versus Surf Athlete: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFoundation TrainingSurf Athlete
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (87 ratings)4.9 (388 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.4% of reviews92.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings87388 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB180 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperFoundation Training, LLCNautilus Surf Performance LLC

Customer experience

Foundation Training

All ratings87 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral5.7%
Negative12.6%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral7.0%
Negative24.6%

Surf Athlete

All ratings379 ratings
Positive97.1%
Neutral0.8%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews136 reviews
Positive92.6%
Neutral0.7%
Negative6.6%

User reviews

Foundation Training

From 87 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Life-changing pain relief
  • 💪 Improved strength and posture
  • 🧘‍♀️ Enhanced body awareness
  • 👍 Excellent instruction and trainers
  • ✅ Effective for injuries and chronic pain

Room to improve

  • 📉 Removal of free content
  • 💸 Expensive subscription
  • 😠 Difficulty cancelling subscription
  • 👎 Vague explanations
  • 😬 "Bro energy" from some instructors

Surf Athlete

From 388 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Solid app
  • 👍 Detailed instructions and programs
  • 👍 Comprehensive surf-specific fitness
  • 👍 Improves flexibility, strength, and mobility
  • 👍 Helps with pop-up and technique

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Registration/login issues
  • 🐛 Occasional app crashes
  • 🔇 Lack of audio cues during workouts
  • 🔇 Music playback issues
  • 💰 Expensive for some users

Bugs and requests

Foundation Training

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • App crashes iPhone 13 Pro / iOS 16.5.1
  • Videos hang/buffer mid-workout
  • App freezes at title screen
  • Downloads are inoperable
  • Cannot create an account
Show 4 more
  • Invalid certificate error
  • App has no functionality
  • App signed up user for unwanted trial subscription
  • Removed a 14-week baseline program

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add a 'favorites' button on the home browse page
  • Link to Apple Health and Fitness app
  • More guidance for instructors' presentation style
  • Improve app functionality and stability
  • Make subscription process clearer
Show 1 more
  • Bring back sample workouts

Surf Athlete

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Registration not working
  • App crashing on launch
  • Music playback interruptions

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Offline workout mode
  • Better music integration
  • More free content
  • Expanded exercise library
Show 1 more
  • Improved app stability

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Foundation Training

Subscriptions3
  • APP Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$27.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$27.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$199.991 Year
13 purchases

Surf Athlete

Subscriptions5
  • Ocean Sports Academy (1 month)$18.991 Month
  • SURF ATHLETE PRO (1 month)$29.991 Month
  • Surf Athlete Academy (3 month)$83.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Surf Athlete Academy (6 month)$144.996 Months
  • SURF ATHLETE PRO (1 year)$155.991 Year
One-time8
  • Stretches for Surfers$27.99
  • The Perfect Pop Up$79.99
  • Bodyweight$119.99
Show 5 more
  • Surf Athlete$129.99
  • Cardboard Surfer$129.99
  • Surf Skate$139.99
  • Stretches for Surfers 2.0$139.99
  • Surf Training Foundations$159.99

Questions

Is Foundation Training free?
Foundation Training is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Surf Athlete free?
Surf Athlete is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Foundation Training or Surf Athlete?
Surf Athlete is rated higher. Foundation Training averages 4.4 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while Surf Athlete averages 4.9 from 388 ratings.
Do Foundation Training or Surf Athlete have ads?
Neither Foundation Training nor Surf Athlete shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Foundation Training or Surf Athlete?
Foundation Training ships an update monthly, and Surf Athlete every 3 weeks. Most recently, Foundation Training was updated on September 21, 2026 and Surf Athlete on September 21, 2026.

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