Comparison

WeightsBook vs Shugyo

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

Head to head
About

WeightsBook

This app offers a digital alternative to traditional paper weightlifting journals. It tracks advanced training metrics and provides tools for both beginners and experienced lifters, including client management for trainers.

Highlights
  • Digital weightlifting journal
  • Advanced exercise tracking (RIR, RPE, partial reps)
  • Superset and drop set support
  • Multiple client diaries
  • Workout and rest timer
  • Workout calendar
Features
Read full description

I’ve been lifting for more than 20 years, and I built WeightsBook because I was tired of workout-logging apps that made a simple job feel complicated. With every app I tried, I came away with the same impression: its designers did not understand how lifters actually use a training journal. As a programmer, I decided to build the app I wanted. I returned to what had always worked—pen and paper—and built from there. While training a friend one day, I realized the same journal idea could help personal trainers: a separate weightsbook for every client, all in one app. That led me to add support for multiple weightsbooks, allowing trainers to record each client’s workouts separately and export or share each one. The result is WeightsBook: a modern lifting log that retains the look, feel, and simplicity of a traditional training journal. Its distinctive handwritten style is intentional. Logging a set should feel like writing it down, not operating a dashboard. Within that familiar design, experienced lifters will find detailed tracking for RPE, RIR, supersets, drop sets, and partial reps. If you have ever abandoned a workout app and gone back to a notebook, WeightsBook was made for you.

About

Shugyo

Features
Read full description

Shugyo is your personal workout tracker built for one purpose: getting stronger. Import your entire workout plan, track your weights, and watch your progress as you push toward your goals — set by set, rep by rep. Smart Weight Recommendations No more guessing what to lift. Shugyo analyzes your last session — your heaviest sets, your reps, your notes — and tells you exactly what weight to aim for today. Hit the target and watch the celebration hit your screen. Meet Yasorin Your AI coach is always on standby. Ask about exercise form, get training advice, or learn how the app works. Yasorin blends fitness coaching with warrior philosophy to keep you disciplined and motivated. Key Features - Import full workout plans instantly — just paste and go - Smart weight targets based on your real performance - Track starting weight, current weight, and goal weight for every exercise - Mark exercises done as you go — see your workout progress live - Visual progress bars that show how close you are to your goals - AI coach for exercise guidance, form tips, and app help - Drag and drop to reorder your workout schedule - Workout history with personal records highlighted - Retro Game Boy-inspired interface with cyberpunk design - Sound effects for completing sets, finishing workouts, and hitting PRs Built for lifters who are serious about progressive overload. No fluff. Just gains.

Screenshots

WeightsBook4 screens
Shugyo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Shugyo at Free against WeightsBook's $4.99. On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

Shugyo is free to download; WeightsBook costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WeightsBook ships an update every 2 weeks, Shugyo every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
WeightsBook versus Shugyo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWeightsBookShugyo
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMike HurwitzYassin Kwyasse

In-app purchases

None

WeightsBook

No in-app purchases

None

Shugyo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WeightsBook free?
WeightsBook costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shugyo free?
Shugyo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do WeightsBook or Shugyo have ads?
Neither WeightsBook nor Shugyo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WeightsBook or Shugyo?
WeightsBook ships an update every 2 weeks, and Shugyo every 3 weeks. Most recently, WeightsBook was updated on October 7, 2026 and Shugyo on October 17, 2026.

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