Progressive Workouts vs Simple Calisthenics
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Progressive Workouts
This app offers bodyweight training programs designed by experts, focusing on progressive overload to build strength and muscle. It includes video demonstrations and detailed exercise descriptions to ensure proper form. Users can track their progress and customize their routines.
- Level-up bodyweight exercises
- Log reps, time, or weight
- Video and text exercise guides
- Track completed sessions
- Create custom workouts
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Progressive Workouts makes progressive bodyweight training simple. Choose a structured routine, record every set, and move from easier to harder exercise variations as you get stronger. INCLUDED WORKOUTS Start with included programs such as the Recommended Routine, Minimalist Routine, Primer Routine, Skill Day Routine, and BWSF Routine or create your own workouts. HOW PROGRESSION WORKS Find an exercise variation that matches your current ability. Log your repetitions or hold time and compare your performance with your previous workout. When you reach the target, for example three sets of eight repetitions or three sets of 30 seconds, move to the next exercise level. BUILT FOR BODYWEIGHT TRAINING • Log repetitions, hold time, or added weight\ • Use preparation countdowns and interval sounds for static holds\ • Automatically move between paired exercises\ • View written instructions and videos for many exercises\ • Review your completed workout sessions\ • Create custom workouts, progressions, and exercises\ • Choose alternative progression paths\ • Adjust rest times between exercises Most routines require only a pull-up bar. Some exercises may use gymnastic rings, parallel bars, or other simple equipment. Train at your own pace, focus on good form, and choose exercise variations that match your current ability. Progressive Workouts is free to use with ads. Ads can be removed with a one-time in-app purchase.
Simple Calisthenics
This app provides personalized calisthenics workout programs tailored to your fitness level, goals, and schedule. It offers interactive workout guidance, a comprehensive exercise library, and detailed progress tracking to help you build muscle, gain strength, and master calisthenics skills.
- Personalized workout programs
- Interactive workout player
- Audio and video instructions
- Extensive exercise library
- Detailed exercise guides
- Workout builder
- Training statistics
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Simple Calisthenics offers the most personalized and customizable calisthenics workout programs. Whether you want to build Muscle, Gain Strength, achieve impressive Calisthenics Skills, improve your Mobility, or other goals, Simple Calisthenics has you covered! Suitable for all levels and continuously adapting the program to progress together with you! PERSONALISED WORKOUT PROGRAMS -> Based on your current level, whether you are a total beginner or an advanced athlete -> Optimized to achieve your goals, such as gaining strength, building muscle, or learning calisthenics skills such as Handstand, Muscle Up, Front Lever, Planche, and many more -> Tailored to your personal schedule: Define how often and when you want to work out -> Using your available equipment: Train with weights, in a gym, at home or while traveling -> Highly customizable: you can edit each workout in detail to fit your exact preferences INTERACTIVE WORKOUT PLAYER -> Audio- and Video Instructions: focus on your workout while always knowing what to do -> Automated Exercise & Rest Times -> Repetition & Weight Tracking to keep track of your progress -> Record your Workouts and Exercises to analyze your form and correct mistakes without switching apps. LEARN EVERYTHING YOU NEED ABOUT CALISTHENICS -> Exercise Library with over 1.000 exercises: a large database of Calisthenics Exercises with progressions for all levels -> Detailed Exercise Guides about execution, tips, and common mistakes for all Calisthenics exercises, and progressions. -> Basic Lectures: learn about important topics such as Nutrition, Regeneration, Rep Ranges, Intensity, and more STATISTICS ABOUT YOUR TRAINING -> Analyze your progress using detailed statistics from your workouts -> Track your improvements in Repetitions and Weights over time with charts that plot your progress -> Save logs of every single Workout to jump back in time and see how your workouts have changed -> View previous Workout Recordings to learn how your execution of exercises has improved and where you can still improve on -> Learn about your records in repetition and weights for every exercise or your average values WORKOUT BUILDER -> Create your own workouts exactly to your preferences in minor detail -> Edit existing workouts to fit your preferences -> Select exercises from a large database or create your own exercises Start your Calisthenics Journey now or bring your current training to a whole new level! Website: https://www.simple-calisthenics.com Privacy Policy: https://www.simple-calisthenics.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.simple-calisthenics.com/tos Support: https://www.app.simple-calisthenics.com/support
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Simple Calisthenics at none against Progressive Workouts's shown. Simple Calisthenics also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (205 vs 19). On price, rating, review sentiment 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
Both are free to download. Progressive Workouts sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Simple Calisthenics sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Progressive Workouts against 4.8 for Simple Calisthenics. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Calisthenics has 205 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Progressive Workouts's written reviews are positive against 95% of Simple Calisthenics's.
Progressive Workouts ships an update every 3 months, Simple Calisthenics every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 6, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Progressive Workouts | Simple Calisthenics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (19 ratings) | 4.8 (205 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 94.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 19 | 205 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 262 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Dieter Janzen | Jonas Wallmann |
Customer experience
Progressive Workouts
Simple Calisthenics
Bugs and requests
Progressive Workouts
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Simple Calisthenics
Reported bugs
8 issues- Fails to move from one workout to the next
- Progression resets frequently
- Preview videos are faulty and incomplete
- Exercise doesn't always switch to the next one
- Cannot save workouts or update plan
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- Cannot change workout time and equipment at the top of daily workout
- Previous bug preventing functionality is now fixed
- App sometimes gets stuck
Requested features
13 requests- Add more preview images for next exercise
- Apple Watch app integration
- Easier starting points/progressions for some moves
- Ability to go back within an exercise
- Automate weight increases weekly
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- Add supersets, trisets, drop-sets
- Incorporate cardio
- Add more nutrition options
- Improve UI for fewer taps
- Better integration of kettlebells
- Music playback during workouts
- More detailed statistics display
- Option to play music during workouts
In-app purchases
Progressive Workouts
- Small Tip$2.99
- Medium Tip$5.99
- Remove Ads$5.99
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- Large Tip$19.99
Simple Calisthenics
- Monthly Premium Membership7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Premium Membership7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- 3 Month Premium Membership7 Days trial$24.993 Months
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- Annual Premium Membership7 Days trial$69.991 Year
- Premium Membership7 Days trial$89.991 Year
- Simple Calisthenics Lifetime$109.99
Questions
Is Progressive Workouts free?
Is Simple Calisthenics free?
Which has better reviews, Progressive Workouts or Simple Calisthenics?
Do Progressive Workouts or Simple Calisthenics have ads?
Which is updated more often, Progressive Workouts or Simple Calisthenics?
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