# The Training Notebook vs Gym Diary

The clearest difference is rating: Gym Diary at 4.3 against The Training Notebook's 3.0. Gym Diary also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks) and review sentiment (54% vs 43%). The Training Notebook's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Training Notebook sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per month and Gym Diary sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Gym Diary holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 125 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of The Training Notebook's written reviews are positive against 54% of Gym Diary's.

The Training Notebook ships an update every 6 weeks, Gym Diary every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Training Notebook | Gym Diary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (55 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-training-notebook/id505906865/reviews) | **[4.3 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gym-diary-workout-tracker-log/id1328908841/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 55 | **125** |
| Positive reviews | 43.2% of reviews | **54.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 62 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Training Notebook, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/505906868) | [Nishan Niraula](https://appshunter.io/developer/1328908390) |

## What reviewers say

### The Training Notebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-training-notebook/id505906865)

This app helps personal trainers manage clients, organize workout programs, track progress, and streamline administrative tasks. It offers tools for assessments, scheduling, and communication, allowing trainers to focus on business growth.

**Highlights:** Client management, Workout program organization, Progress tracking, Fitness assessments, Scheduling, In-app messaging, PAR-Q questionnaires

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10Clients Monthly Subscription | $9.00 | per month |
| 20Clients Monthly Subscription | $16.00 | per month |
| Unlimited Clients Subscription | $24.99 | per month |
| 10 Clients Annual Subscription | $72.00 | per year |
| 20 Clients Annual Subscription | $143.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Clients Subscription | $229.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💪 Easy to use and manage clients
- 📈 Helpful for tracking client progress
- 🗓️ Useful calendar and scheduling features
- 📝 Customizable workout programming
- 🤝 Client-facing app for engagement

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Lost client data after updates
- 💰 Unexpected subscription fees
- 🔄 Difficulty editing/deleting workouts
- 📊 Limited assessment and tracking options

**Reported bugs**

- Signature box retains previous client's signature
- Notes section not functioning properly
- Workout programming often gets rearranged
- Inability to open client profiles after updates
- Timer feature not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add nutrition tracking and meal planning
- Improve calendar sync and integration
- Allow more customization of assessments
- Implement better data backup and recovery
- Add more exercise library and programming options


### Gym Diary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gym-diary-workout-tracker-log/id1328908841)

This app helps you meticulously track every aspect of your gym workouts, from sets and reps to body measurements and nutrition. Plan routines, log exercises, and visualize your progress with detailed graphs to achieve your fitness goals.

**Highlights:** Workout planner and gym log, Complete workout tracker, Weightlifting tracker and rep counter, Unlimited custom exercises, Workout progress tracker with strength graphs, Body measurements and weight tracker, Calorie and nutrition tracker

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gym DIary Premium - Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Gym Diary Premium - Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Gym Diary Premium - Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Gym Diary - Yearly Plan | $14.99 | per year |
| Gym Diary Premium - Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Gym Diary Premium - Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Gym Diary Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use UI
- 💪 Great for tracking workouts
- ✅ Allows custom workout routines
- 📈 Satisfying progress tracking with charts
- ✨ Sleek and user-friendly design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paywall for basic features
- 💸 Forced to pay for membership again
- 🚫 No free trial or limited features
- 📉 Updates are poor and buggy
- 🔒 Many features locked by subscription

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes between sets
- App freezes and data is lost
- Latest update is buggy
- Updates consistently have glitches
- Can't use on other devices with the same account

**Requested features**

- Watch app for Apple Watch
- Allow editing exercises without deleting
- Separate notes tab for general notes
- Drag and drop exercises for order
- Edit exercises within a day


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Training Notebook free?

The Training Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Gym Diary free?

Gym Diary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, The Training Notebook or Gym Diary?

Gym Diary is rated higher. The Training Notebook averages 3.0 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while Gym Diary averages 4.3 from 125 ratings.

### Do The Training Notebook or Gym Diary have ads?

Neither The Training Notebook nor Gym Diary shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Training Notebook or Gym Diary?

The Training Notebook ships an update every 6 weeks, and Gym Diary every 3 weeks. Most recently, The Training Notebook was updated on October 21, 2026 and Gym Diary on October 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*