Comparison

Training Arc vs Progress

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

Head to head
About

Training Arc

This app helps you train smarter by tracking your progress and providing insights into your performance. It uses gamified elements to keep you motivated and encourages you to develop your own training instincts rather than following generic plans.

Highlights
  • Fast, frictionless logging
  • Automatic PR tracking
  • Intensity scale reflection
  • Volume & intensity targets
  • Custom technique cues
  • Built-in rest timer
Read full description

Training Arc is a workout logbook designed to help lifters train harder, think smarter, and track progress more meaningfully — without relying on generic programs. Unlike most gym apps (Stronglifts, Boostcamp, RP Hypertrophy, etc.) it doesn't lock you into someone else’s plan. Instead, Training Arc encourages you to develop real training instinct — adapting based on feedback, not templates. It’s built for lifters who want full control over their workouts — whether you’re running your own programming or figuring it out as you go. Grind lifting like a video game Every workout feeds into your Power Level, a number that reflects how consistently you're pushing your limits. Whether it’s a new rep max or just showing up and hitting volume goals, your Power Level grows when you train with intent. You’ll also unlock Badges for key milestones — from hitting new PRs to logging consistently — helping you stay accountable and motivated without relying on external validation. Instead of just tracking numbers, Training Arc helps you interpret them. The gamified elements aren’t just for show — they’re designed to help you understand where you’re improving, where you're stalling, and what’s worth chasing next. Key Features: • Fast, frictionless logging: Log any exercise in seconds, like using a notes app • Automatic PR tracking: Detects new personal records across any rep range • Intensity scale: Reflect on how hard each session actually felt • Volume & intensity targets: Set goals for each session based on how you're progressing • Custom technique cues: Attach personal reminders to each lift • Built-in rest timer and session notes Privacy Policy: https://trainingarc.app/privacy Terms of Service: https://trainingarc.app/terms Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Progress

This app automates workout progression and provides AI-driven training and nutrition plans. It offers detailed exercise tracking, personalized program generation, and progress visualization. Seamlessly syncs with Apple Watch and Apple Health.

Highlights
  • Automated progressive overload
  • AI program and workout builder
  • Personalized AI nutrition plans
  • Detailed workout logging
  • Strength progress charts
  • AI coach for advice
  • Apple Watch integration
Features
Read full description

Progress your way. Progress tracks your workouts, automates your progression, and takes the guesswork out of your training — so you can focus on lifting. WORKOUT TRACKING Log every set, rep, and weight with a clean, distraction-free interface. Built-in rest timers keep you on pace. Exercise notes keep your cues close. ADVANCED TRAINING Automatic progressive overload — set a weight increment per exercise and the app adds it after every successful session. No spreadsheets. No manual tracking. Pyramid sets — assign each set its own weight and rep target. The app sequences through automatically and the plate calculator updates for each set. Supersets — group exercises back-to-back with a live display of what's next so you never lose your place. Plate calculator — built into every exercise. Shows exactly which plates to load, updated for every set. Full exercise customisation — control weight type, sets, reps, rest time, and progression settings per exercise. AI PROGRAM BUILDER Answer a few questions about your goals, experience, available equipment, and any injuries or constraints. The AI builds a complete multi-week training program tailored to you. Not a template. Ask the AI to adjust it if anything isn't right. AI WORKOUT BUILDER Need a single session? Generate a workout built around your goals and equipment in minutes. AI NUTRITION PLANS Tell the AI your goals and dietary preferences — it generates a personalised nutrition plan with calorie targets, macros, and meal guidance. Export it as a PDF to keep on hand. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Every lift you log builds your history. Per-exercise charts show your strength trends over time — weight moved, estimated 1RMs, and personal records in one view. AI COACH Ask the built-in AI coach anything — form tips, program adjustments, recovery advice. It knows your history and gives answers based on your actual data, not generic advice. APPLE WATCH Leave your phone in your bag. Track full workouts from your wrist with heart rate monitoring and a live rest timer. LIVE ACTIVITY & DYNAMIC ISLAND Your rest timer lives in the Dynamic Island and on your Lock Screen — always know when it's time for the next set. iCLOUD SYNC Your workouts, programs, and history sync automatically across your iPhone and Apple Watch. APPLE HEALTH Progress writes your completed workouts to Apple Health, keeping all your fitness data in one place. MAKE IT YOURS Choose from four themes — Forest, Ocean, Bloom, and High Contrast — and set your preferred weight units. Download Progress and start training your way.

Screenshots

Training Arc4 screens
Progress4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Progress at none against Training Arc's 6. Progress also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Training Arc's advantage is ratings volume (5 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 18.0). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. Training Arc sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Progress asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Progress holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Training Arc has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Training Arc ships an update fortnightly, Progress every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Training Arc versus Progress: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTraining ArcProgress
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (5 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.5 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size162 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBoring Buffs LLCIan Farr

Customer experience

Training Arc

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Progress

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Training Arc

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Annual$59.991 Year
One-time4
  • Boost$2.99
  • Infinite Energy$24.99
  • 300 Energy$39.99
Show 1 more
  • +1000 Energy$89.99
None

Progress

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Training Arc free?
Training Arc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Progress free?
Progress is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Training Arc or Progress?
Progress is rated higher. Training Arc averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Progress averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Training Arc or Progress have ads?
Neither Training Arc nor Progress shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Training Arc or Progress?
Training Arc ships an update fortnightly, and Progress every 4 days. Most recently, Training Arc was updated on October 30, 2026 and Progress on October 30, 2026.

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