Comparison

Gym Rest Timer vs Ares

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

Head to head
About

Gym Rest Timer

Features
Read full description

The simple, powerful timer made for weightlifters, HIIT, and gym training. Gym Rest Timer is your no-fuss workout timer - built for strength training, HIIT, sets, circuits, and even yoga or Tabata. Whether you’re lifting heavy or doing interval workouts, this app helps you rest the right amount and stay on track. Made for Weights, Sets, and Circuits • Quick-start buttons for 30, 60, 90, or 180 seconds • Easy-to-edit custom times to match any routine • Perfect for progressive overload, supersets, and timed rest between sets Clean, Focused Interface • Visual countdown with haptic feedback • Set counter to track your progress • Optional screen-on mode to keep timer visible Custom Alerts & Smart Notifications • Vibration or sound alert when rest ends • Works even while using other apps • Fully customizable notification settings Simple, Effective, Reliable No complicated features. Just a smooth gym timer that works exactly how you need it to. Whether you’re training for strength, endurance, or recovery, this timer helps you stay focused, efficient, and consistent. Download now and upgrade your gym sessions. Privacy Policy: https://ninetysixsoftware.co.uk/simple-gym-rest-timer-privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

Ares

This interval timer app uses a voice coach to guide you through workouts, so you can focus on your exercises. It offers pre-made routines, custom workout creation, and detailed progress tracking. Compatible with Apple Watch and AirPods Pro for seamless control and heart rate monitoring.

Highlights
  • Voice-guided countdowns and exercise prompts
  • Pre-made and customizable workout routines
  • Workout chaining for full sessions
  • Exercise library with instructions
  • Apple Watch and AirPods Pro integration
  • Heart rate and progress tracking
  • Home and Lock Screen widgets
Features
Read full description

Ares is an interval timer you don't have to keep looking at. A voice coach counts down the time, tells you which exercise is up and when to rest, so you can stay focused on your workout. Great for HIIT, Tabata, EMOM, AMRAP, circuit training, yoga and stretching—at home, at the gym or outdoors. No ads and no account needed. TRAIN WITHOUT WATCHING THE SCREEN • The voice counts down the final seconds and tells you what's next, so your phone can stay on the floor • Your music keeps playing, and if you want, Ares turns it down while the voice speaks • Work and rest have different colors, and the big numbers are easy to read from across the room • Keeps running with the screen locked: the timer shows on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, and you can pause without unlocking your phone START IN SECONDS • Pick a ready-made workout, like Tabata, HIIT 40/20 or stretching, and go. Choose from 16 workouts and 6 sets, each with instructions on how to do it • Set up your own workout once: rounds, work time and rest time. Then start it with a single tap • With workout sets, chain your warm-up, main workout and stretching into one session that runs by itself from start to finish • Got a workout from your coach or a friend? Add it from a link or QR code ALWAYS KNOW WHAT TO DO • 116 exercises with photos and how-to instructions, including dumbbell, kettlebell, resistance band and pull-up bar moves • Mid-workout, tap the exercise name to see how it's done • Add a note to your workout, like tips from your coach, and see it while you train • Working each side separately, like in yoga? Sides mode times the left and right side for you WITH OR WITHOUT APPLE WATCH • Control any workout from your wrist: see your heart rate, heart rate zones and calories live on your watch and iPhone • Pause and skip right from your watch, even with a double tap • No watch? AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 can show your heart rate too (iOS 26) • Workouts are saved to Apple Health SEE YOUR PROGRESS • After every workout, a chart shows your heart rate and heart rate zones during work and rest • Weekly summaries and a weekly streak help you make training a habit. One workout a week keeps your streak alive • Show off your result: a ready-made card with your own photo for a story or post MAKE IT YOURS • Light, dark or automatic appearance • Widgets for the Home Screen and Lock Screen • Works on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch ARES PLUS—EVEN MORE • Workouts that change as you go: set the shortest and longest time, and Ares lays out the intervals for you—getting longer, getting shorter, or with shorter and shorter rests. No need to set each one by hand • A different exercise in every interval, like squats, then push-ups, then a plank. The voice announces each one, so you don't have to remember the order • Train without your iPhone: save your workouts to Apple Watch and leave your phone at home or in your locker • Record exercise names or cues in your own voice and hear them during your workout • Extra themes, coach voices and sounds, including the Calm voice for yoga and stretching • Access for your whole family with Family Sharing Privacy Policy: https://ares.eris.one/privacy-policy/ License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Gym Rest Timer4 screens
Ares4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Ares at none against Gym Rest Timer's shown. Ares also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 weeks). Gym Rest Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Gym Rest Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.39 per month and Ares sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gym Rest Timer ships an update every 6 weeks, Ares every 10 days. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Gym Rest Timer versus Ares: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGym Rest TimerAres
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (25 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—25 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size81 MB240 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNinety Six Software LtdKrzysztof Orlowski

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Gym Rest Timer

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$0.391 Month
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$2.99
3 purchases

Ares

Subscriptions2
  • Ares Plus$1.991 Month
  • Ares Plus$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Ares Plus Forever$24.99

Questions

Is Gym Rest Timer free?
Gym Rest Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ares free?
Ares is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Gym Rest Timer or Ares have ads?
Gym Rest Timer shows ads; Ares does not.
Which is updated more often, Gym Rest Timer or Ares?
Gym Rest Timer ships an update every 6 weeks, and Ares every 10 days. Most recently, Gym Rest Timer was updated on November 4, 2026 and Ares on November 4, 2026.

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