Comparison

Beyond Normal vs The Plus Set

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

Head to head
About

Beyond Normal

Features
Read full description

Beyond Normal — Strength NEW — WORKOUT ANALYSIS Every session grades itself. The app knows what it prescribed and what you lifted, so it does the math: 1RM change, PR facts, whether your training max has gone conservative, and real working volume. The verdict is free on every workout; the full breakdown is Premium. NEW — BAR PATH & VELOCITY (SQUAT, BENCH & DEADLIFT) Film your AMRAP set, trim to your reps, and see your bar path, rep speed, and velocity loss — all on-device. No wearable. Export it as a video with your numbers burned in. Press is next. Most fitness apps track numbers. Beyond Normal builds lifters. It's a training companion engineered for those who want more than metrics — who want mastery. Built on the proven foundation of 5/3/1, it pairs an intelligent programming engine with an AI strength coach so you can focus on what matters: showing up, pushing hard, and evolving. --- The Philosophy Normal is everywhere — overcomplicated plans, endless tracking, mental clutter. But strength is simplicity. Progress comes from rhythm, consistency, and intelligent variation. Beyond Normal strips away the noise and gives you the system, feedback, and clarity to train with purpose. The app doesn't shout. It doesn't gamify. It refines. --- Key Features - AI Strength Coach Diagnoses the weak point limiting each main lift and prescribes the assistance exercise that addresses it. Turns abstract programming questions into a concrete plan. - AI Post-Workout Debrief A short, intelligent check-in after every session that translates effort, recovery, sleep, and red flags into a continuous readiness score. - Adaptive Autoregulation Training maxes progress algorithmically from your AMRAP PRs and hold automatically when readiness signals fatigue. No grinding into a wall. - Intelligent 5/3/1 Engine A living algorithm that manages progression, intensity, and volume — so you can train intuitively without losing precision. - Kilograms or Pounds Train in kg or lb — entry, plate math, rounding, and progression all follow your choice, on iPhone and Apple Watch. - Readiness Analytics 3-, 6-, and 12-month trends with factor-level drill-downs across sleep, effort, soreness, and strength. Watch how your training shapes your recovery. - PR Medals Beautifully designed digital medals for every personal record — with a Masculine, Feminine, or Neutral figure you choose. A reminder of the work, not just the numbers. - Apple Watch Companion Log working sets hands-free from the bar. Phone and Watch stay in sync. - Data You Own Export your full training history as CSV — free, always. Premium adds full JSON backup with re-import. - Instant Tools, No Install Plate math, 1RM, and a free bar-path demo (deadlift) run as App Clips — no install required. --- Free and Premium The core 5/3/1 program, classic TM progression, CSV export, weekly AI debriefs, and your workout verdict are free, forever. Premium unlocks bar path & velocity, unlimited AI debriefs, the AI strength coach, adaptive autoregulation, full readiness analytics, and complete data portability. - Monthly — 30-day free trial, then billed monthly - Annual — billed yearly. Best value. Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled. Manage in your Apple ID settings. --- Privacy No user accounts. No analytics SDKs. No ad trackers. No data sold, ever. Your training, notes, and settings stay on your device. The AI features send only the workout context — lift, sets, reps, AMRAP — to Anthropic via our privacy-respecting proxy so Claude can coach you. Nothing else is shared. You control your data — always. --- Beyond Normal We were not built for normal. Beyond Normal is training as it was meant to be — deliberate, intelligent, and alive. Because in a world of noise, discipline is clarity. And strength — real strength — is freedom. Privacy Policy: https://beyondnormal.app/privacy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

The Plus Set

This app simplifies tracking your Wendler 5/3/1 workouts, including Boring But Big assistance. It automatically calculates weights, tracks progress, and features a built-in rest timer. Focus on your training with smart progression and flexible customization.

Highlights
  • Automatic weight calculation
  • Plate loading guidance
  • Warmup and working set tracking
  • AMRAP set prompts
  • Estimated 1RM calculation
  • Built-in rest timer
  • Calendar workout history
Features
Read full description

The Plus Set is a clean, focused app for tracking Wendler 5/3/1 workouts with Boring But Big (BBB) assistance work. SIMPLE WORKOUT TRACKING • Automatically calculates weights for each set based on your training maxes • Shows exact plate loading for every weight (no more mental math) • Tracks warmup sets, working sets, and BBB assistance work • Tap to log reps, with special prompts for AMRAP sets SMART PROGRESSION • Calculates estimated 1RM from your AMRAP performance using the Epley formula • Automatically suggests new training maxes after each cycle • Training maxes only go up, never down BUILT-IN REST TIMER • Automatic rest timer starts after each set • Configurable durations for warmup, working sets, and BBB • Choose from 8 different chime sounds • Access timer anytime from the dedicated Timer tab TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • Calendar view shows workout history at a glance • Personal records tracked automatically • PR celebrations when you hit new bests • Export your full workout history for backup or analysis FLEXIBLE TRAINING • Choose which exercise to start each session • Change exercises mid-workout if needed • Customize exercise order to match your schedule • Adjustable training max percentage (80-100%) SYNCS ACROSS DEVICES • iCloud sync keeps your data backed up • Access your workout history on all your devices NO SUBSCRIPTIONS • One-time purchase, no recurring fees • No ads, no tracking, no accounts required Whether you're new to 5/3/1 or a seasoned lifter, The Plus Set helps you focus on what matters: putting in the work and getting stronger.

Screenshots

Beyond Normal4 screens
The Plus Set4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Plus Set at none against Beyond Normal's 2. Beyond Normal's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Beyond Normal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. The Plus Set asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Beyond Normal ships an update every 2 days, The Plus Set every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Beyond Normal versus The Plus Set: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeyond NormalThe Plus Set
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB2 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperPatrick CrouseVishal Agrawal

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Beyond Normal

Subscriptions2
  • Beyond Normal Monthly1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Beyond Normal Pro Annual$39.991 Year
None

The Plus Set

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Beyond Normal free?
Beyond Normal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Plus Set free?
The Plus Set is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Beyond Normal or The Plus Set have ads?
Neither Beyond Normal nor The Plus Set shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Beyond Normal or The Plus Set?
Beyond Normal ships an update every 2 days, and The Plus Set every 2 weeks. Most recently, Beyond Normal was updated on October 6, 2026 and The Plus Set on October 5, 2026.

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