Comparison

MuscleBuildingRecorderApp vs Bara

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

Head to head
About

MuscleBuildingRecorderApp

Features
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【Strength Training Log - Heart Rate Workout Tracker】 Track your sets, rest periods, heart rate, and workout history in one place. MuscleBuildingRecorder works with iPhone and Apple Watch to help you manage exercise time, rest time, exercise details, load, reps, notes, and heart rate during training. MuscleBuildingRecorder is designed for people who want more than a simple stopwatch. It helps you turn each workout into a clear training record, with separate tracking for work and rest phases, heart rate data, notes, tags, presets, and session history. Main Features Real-Time Heart Rate Monitoring • Supports Apple Watch, Bluetooth heart rate monitors, and compatible AirPods Pro heart rate sensors • Displays heart rate in real time during workouts • Records average, maximum, and minimum heart rate • Helps you review workout intensity and recovery trends Strength Training Timer • Separately tracks workout time and rest time • Manages sets and workout cycles • Shows total workout time, work time, and rest time • Supports rest notification settings • Supports session restoration if a workout is interrupted Detailed Workout Logging • Record exercise name, category, load, and reps • Save notes for each set • Add tags and fatigue details for better review • Manage exercises by category, such as chest, back, and legs • Use presets to start frequently used routines faster History and Export • View summaries for each session • Check heart rate graphs to review workout intensity • Browse past workout history • Review and export records across multiple days • Export data in CSV and JSON formats Apple Watch Integration • Control workouts from Apple Watch • Sync timer and phase changes between iPhone and Apple Watch • Track heart rate while continuing your session • Continue workout recording in the background • Supports exercise input and workout actions from Apple Watch Live Activities • Check your workout status from the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island • View the current work/rest phase • Quickly see elapsed time and heart rate Customization • Adjust button layout • Configure rest notifications • Manage tag presets • Create and edit workout presets Recommended For • People who want to record each strength training set accurately • Lifters who manage load, reps, and rest time • Apple Watch users who want heart rate data during workouts • Anyone who wants to review workout history and improve over time • Users who want to export workout data in CSV or JSON format • Anyone looking for more than a basic workout timer Pro Benefits • Ad-free workout experience • View results immediately after completing a workout • Access to selected customization features Pro is available as a monthly subscription or a one-time purchase. Data Privacy • Workout records are primarily stored locally on your device • HealthKit access requires your permission • Recorded data can be exported in CSV or JSON format when needed • Cloud sync is not currently provided Requirements • iOS 17.0 or later • watchOS 10.0 or later when using Apple Watch • HealthKit permission for heart rate tracking • Bluetooth permission when using a Bluetooth heart rate monitor Simple Workflow 1. Select an exercise 2. Enter load and reps 3. Start the set 4. Track time and heart rate 5. Manage rest time 6. Move to the next set or finish the session 7. Review your summary and history Record your strength training more accurately and make every workout easier to review. With MuscleBuildingRecorder, your training becomes useful data you can build on. 【Support】 For questions or requests, please contact us from the app settings. 【Terms of Use】 https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ 【Privacy Policy】 https://yok1012.github.io/MuscleBuildingRecorder/

About

Bara

Compete with friends in step-based challenges, turning daily walks into fun races. Use strategic power-ups to gain an edge and customize your capybara avatar. Participate in casual or ranked modes within a charming illustrated world.

Highlights
  • Create step races of various lengths
  • Invite friends to compete
  • Live leaderboards from Apple Health
  • Use strategic power-ups
  • Customize capybara avatar
  • Optional coin buy-ins for races
  • Ranked mode for global competition
Features
Read full description

Bara is a social step challenge app built for the people you actually walk with. Pick a race length, invite your friends, and let your steps do the running. HOW IT WORKS - Create races lasting 1, 3, 7, or 14 days - Invite friends and set the number of walkers - Live leaderboards update automatically from Apple Health step data - Join public and featured daily races and watch your placement update live PLAY WITH POWER-UPS Collect playful power-ups and add a twist to the race: - Slow a friend's pace for a while - Rewind a little of someone's recent progress - Borrow a few steps from the walker ahead of you - Leave a surprise along the trail - Briefly hide the leaderboard from another walker It's all lighthearted and temporary. Every walker keeps their own real step count in Apple Health. RACE YOUR WAY - Keep races completely casual, or - Play team races and multi-day tournament brackets with friends - Top finishers earn bonus coins from Bara. Races are always free to enter. EARN AND CUSTOMIZE Earn coins by walking, racing, keeping streaks, completing daily goals, and inviting friends. Spend them on: - Hats - Sunglasses - Shoes - Capybara cosmetics and new characters - Power-ups from the shop Plus collect daily rewards including coins, accessories, and power-ups. Coins are a virtual, in-game currency. Earn them through play or buy coin packs with in-app purchase. Coins have no real-world value and are used only for cosmetics and power-ups inside Bara. BARA GOLD Optional weekly and monthly memberships add ad-free play, extra coin rewards, and Gold perks. The app shows localized prices, renewal terms, and trial eligibility before purchase. Gold characters and power-up packs are also available as separate in-app purchases. DESIGNED TO BE FUN, NOT STRESSFUL Walk at your own pace. Race friends casually or push for the top of the leaderboards while exploring a cozy illustrated hiking world with your customizable capybara companion. PRIVACY FIRST Bara reads only your step count from Apple Health. It does not access heart rate, calories, sleep, workouts, distance, or location. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MuscleBuildingRecorderApp3 screens
Bara4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: MuscleBuildingRecorderApp at none against Bara's shown. Bara's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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. MuscleBuildingRecorderApp sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Bara sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MuscleBuildingRecorderApp ships an update every 2 weeks, Bara every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
MuscleBuildingRecorderApp versus Bara: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMuscleBuildingRecorderAppBara
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (61 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—96.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—61 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB116 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperKiichi YokokawaRohan Chari

In-app purchases

2 purchases

MuscleBuildingRecorderApp

Subscriptions1
  • 月額サブスクリプション1 Month trial$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • MuscleBuilding Pro(買い切り)$4.99
9 purchases

Bara

Subscriptions2
  • Bara Gold Weekly7 Days trial$1.497 Days
  • Bara Gold Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
One-time7
  • Powerup 3-Pack$0.99
  • 500 Coins$0.99
  • Sea Lion$1.00
Show 4 more
  • Mouse$1.00
  • Hedgehog$1.00
  • 3,000 Coins$4.99
  • 7,500 Coins$9.99

Questions

Is MuscleBuildingRecorderApp free?
MuscleBuildingRecorderApp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bara free?
Bara is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MuscleBuildingRecorderApp or Bara have ads?
Bara shows ads; MuscleBuildingRecorderApp does not.
Which is updated more often, MuscleBuildingRecorderApp or Bara?
MuscleBuildingRecorderApp ships an update every 2 weeks, and Bara every 4 days. Most recently, MuscleBuildingRecorderApp was updated on October 10, 2026 and Bara on October 19, 2026.

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