Comparison

THE BULK vs Strength Cycle

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

Head to head
About

THE BULK

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Build Muscle Without Overthinking It Bulking should be simple. Most lifters fail to gain muscle because they lack consistency, not information. The Bulk is a minimalist muscle building tracker designed to help you gain weight, build muscle, and stay consistent in the gym. No complicated calorie tracking. No spreadsheets. No endless planning. Just the habits that actually grow muscle. WHO THE BULK IS FOR The Bulk is designed for people who want to gain muscle and track their bulking progress without complexity. Perfect if you: * Are starting your first bulk * Struggle to gain weight * Feel stuck at the same bodyweight * Want to build your next 5–10 kg of muscle * Want a simple gym and habit tracker for hypertrophy MUSCLE-FOCUSED TRACKING Track the behaviors that actually drive muscle growth: * Daily calorie intake * Protein intake * Strength training sessions * Progressive overload * Recovery and rest * Bodyweight progress Everything is built around one goal: consistent muscle gain. MINIMALIST INTERFACE BUILT FOR LIFTERS The Bulk removes distractions and focuses on execution. Clean dark interface Fast daily tracking Clear visual progress Built for the gym, not for spreadsheets. CLEAN BULK GUIDANCE Stay in the right calorie surplus to gain muscle without unnecessary fat. Avoid dirty bulking. Avoid accidental cutting. Build quality size. MOMENTUM SYSTEM Muscle growth comes from stacking good days. Track your streaks. Build momentum. Stay consistent with training and nutrition. When consistency increases, results follow. WHY THE BULK WORKS Muscle growth depends on a few key principles: * Progressive overload * Consistent training * Adequate protein intake * Small calorie surplus The Bulk turns these principles into a simple daily system. No guessing. No overthinking. Just execution. PERFECT FOR * Natural lifters * Beginners learning to bulk * Intermediate gym athletes * Anyone trying to gain weight and build muscle * Lifters who want a focused hypertrophy tracker START YOUR NEXT 10KG TRANSFORMATION Stop guessing. Start building muscle. Download The Bulk and make muscle gain simple. Terms: https://thebulk.app/terms-and-conditions

About

Strength Cycle

This app meticulously implements popular strength training programs like 5/3/1, 3x5 Strength, and Texas Method with full methodology fidelity. It provides exact prescribed percentages, automatic e1RM calculations, and detailed workout history tracking. An in-app assistant offers guidance on program-specific questions.

Highlights
  • Full methodology fidelity for 5/3/1, 3x5, and Texas Method
  • Exact prescribed percentages, no rounding
  • AMRAP top set logging with e1RM calculation
  • Training Max progression tracking
  • Automatic deload week handling
  • Filterable workout history
  • In-app assistant for program guidance
Features
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Built for serious lifters running structured strength programs. Strength Cycle handles 5/3/1, 3x5 Strength, and Texas Method with the rigor each methodology demands. No generic templates. No bolted-on assumptions. Every program implemented with full methodology fidelity: - 5/3/1 — Wendler's percentage-based system with proper Training Max management, AMRAP top set logging, and complete 4-week cycle phases (5/5/5, 3/3/3, 5/3/1, deload). - 3x5 Strength — Linear progression for intermediate strength building, with smart deload triggers when progress stalls. - Texas Method — Volume/recovery/intensity weekly progression with PR-driven Training Max updates. MORE PROGRAMS COMING Strength Cycle is built program-first. More proven strength programs are in active development — each implemented with the same methodology fidelity as the three above. No half-baked templates, no generic "add your own program" placeholders. WHAT YOU GET - Exact prescribed percentages, never rounded into uselessness - AMRAP top set logging with automatic e1RM calculation (Epley formula) - Training Max progression tracked across cycles, with full phase context - Deload weeks handled with proper percentages — not skipped, not faked - Workout history filterable by lift, cycle, and phase - e1RM trend charts per lift across all cycles - Ask Coach — in-app assistant for AMRAP interpretation, TM management, assistance work selection, deload decisions, and program-specific programming questions BUILT BY A LIFTER Strength Cycle was built by a 30+ year lifter who got tired of programming apps that misunderstand the programs they claim to support. If you've ever rolled your eyes at an app rounding 67.5% to "70% — close enough" or skipping deloads entirely, this is the one that gets it right. FREE, NO SUBSCRIPTIONS, NO ADS Strength Cycle is free to download and use. No subscription tiers. No paywalled programs. No ads. Just the programs, done right.

Screenshots

THE BULK4 screens
Strength Cycle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Strength Cycle at none against THE BULK's 3. Strength Cycle also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 4 months). 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. THE BULK sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Strength Cycle asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

THE BULK ships an update every 4 months, Strength Cycle every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
THE BULK versus Strength Cycle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTHE BULKStrength Cycle
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEscuela de Apps by Serrano de ToroStrength Cycle Studios, LLC

In-app purchases

3 purchases

THE BULK

Subscriptions2
  • Bulk PRO Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Bulk PRO Yearly$11.991 Year
One-time1
  • Bulk PRO Lifetime$24.99
None

Strength Cycle

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is THE BULK free?
THE BULK is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Strength Cycle free?
Strength Cycle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do THE BULK or Strength Cycle have ads?
Neither THE BULK nor Strength Cycle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, THE BULK or Strength Cycle?
THE BULK ships an update every 4 months, and Strength Cycle every 11 days. Most recently, THE BULK was updated on October 31, 2026 and Strength Cycle on October 25, 2026.

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