5/3/1 Workout Manager vs Forge 5/3/1
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
5/3/1 Workout Manager
This application assists users in calculating their training weights based on Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 strength training program. It's designed to facilitate consistent progress towards significant strength gains.
- Weight calculation for 5/3/1 program
- Facilitates steady strength gains
- Supports Jim Wendler's methodology
Read full descriptionHide full description
This app calculates your weights if you are using Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 program, which promises slow and steady gains that will eventually turn you into the strongest guy in the gym.
Forge 5/3/1
This powerlifting app helps users follow the Wendler 5/3/1 Boring But Big program with personalized workouts. It offers detailed tracking, history, and gym-ready features, with optional premium upgrades for advanced customization and data management.
- Personalized 5/3/1 BBB workouts
- Classic Wendler progression
- Log sets, reps, and weights
- Volume and estimated 1RM tracking
- Offline functionality
- Plate calculator
- Customizable training percentages
Read full descriptionHide full description
Forge 531 is your powerlifting companion for Wendler 5/3/1 Boring But Big—built for lifters who want precision, customization, and privacy. No ads-driven onboarding and no required account. PROGRAM & WORKOUTS (included) • Enter one-rep maxes for squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press—Forge generates personalized 5/3/1 BBB sessions from your training maxes • Classic Wendler progression with Boring But Big assistance work • Four-week cycles including deload; intuitive week navigation and cycle management • Metric or imperial units—switch anytime in Settings TRACKING & HISTORY (included) • Log sets, reps, and weights for every workout • Volume totals (weight × reps) • Estimated 1RM from AMRAP sets (Brzycki) • Full history with analytics so you can see progress over time GYM-READY DESIGN (included) • Optional keep screen awake during sessions • Dark theme suited to dim floors • Fast movement between weeks and workout detail PRIVACY & SIMPLICITY (included) • No account—ever. Nothing to register; nothing you must log into later • Your data stays on your device—not tied to a Forge cloud profile • Works offline for everyday training PREMIUM — SMART PLATES & LOADS (14-day free trial, then one-time purchase — no subscription) • Plate calculator — visual plate combinations for any target weight • Plate settings — barbell weight and inventory that match your gym • Full calculator access lines up with your metric/imperial choice once Premium is active PREMIUM — TRAINING CONTROL (same trial / purchase model) • Training max % adjustments — tune percentages off Wendler defaults • Progressions customization — adjust weekly progression percentages • Warm-up sets — bar-only and configurable percentage warm-ups before working sets (deload options in Settings) PREMIUM — DATA PORTABILITY (Not included in the free trial — unlocks with Premium purchase) • Import/export — backup and restore workout history via CSV HOW PREMIUM WORKS New users receive a 14-day trial for most Premium features listed above.** Import/export requires a Premium purchase and is not part of the trial.** After the trial ends, Premium remains available as a one-time purchase—no subscription.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 5/3/1 Workout Manager at none against Forge 5/3/1's 1. 5/3/1 Workout Manager also leads on ratings volume (32 vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). Forge 5/3/1's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). 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
Both are free to download. Forge 5/3/1 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 5/3/1 Workout Manager asks for nothing beyond the download.
Forge 5/3/1 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 5/3/1 Workout Manager has 32 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of 5/3/1 Workout Manager's written reviews are positive against 100% of Forge 5/3/1's.
5/3/1 Workout Manager ships an update every 9 months, Forge 5/3/1 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 5/3/1 Workout Manager | Forge 5/3/1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (32 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 32 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Christopher Dwyer | Dev IT Digital LLC |
Customer experience
5/3/1 Workout Manager
Forge 5/3/1
In-app purchases
5/3/1 Workout Manager
No in-app purchases
Forge 5/3/1
- Premium Features$4.99
Questions
Is 5/3/1 Workout Manager free?
Is Forge 5/3/1 free?
Which has better reviews, 5/3/1 Workout Manager or Forge 5/3/1?
Do 5/3/1 Workout Manager or Forge 5/3/1 have ads?
Which is updated more often, 5/3/1 Workout Manager or Forge 5/3/1?
Other comparisons















