You’re new to the gym. The last thing you need is a confusing app with 47 features.

Here are the best free gym trackers for beginners — simple, clean, and actually helpful.

What Beginners Actually Need

After watching many beginners struggle, here’s what matters:

  1. Quick logging — Log a set in seconds, not minutes
  2. Exercise library — Find exercises without knowing their proper names
  3. Simple history — See what you did last time
  4. Rest timer — Know when to start your next set
  5. Progress tracking — See you’re getting stronger

What beginners don’t need:

  • Advanced periodization
  • Macro tracking
  • Social features
  • 15 customization options

Quick Comparison

AppSimplicityFree TierBest FeatureRating
GymCoachAI⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐FullTells you what to do⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hevy⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐GreatClean interface⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Strong⭐⭐⭐⭐GoodApple Watch⭐⭐⭐⭐
JEFIT⭐⭐⭐GreatExercise demos⭐⭐⭐⭐
FitNotes⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐FullSimple⭐⭐⭐

The Best Free Gym Trackers for Beginners

1. GymCoachAI

Price: Free Best for: Beginners who don’t know what to do

Most gym trackers assume you know your workout. This one tells you what to do.

Why beginners love it:

  • Creates a complete program based on your goals
  • Tells you which exercise, how many sets, how much weight
  • Adjusts as you get stronger
  • No overthinking — just follow the plan

What it does:

  • Full workout programming
  • One-tap logging
  • Weight suggestions
  • Progress charts

What it doesn’t do:

  • Social features
  • Hundreds of workout templates

Download →

2. Hevy

Price: Free (Pro $60/year) Best for: Beginners who want clean design

The most visually appealing gym tracker.

Why beginners love it:

  • Intuitive interface (you won’t get lost)
  • Easy to log sets
  • Superb Apple Watch app
  • Charts that make sense

Free version includes:

  • Unlimited workout logging
  • Full exercise library
  • Basic progress tracking
  • Routine templates

Paid version adds:

  • Advanced charts
  • Rest timer customization
  • No limits on routines

3. Strong Workout Tracker

Price: Free (Pro $5/month) Best for: iPhone users with Apple Watch

The gold standard for iOS gym tracking.

Why beginners love it:

  • Very clean interface
  • Great Apple Watch app
  • Rest timer built in
  • Easy to see previous weights

Free version includes:

  • Limited workout templates (3 custom)
  • Full exercise library
  • Basic tracking

The catch:

  • Free version is limited
  • Pro is subscription-based

4. JEFIT

Price: Free (Elite $40/year) Best for: Beginners who need exercise guidance

Massive exercise library with video demonstrations.

Why beginners love it:

  • Videos for nearly every exercise
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Lots of beginner programs included
  • Active community

Free version includes:

  • Full exercise library with videos
  • Basic tracking
  • Limited routines
  • Community access

The catch:

  • Interface is cluttered
  • Lots of ads in free version
  • Can be overwhelming

5. FitNotes (Android)

Price: Free Best for: Android users who want simple

The most stripped-down, simple option for Android.

Why beginners love it:

  • No account required
  • No ads
  • Does one thing well
  • Completely free

What it does:

  • Log exercises
  • See history
  • Basic charts

What it doesn’t do:

  • Workout programming
  • Apple Watch
  • Cloud sync

What to Look for as a Beginner

✅ Must have:

  • Previous weights visible — Know what you lifted last time
  • Rest timer — Don’t scroll phone between sets
  • Search-friendly exercise library — Find “bench press” even if you search “chest push thing”

❌ Don’t need yet:

  • Periodization features
  • RPE tracking
  • One-rep max calculators
  • Advanced statistics

🚫 Red flags:

  • Requires subscription for basic logging
  • Can’t see previous weights easily
  • No rest timer
  • Confusing navigation

How to Use a Gym Tracker (Beginner Guide)

At the gym:

  1. Open app
  2. Start workout
  3. Select exercise
  4. Log weight + reps for each set
  5. Rest timer counts down
  6. Repeat
  7. End workout

After a few weeks:

Look at your history. You should see:

  • Weights increasing (even slightly)
  • More reps at same weight
  • Better consistency

If not, something’s wrong with training or nutrition.

The “I Don’t Know What to Do” Problem

Most beginners don’t need a tracker. They need a program.

Option 1: Use GymCoachAI — It gives you the workout AND tracks it.

Option 2: Follow a beginner program:

  • Reddit PPL — Free, proven, google it
  • Stronglifts 5x5 — Simple, effective
  • GZCLP — Slightly more complex, excellent results

Then use any tracker to log it.

Free vs Paid: Is Premium Worth It?

Free is enough if you:

  • Just want to log weights
  • Don’t need fancy charts
  • Are okay with limited templates

Consider paid if you:

  • Want unlimited routines
  • Need Apple Watch integration
  • Use the app daily for months

For beginners: Start free. Upgrade later if you stick with it.

FAQ

What’s the simplest gym tracker app? Hevy or FitNotes. Minimal features, easy to use.

Do I need a gym tracker as a beginner? Not strictly, but it helps you remember weights and see progress. Motivation boost.

Can I use my phone’s notes app? Yes, but dedicated trackers are faster and show trends.

Which app has the best exercise demonstrations? JEFIT. Videos for almost everything.

Should I pay for a gym tracking app? Not as a beginner. Free versions have everything you need.

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— Dolce