1RM.fit alternative to Strong: The Free, Smarter Way to Track Your Lifts

Why lifters are switching from Strong to 1RM.fit

Every month, thousands of lifters leave Strong for 1RM.fit. The reasons are concrete and measurable:

• Cost: Strong's PRO is $5.99/month or $39.99/year. 1RM.fit PRO is $1.99/month or $14.99/year. A yearly subscription saves you $25. That's a 62% reduction.

• Free tier: Strong's free plan limits you to 3 custom routines and shows ads. 1RM.fit's free tier gives you unlimited routines, logging, and 1RM tracking with zero ads.

• 1RM auto-calculation: Strong requires you to manually enter your 1RM. 1RM.fit automatically calculates your estimated 1RM (Epley/Brzycki) after every set, so you always know where you stand.

• AI routine generator: Strong has no AI. 1RM.fit generates personalized routines based on your goals, equipment, and experience level in seconds.

• Social and coach features: Strong is solo-only. 1RM.fit includes a social feed to follow friends and coach tools to manage clients.

• Web app: Strong is mobile-only. 1RM.fit works on web, iOS, and Android with full sync.

These aren't minor tweaks — they change how you train every day.

Try 1RM.fit — start free

Feature deep dive: 1RM auto-calculation vs manual entry

Your 1RM is the single most important number in strength training. Strong treats it as a static input — you type it in and update it when you feel like it. 1RM.fit treats it as a live metric.

How it works in 1RM.fit

Every set you log is run through the Epley or Brzycki formula (you choose). The app instantly shows your estimated 1RM for that exercise, and your profile's 1RM updates automatically. No math, no guesswork.

Why this matters

You'll know exactly when to increase weight, when to deload, and whether your programming is working. For example, if you hit 225 lbs for 5 reps, 1RM.fit shows an estimated 1RM of 253 lbs (Epley). Strong would just record the set — you'd have to calculate that yourself.

Feature deep dive: AI routine generator vs manual programming

Strong's routine builder is a spreadsheet with a nice interface. You pick exercises, sets, and reps manually. 1RM.fit's AI generator does the thinking for you.

What the AI considers

• Your training goal (strength, hypertrophy, endurance)

• Available equipment (barbell, dumbbells, machines, bodyweight)

• Days per week and session length

• Your current 1RM and progress history

In under 30 seconds, you get a structured routine with progression built in. You can tweak it, but you don't have to start from scratch.

Real-world impact

A lifter switching from Strong told us they spent 2 hours building a routine in Strong. With 1RM.fit, they generated a better one in 20 seconds. That's time back in your week.

Pricing deep dive: what you actually save

Let's be precise about money.

• Strong PRO: $5.99/month or $39.99/year (estimated from public pricing).

• 1RM.fit PRO: $1.99/month or $14.99/year.

If you pay monthly, you save $48 per year. If you pay yearly, you save $25 per year. For a team of 5 coaches, the savings multiply: $199.95 vs $74.95 per year — a $125 difference.

And remember: 1RM.fit's free tier already includes everything most lifters need. Strong's free tier is a teaser.

Who this is actually for

The budget-conscious lifter

You train consistently, log every set, and want PR tracking without paying $60 a year. 1RM.fit's free tier gives you that. Strong's free tier will frustrate you with routine limits and ads.

The coach or personal trainer

You manage multiple clients. Strong has no coach tools. 1RM.fit lets you create client profiles, assign workouts, and monitor progress from a single dashboard. It replaces a separate coaching app and a spreadsheet.

The social lifter

You thrive on community. 1RM.fit's social feed lets you follow gym friends, see their workouts, and cheer them on. Strong is a lonely experience.

How to migrate from Strong to 1RM.fit

Switching is straightforward, and you can do it in under 15 minutes.

1. Export your data from Strong: In Strong, go to Settings → Export Data. You'll get a CSV file of your workout history.

2. Create your 1RM.fit account: Sign up free at 1rm.fit.

3. Import your history: Use the built-in CSV importer (Settings → Import). Your exercises, sets, reps, and dates will be transferred.

4. Set your current 1RMs: If you have PRs in Strong, enter them manually or let 1RM.fit calculate from your recent sets.

5. Build your first routine: Use the AI generator or start from a template.

6. Invite your training partners: If you train with friends, they can join your social circle.

That's it. Your history is preserved, and you're training with better tools immediately.

Why 1RM.fit is the smarter long-term choice

Strong has been around longer and has a polished Apple Watch app. But 1RM.fit is building faster, listening to lifters, and pricing fairly. With free core features, automatic 1RM tracking, AI programming, and coach tools, it's the platform that grows with you — not one that nickel-and-dimes you.

This comparison was published with Alt Hunt to help you make an informed decision.