“Simple” can mean different things
Some people mean fewer features. Others mean faster logging, better defaults or less time spent planning. A tracker can have many capabilities and still feel simple if the active workout remains clear.
Before comparing apps, decide which type of simplicity matters to you.
Strong: mature general-purpose tracking
Strong positions itself as a simple, intuitive workout tracker with planning, progress visualisation, custom timers, exports and support across iPhone, Android and Apple Watch. It is a sensible option for lifters who want an established tracker and broad control over routines.
People searching for a Strong app alternative are often not rejecting tracking itself. They may be looking for a different balance between manual control and automatic next-session guidance.
Hevy: detailed tracking with community around it
Hevy is commonly chosen by lifters who want detailed workout logging alongside social and community features. That can be valuable when shared routines, following friends and visible progress are motivating.
A person looking for a Hevy alternative may instead want private-by-default training without a feed, or a system that reduces decisions during the workout.
Spreadsheets: maximum control
A spreadsheet remains one of the most flexible options. It suits people who enjoy programming, custom formulas and complete ownership of the structure. The downside appears in the gym, where editing cells and maintaining timers can become friction.
Setern: a quieter direction, still pre-release
Setern is being built for the consistent middle: iPhone users who train regularly, want progress and dislike both complicated workout administration and social-performance pressure.
The core interaction is one tap after each set: Easy, Good or Max. Rest begins, the next target remains visible and the confirmed workout becomes part of a private training memory. The product is not public yet, so it should not replace a reliable tracker today.
A practical selection checklist
- Choose an established tracker when mature integrations, exports and a large existing feature set matter most.
- Choose a community-oriented tracker when following people and sharing workouts improves motivation.
- Choose a spreadsheet when custom programming and formula control are the priority.
- Watch Setern when you want a private iPhone workout tracker designed around low cognitive load and useful memory.
The honest answer
There is no universal best workout tracker for iPhone. The right product is the one you can use consistently under real gym conditions and the one whose values match how you want training to feel.
For now, Strong and Hevy are available products with established histories. Setern is an early project testing a narrower idea: the app should already have the context, so the user can lift, confirm and continue.
Source checked: Strong’s official website. Setern descriptions come from the project’s current public product specification.