Do you want to work out smarter, not harder? Then, go on Google Play or the Apple App Store, search fitness app, and see dozens of fitness app options that seem good enough. But despite the sheer number of possibilities, most fitness apps fall short because they are unfortunately too basic and too identical. In other words, it would not matter much which you choose because most offer the same few features. That is why we are always looking for fitness apps that we can recommend to our customers and readers. 

Recently, Alpha Progression, the muscle-building app from Germany, got our attention. This relatively new app offers some unique features, making it superior to many options on the market today. Alpha Progression will help you with effective workouts, an intelligent progression algorithm, and other clever features. So if you are into weight training, you want to stick around to the end of our blog post. Are you already hooked on the app? Luckily we have been partnering with Alpha Progression to secure you a 20% discount.

TL:DR

• Type: Weightlifting
• Price: $59.99 (get 20% Discount)
• Free Version: Yes
• Best for: Weightlifting

And now, let us get started.

Alpha Progression, the muscle-building App from Germany

Alpha Progression is a versatile fitness app that lets you set up a gym profile, create a training plan, and start working out in just a few minutes. The app features a clean and minimal interface with just the correct number of options, but it is not stripped of essential functions. The app features built-in progression recommendations for lifters, which is an excellent way to keep you on track and push you to improve.

Compared to other fitness apps, this feature makes a difference and stands out in the test. While the app generates personalized workout plans specialized in weight training, it also has a very intuitive gym logging function. In addition, Alpha Progression features a free and paid version like most apps, which we will go over below. Overall, Alpha Progression is worth considering because of three of its key features.

Plan your customized Training Plans

The app is great because it allows you to create unique training plans or draw ideas as needed. You can write your training plans inside the app or use the plan generator based on your preferences, equipment, goals, schedule, etc. All science-based training plans generated are 100% tailored to your needs.

Their algorithm is based on the latest meta-analyses and could even replace a personal trainer. However, despite this automation, you are always controlling the app by determining how often and long you want to train and which muscles your training plan should focus on. In other words, the app is excellent for all sorts of people. So, Alpha Progression gives you the option of whether you enjoy completely controlling your training experience or simply want a good training plan without having to think about it.

Extensive Exercise Library and Videos

Alpha Progression comes with a rich library of exercises. Each comes with easy-to-read instructions, an exercise video, and additional information about your training history to get some context.

While most fitness apps use some graphic illustration, Alpha Progression produced their videos with a gym professional. And in case you wonder who the person on the video is, this is the app's founder, Benjamin Schnabel. These videos allow you to study proper training forms on the go and make it very easy to develop new training ideas.

In addition, these instructions also include guidance on how good a specific exercise is for muscle building. This guidance is based on criteria such as range of motion and exercise stability. Sure, that might not be that valuable for a gym veteran, but it can be incredible for everyone else.

Built for Progression

The problem with most apps is they fail to give proper guidance on progression. So, unfortunately, doing the same thing ceases to bring improvements, and we end up exercising instead of training. But pushing hard is also about being smart and knowing when to take a step back. The app does an excellent job of providing progression recommendations that keep you training hard and improving.

For every set, Alpha Progression gives you a precise recommendation of how much weight and how many reps to go for. In addition, the algorithm analyzes your performance from past and current sessions, which guarantees long-term progression! Reps in Reserve (RIR) and Deload Weeks are two other unique weightlifting features. RIR is especially handy to monitor how much effort you put into your training and if you are progressing well. Just continue reading to learn more about this.

Expert Settings for weightlifting

As mentioned before, Alpha Progression includes some features that can take your training to the next level. For example, with its "Expert Settings, you can track your "Reps in Reserve" and plan for "Deload Weeks." Reps in Reserve (RIR) describes how many reps you could have done more (with perfect technique) when ending the set. For example, if a 10-rep set with 225 lbs (102 Kg) on the bench press left you with 0 RIR a month ago, but you can now do it with two or 3 RIR, it means you have gotten stronger. So when you do your 10 reps in one set and could have done these 3 more reps, you track 10 reps and 4 RIR. Now when you increase the number of sets and level of exertion, for example, over four weeks, you want to take a Deload Week in the 5th week. In this last week, the load gets reduced so your body can recover from the accumulated fatigue before starting the next cycle. 

Alpha Progression does a great job of putting a plan for you and helping you progress. However, these expert settings are all pro features.

What are others saying about Alpha Progression?

As mentioned earlier, Alpha Progression is a relatively new app. However, it impresses with a 4.9 rating in both app stores from over 5.000 reviews. Therefore, it is probably safe to say that people enjoy the app and find it helpful.

What many people love about the app is its sheer simplicity of use. Unlike many fitness solutions, Alpha Progression is intuitive, simple to learn, and has a basic user interface. Many people also enjoy the program generator and progress recommendation features. Those, however, only come with the paid pro version. Nevertheless, both are incredibly beneficial and provide a fun, effective, and challenging training experience.

The instructional videos with the written instructions is the third aspect people love in this app. No need to go off the app and look at instructions elsewhere; Alpha includes everything a trainee might need to complete each workout successfully.

How to get started with Alpha Progression

Getting started with Alpha Progression is no different than using any other app. You first have to download the app and set up a gym profile. The app asks you about essential information that helps it mold a better training plan. You will have to select your: 

• Gender
• Lifting experience (in years)
• Current weight (in lbs or kilos)

Then you can start putting together your training plan. Alpha recommends its plan generator, which requires the pro version. If you are going with the free version, you can easily create your training plan from scratch or start with a single workout. Regardless of which option you choose, putting together a training plan requires extra information from you. If you decide to put your plan together, the app asks you about:

• How many days per week do you want to train;
• How long do you want each workout to be;
• What muscles do you want to focus on (or neglect)?

Once you have put the information in, the app develops a training plan for you. What is great is that you can tweak your program later. For example, you can swap an exercise easily if you do not like the app's recommendation.

How much does Alpha Progression cost?

Like most fitness apps, Alpha Progression offers a free and paid version. The free version gives you a taste of what the app offers and provides more than enough functionality. You can put together training plans, track your workouts, and more.

But the app's paid version offers more to the user, so you should consider it, at least for a month. Getting the paid version offers unique features like:

• The plan generator can create custom training plans based on equipment, gender, training experience, frequency, duration, muscle preference, etc.
• Includes progression recommendations during the training based on your past workouts performance to achieve the next higher strength level.
• Provides graphical insights to evaluate your training graphically afterward.

These graphical insights are helpful because they visualize your progress over the weeks and months, making it easier to appreciate where you were and how far you have come. That might not seem important, but it can be quite motivating and keep you moving forward even when you do not feel like it. The app's Pro version is also excellent because it allows you to schedule deload weeks into your training. These weeks are designed to feature less demanding training, which is a beneficial form of active recovery. 

Of course, the Pro version does also not contain any advertisements. After sign-up, you get free two (2) weeks of access to the Pro version. The monthly Pro subscription costs $10 per month or $5 if you get the annual version for $60.

The good news is that we got you covered if you want to save 20% on your subscription. Use "HOTELGYMS" as the code when signing up here. Click "Try for free," and you will get the yearly subscription for only $48 after two (2) weeks of free testing. 

Based on our experience, this is one of the lowest subscription prices for a professional fitness app.

What we think of Alpha Progression

Alpha Progression is a relatively new fitness app that deserves its good reputation and rating. Compared to Fitbod, our favorite for travel and hotel gyms, Alpha Progression has a 100% focus on traditional strength training. While Fitbod will generate a new workout every time you train, this app is designed to stick to a plan for several weeks. This can be beneficial if you are doing a movement for the first time or after a break. The first one or two sets will be less effective since you are re-learning the movement and figuring out the correct weights.

What about Hevy or the Strong app, two other weight training apps featured on HotelGyms.com? Both apps do not create custom plans and contains less guidance on weights or repetitions. There is no equivalent to the progression recommendations. However, some prefer to have complete control over their workout plan, and Hevy is a fantastic tool for tracking.

Another difference between Alpha Progression and other apps is that it is more geared to lifters and strength enthusiasts. Too many developers on the market try to capture as many people as possible by making their apps widely available. But, they often fall short of the objective because they fail to make their apps great in any area. In contrast, Alpha Progression is specifically designed for the dedicated lifter. The app features everything you need to train effectively and build the most muscle and strength in the long run. Sure, the narrow approach alienates some people in the fitness segment, but it works incredibly well for its target market. Read more about "How to use Alpha Progression" in our next blog post. 

As you can see, every fitness app has its specific scenario, and all three are good at what they do. In the end, it is all about your need and personal preference.

Conclusion

Alpha Progression takes the guesswork out of the equation and provides you with a simple, sustainable, and, most importantly, effective plan. While hard work plays a massive role in the equation, it alone is rarely enough. A good training program based on sound principles and progression is essential because improvements occur slowly. 

The beauty of Alpha Progression is that it covers all your needs and provides all the necessary information for safe and practical training. Using the app on the road is also a great option, given the sheer customizability and use of gym profiles. You can use our GymFactor tool to find excellent gyms for your travels and pair that with Alpha Progression for a wonderful training experience.

FAQs

What makes Alpha Progression worth considering?

Most notably, Alpha Progression is simple to use. The app features a clean interface and the ability to navigate with just a few taps on your screen. The next huge benefit is that the app provides custom training plans based on your input. Each workout is designed to fit your needs and help you get closer to your goals. Speaking of that, Alpha Progression focuses on long-term progression by providing suggestions for increasing the load and more. As a result, you can more effectively overload your muscles at the correct times and reap great rewards.

Is Alpha Progression good for Beginners?

Yes, the app provides excellent training plans, long-term progression recommendations, and information on many gym movements. Alpha Progression also provides in-depth exercise information that educates you on each movement, allowing you to learn as you go and not waste time. More importantly, all the information is available in the app, and you do not have to venture elsewhere to access videos, instructions, and suggestions.

Additionally, an advantage of a relatively new app is you still get easily in contact with the founding team. Their Facebook Group is open to asking questions, getting training advice, or providing feedback about the app.

How is Alpha Progression different from other popular fitness apps?

Its simplicity is perhaps the most significant difference between Alpha Progression and other apps like Fitbod, Hevy and Strong. The app features a clean and simple interface, free of unnecessary functions and options. But, despite the simplicity, the app is still incredibly functional and never feels like a glorified note-taking app. You have plenty of options for logging your workouts, the app provides custom plans, and plenty of training recommendations.

Another difference is their focus on weightlifting and their ability to help progress. Alpha Progression is an excellent option for anyone who desires to build muscle and increase their strength through customized training plans and the principle of progressive overload.

How well does Alpha Progression generate the training plans?

One of Alpha Progression's unique features is the focus on weight training. The app does not try to capture a variety of trainees across different exercise modalities. Instead, it focuses on several things and does each amazingly well. What is great about training plans generated by Alpha Progression is that each comes with a predetermined duration (e.g., six weeks), and you can tweak your training plan as you go. You also have the option to include deload weeks for recovery purposes, and the app recommends progression based on your performance.

Alpha Progression vs. Fitbod

If you are serious about gaining strength, changing your body composition, and performing better, you need an intelligent training plan that caters to those goals. Both Fitbod and Alpha Progression will give you this. However, Fitbod will generate a new workout every time you train, while Alpha Progression is designed to stick to a training plan for several weeks. This can be beneficial if you are doing a movement for the first time or after a break.

Alpha Progression gets to know you and your goals, and then the intelligent algorithm creates a customized training plan to help you get there. This strength-specific workout programming can help both women and men to reach their fitness goals and to do so efficiently and effectively.

Can you use Alpha Progression on iOS and Android?

The fitness app Alpha Progression is available for Android and iOS mobile phones. Both versions have impressive ratings, with a 4.9 rating in both App Stores, and offer the same features.