StrongLifts
7.2 TRTrainingPeaks
8.6StrongLifts vs TrainingPeaks
StrongLifts and TrainingPeaks are workout platforms with different starting points. StrongLifts plans barbell strength sessions, weights, sets and reps for beginners and experienced lifters.
TrainingPeaks is a web and mobile platform for planning, recording and analyzing endurance training, with tools for athletes and coaches. This comparison is for someone choosing between guided strength progression and broader training management.
| StrongLifts | TrainingPeaks | |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist score | 7.2 | 8.6 |
| Works with a watch | Yes | Yes |
| Watch families named | Apple Watch | Garmin, Polar, Suunto, Coros |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Paid from | $4.99/mo | $11.25/mo |
| Platforms | Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Paid from | $11.99/user/mo | $11.25/user/mo |
| Workout programming | Adaptive | Custom |
| Progress tracking | Analytics | Analytics |
| Exercise library | Extensive | — |
| Coach tools | None | Team management |
| Wearable sync | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile platforms | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
StrongLifts
StrongLifts suits someone who wants a prescribed barbell routine with progression handled inside the app. The beginner and intermediate templates give a clear starting point, while exercise substitutions and custom programs leave room to adjust the plan. Apple Watch users get set logging, rest alerts, and calculation tools on the watch. Budget for a subscription: there is no free plan, and only the yearly option carries a 7-day trial. Check platform needs carefully if you use a watch other than Apple Watch.
- Automatic progression responds to successful and failed sets.
- More than 100 exercises include videos and form guidance.
- Apple Watch logs sets and provides rest notifications.
TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks suits endurance athletes who want a structured calendar and detailed load analysis, and coaches who need athlete-management tools. The free tier is a way to view the service, but serious planning, device workout sync, comparisons, and several analysis tools sit in Premium. Check your device path before paying, especially if your records live in Strava or you need a personal API project. The annual Premium option lowers the monthly equivalent, while coaching tiers add human contact and custom planning.
- Plans, records, and endurance analysis share one calendar.
- Garmin Connect activities can sync automatically.
- Premium includes planned-workout device sync and analysis tools.
Round by round
Paid plans and starting price
StrongLifts is paid, with plans from $11.99 per user per month. TrainingPeaks has a free Basic Athlete plan and Premium from $11.25 per month when billed annually at $134.99. Its monthly Premium price is $19.95. TrainingPeaks wins because its annual paid entry is lower and it also offers a usable free tier. The prices are not identical billing structures, but the stated starting prices favor TrainingPeaks.
TrainingPeaks takes this round
Free access
StrongLifts is free to download but requires a subscription to use. It offers a seven-day trial on the yearly plan, with no trial for monthly or quarterly plans. TrainingPeaks offers a Basic Athlete free plan with limited workout viewing and upload, free endurance and strength content, and fewer features than paid accounts. TrainingPeaks also offers a 14-day trial for its paid service. TrainingPeaks wins because someone can continue using a limited version without paying, while StrongLifts requires a subscription after its applicable trial.
TrainingPeaks takes this round
Workout planning and training tools
StrongLifts focuses on scheduled barbell strength workouts. It includes StrongLifts 5×5 beginner and intermediate programs, Madcow 5×5, automatic weight increases, repeated weights after failures and deloads after setbacks or breaks. Users can add assistance work, replace exercises, create exercises and build programs. TrainingPeaks supports endurance planning, bought or custom plans, an Annual Training Plan, more than 700 pre-built workouts and structured workout building. It also offers integrated strength sessions with more than 1,000 video-guided movements. The products serve different training models, so the facts do not establish one overall winner.
Guided use and interface
StrongLifts is described by its maker as guiding users through scheduled workouts and choosing exercises, sets, reps and weights. Apple reviewers repeatedly describe its interface and guided workouts as simple and easy to follow. One-tap set logging, a rest timer, warmup and plate calculators, and automatic progression support that direct flow. TrainingPeaks offers extensive planning and analysis, and a G2 reviewer called its interface intuitive, with personalized plans and athlete data easy to create and use. StrongLifts wins this round because the available praise is more directly about simple, guided workout use, while TrainingPeaks covers a broader planning system.
StrongLifts takes this round
Device and health integrations
StrongLifts syncs workouts, duration, calories and body weight with Apple Health on iOS and Health Connect on Android. It also supports Apple Watch logging, rest notifications, workout data, and warmup and plate calculations. TrainingPeaks lists compatibility with hundreds of devices and apps, including Garmin, Apple, Zwift, Wahoo, Suunto, Polar, WHOOP and COROS. Garmin activities can sync to the calendar, and eligible future structured workouts can sync to Garmin Connect. TrainingPeaks wins for the wider stated integration range and two-way planned-workout support. StrongLifts remains focused on health data exchange and Apple Watch workout logging.
TrainingPeaks takes this round
Supported platforms
StrongLifts lists Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, with stated Apple system requirements including iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14 on Apple silicon, visionOS 1 or watchOS 10. TrainingPeaks lists Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, web and an API. Its Virtual product requires Windows 10 64-bit or macOS 11 and supports Intel and Apple silicon Macs. TrainingPeaks wins because it explicitly provides web access in addition to mobile and desktop coverage, and it lists an API. StrongLifts covers common devices but does not list a web product or public API.
TrainingPeaks takes this round
Help and customer support
StrongLifts directs users with app issues to contact support from within the app. Its help center provides step-by-step guides for purchases, cancellation, Apple Health, Health Connect and workout logging. TrainingPeaks directs customers to its Help Center, which covers athlete, coach, device sync, billing, training analysis and Virtual topics. It also offers AI assistance and human ticket support targeted to one business day. TrainingPeaks wins because its stated support scope is broader and includes a response target, while StrongLifts emphasizes in-app contact and documentation.
TrainingPeaks takes this round
API access
StrongLifts’ opened official product and support pages document no public API or SDK. TrainingPeaks has a public API for approved commercial fitness applications and devices. Access requests are typically answered in seven to ten days. The API can read profiles, zones, workouts, calendar events and metrics, and can push planned events, workouts, completed files and metrics. TrainingPeaks says the API is not available for personal projects or personal use. TrainingPeaks wins because it provides documented API access for approved commercial integrations; StrongLifts does not document a public API or SDK.
TrainingPeaks takes this round
Pick StrongLifts if
- You want a focused barbell strength program with automatic weight progression.
- You prefer guided sets, reps, weights, deloads and simple workout logging.
- You need Apple Watch logging or Apple Health and Health Connect syncing.
Pick TrainingPeaks if
- You train for running, cycling, triathlon or other endurance activities.
- You want a free starting plan, web access, device integrations and deeper analytics.
- You need coach accounts, structured workout sync or approved commercial API access.
The short of it
Choose StrongLifts for a dedicated barbell strength path. Its 5×5 and Madcow templates, automatic progression, deload handling, exercise substitutions and lifting calculators keep the work centered on sets, reps and weights. Choose TrainingPeaks for endurance planning or a broader training system. It offers a free tier, web access, device integrations, structured workouts, performance charts, coach tools and an approved commercial API. The products overlap in workout planning and tracking, but their main jobs differ: StrongLifts is a focused strength app; TrainingPeaks is a wider endurance and coaching platform.
What buyers ask
Does StrongLifts have a free plan?
No. StrongLifts is free to download but requires a subscription to use. The yearly plan has a seven-day trial; monthly and quarterly plans have no trial.
Can I use TrainingPeaks without paying?
Yes. Basic Athlete is free with limited workout viewing and upload, free endurance and strength content, and fewer features than paid accounts.
Which app is for endurance sports?
TrainingPeaks targets running, cycling, triathlon, marathon and other endurance activities, with planning, analysis and device syncing.
Which one has automatic weight progression?
StrongLifts increases weight after successful sets, repeats weight after failures, and can deload after repeated failures or a training break.
Do both connect to wearables?
Yes. StrongLifts supports Apple Watch, Apple Health and Health Connect. TrainingPeaks lists compatibility with Garmin, Apple, Zwift, Wahoo, Suunto, Polar, WHOOP, COROS and others.
Is there an API?
TrainingPeaks has an API for approved commercial fitness applications and devices, not personal projects. StrongLifts documents no public API or SDK.
Listed together on Best Workout Tracking Apps in 2026.