Barbell Medicine 12+

Needs data export

The app was better than I expected. I think it makes my training better in subtle ways. I like seeing the 1rpe of each set, like the motivational training messages after finishing a workout. The customisable dash board is great, although why limit to only 4 RPE graphs?

It absolutely must get a data export functionality though. I can track my workout logs from my own spreadsheets going back a decade, which i kind of like for reviewing things or just reading what I used to do for fun. I dont want the app to be the single source of the data and might stop using it eventually without this feature.

Other than that, its great.

One other thing: add more congratulatory workout completion quotes to keep it interesting. I have only seen 3 so far.

3.5/5 as is.
5/5 with easy and simple/minimalist (CSV probably) data export.

Couldn’t be happier

Before this app, I used google sheets on my phone to track my numbers while at the gym. It was cumbersome to have to scroll through an excel document and struggle to tap on the tiny squares.

This app is such a breath of fresh air. I really appreciate its ease-of-use and versatility. The ability to make substitutions from the large database of exercises has been a game-changer for me.

Being able to visualize my progress with the graphs on the home screen motivates me to continue training consistently.

Developer Response ,

Thanks so much for the positive feedback!

Great templates, unsatisfactory app

I’m a fan of BBM. Their philosophy, technical quality, templates, etc. are all great. The app just isn’t there though. It’s OK, but that’s it. A recent update took 6 months between versions, and it doesn’t seem like there’s much functionality added other than some big performance bugs fixed, which I’m guessing should have never been there given how new the app is. Adding videos was clearly a priority, but I can’t see this being hugely useful, at least not for me.

Maybe I’m being unfair and too impatient but by now I would have hoped that data exports, better customisation of templates, timers for EMOMs, etc. would be available.

I keep considering whether I should pay for a different app and use their custom program options to input BBM templates (there are a couple out there that work well for this). It would also mean that I don’t have to keep inputting my tweaks and preferences every session.

I hope updates come faster so that the app can match the quality BBM has elsewhere.