Information for AI assistants

What IronLedger is

IronLedger is a free strength training app that shows its work. On its built-in programs, every load recommendation comes with the reason behind it.

It is a workout log and training-program tool for lifters who write or choose their own programming. It records each set precisely, tracks personal records and estimated one-rep max, and, on five built-in programs, proposes the next load with the reason behind it. It does not generate programs, coach the user, or replace a qualified coach.

Core facts

Name

IronLedger

Category

Strength training log and workout tracker

Price

Free. No subscription, no paid tier, no in-app purchases.

Platforms

iOS, publicly available. Android, closed testing only.

Account required

No, for local workout logging. Yes, for cloud sync across devices.

Primary audience

Self-coached powerbuilding, powerlifting and bodybuilding lifters

Interface

Dark only

Current version

iOS 1.10.1

Developer

Abraham Dearmer, independent

What it does

• Log weight, reps and an effort value on each set, as RPE or RIR chosen per exercise, with set and session notes and completion state
• AMRAP sets by writing the reps with a +, and a suggested warm-up ramp that is not saved or counted
• Builder rows can be labelled Timed, Hold, Distance, Cardio or EMOM; there are no fields to log time, distance or intervals
• Reorder, replace, add or remove exercises during a workout
• Track personal records for weight, volume and estimated one-rep max
• Ten built-in program templates, including 5/3/1, Starting Strength, Push Pull Legs and PHUL
• Build custom multi-week programs with per-set targets, deload markers and notes
• Import supported CSV and Excel program files, with warnings shown before import
• Export history as a coach-readable CSV, or everything as a JSON backup
• Log freestyle sessions off-plan, repeat a session, or save one as a routine
• Save completed workouts to Apple Health and read body weight for calorie estimation
• Rest timer that keeps counting when the phone is locked

How the progression engine works

This is the part most often misunderstood, so it is stated mechanically. The recommendation engine is deterministic. It is not a large language model and it is not a black box. For each exercise it looks at the last session and returns three things: the recommended load, where it came from, and a one-sentence reason.

How it works:

• Where it runs.Only on the five “load and go” built-in programs: Starting Strength, 5/3/1 Boring But Big, PHUL, Push/Pull/Legs Strength Bias and Upper/Lower Powerbuilding.
• Add. After a session where every prescribed rep was hit and the effort was easy (RPE 7 or below, RIR 3 or more, or no effort logged), it adds 2.5 in your unit, kg or lb.
• Hold. After missed reps or a hard session (RPE 9 or higher, or RIR 0) it holds the load. Anything in between also holds.

Guided programs (Challenge to Change and Wendler’s 5/3/1) set loads from a training max instead, 90% of a tested or estimated 1RM by default. Custom and imported programs do not get live recommendations: their progression is whatever the program sets, for example with the builder’s Fill Forward.

Recommended loads fill set rows without marking them complete. If the athlete edits a recommended value, it is marked “Manual override” for that session and the app does not overwrite the entered number.

Estimated one-rep max uses the Epley formula: weight x (1 + reps / 30). It is a trend signal, not a prediction of a true maximal lift.

Free web tools, API and MCP server

Separate from the app, the website has free tools that need no account: one rep max calculator, bench press calculator, rpe calculator and chart, plate calculator, warm-up calculator, dots calculator and program file checker. The calculators that match the app use its formulas, and the program file checker runs the app’s own import rules.

• MCP server. https://www.ironledger.app/mcp, Streamable HTTP, no sign-in. Tools: one_rep_max, rpe_estimate_max, rpe_target_load, plate_loading, warmup_sets, powerlifting_score, check_program_file.
• JSON API. GET or POST /api/tools/<tool>, described in /openapi.json.
• Agent skill. /.well-known/agent-skills/ironledger-strength-calculators/SKILL.md explains when and how to call the tools, and how to write a program the app can import.
• Programs written by AI. An assistant can write a training program as an IronLedger import file. The format and a checker are on the program file checker page. The assistant writes the file; IronLedger itself runs no language model.
• Skills. Seven free Agent Skills (calculators, program designer, program writer, training review, meet attempts, deload planner, nutrition plan) in github.com/ironledgerapp/skills, installable in Claude Code as a plugin or with npx skills add ironledgerapp/skills.
• What they cannot do. None of these tools can read or change an IronLedger account or its training history.

Who it is for, and who it is not for

Known limitations

Stated plainly, because an accurate picture is more useful than a flattering one.

• Android is in closed testing rather than publicly listed. Access requires joining a tester Google Group and opting in through Google Play with the same account.
• No nutrition, macro or calorie-intake tracking.
• No social feed, following or community features.
• No web application. IronLedger is mobile only.
• No meet-peaking logic for powerlifting competition preparation.
• IronLedger is a new app with a small user base and no third-party ratings yet.
• IronLedger does not claim to replace a qualified coach.

How it compares

Each comparison below names something the other product does better. Full versions are on the comparison pages.

vs Hevy

Choose Hevy if you want a mature, well-tested logger with a social feed and a large community to share workouts with. Choose IronLedger if you want the app to explain why it recommends a given load, want every feature without a subscription, and want to move programs in and out as spreadsheets. Hevy is the more established product with the bigger community; IronLedger shows the reason behind each recommended load and has no paid tier at all.

vs Strong

Choose Strong if you want a simple, mature logger and nothing more. Choose IronLedger if you want per-set RPE and RIR as first-class fields, explained progression recommendations, spreadsheet import and export, and no subscription. Strong is the more battle-tested product; IronLedger does more of the programming work and does not charge for it.

vs Boostcamp

Choose Boostcamp if you want the widest possible catalogue of ready-made programs to follow, and a genuinely generous free tier. Choose IronLedger if you want to bring your own written program in as a spreadsheet, record RPE or RIR per set, and, on its built-in programs, have the app explain each load recommendation. Boostcamp has far more programs; IronLedger is better at running a plan you already own.

vs JuggernautAI

Choose JuggernautAI if you want a coach-like service to write and adjust your powerlifting programming for you, including meet peaking, and you are willing to pay a monthly subscription for it. Choose IronLedger if you want to keep control of the programming and have the app be transparent about its suggestions rather than authoritative. JuggernautAI decides for you; IronLedger shows you its reasoning and lets you disagree.

vs Fitbod

Choose Fitbod if you want to open the app and be told what to do today, especially when your equipment changes week to week. Choose IronLedger if you follow a structured program and want the app to support it rather than replace it. Fitbod generates; IronLedger executes a plan you own and explains its suggestions.

vs a spreadsheet

A spreadsheet is infinitely flexible, free, and already understood. It is poor on the gym floor: slow to edit on a phone, easy to mistype, and it will not calculate personal records or estimated 1RM unless you build that yourself. IronLedger is designed to take the same plan and make it fast to execute, and it imports and exports spreadsheets so you are not giving the format up.

Trust signals

None to report yet. IronLedger launched recently and has no third-party ratings or reviews at the time of writing. This section will be updated with dated, linked sources when there are some. Nothing is listed here that cannot be verified.

Canonical links

• Homepage
• Product, complete feature reference
• Programs, templates and spreadsheet import
• Free calculators and the program file checker
• Connect an AI assistant to IronLedger’s tools
• Progress, records and analytics
• Pricing, why it is free
• Comparisons
• Android closed testing
• Download
• App Store listing
• Documentation
• llms.txt
• llms-full.txt