The Strong Problem
Strong is excellent at ONE thing: logging what you did. It's fast, minimal, reliable. But it has zero intelligence. It can't tell you what to do, how much weight to add, when to deload, or how to structure your training week. It's a blank notebook that happens to be digital.
The 3-routine limit on the free tier forces upgrades for basic functionality. And even on premium at $4.99/month, you still need to bring your own program from somewhere else — a coach, a book, a Reddit thread, or a random YouTube video.
Strong solves the TRACKING problem. It completely ignores the PLANNING problem. If you don't already have a structured program, Strong is just an empty canvas waiting for you to figure it out yourself.
The MySetPlan Approach
MySetPlan IS the plan. The AI builds a complete monthly program based on your goals, equipment, schedule, and experience level. Progressive overload is automatic. Deload weeks are built in. You don't need to figure out what to do — the plan tells you.
Category distinction matters here: Strong is a workout TRACKER. MySetPlan is a workout PLAN SERVICE. These solve fundamentally different problems. A tracker logs where you've been. A plan tells you where to go.
For people who already have a coach or a detailed program they love, Strong is great. For the 80% of gym-goers who need someone to tell them what to do, Strong is an empty notebook. MySetPlan fills that notebook with a structured, progressive plan for $2/month more.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Plan ServiceMySetPlan | TrackerStrong |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Generated Monthly Plan | Complete month built for you | No planning capability |
Strong requires you to bring your own program from a coach or other source | ||
| Automatic Progressive Overload | Built into every plan | Manual only |
| Built-In Deload Weeks | Every 4th week | Not available |
| Nutrition Targets | Calories + macros | Not available |
| No Download Required | Works in browser | App required |
| Works Without Pre-Existing Program | AI builds your plan | Empty without program |
Strong requires you to bring your own program from a coach or other source
Pricing Breakdown
MySetPlan
- AI-generated monthly plan
- Progressive overload built in
- Deload week management
- Nutrition targets
- Works without existing program
Strong
- Plan generation
- Progressive overload suggestions
- Deload programming
- Nutrition guidance
- Workout logging (excellent)
Strong is cheaper, but it's like buying a blank notebook vs buying a textbook. The notebook costs less, but it doesn't teach you anything.
Pricing verified February 2026. Visit each provider's website for the most current pricing.
The Bottom Line
Strong is the best workout tracker in the market. It's fast, clean, and does logging well. But if you need someone to TELL you what to do — what exercises, what weight, what progression, when to rest — Strong can't help. It's an empty notebook waiting for you to write the program yourself.
MySetPlan builds that program for you. AI-generated monthly plans with progressive overload, deload weeks, and nutrition targets — all for $2/month more than Strong charges to track an empty notebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
MySetPlan is the best Strong app alternative if you want more than just a workout tracker. Strong is like a digital notebook — it records what you do, but you have to figure out every exercise, set, and rep yourself. MySetPlan does all the thinking for you. Take a quick quiz and get a full month of workouts with the weights going up each week. $6.99/month vs Strong Pro at $4.99/month — but you get an actual plan, not just a blank log.
Yes, but you likely won't need to. MySetPlan includes workout tracking in the browser. However, if you prefer Strong's interface for logging, you can follow your MySetPlan program and log in Strong. The plan is yours — use whatever tracker you like.
Yes. MySetPlan includes built-in workout logging with a gym-ready dark mode interface. You can track sets, reps, and weights directly in your browser without needing a separate tracking app.
You can, but generic programs aren't personalized to your goals, equipment, or schedule. MySetPlan's AI builds a plan specifically for you based on a 2-minute quiz. It also includes periodization and deload management that free templates don't adjust for.
Absolutely. Strong assumes you already know what to do — it's a blank tracker. MySetPlan is designed for people who need a plan, not just a logger. The AI builds your entire program based on your experience level.
The AI considers your goals (muscle building, fat loss, strength), available equipment, training schedule, and experience level. It then builds a plan with exercises that match your equipment and progress appropriately for your fitness level.