December 23, 2025
No paywalls, just deadlifts
Stronk.app – open-source gym lifts journal
Free gym log takes on paid apps; fans cheer, Hevy loyalists clap back
TLDR: An indie dev dropped Stronk.app, a free open‑source web gym log with a big feature roadmap. Comments split between donation‑friendly, anti‑app‑store cheers and fans saying Hevy’s $70 polish is worth it, with shout‑outs to Liftosaur and exrx—DIY freedom vs paid convenience is the real weight being lifted.
The dev behind Stronk.app says he won’t pay Apple or Google, so he dropped a free, open‑source gym log as a web app—and the crowd went wild. Early hype rolled in with simple mic‑drop links to stronk.app, while one fan begged, “can you add a donation button?” so people can pay it forward without subscriptions. Another crowd chanted “web apps over walled gardens”, cheering the anti‑paywall vibe.
Then the plot twist: a Hevy defender stepped in, calling Hevy’s roughly $70 lifetime deal a “great price” for its polish, animations, and exercise tips—basically saying free is cool, but form cues and a slick library keep your squats honest. Techy lifters pointed to Liftosaur, which comes with a DSL (a mini programming language) to script workouts—cue jokes about SwoleScript and “I’m lifting code now.” Practical voices asked for exrx links (a trusted exercise database) and online backups, because “saving to your phone” screams RIP gains if your device dies.
Meanwhile, the roadmap flexes hard: Strava/Facebook sync, charts, timers, import/export, and JavaScript-powered routines for programs like 5‑3‑1. The GitHub is open for stars and bug reports, turning this into a community‑powered iron project. The drama? DIY freedom vs polished convenience, with both sides repping their set to failure—no app store fee required.
Key Points
- •Stronk.app is a free, open-source web app for logging gym lifts.
- •The project’s code is available on GitHub with invitations for issues and contributions.
- •Current data storage is local to the user’s phone; online backups are planned.
- •Planned features include Strava/Facebook sync, import/export, charts, set types, timers, and JavaScript-based programmable routines with default routines.
- •It is a web app to avoid Apple and Google app store publishing fees.