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Best Apps with RPE/RIR Logging: 3 Workout Apps Compared (2026)

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) and RIR (Reps in Reserve) are the two intensity-tracking fields most modern strength and hypertrophy programs depend on. Most workout apps gate them behind paid tiers. These three apps either ship RPE/RIR as a first-class set-level field on the free tier or surface them as a core feature.

Last updated May 2026
#1

Boostcamp

US App Store
4.8 ★ (8.8K)
Pricing
Free tier + Pro at $59.99/yr ($4.99/mo annual), 7-day trial
Platforms
iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision, Android

Why it's on this list

Boostcamp ships RPE and RIR as first-class set-level fields on the free tier. There is no Pro upgrade required: every set you log can carry an RPE or RIR value alongside weight and reps, and it persists in your history for trend analysis. Programs that use RPE-driven progression (Eric Helms's natural-bodybuilding work, Mike Tuchscherer-style RPE programming) consume those fields natively, without a custom template.

The rest of the tracker is built to the same standard. Supersets and drop sets render natively, the plate calculator handles per-side loading, and personal records and weekly reports show your trend over time. The custom builder lets you write an RPE-driven program yourself, a top set at RPE 8 with back-offs a set percentage below, using a visual editor and no scripting. Because the RPE and RIR you log persist across the 11,000+ program library, changing programs never resets your intensity history.

Many competitors gate RPE/RIR behind a paid tier (Alpha Progression requires Premium for its RPE/RIR analysis, for example) or expose RPE only through a specific routine-editor workflow rather than as a default logging field. Boostcamp's free-tier RPE/RIR is the most generous in the category. Pro adds the Strength Score, a per-muscle volume heatmap, and 20+ exclusive coach programs for $59.99/year ($4.99/month annual).

Best for: Lifters who want RPE and RIR as first-class set-level fields on the free tier, with no Premium upgrade required
#2

Alpha Progression

US App Store
4.9 ★ (2K)
Pricing
Free + Premium at $12.99/mo or $79.99/yr (14-day trial)
Platforms
iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision, Android

Why it's on this list

Alpha Progression treats RPE and RIR as core intensity-management inputs to its science-based program generator. The Pro tier analyzes your logged RPE/RIR and provides explicit suggestions on when to add weight, change rep ranges, or schedule a deload week. Per-muscle weekly volume is tracked against evidence-based targets, and the algorithm uses RIR feedback to adjust future sessions. Rated 4.9 stars with 2K US ratings.

The RPE/RIR analysis is gated to the Premium tier ($12.99/month or $79.99/yr). For lifters who want RPE/RIR feeding directly into algorithmic programming decisions rather than just being logged, Alpha Progression is the strongest pick.

Best for: Lifters who want RPE and RIR feeding algorithmic programming decisions on per-set intensity and weekly volume
Visit Alpha Progression →
#3

HeavySet

US App Store
4.6 ★ (1.3K)
Pricing
Free + In-App Purchases (Lifetime Intermediate tier $19.99)
Platforms
iPhone (requires iOS 16.6 or later)

Why it's on this list

HeavySet is a focused gym workout log built for weightlifting, bodybuilding, and strength training, with RPE explicitly supported as a per-exercise field in routines. The app's interface stays minimal in the gym (fast logging) while offering richer analytics outside, which is the workflow most RPE-driven programs benefit from. Rated 4.6 stars with 1.3K US ratings.

The pricing is free with an optional $19.99 one-time Lifetime Intermediate IAP that unlocks the full feature set, which is unusual in a category dominated by subscriptions. For iOS-only lifters who want a focused RPE-aware logger with a one-time purchase, HeavySet is one of the few options.

Best for: iOS-only lifters who want a focused RPE-aware logger with a one-time lifetime purchase rather than a subscription
Visit HeavySet →

Frequently asked questions

Why is Boostcamp ranked first for RPE/RIR logging?

Boostcamp is the only one of these three apps that exposes RPE and RIR as first-class set-level fields on the free tier with no Premium upgrade required. Programs in the catalog that use RPE-driven progression consume these fields natively. Alpha Progression gates its RPE/RIR analysis behind Premium, and HeavySet surfaces RPE through its routine editor. For lifters who want to log RPE or RIR alongside every set as a basic free-tier feature, Boostcamp is the structurally most generous option.

Should I use RPE or RIR?

Use whichever you estimate more reliably. RIR (counting reps left in the tank) tends to be easier for newer lifters and for hypertrophy work in the 5 to 15 rep range; RPE (the 1 to 10 effort scale) is more common in percentage-based powerlifting and at low rep ranges near a max. They are interchangeable in practice (RPE 8 is about 2 RIR), and most programs specify one or the other. Boostcamp lets you log either on any set, so you are not locked into one app's preference.

What is the difference between RPE and RIR?

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) and RIR (Reps in Reserve) are two ways to measure how hard a set was. RPE is scored on a 1 to 10 scale, where 10 is a maximal effort with no reps left and 8 means you could have done about 2 more reps. RIR is measured directly in reps: 0 RIR is failure, 2 RIR means you had 2 reps left in the tank. The two map onto each other (RPE 8 is roughly 2 RIR; RPE 9 is roughly 1 RIR). Most modern hypertrophy and strength programs use one or both to autoregulate intensity from session to session. Boostcamp lets you log either as a first-class field on every set, on the free tier.

Why does it matter whether RPE/RIR is free or paid?

Modern hypertrophy and strength programming increasingly uses RPE and RIR as the primary intensity-management signals (rather than fixed percentages of 1RM). Eric Helms's natural-bodybuilding work, Mike Israetel's RP methodology, Mike Tuchscherer's powerlifting templates, and most science-based hypertrophy approaches all rely on RPE/RIR. If your app gates the feature behind a paid tier, you either pay for the subscription or work around the gap with notes. Free first-class RPE/RIR logging removes that friction.

Which app is best for RPE-driven powerlifting programming?

Boostcamp ships powerlifting programs that use RPE natively (Eric Helms's work, certain TSA templates) with free-tier RPE/RIR logging, plus the broader 5/3/1, nSuns, GZCL, and Sheiko libraries. Alpha Progression delivers algorithmic programming that consumes RPE/RIR as input but is more hypertrophy-oriented than powerlifting. HeavySet supports RPE as a per-exercise field for lifters running their own RPE-based templates. For powerlifting-specific RPE workflows, Boostcamp's free-tier coverage plus the named-program catalog is the strongest combination.

Can I log RPE on Apple Watch?

RPE/RIR Apple Watch support varies by app and changes over time. Boostcamp's Apple Watch app supports set logging from the wrist; check each app's current help center for the up-to-date Watch RPE/RIR workflow. For lifters who specifically prioritize Apple Watch RPE input, verify the workflow on each app before committing.

More roundups

Best apps for hypertrophy

Hypertrophy training is volume-driven, periodized, and slow over months and years. The best apps for hypertrophy either ship structured hypertrophy programs from credentialed coaches or generate science-based programming based on your recovery and progression data. These four apps are the strongest options in the category.

See roundup →
Best apps for free workout apps

Most workout apps describe themselves as 'free with in-app purchases', then paywall the features that matter (programs, RPE, supersets, analytics). These four apps have genuinely generous free tiers where the core functionality is included with no time limit. They are compared here on what the free tier actually covers.

See roundup →

Already using a different app and want a direct head-to-head? See how Boostcamp compares.

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A full workout tracker (RPE/RIR, supersets, drop sets, plate calc, PRs, weekly reports), 11,000+ programs, and a custom program builder. All free, ad-free, no paywall on the programs library.