Ladder

Best strength training app

Ladder

$30 at Ladder

If you’re worried about how to maintain your gains outside of the gym, then you’ll love the Ladder app. Ladder is specifically designed for strength training and connects you to many strength coaches who specialize in various fields. To find the coach that’s the best fit for you, you will have to answer questions such as your preferred training style, what your goals are, how often you’d want to workout and the type of equipment available to you. Ladder takes the guesswork out of planning your workout because the coach for your designated program will provide a weekly workout plan that you receive Sunday nights to prepare you for the week ahead.

Currently, the app only works with Apple mobile or iPad devices, and can be used with an Apple Watch or casted on a TV screen using Apple Airplay or Screen Mirroring. However, the developers are working on creating an Android compatible app. 

When I tried this app out, I signed up for a kettlebell class called Body & Bell and what’s great is you get video demonstrations for the different exercises you’ll be doing. The videos also tell you the type of weight you should be using (light, medium, heavy) and the length of time of the exercise.

You can also connect with your coach via the chat in the app if you ever have questions on your training or want to chat with other members on your team. Ladder offers a free seven-day trial and afterward you can pick from a Pro plan for $30 a month or the Elite plan for $45 a month. The difference between these two is that the Elite plan gives you one-on-one coach help, which helps if you need a form check. If you’re a Ladder devotee, the app also has an option to upgrade for an extra $15 a month so you can have access to both the Pro and Elite plans. 

Pros

• You can connect with a coach that’s the right for your goals
• Community is well-connected and you can ask your coach questions through the app
• Free week offered upon downloading app
•  Option of one-on-one coaching for less than $50 a month

Cons

• It’s only available to Apple users
• It’s more strength training focused, so it’s not for a cardio junkie