Hercules

Hercules is a workout planner and gym trainer app that combines a personal training log with detailed exercise guidance. It is aimed at people who want fine control over every part of their sessions, from rest times and loads to custom routines and long-term progress tracking, whether they are just starting out or already train regularly.

Flexible session control during your workouts

A key strength of Hercules is how much control it gives you while you are in the middle of a workout. You can set specific goals for each set, including loads, number of repetitions, and rest time, which turns the app into a precise workout planner instead of a simple checklist.

The integrated timer starts automatically at the end of each set and handles rest periods for you. During these breaks you can enter your performance, and a beep signals when it is time to start the next set. The app also shows the current exercise with its target reps and loads, along with your last performance, so you always know what you are trying to beat.

If a machine is taken or you want to change things up, you can switch exercises on the fly without breaking the flow of the session. Variable rest periods, the option to temporarily swap exercises mid workout, and the ability to correct mistakes by editing performance right away all contribute to a very flexible in-gym experience.

Rich customization of workouts and exercises

Hercules offers a large amount of customization. You can create your own workouts and exercises and sort them into groups that match how you like to organize your training. For those who want help building routines, a workout generator can produce sessions for you, acting as a built-in gym trainer.

The app ships with 100+ predefined exercises categorized by muscle groups such as abs, back, chest, biceps, triceps, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, buttocks, forearms, trapezius, lumbar, and more. There are also beginner-friendly routines like a 7 minutes workout, a full body workout, and options that do not require equipment, along with predefined plans like an 8 minutes abs workout.

If you use a specific fitness or bodybuilding machine, you can take a picture with your phone and associate it with any exercise, which is handy in crowded gyms. A notes section during workouts lets you record details or adjustments. Overall, the app gives you full control over programming your own routines, which stands out compared with many more rigid fitness tools.

One limitation is that the built-in exercise library, while broad, might not cover every isolation move or machine variation some lifters like. The ability to add your own exercises largely compensates for this, but a broader stock list would reduce setup time.

Progress tracking with a game-like feel

Hercules organizes your training history in an intuitive, slightly game-like format. As you log workouts, you gain experience and can see how your fitness level improves over time.

During each set, the app shows your last performance so you can try to surpass it. At the end of a workout, Hercules summarizes your session and draws progression curves that help you visualize trends. You can also use it as a weight tracker, monitor daily progress, and follow changes related to goals such as losing weight or belly fat, gaining muscle, or staying in shape. This focus on data makes it one of the more complete options for tracking what happens in the gym.

Guidance and safety information

For its predefined plans, Hercules includes exercise descriptions and demonstrations that guide you through each movement and help you perform it correctly. This is especially useful for people who are newer to the gym or trying unfamiliar exercises.

The app positions itself clearly as a training aid rather than medical advice and includes a health disclaimer that reminds users to consult a professional if they have pre-existing conditions or experience discomfort.

Interface, pricing, and small frustrations

The overall experience feels intuitive and easy to pick up, which is notable given how many options the app offers. Customization, variable rest periods, the ability to switch exercises mid workout, and in-depth data tracking are all presented in a way that is straightforward to understand.

There is a trial period with a paywall. While that paywall can initially feel annoying, the access to the full feature set during the trial is transparent, and the app offers good value, especially compared with many subscription style fitness apps that charge on a recurring basis.

There are a few smaller downsides. Some users are not fond of the current app icon and would prefer the old design. The app lets you switch between pounds and kilograms, but it currently changes only the label and does not calculate conversions, so you have to do that math yourself. There is also no built-in way to export and share your custom workouts with friends who use the app, which would be a useful addition for people who program routines for others.