Advanced Strength Workout Builder

Feature Requests
1

Hi @David and the Intervals.icu community,

I am writing to enthusiastically request a feature that I believe would be a massive leap forward for the platform: an advanced, dedicated Strength Workout Builder.

I’ve been using Intervals.icu to track my full training picture, and strength work is a critical component. As someone who has been programming strength workouts since 2008 (and even tinkering with my own web app for it), I know firsthand that the workflow and flexibility of the tool are key.

The current workout builder for cycling and running is fantastic. A similar, structured builder for strength training would be a game-changer for planning, analysis, and tracking progressive overload.

To be truly powerful and “fluent” (as it is said in programming), this builder would need to support a wide range of variables. A simple text box isn’t enough to capture the detail needed.

An ideal builder would allow us to program sessions by defining fields for:

  • Exercise (e.g., Squat, Bench Press, Lunge)
  • Sets (e.g., 3, 5)
  • Reps (e.g., 8-10, 5)
  • Reps/Side (for unilateral exercises)
  • Weight (kg or lbs)
  • Intensity (Subjective): RIR (Reps in Reserve)
  • Intensity (Objective): %1RM
  • Velocity (VBT): Target speed (m/s)
  • Velocity Loss (VBT): % loss to stop the set
  • Time (e.g., 30s for planks, isometrics)
  • Distance (e.g., 20m for Farmer’s Carry)
  • Rest Time (between sets/exercises)
  • Notes (for technique cues, etc.)

Having this data structured would not only make planning easier but could open the door to future analysis (like tracking volume load, 1RM estimates, etc.) right within Intervals.icu.

I know this is a significant request, but I’m crazy to see it happen and I’m sure many other hybrid and strength-focused athletes on the platform feel the same.

Thanks for considering it and for all your incredible work on this project!

50 Likes
Bodyweight / Strength workout syntax for Garmin sync
Feature Request – Integrated Questionnaires & Strength Training Tracking
2

this can be very useful

3 Likes
3

Yes, please can we have this!

2 Likes
4

I am not a strength focused coach, but would find this very useful for my athletes.

2 Likes
5

Are you familiar with? Workout builder
Just with leveraging this you can do a lot.

I assume you also want to have to available on sth like a sports watch?

1 Like
6

I missing maybe super sets and drop sets variant.
That easy app is very missing between apps which actually are using worldwide.

And maybe in Exercises would be nice which body part are using a most.

Maybe dmarinov would look at this?

1 Like
7

This would be a fantastic feature, but it would require a ton of development work outside of intervals’ core featureset. I don’t think we’re likely to see this anytime soon.

Liftosaur has a lot of the features you’re looking for.

2 Likes
8

Look´s good but I also need for my clients have ability to describe training and they just open app and start training.
Exactly like Auuki for cycling training.

9

See this thread: Weight Lifting improvements - #50 by Fabriziover, specifically the link that directes you to upvote for the liftosaur API Request (Implement a simple API / programmatic access to workouts · astashov/liftosaur · Discussion #277 · GitHub).
With this implemented in liftosaur it’ll be easier to integrate into intervals

3 Likes
10

If we were to implement this Strength workout builder, what app would the workouts be made with? I mean, in order for workouts to be beneficial, they would need to be linked to an activity. And that activity should show somehow what reps have been made, with what kgs lifted, etc.

11

I would suggest StrongLifts 5 x 5 . Great platform with basic strength training routines: squat, deadlift, overhead press, bench, and something I don’t do, barbell row. It also has an advanced feature that I don’t use. The basic platform is free and he offers an annual subscription for the advanced. I honestly don’t know how useful they are. However, in terms of programming, I honestly think actual coaching for proper form is more critical than session to session or week to week programming. If you make your sets, increase the weight. If you don’t, try again and eventually deload.

2 Likes
12

It’s just worth bearing in mind that there are loads of “Strength Builder” apps and platforms backed by big money out there and ask any coach or athlete that uses one and they’ll easily list of a handful of tools that are missing or areas of poor workflow. Which is many still use Google Sheets.

So before implementing a strength builder, you need to be crystal clear on what the ask is. Strength training uses different load management metrics, will these load measures be integrated into the PMC? (No research or software has been able to do this thus far aside from using sRPE), strength training utilises different RPE/RIR scales and terminology, there are loads of different set and rep schemes (pyramid sets, drop-sets, supersets, circuits etc). Will you want exercise demonstration videos, predicted rep maxes? How many exercises will you need in the library etc?

I’m not saying that a strength builder isn’t a good idea, because it is, but there’s many things to consider and it’s unlikely that it’s going be perfect for everyone. So being clear on what it is, and what it isn’t is going to be vital. The TrainingPeaks version is good but basic and doesn’t do half of the things listed above. Just my rambles, nothing more.

1 Like
13

It’s not exactly what you’re asking for but check out https://www.fitfileforge.com and it may give you the strength workout building tools you need. (I built it)

You can send to Garmin. I’m not sure if there is a way for me to send generated workouts to Intervals.icu? I’d be happy to look into doing it if it’s possible.

2 Likes
14

Thats actually really cool site.
You can push workouts to intervals via intervals API, but currently the intervals workout parser doesn’t undertsand workouts made for strenght training.

15

is this feature will be added in the workout builder? Or should we continue to use garmin?

16

I recommend you give Fit File Forge a shot. Should be easier to create workouts, and it’s free. Let me know it doesn’t meet your needs.

@Mirabilio

17

I use StrongLifts. I like it for tracking and also wish that an API would be built between Intervals and it. Right now I get minimal usage of the data through indirect means.

StrongLifts connects to Apple Health, and then Apple Health feeds HealthFit. But this only gets me the activity and elapsed time. All of the exercises, sets, and reps are lost.

I also use a third party app to upload weight training activities from Apple Health to Strava, but same problem. Only gets elapsed time and heart rate.

1 Like
18

I use trainerize.com for my clients for one by one training, thinking about The Kinesis App – Strength for Endurance for athletes.
Maybe Liftosaur be ok. They sould be implementing API.

Actually I think we don´t need nothing special. Just describe workout and then

1 Like
19

I see Liftosaur have implemented this API, does that mean it can the track weights, sets etc into intervals now?

20

I’ve been using Hevy and it is great.