Iridium vs Hevy
Hevy is the best free workout logger. Iridium is a recovery-aware AI coach. Here's when each one is the right choice.
TL;DR
Choose Hevy if you already have a program, want fast logging, and value social features — especially for free.
Choose Iridium if you want the app to program your workouts based on which muscles are recovered, track volume landmarks (MEV/MAV/MRV), and handle nutrition logging in the same app.
What Hevy does well
- Fastest logging in the category. Open, tap, done. Hevy stays out of your way.
- Generous free tier. 3 routines for free. Most people can get by without paying.
- Social feed. See friends' workouts, get accountability from the community. Strava for the gym.
- Cross-platform. iOS and Android. Your gym buddy doesn't need an iPhone.
- Workout templates. Build a routine once, reuse it forever. Easy to share.
What Iridium does that Hevy doesn't
- AI workout generation. Iridium builds your session based on which muscles are recovered, your equipment, and your goals. Hevy is a logger — you bring your own program.
- Per-muscle recovery tracking. Iridium knows your chest is at 80% recovery and your back is fully ready. It programs accordingly. Hevy has no recovery tracking.
- Volume landmarks (MEV/MAV/MRV). Iridium tracks minimum effective volume, maximum adaptive volume, and maximum recoverable volume per muscle group. No other app does this.
- Nutrition tracking. Barcode scanning, AI food description, photo recognition. Calories, protein, carbs, fat. Hevy is workouts-only.
- Apple Watch integration. Iridium has a full Apple Watch app — start workouts, log sets, calculate plates, rest timers. Hevy has no Watch app.
What Hevy does that Iridium doesn't
- Social feed. Hevy's community is genuinely motivating. If accountability drives your consistency, Hevy wins here.
- Android support. Iridium is iOS only. If you or your training partner uses Android, Hevy works for both.
- Free tier. Hevy gives you meaningful functionality for free. Iridium is a trial then paid.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Iridium | Hevy |
|---|---|---|
| AI Workout Generation | ✅ Recovery-aware | ❌ Manual only |
| Per-Muscle Recovery | ✅ | ❌ |
| Volume Landmarks | ✅ MEV/MAV/MRV | ❌ |
| Nutrition Tracking | ✅ Built-in | ❌ |
| Apple Watch | ✅ Full app | ❌ |
| Social Feed | ❌ | ✅ |
| Free Tier | Trial | ✅ 3 routines |
| Cross-Platform | iOS only | iOS + Android |
| Workout Logging | Fast | Very fast |
| PR Tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
Want an app that programs for you, not just logs?
Iridium builds your workouts around recovery. Try it free.
Download Iridium for iOS