You Don't Need a Wearable to Track Workouts

The fitness industry wants you to believe you need a $200+ smartwatch or fitness band to track your workouts. But in 2025, your smartphone is more powerful than ever – and several apps can track workouts without any wearable device.

Why Skip the Wearable?

Common Complaints About Wearables:

  • Expensive ($100-400)
  • Need to charge frequently
  • Uncomfortable during some exercises
  • One more thing to remember/lose
  • Skin irritation for some users
  • Constant notifications

Benefits of Phone-Only Tracking:

  • No extra cost (you have a phone)
  • No extra device to charge
  • No wrist discomfort
  • Nothing to lose or break

Top Workout Apps That Don't Need Wearables

1. Fitnit – Best for Automatic Rep Tracking

How It Works:

Uses your phone camera and AI to watch you exercise and count reps automatically.

What It Tracks:

  • Push-ups
  • Squats
  • Crunches
  • Bicep curls
  • Plus form quality for each
Standout Feature: Real-time form feedback. The app actually tells you when your form is breaking down.

Also Includes: Photo-based nutrition tracking

Price: Free

Best For: Home workout enthusiasts who want accurate, automatic tracking.

2. Nike Training Club – Best for Guided Workouts

How It Works:

Follow along with video workouts led by trainers.

What It Tracks:

  • Workout completion
  • Workout history
  • Streaks
Standout Feature: Huge library of free professional workouts.

Price: Free

Best For: People who want structured, guided workout programs.

3. Strong – Best for Gym Strength Training

How It Works:

Manual logging of weights, sets, and reps during gym workouts.

What It Tracks:

  • Exercises, sets, reps, weight
  • Rest timers
  • Personal records
Standout Feature: Clean interface specifically for weight lifting.

Price: Free (limited) / $4.99/month pro

Best For: Serious lifters who want detailed strength training logs.

4. JEFIT – Best Exercise Library

How It Works:

Browse exercises from huge library, build routines, log workouts manually.

What It Tracks:

  • Exercises and routines
  • Sets, reps, weight
  • Progress photos
Standout Feature: 1,300+ exercises with animations.

Price: Free (limited) / $12.99/month pro

Best For: People who want workout planning and exercise variety.

5. Hevy – Best for Social Features

How It Works:

Log workouts and share with friends.

What It Tracks:

  • Exercises, sets, reps, weight
  • Workout templates
  • Friend activity
Standout Feature: Social feed to share and compare workouts.

Price: Free (limited) / $9.99/month pro

Best For: People motivated by social accountability.

Comparison: What Each App Tracks

Feature Fitnit NTC Strong JEFIT Hevy
Auto rep counting ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌
Form feedback ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌
Video workouts ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌
Nutrition tracking ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌
Weight/barbell tracking ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅
Free version ✅ ✅ Limited Limited Limited

Choosing the Right App for Your Workout Style

For Home Bodyweight Workouts

Best Choice: Fitnit

Why: Automatic tracking of push-ups, squats, and crunches without any manual input. Form feedback ensures you're doing exercises correctly.

For Gym Weight Training

Best Choice: Strong or Hevy

Why: Designed specifically for logging barbell and dumbbell work with sets, reps, and weight tracking.

For Following Programs

Best Choice: Nike Training Club

Why: Professional guided workouts you can follow along with, no thinking required.

For All-Around Fitness

Best Choice: Fitnit + Nike Training Club

Why: Use Fitnit for strength tracking with automatic reps, NTC for guided cardio and yoga sessions.

How Phone Tracking Compares to Wearables

What You Get Without Wearables:

  • Accurate rep counting (with camera-based apps)
  • Form feedback (only camera-based apps)
  • Workout history and progress
  • Exercise libraries and programs
  • Nutrition tracking

What You Miss Without Wearables:

  • Continuous heart rate monitoring
  • Sleep tracking
  • 24/7 step counting
  • Passive activity detection

The Verdict:

For dedicated workout sessions, phone apps are equal or better. Fitnit's camera-based tracking is actually more accurate for rep counting than wrist-based motion detection.

For all-day activity monitoring, wearables still have an edge.

Tips for Phone-Based Workout Tracking

Tip #1: Get a Phone Stand

For camera-based apps like Fitnit:

  • Prop your phone securely
  • Ensure it won't fall
  • Position for full-body visibility

Tip #2: Good Lighting Helps

Camera-based AI works better with:

  • Bright, even lighting
  • No strong backlighting
  • Clear view of your body

Tip #3: Use Do Not Disturb

During workouts:

  • Silence notifications
  • Prevent interruptions
  • Stay focused

Tip #4: Charge Before Workouts

Especially for camera-based tracking:

  • Camera and AI use battery
  • Start with 50%+ charge
  • Consider a nearby charger

Conclusion: Save Your Money, Use Your Phone

You don't need to spend hundreds on a wearable to track your workouts effectively. In 2025, phone-based apps – especially those using AI camera tracking – can provide equal or better workout tracking for free.

Start Tracking Without a Wearable

Download Fitnit free and experience automatic rep counting and form feedback using just your phone camera!