As a long-time fitness enthusiast who likes to nerd out over using technology to optimize training, I was keen to test drive the newest player in workout apps – Muscle Booster.
With bold claims of serving up customized programming based on your fitness background and goals, it certainly piqued my interest. But could it deliver workouts to rival my beloved old-school pen and paper journal? Let‘s break down what this app has to offer.
A Birds Eye View of the Muscle Booster Interface
Upon opening Muscle Booster for the first time, the slick interface gives a great first impression for gym buffs and newbies alike. The color tones are bold yet easy on the eye, with each section clearly highlighted.
The bottom toolbar makes all key features viewable in one easy scroll – much better than clunky drop down menus. Tapping any of the self-explanatory icons like ‘workouts’, ‘exercises’ or ‘nutrition’ swiftly takes you into each section without too many steps.
The developers have packed an extensive suite of tools into Muscle Booster while still allowing the interface to breathe. So credit where it’s due – it achieves the difficult balance of depth AND simplicity in its layout.
Diving Into The All-Important Exercise Library
As a stickler for proper form who still regresses to bad habits without constant vigilance, high quality exercise demonstrations are integral to any fitness app I use.
And Muscle Booster delivers with over 270 clearly cued tutorials. The standouts feature a 3D model to highlight the targeted muscles groups colored red throughout the movement.
As a visual learner, this helps engrain mind-muscle connection much more effectively for me than static images alone. And it’s handy to double check your positioning against the virtual trainer in action.
I also appreciate the attention to common compensation patterns and technique pitfalls called out in certain videos. Like keeping knees behind toes in an overloaded squat.
However digging into the library reveals some gaps…
Breakdown of Muscle Booster’s Exercise Demonstrations
- 127 bodyweight videos
- 61 resistance band demos
- 53 videos utilizing dumbbells
- 32 kettlebell tutorials
So while not skimping on instructionals for at-home workout staples like push-ups and lunges, the guidance for heavy compound lifts requiring barbells or racks falls short.
As a powerlifter at heart, I rely on classic moves like back squats, RDLs, bench presses and military presses to form the foundation of my training. So Muscle Booster misses the mark for my style of iron pumping.
The app shines more for supplementary isolation work, higher rep hypertrophy focus or bodyweight HIIT circuits rather than one rep max strength building. So take note if you share my affinity for chasing squat PRs! You’ll need to source technique guidance elsewhere if you’re a seasoned lifter.
That said, the comprehensive video guidance covering most bodyweight alternatives still adds value for relative newcomers. Those who are fledgling exercisers or training in hotel rooms would find huge benefit mastering all the basics here before needing specialty equipment tutorials.
Packed With Exercise Variety If You Dig Deep
Delving into the various workout categories reveals Muscle Booster isn’t lacking on overall volume…
You’ll find a solid 305 bodyweight exercise options alone if resistance bands or hand weights aren’t your thing. While 135 demonstrations guide you through using dumbbells effectively too.
I like having both gym and home options depending on if I’m traveling or have access to a fully kitted setup.
And the huge array of targeted sessions is a major asset too – 123 ab and core workouts, 176 HIIT choices and 102 yoga flows gives you plenty to mix up your regimine.
Filtering by duration, I was pleased to find quickie options like 14 minute strength circuits for time poor days. Right up to Just shy of hour-long beast sessions when you really want to test your mettle.
However, the filtering functionality itself could still use some fine tuning…
Unlike Shreddy and Fitbod which allow you to list workouts by equipment, type, duration etc in any combination, Muscle Booster just feeds you read-made buckets of sessions. So getting super targeted with your criteria takes abit more sifting through irrelevant results.
I’d love to see more advanced filtering – for example, to compile “30 minute full body resistance band circuits” to easily locate my niche preferences. Rather than just typical categories like “legs” or “HIIT”. But small qualm when you consider the 3000+ workouts available!
Putting Personalization to the Test
Any claim of workouts “tailored to you” raises my eyebrow… As an experienced gym goer and Certified PT, I wondered could Muscle Booster really prescribe original sessions aligned to my ability over some cookie cutter content?
Here’s where the onboarding questionnaire sets lofty expectations…
It quizzes lifestyle factors like training history, weak areas, available equipment and desired training split to accurately gauge your level. I drip fed it insights from 15 years racking plates to see if it could serve up advanced programming…
The verdict? It passed the personalization test delivering sessions appropriately rigorous for an experienced lifter. The opens chain bodyweight moves conveniently excluded overzealous ranges of motion unstable for my rehabilitation-stage shoulder too.
While it allowed me to tick “prefer upper/lower body splits”, I’d still like even more customization such as inputting days per week to train.
But all round, Muscle Booster justify it’s claims delivering personalized workouts – especially for providing modification options missing from most competitors.
Thumbs up here!
Pro-Level Design Touches for Seamless User Experience
It’s the little design details that can make or break even the shiniest apps… And Muscle Booster demonstrates some solid quality of life touches to delight experienced fitness technology users.
For starters, the ability to download workouts ahead of time removes reliance on gym wifi or data connectivity. Because nothing interrupts a beast mode mentality like losing that pump track mid-set!
I also appreciated the Apple Watch connectivity allowing pace and route maps to feed straight from my wrist to the app. Little time suckers like manual run logging annoy me, so neat auto sync gets a big tick.
And while the exercise databases pales against say, professional Strongman repertoire, you can still favorite workouts for quick reference rather than endlessly scroll.
Plus workout calendars making sticking to programs easy, and the warm up/cool down prompts demonstrate nice attention to balancing exercise science with an accessible platform.
Could the navigation be streamlined further and layout less busy? Sure. But for a comprehensive app meeting high expectations for sleekness, Muscle Booster warrants its premium price point.
Guiding Gains and Losses with Custom Nutrition
No fitness app worth it’s silicon would be complete without addressing the dietary elephant in the room. And again, Muscle Booster provides personalized recommendations rather than blanket meal plans.
The onboarding quiz asks nutrition preference like low calorie, gluten free or high protein to filter suitable recipes. You can also specify allergens and dietary needs for accurate recommendations. I dug this level of customization – no two physique goals look identical between athletes.
Muscle Booster smartly provides pictures of each meal too – extra handy for grocery shopping on the fly. Or identifying if your creations match their tasty looking vision!
Breakdown of Meals and Recipes:
- Over 2000 individual food items covering snacks to sides and mains
- 500 recipes with P/C/F macronutrients per serving
- 30 days worth of meals across 4 different calorie targets
- 8 diet categories: Classic, Vegetarian, Vegan, Low Calorie, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Anti Inflammatory and Intermittent Fasting protocols
For the average trainee, it’s a solid nutritional resource. Mind you, the recipes themselves lack originality – think chicken breast and broccoli rather than inventive chef creations!
But adept home cooks could certainly use Muscle Booster’s template for calculating macros when curating their own menus.
I‘d still supplement its generic meal plans with additional apps or cookbooks if you follow specialist protocols – like performance fuelling, athletic build recipes or bodybuilding contest dieting. The macros breakdown helps accountability without providing fully customized nutrition guidance.
Again, it comes back to personality and context…
For a fat loss newbie needing straightforward nutrition change, Muscle Booster perfectly suffices. But sports diet devotees require more input freedom and food specifics.
How Muscle Booster Compares to Leading Contenders
Curious how hot startup Muscle Booster stacks against more established names? Here’s an overview of how other popular training apps compare for customization, instruction and nutrition integration:
| Category | Muscle Booster | Shred | Fitbod | Future |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customization | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
| Exercise Instruction | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Dietary Offerings | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Equipment Filtering | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Workout Filtering | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price Per Year | $99.99 | $79 | $79 | $148 |
Shred and Fitbod just pip Muscle Booster on certain functionality like advanced filtering options. But they lack the personalization depth during onboarding by comparison.
And pricier rival Future heavily prioritizes nutrition support over training variety. So Muscle Booster finds a nice balance hitting all bases.
Verdict: A Must Try App for Personalized Programming Seekers
As a fitness fan comfortable designing my own workouts, I wasn‘t Muscle Booster‘s core demographic. But its determination to cater programs TO you won me over.
The biggest ding is less for raw beginners lacking barbell compound lift technique guides. But Physique 101 basics are still solid.
While the navigation takes some adjusting if you‘re an app master used to slick UX flow, it stacks up for workout quality and instructionals.
For new to intermediate exercisers who want effective plans aligned to their background, preferences and body goals, Muscle Booster warrants a spot on your home screen.
But hardcore meal planners and data junkies may prefer less generalized nutrition and logging functionality found elsewhere. Unless you like simplified healthy eating guidance.
Considering most rivals charge almost $100 yearly too though, Muscle Booster competitively earns its price tag.