Guide by Athlete Type
How to use Workout Lab for your specific training style: powerlifting, calisthenics, yoga, strongman, running, climbing, and more.
Workout Lab adapts to any training discipline. Here’s how to get the most out of it for your sport.
Powerlifting & Gym Training
Best metrics: Load, Reps, RPE, Est. 1RM
Example Exercises
- Squat, Bench Press, Deadlift
- Romanian Deadlift, Pause Squat
- Accessories: Leg Press, Lat Pulldown, Cable Rows
What You’ll Track
- Load progression over time
- Estimated 1RM for each session to watch your strength progress
- RPE to ensure you’re training close to failure
- Volume per muscle group in your Weekly Report
Sample Goals
- “Squat 140kg × 1” (Est. 1RM goal)
- “Bench Press 100kg × 5” (Rep target)
Insights You’ll Get
- Est. 1RM trend charts showing your strength curve
- Hypertrophy analysis: are you hitting enough volume per muscle?
- Strength analysis: frequency recommendations for neural adaptations
Calisthenics
Best metrics: Reps, Load (with bodyweight), Hold Time, ROM
Example Exercises
- Pull-ups, Dips, Push-ups
- Front Lever, Back Lever, Planche
- Muscle-ups, Handstand Push-ups
- Pistol Squats, Nordic Curls
What You’ll Track
- Assisted progressions: Use negative load (e.g., -15kg for band-assisted pull-ups). Watch your assistance decrease over time until you hit bodyweight.
- Weighted progressions: Add positive load as you get stronger
- Hold times: Track static skills like Front Lever (5s → 8s → 12s)
- Range of Motion: For flexibility work (e.g., Pike stretch in cm)
Sample Goals
- “Pull-up 0kg × 1” (first unassisted rep)
- “Front Lever 10s” (hold time goal)
- “Weighted Dip +25kg × 5”
Insights You’ll Get
- Progress from -20kg assisted to +20kg weighted, all on one chart
- Hold time improvements over weeks/months
- Volume tracking that accounts for your bodyweight
Yoga & Mobility
Best metrics: Hold Time, ROM, Time
Example Exercises
- Downward Dog, Pigeon Pose, Warrior II
- Pike Stretch, Pancake Stretch
- Hip Flexor Stretch, Shoulder Dislocates
- Full practice sessions
What You’ll Track
- Hold times: How long you can maintain poses
- Range of Motion: Flexibility measured in centimeters
- Positive measurement: More cm = more mobility (e.g., forward fold reach)
- Negative measurement: Less cm = better mobility (e.g., distance from floor in splits)
- Session duration: Total practice time
Sample Goals
- “Pike Stretch 0cm” (touching toes)
- “Middle Split -10cm” (10cm from floor)
- “Crow Pose 30s”
Insights You’ll Get
- Flexibility improvements over time
- Consistency tracking for daily practice
- Hold time progression charts
Strongman
Best metrics: Load, Distance, Time, Reps
Example Exercises
- Atlas Stones, Log Press, Axle Deadlift
- Farmer’s Walk, Yoke Carry
- Tire Flip, Sandbag Carry
- Car Deadlift, Conan’s Wheel
What You’ll Track
- Event times: How fast you completed a carry or series
- Distances: 50m Farmer’s Walk, 20m Yoke Carry
- Load: For max lifts and event weights
- Reps: For medleys and AMRAP events
Sample Goals
- “Atlas Stone 150kg × 1”
- “Farmer’s Walk 100kg × 50m in 30s”
- “Log Press 100kg × 5”
Insights You’ll Get
- Event time improvements
- Load progression for competition prep
- Volume tracking across unconventional movements
Running & Cardio
Best metrics: Time, Distance
Example Exercises
- 5K Run, 10K Run, Tempo Run
- Interval Sprints (400m, 800m)
- Hill Repeats, Long Slow Distance
What You’ll Track
- Times: For specific distances
- Distances: For time-based sessions
- Session structure: Multiple intervals as sets
Sample Goals
- “5K Run in 25:00”
- “400m Sprint in 60s”
Insights You’ll Get
- Time improvements over the same distances
- Training consistency
- Volume (total distance) per week
Climbing
Best metrics: Reps, Hold Time, Load
Example Exercises
- Campus Board Rungs
- Hangboard Repeaters (7s on / 3s off)
- Lock-off Holds
- Weighted Pull-ups (climbing-specific)
What You’ll Track
- Hangboard protocols: Hold times at various grip positions
- Added weight: For weighted hangs and pull-ups
- Reps: For campus board and lock-off training
Sample Goals
- “Half Crimp Hang 10s @ +20kg”
- “Campus 1-5-9 × 3”
Insights You’ll Get
- Finger strength progression (Est. 1RM for weighted hangs)
- Hold time improvements per grip type
- Training volume for injury prevention
Hybrid Athletes
Combine any of the above. Workout Lab handles mixed training:
- Log a morning run and evening lifting session separately
- Track running distance alongside squat volume
- Set goals across disciplines (sub-20 5K + 2× bodyweight deadlift)
- Weekly Report aggregates everything into one overview
Creating Custom Exercises
If your exercise doesn’t exist in the library:
- Search first to avoid duplicates
- Name it descriptively in English (e.g., “Straddle Planche with Band”)
- Select the metrics that apply
- Assign primary and secondary muscle groups accurately
Your exercise becomes available to all users, so take care with naming and muscle assignments.