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SYNCT vs Strava for strength training
Strava is the biggest social fitness app in the world, and it's brilliant for running and riding. It now logs sets, reps and weight too. SYNCT is built for the gym first: routines, one-tap sharing into a friend's library, lifting leaderboards and clubs, all free. If you mostly run or ride, stick with Strava. If lifting is your main thing and you want your mates in on it, SYNCT is the Strava for the gym.
Last checked against Strava’s own website and App Store listing: .
Why pay for the basics?
What each app gives you without paying a penny.
At a glance
| Feature | SYNCT | Strava |
|---|---|---|
| Sets, reps and weight | Built for it (Yes) | Added in 2026 (Yes) |
| Reusable routines | Unlimited (Yes) | Planned (No) |
| GPS runs and rides | Distance and pace (Yes) | Its home turf (Yes) |
| Feed | Friends only, chronological (Yes) | Followers, kudos and comments (Yes) |
| Copy a friend's workout | Into your library (Yes) | No |
| Leaderboards | Volume, reps, 1RM, free (Yes) | Segments, subscription (Partly) |
| Challenges with friends | Free (Yes) | Subscription (Partly) |
| Clubs | Plans, timetable, chat (Yes) | Running and riding clubs (Yes) |
| Training history in one place | Free (Yes) | Subscription (Partly) |
| Guided strength workouts | No | Subscription (Partly) |
| Routes and segments | No | Yes |
| Watch app | Coming soon | Works with most watches (Yes) |
| Your lifts in Chinooks | Twin rotors and all (Yes) | No |
Where Strava is better
- Everyone is on itThe biggest community in fitness, so your friends are probably already there.
- Best for running and ridingRoutes, segments, maps and analysis that nothing else matches.
- Works with everythingAlmost every watch, bike computer and fitness app syncs to Strava.
- Guided strength workoutsCoach-led sessions with muscle maps, for subscribers.
Where SYNCT is better
- Built for the gym firstRoutines, sections, AMRAP, EMOM and For Time, not just a strength add-on.
- Lifting leaderboards, freeDaily and weekly boards for volume and reps, plus 1RM boards by lift.
- Share the real sessionSend a workout and it lands in their library, ready to train.
- Challenges without a subscriptionChallenge your mates and join clubs without paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose Strava if…
- You mostly run or ride
- You want routes and segments
- All your friends are already on it
Choose SYNCT if…
- Lifting is your main thing
- You want leaderboards and challenges free
- You want to share sessions, not just post them
- You train with the same group every week
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Since May 2026 Strava can log sets, reps and weight, and shows a muscle map for each session. Guided strength workouts need a subscription. SYNCT is built around lifting first, with reusable routines, lifting leaderboards and one-tap workout sharing, all free.
That's the idea. You get a feed of your friends' training, leaderboards, challenges and clubs, built around lifting instead of running and riding. The difference is that SYNCT's feed is friends only, and the social features don't need a subscription.
If you want Strava's social side for the gym, SYNCT is built for exactly that: a friends feed, lifting leaderboards for volume, reps and 1RM, challenges and clubs, all free. Plenty of people keep Strava for running and riding and use SYNCT for the gym.
According to Strava's own plan page, segment leaderboards, challenges with friends, training history in one place, advanced workout insights and custom goals all need a Strava subscription. In SYNCT, leaderboards, challenges and your training history are free.
Yes. Everything in SYNCT today is free on the App Store and Google Play. SYNCT+ is a premium tier coming soon, with extras like post-workout analysis, progressive overload suggestions and an Apple Watch app. Logging, your feed, sharing workouts and leaderboards will always be free.
