Overview
Eureka Lift is a simple yet powerful iOS workout tracking app designed to help you log your strength training sessions, track your progress over time, and reach your fitness goals. Whether you're following a structured workout plan or doing adhoc training sessions, Eureka Lift makes it easy to record every set, rep, and weight.
Key Features
- Workout Plans: Create and save named workout plans with your favorite exercises
- Adhoc Workouts: Jump into a workout without a plan—perfect for flexible training
- Exercise History: View detailed progress graphs and statistics for every exercise
- Exercise Notes: Add notes to exercises during workouts (e.g., seat position, form cues)
- Previous Lift Display: See your last performance for each exercise during your workout
- Data Export: Export your lift data for backup or analysis
- Customizable: Choose your weight units (kg/lb), time format, and other preferences
Getting Started
First-Time Setup
When you first launch Eureka Lift, you'll see an onboarding tutorial that introduces you to the app's key features:
- Welcome Screen: Introduction to Eureka Lift
- Create Workout Plans: Learn about saving custom workout routines
- Track Your Progress: See how to log sets, reps, and weight
- View Your History: Understand exercise statistics and graphs
- Ready to Start: Begin your fitness journey
Main Screen Overview
After completing onboarding, you'll arrive at the main screen where you can:
- View all your saved workout plans
- Create new workout plans
- Start adhoc workouts (workouts without a plan)
- Access exercise history and analytics
- Open settings
Creating Your First Workout Plan
- Tap
- Enter a name for your workout (e.g., "Push Day", "Leg Day")
- Add exercises by tapping "Add Exercise"
- Browse exercises by muscle group or search by name
- Save your workout plan
Free vs Premium Workout Plans
Free: Create up to 2 named workout plans
Premium: Create unlimited workout plans
Tracking Workouts
Starting a Workout
You have two options for starting a workout:
Option 1: Start from a Workout Plan
- On the main screen, find your workout plan
- Tap the green Play button next to the plan
- Your workout session begins with all planned exercises ready to log
Option 2: Start an Adhoc Workout
- On the main screen, tap
- Your workout session begins with no exercises—add them as you go
- This is perfect for flexible training days or trying new exercises
Logging Sets During a Workout
Once you're in an active workout:
- Tap on an exercise to open the exercise detail screen
- You'll see your previous lifts for reference
- For each set, enter:
- Weight: The weight you lifted
- Reps: The number of repetitions you completed
- Tap Complete Set to save the set
- A rest timer will automatically start between sets
- Add more sets as needed with the "Add Set" button
Adding Exercise Notes
You can add notes to any exercise to remember important details like equipment settings or form cues:
- During a workout, tap on an exercise to open the detail screen
- Tap on the notes section (below the exercise name)
- Enter your notes (e.g., "Seat Position: 3", "Focus on slow negatives")
- Tap "Save" to store the notes
Notes are saved per exercise and will appear every time you perform that exercise, helping you maintain consistency across workouts.
Adding Exercises During a Workout
You can add exercises to any active workout:
- Tap at the bottom of the workout screen
- Browse or search for exercises
- Select the exercise to add it to your current workout
Workout Controls
During an active workout, you have several options in the navigation bar:
- Discard: Cancel the workout and discard all progress and sets for that workout session (prompts for confirmation if you've completed sets)
- Review: Preview a summary of your workout so far without ending it
- Finish Workout: Complete and save your workout session
Finishing a Workout
- Tap
- Review your workout summary showing:
- Start time and duration
- All exercises and sets completed
- Total volume (weight × reps)
- Tap Finish Workout in the summary to save your session
- Your data is now saved and will appear in Exercise History
Resuming an Unfinished Workout
If you exit the app during a workout, Eureka Lift will remember your progress:
- When you reopen the app, you'll see a dialog with three options:
- Resume: Continue your workout where you left off
- Review: View what you've completed so far
- Discard: Delete the unfinished workout (requires confirmation)
Exercise History
Accessing Exercise History
From the main screen, tap
to view detailed statistics and progress graphs for all exercises you've performed.Understanding Exercise Statistics
For each exercise, you'll see:
Total Sets
All-time count of completed sets
First Performed
Date of your first recorded lift
Most Recent
Date of your latest lift
Personal Record
Trophy icon if recent performance is your best
Earliest vs. Recent Performance
The exercise history compares your earliest sets with your most recent sets:
- Earliest Sets: Average weight and reps from your first workout(s)
- Recent Sets: Average weight and reps from your latest workout(s)
This comparison helps you visualize your progression over time.
Exercise Progress Graphs
Tap on any exercise to view detailed interactive graphs showing:
Graph Features
- Raw Data Points: Blue dots showing weight for each individual set
- 9-Set Moving Average: Orange line smoothing trends over time
- Rep Counts: Labels showing total reps per day (×12, ×30, etc.)
- Timeline Scale: Slider to zoom in/out on the timeline (30%-150%)
- Horizontal Scrolling: Navigate through your complete history
- Month Labels: Date markers to help orient yourself in time
Customizing Graph Display
Use the toggles below the graph to show or hide:
- Raw Data: Individual set data points
- 9-Set Average: Smoothed trend line
Sample Lift Feature
Eureka Lift includes a "Sample Lift" exercise with dummy data to demonstrate how the graphs work. This is helpful when you're just starting out and don't have much history yet. For free users, this is the only exercise history you can view without Premium.
- To show/hide Sample Lift: Go to Settings → toggle "Show Sample Lift"
- Sample Lift always appears at the top of Exercise History when enabled
- It's marked clearly so you can distinguish it from your real data
Searching Exercise History
Use the search bar at the top of Exercise History to quickly find specific exercises by name.
Premium Access Required Premium
Free: All exercise data is saved to the database, but you can only view history/graphs for "Sample Lift" (the demo exercise). Cannot view history for your own exercises.
Premium: View detailed graphs and history for ALL exercises with unlimited history tracking. This is the primary premium feature.
Settings & Preferences
Access settings by tapping the gear icon in the top-right corner of the main screen.
Preferences
Weight Unit
Choose between:
- Kilograms (kg): Metric system
- Pounds (lb): Imperial system
All weights throughout the app will display in your chosen unit. Past data is automatically converted when you switch units.
Time Format
Choose between:
- 12-hour (AM/PM): Standard time format
- 24-hour: Military time format
Lock Orientation
Enable this to prevent screen rotation during workouts. This keeps your display stable while you're lifting.
Show Sample Lift
Toggle whether the Sample Lift demonstration exercise appears in your Exercise History. Disable this once you have enough real data.
Reset Preferences to Default
Restore all settings to their factory defaults. This does NOT delete your workout data.
Data Summary
View quick statistics about your data:
- Workout Plans: Number of saved plans
- Workout Records: Number of completed workouts
- Completed Sets: Total sets logged all-time
Other Settings Sections
Support
- Send Feedback: Opens your email client to send feedback to support@eurekasoftware.dev
About
- App Version: Current version and build number
- View Tutorial: Replay the onboarding walkthrough
- Privacy Policy: Opens the privacy policy in your web browser
Data Management
Export Lift Data (Free)
All users can export their lift data for GDPR compliance and backup purposes:
- Go to Settings → Import/Export Data
- Tap Export Lift Data
- Your lift data is exported to CSV format
- Choose where to save or share the file (Files app, email, cloud storage, etc.)
What's Included in Lift Data Export
The free export includes:
- Date of each workout
- Exercise name
- Set number
- Weight and reps for each set
Note: Lift data export does NOT include workout plan definitions. Free users cannot import this data back into the app (import requires Premium).
Full Backup & Restore Premium
Premium users can create complete backups including both lift data and workout plans, and import them back into the app:
Creating a Full Backup
- Go to Settings → Import/Export Data
- Tap Create Full Backup
- Your complete data is exported to CSV format
- Save the backup file to a safe location (iCloud Drive, external storage, etc.)
Importing a Full Backup (Premium Only)
- Go to Settings → Import/Export Data
- Tap Import Full Backup
- Select your backup CSV file
- The app will import all workout plans and lift data
Available Backups
Eureka Lift stores your recent backups locally on your device. You can quickly restore from any recent backup in the Import/Export screen.
Generate Test Data
For testing purposes, you can generate dummy workout data:
- Go to Settings → Data Management
- Tap Generate Test Data
- The app creates 2 years of workout history with 15 exercises
This is useful for seeing how the app looks with substantial data, or for performance testing.
Delete All Data
To permanently delete all your workout data:
- Go to Settings → Data Management
- Tap Delete All Data
- Read the warning and tap again to confirm
- Confirm one final time in the dialog
Tips & Best Practices
Getting the Most Out of Eureka Lift
Consistency is Key
Log every workout to build a complete picture of your progress. The more data you track, the more valuable your exercise history graphs become.
Use Workout Plans for Routine Training
If you follow a consistent routine, create workout plans for each session (e.g., "Upper Body", "Lower Body", "Push Day"). This saves time since exercises are pre-loaded when you start the workout.
Use Adhoc Workouts for Flexibility
On days when you're trying something new or mixing things up, use adhoc workouts. You can still track everything without being locked into a plan.
Reference Your Previous Lifts
During workouts, check your previous performance for each exercise. This helps you decide whether to increase weight, maintain your current load, or adjust reps.
Export Backups Regularly
If you're a Premium user, create backups regularly and store them in cloud storage (iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox). This protects your data if you lose your device or need to transfer to a new phone.
Use the Moving Average to Spot Trends
When viewing exercise graphs, the 9-set moving average helps you see overall trends without getting distracted by day-to-day variation. This is especially helpful for tracking long-term progress.
Lock Orientation During Workouts
Enable "Lock Orientation" in Settings to prevent your screen from rotating while you're lifting. This keeps the interface stable and easier to read.
Progressive Overload
Eureka Lift makes it easy to implement progressive overload—the gradual increase of stress placed on your body during training:
- Review your previous performance before each set
- Try to increase weight, reps, or sets over time
- Use the exercise graphs to confirm you're making progress
- Look for the personal record trophy icon to celebrate new achievements
Organizing Workouts
Consider creating workout plans based on:
- Muscle groups: "Chest & Triceps", "Back & Biceps"
- Training splits: "Push Day", "Pull Day", "Leg Day"
- Training focus: "Strength", "Hypertrophy", "Conditioning"
- Workout type: "Full Body A", "Full Body B"
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How do I edit a workout plan?
On the main screen, tap the blue pencil button next to the workout plan you want to edit. You can add/remove exercises, reorder them, or change the plan name.
Can I delete a workout plan?
Yes. When editing a workout plan, scroll to the bottom and tap "Delete Workout Plan".
What happens if I exit the app during a workout?
Your progress is automatically saved. When you reopen the app, you'll be prompted to Resume, Review, or Discard the unfinished workout.
How do I track bodyweight exercises?
For bodyweight exercises, you can either enter 0 for weight or enter your bodyweight. For added resistance (like weighted pull-ups), enter just the added weight or your total weight—whichever method you prefer, just stay consistent.
Can I edit a completed workout?
Currently, completed workouts cannot be edited. If you made a mistake, you would need to export your data, modify the CSV file, delete all data, and re-import. For this reason, it's best to review your workout carefully before finishing it.
Data & Privacy
Where is my data stored?
All your workout data is stored locally on your device in a secure SQLite database. No data is sent to external servers unless you explicitly export it.
Does Eureka Lift require an internet connection?
No. Eureka Lift works completely offline. You only need internet for:
- Purchasing Premium subscriptions
- Viewing the privacy policy (web link)
- Sending feedback via email
Is my workout data private?
Yes. Your workout data never leaves your device unless you explicitly export it. See the Privacy Policy for complete details.
How do I transfer my data to a new phone?
Premium users can export a full backup, transfer the CSV file to the new device (via iCloud Drive, AirDrop, email, etc.), and import it in Eureka Lift on the new device. Free users can export lift data as CSV for safekeeping, but cannot import it back into the app (import requires Premium).
Premium & Subscriptions
What happens if my Premium subscription expires?
Your workout data is never deleted and continues to be saved. You'll lose access to Premium features (creating more than 2 workout plans, viewing exercise history/graphs for your own exercises, importing data), but all existing data remains intact and continues to be saved. If you resubscribe later, you'll immediately regain full access to view all your exercise history.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, anytime. Subscriptions are managed through the App Store. Go to Settings (on your iPhone) → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Eureka Lift → Cancel Subscription.
Do you offer a lifetime purchase option?
Currently, Eureka Lift Premium is only available as a subscription. This model helps support ongoing development and improvements.
Technical Issues
The app is running slowly. What can I do?
If you have extensive workout history (thousands of sets), the app may take a moment to load graphs. Try:
- Closing other apps to free up memory
- Restarting your device
- If the issue persists, contact support at support@eurekasoftware.dev
I found a bug. How do I report it?
Please send details to support@eurekasoftware.dev. Include:
- What you were doing when the issue occurred
- What you expected to happen
- What actually happened
- Your iOS version and device model
Can I suggest a feature?
Absolutely! Send feature requests to support@eurekasoftware.dev. User feedback drives development priorities.
Support
Need Help?
If you have questions, issues, or feedback:
Email Support
Send an email to: support@eurekasoftware.dev
You can also tap "Send Feedback" in Settings to automatically include your app version and device information.
What to Include in Support Requests
To help us resolve issues quickly, please include:
- A clear description of the issue or question
- Steps to reproduce the problem (if applicable)
- Your iOS version and device model
- Screenshots or screen recordings (if relevant)
- Your app version (found in Settings → About)
Privacy Policy
Review our privacy practices at:
https://eurekasoftware.dev/privacy/eureka-lift-privacy-policy.html
Stay Updated
Eureka Lift is actively developed with regular updates and improvements. Make sure to keep your app updated through the App Store to get the latest features and bug fixes.