Images or videos for exercises

It would be helpful if the app had a brief demonstration of an exercise one could view to make sure you are doing it correctly. 

Until we implement this, I recommend you check http://exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html. They have a very comprehensive database of exercises, all with images and videos. They've got 92 exercises just for the abs! We use the same names in our app, so they're easy to check.

You should add videos for each exercise because the exercises are not very direct if you know what i mean, like bicep curls, it doesnt say barbell or dumbell, so i just assume its barbell, but it would be nice if there were videos on how to do each exercise.

Yes, I second this. I also assumed "Biceps Curls" meant barbell by default, so had been doing barbell curls for this until now. But my new Dr. Muscle workout (Gym, Full-Body, Level 2) lists "Barbell Curl" specifically so I started using this without realizing that it's a different exercise than what I've been doing up to now, so I have a break in my "barbell curl history".

"Shoulder Press" in another confusing exercise. The http://exrx.net/Lists/Directory.htm page lists many varieties of "Shoulder Press" but nothing simply called "Shoulder Press". However the app simply says "Shoulder Press", so it's way too ambiguous; the names don't match. The app names should match the site so we know which type is meant. Of course it doesn't matter as much as long as we're consistent with our own workouts. but that's the problem - I have to remember whether I took "Shoulder Press" to mean dumbbell or barbell, etc., for months into the future and might mix them up (I already have).

I can definitely understand your confusion here Glen, and since we've just released normal sets, this update is now coming soon. I'm marking it as "planned".

Like others have said, if possible it would be cool to have a picture, or description of the exercise one has to do. as you know there are lots of variations to each sort of exercise. eg. curls can be done with dumbells, bar or as scott curls. 

I think this would enable you to costumize the exercise variation for better results for your users, and give the user an even better experience.  :)

For beginners, images/videos of the exercises so we can be sure we're doing the right movement. For example, I have to look up exercises on BodyBuilding.com to learn. Having this in the app would be much more helpful.

https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/cable-crunch

In the app, a barbell workout goes up by 2.5 lbs. I can only do 5lbs at a time. How should I handle that?

Hi David,

1) Vote for that feature: https://muscle.userecho.com/communities/1/topics/67-weight-control-for-available-dumbbells-and-plate-sizes

2) For now, when you don't have the exact weight, you should round up. Enter how many repetitions you did.

- If you can do all the recommended reps with the higher weight, great!
- If not, no problem. Just enter what you did.

The app will adjust, and you'll keep making progress. To be honest, it will not make a big difference in your progression, especially long-term.

I'd say, when in doubt, round up, so you don't deload accidentally. I have found that the app "rewards" (in terms of 1RM increases) more weight more than more reps, from a perceived exhaustion point of view.

On android, i currently use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluecorner.totalgym ,

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=je.fit , https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bodybuilding.mobile and youtube as a database explaining how to do exercises but something included in the app (maybe something collaborative rel to https://muscle.userecho.com/communities/1/topics/123-social-media-function ?) would really be nice !

It would be nice if you had a link of someone doing the exercise so a beginner can make sure they are doing the right exercise.

Thank you,

Kila

+1

The biggest issue I have with the app is that I would have expected to see demo of the exercises. Many other apps have this feature. I am probably familiar with the exercises. However there may be cases as I know it as different name or I may need a refresher on proper execution of the exercise if it one that I have not done previously. This caused me to go to other sources to look up the exercises. 

Guys, good news!

With your votes and our most recent update, this suggestion is now the #1 most voted feature. We'll begin working on it in one week, so I'm marking it as "Started". For now:

We can't recommend enough http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html. In our app, we've used the same names these guys used. So you should find all the exercises you're not familiar with there (you could use their search box at http://www.exrx.net/Lists/SearchExercises.html.

If there's one exercise in particular you're having trouble with, please email us (support@drmuscleapp.com). We'll be happy to help out.

Thanks!

Link error in my last message -- seach box for exercise videos and instructions is here: https://www.exrx.net/Lists/SearchExercises

+1

I tried the program today and it was easy to use. A couple of comments, though. Perhaps for the next version, a 10 second video on the proper form for each exercise.

More technically, it's could be both a video or an PNG animation (See APNG) for being more lightweight...