Mad Muscles vs Fitbod 2026: Honest Comparison

Key Takeaways

• Fitbod is a polished lifting planner with strong logging and high store ratings, with pricing shown clearly at $15.99/month or $95.99/year
• Mad Muscles has strong store ratings too, but Reddit discussions about it are dominated by billing, upsells, and cancellation issues—not training results
• Mad Muscles users on Reddit commonly recommend paying via Apple/Google (or PayPal/credit card) so you can cancel/dispute through the platform—not inside the app
• If you care most about muscle/strength progress long-term, the key question is whether the app gives you a real progression system—not just "variety"

We've tested both Mad Muscles and Fitbod extensively, and we've also reviewed over 20 other workout apps.

We built Dr. Muscle ourselves, so we understand what goes into making AI training software—and where most apps cut corners. Below, we compare these two popular apps head-to-head so you can decide which (if either) deserves your money.

Related:

• Mad Muscles Workout App: Honest Review by Expert
• Fitbod Workout App Review: Is It Worth It in 2025?
• Mad Muscles Review Reddit: 13 Results & User Feedback

In a Nutshell: Mad Muscles vs Fitbod

If you're torn between Mad Muscles and Fitbod, here's the short version: Fitbod is the safer choice because it offers a free trial and has fewer billing complaints. However, neither app delivers the sophisticated progressive overload that serious lifters need.

Mad Muscles appeals to beginners with its simple daily structure and gamified challenges, but its subscription practices are a recurring concern in user reviews. Fitbod's polished interface and AI-driven recommendations look impressive on the surface, yet experienced users report the "AI" feels more random than intelligent.

Bottom line: If you must choose between these two, try Fitbod's free trial first. But if you're serious about building muscle or strength, you'll likely outgrow either app within a few months.

Quick Take: Who Each App Is For

Mad Muscles Is Best For:

• Complete beginners who want a simple, structured daily workout
• Users who prefer gamified challenges and achievement systems
• People who also want meal planning features (optional add-on)

Fitbod Is Best For:

• Beginners to intermediate lifters who want AI-generated workouts
• Users who value a polished, intuitive interface
• Anyone who wants to try before buying (3 free workouts)

Neither App Is Ideal For:

• Experienced lifters who need periodization and intelligent progression
• Bodybuilders focused on hypertrophy optimization
• Powerlifters training for competition
• Anyone who's had bad experiences with auto-renewing subscriptions

Pricing Snapshot (as of Dec 2025)

Prices can vary by region/promo.

Mad Muscles (iOS In-App Purchases)

• $19.99/month
• $39.99/3 months
• $59.99/year
• $119.99/lifetime
• Add-ons shown in the App Store include separate meal-plan charges (e.g., $9.99) and "workout & meal plan" bundles

Fitbod

• $15.99/month
• $95.99/year
• Lifetime can appear as a limited promo sometimes (not always available)

Note on Mad Muscles pricing: The App Store listing shows multiple add-ons and bundles, not just one clean membership. This is part of what causes billing confusion—users may not realize they've subscribed to multiple things.

Subscription & Billing Practices

This is the #1 decision factor based on user feedback, so we're covering it right after pricing.

Mad Muscles:
This is the biggest risk area. Across Reddit threads, the dominant complaints are about surprise charges, upsells, and cancellation/refund headaches—not the workouts themselves.

Practical notes (from repeated user reports):

• Some users report trial/intro offers that roll into higher renewals if not canceled in time
• Users often recommend subscribing via Apple/Google (or using PayPal/credit card) so you can cancel/dispute through the platform
• Cancellation can be confusing if there are multiple subscriptions/add-ons (workouts vs premium features)
• The "Cancel" button can take up to 24 hours to appear due to subscription sync issues

If you run into issues canceling, read our step-by-step guide.

Fitbod:
Fitbod's pricing and cancellation flow is more standard (monthly or yearly via App Store/Play Store). Billing complaints exist in any subscription app, but they are not the main theme of Fitbod discussions compared to Mad Muscles.

Verdict: If "clean billing + easy cancel" matters to you, Fitbod is the safer pick on that dimension.

What Mad Muscles Says It Is

Mad Muscles markets itself as a personalized workout app that creates custom training and meal plans based on a 30-question onboarding quiz. The app emphasizes:

• Personalized workout plans tailored to your goals
• 200+ exercise database targeting various muscle groups
• Achievement system with challenges to keep you motivated
• Nutrition programs (available as an add-on)
• Pre-recorded workout videos for exercise guidance

The company positions Mad Muscles as an affordable alternative to personal training, promising customized programs that adapt to your progress.

What Fitbod Is

Fitbod is an AI-powered workout app that uses a "smart recommendation engine" to generate personalized training plans. Key features include:

• AI-driven workout generation based on your available equipment, goals, and recovery status
• Fatigue management system that tracks muscle recovery
• 1,000+ exercise library with video demonstrations
• Apple Health integration for seamless data syncing
• Clean, intuitive interface praised for its user experience

Fitbod has been named one of the best workout apps by multiple publications and has over 5 million downloads.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Personalization: Which App Truly Customizes Your Workouts?

Mad Muscles: Despite the 30-question quiz, users consistently report receiving nearly identical workouts. One common complaint: "Regardless of the questionnaire, you get the same workouts." The "personalization" appears to be more marketing than reality.

Fitbod: Fitbod's AI adjusts workouts based on your logged data and reported fatigue levels. However, experienced users describe the recommendations as "randomized rather than strategically tailored." The algorithm's emphasis is closer to fatigue management than clean progression.

Verdict: Fitbod wins slightly because it at least attempts to adapt based on your training history. But neither app delivers truly intelligent personalization.

Progressive Overload: The Key to Building Muscle

Progressive overload—gradually increasing training stress—is the foundation of muscle growth. Here's how each app handles it:

Mad Muscles: The app offers limited weight logging capabilities. Users report poor progressive overload options with no clear system for increasing load over time. The focus appears to be on workout variety rather than systematic progression.

Fitbod: Fitbod tracks your weights and attempts to suggest progressions, but users report inaccurate weight suggestions. The algorithm often recommends weights that are too light or too heavy based on arbitrary calculations rather than your actual performance trends.

Verdict: Neither app excels here. This is a fundamental weakness that limits long-term results for both.

Coach's Take (by Dr. Carl Juneau, PhD)
After 25+ years of lifting and coaching thousands, here's what concerns me: both apps treat progressive overload as an afterthought. I've seen this pattern lead to plateaus within 3-6 months. If the app isn't systematically increasing your training stress, you're essentially doing the same workout forever. The keyword here is "systematically". Many apps will give lip service to progression, but few do it well.

User Experience & Interface

Mad Muscles: The interface is simple and beginner-friendly. The gamified challenge system keeps some users engaged. However, the app suggests unconventional exercises like "towel rows" and using water bottles as weights—alternatives that most coaches wouldn't program.

Fitbod: Fitbod's interface is consistently praised as "sleek, intuitive, and user-friendly." Navigation is easy, and the workout experience feels polished. This is Fitbod's strongest advantage.

Verdict: Fitbod wins on interface quality.

What Reddit Says

Mad Muscles (13-thread pattern):
Reddit threads about Mad Muscles are not mainly about results. The repeating themes are:

1. Beginners like the structure
2. Billing/upsells/cancellation dominate discussions
3. Results are modest (few before/after photos)
4. Trust issues show up when billing complaints pile up

Major lifting communities like r/weightroom and r/bodybuilding barely mention the app.

For the full breakdown with sources, see: Mad Muscles Review Reddit: 13 Results & User Feedback

Fitbod:
Fitbod tends to get discussed more as a training/logging tool. The debate is less about "can I cancel?" and more about whether the algorithm gives smart progression over time. Users appreciate the clean interface and say it's good for "anyone who can't afford a personal trainer." However, critics note the algorithm can feel random rather than strategic.

Ratings Comparison (late Dec 2025)

Important nuance: Trustpilot coverage is huge for Mad Muscles (12,000+ reviews) and tiny for Fitbod (32 reviews), so it's not an apples-to-apples "public sentiment" comparison. The volume of Mad Muscles Trustpilot reviews—and their content—is itself telling.

Store ratings alone are a weak "truth signal" because (a) they vary by country and (b) billing problems often show up more in long-form reviews (Reddit/Trustpilot) than in star ratings.

Decision Guide: Which Should You Pick?

Choose Fitbod If:

• You want to try before you buy (free trial available)
• A polished, easy-to-use interface matters to you
• You're a beginner who needs basic workout structure
• You're not worried about advanced periodization

Choose Mad Muscles If:

• You specifically want meal planning integration
• You prefer gamified challenges and achievements
• You're confident about managing your subscription carefully
• You'll subscribe via Apple/Google for easier cancellation

Choose Neither If:

• You're an intermediate to advanced lifter
• Building muscle efficiently is your primary goal
• You've plateaued with basic workout apps before
• You want true progressive overload automation

A Better Alternative: What to Look For

Both Mad Muscles and Fitbod share a common limitation: they don't implement progressive overload at the highest level. For long-term muscle and strength gains, you need an app that:

1. Automatically adjusts weight based on your performance (not arbitrary calculations)
2. Tracks your rate of progression and alerts you when you're plateauing
3. Implements periodization principles used by competitive athletes
4. Adapts rep ranges and volume based on your response to training

This is exactly why we built Dr. Muscle—to automate the expert-level programming decisions that these apps overlook. Our AI adjusts your workouts in real-time based on your logged performance, ensuring you're always training with the right intensity.

FAQ

Is Mad Muscles or Fitbod better for building muscle?

Neither app excels at hypertrophy-focused training. Fitbod offers more exercise variety and better tracking, but its progressive overload system is inconsistent. Mad Muscles' workouts lack sufficient personalization for optimal muscle growth. For serious muscle building, consider apps with research-backed periodization.

Can I cancel Mad Muscles easily?

Many users report difficulty canceling Mad Muscles subscriptions. The app doesn't allow in-app cancellation—you must cancel through Apple/Google or contact support directly. The "Cancel" button can take up to 24 hours to appear due to subscription sync. See our complete cancellation guide for step-by-step instructions.

Is Fitbod's free trial really free?

Yes. Fitbod offers 3 free workouts with no credit card required upfront. This makes it low-risk to test whether the app suits your training style.

What's the best alternative to both apps?

If you want AI-powered training with proper progressive overload, Dr. Muscle is designed specifically for this. Unlike Mad Muscles and Fitbod, it adjusts your weights automatically based on your actual performance—not generic algorithms.

Which app has better customer support?

Fitbod has standard support channels and fewer complaints. Mad Muscles support is frequently described as slow or automated—particularly when users attempt to cancel or request refunds.

Final Note

Choosing between Mad Muscles and Fitbod? Start with Fitbod's free trial—you have nothing to lose. But if you're looking for an AI that actually adapts your training based on how you perform, not just what you click, Dr. Muscle might be worth a look.