Arvo vs Hevy

AI-powered coaching vs manual workout tracking. Find out which approach fits your training style.

Last updated: March 2026

How much does Hevy cost in 2026?

Hevy has a free tier with ads and limited features. Hevy Pro costs $2.99/month or $23.99/year in 2026 ($74.99 lifetime also available). Arvo costs €6/month (free during beta) and includes AI coaching that adapts every set, volume tracking, and 5 training methodologies — intelligence Hevy doesn't offer.

TL;DR

•Arvo is an AI personal trainer that generates and adapts workouts; Hevy is a free workout logger with no AI generation
•Pricing: Arvo €4/mo (Pro) vs Hevy free tier + Hevy Pro $5.99/mo for plate calculator and CSV export
•Arvo has 5 bodybuilding methodologies built-in (Kuba, Mentzer, FST-7, 5/3/1, Y3T); Hevy has none — just templates
•Hevy excels at logging speed (3-tap set) and social sharing; Arvo's logger is good but not its primary feature
•21-feature comparison + 5-step CSV migration guide in this article — pick the right one for your goal

Hevy has become one of the most popular workout trackers, especially among lifters who prefer manual control over their training. Its clean interface, social features, and straightforward logging make it a reliable choice for people who know exactly what they want to do and just need to record it.

Arvo takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of passively logging what you do, Arvo actively coaches you through each workout. Its 26 AI agents analyze your performance set by set and tell you exactly what weight and reps to aim for next. If you hit 8 reps at RIR 2 on your bench press, Arvo calculates your optimal next set based on methodology rules, fatigue accumulation, and your historical patterns.

The choice comes down to philosophy: do you want to drive, or do you want a coach in the passenger seat? Hevy respects your autonomy completely. Arvo assumes you want intelligent guidance. For lifters following structured methodologies like Kuba, Mentzer, or FST-7, Arvo's coaching approach delivers real value. For those who prefer total control, Hevy's simplicity is hard to beat.

Quick Summary

Arvo

AI-powered coaching

26 specialized AI agents
Set-by-set recommendations
Automatic volume management
Methodology implementations

Hevy

Manual workout logger

Clean, simple interface
Social features & leaderboards
Great graphs & visualizations
No AI recommendations

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature	Arvo	Hevy
AI Recommendations	Set-by-set with 26 agents	None
Workout Generation	AI-generated, methodology-aware	Manual templates only
Volume Tracking	MEV/MAV/MRV automatic	Manual calculation
RIR/RPE Support	Integrated with AI decisions	Optional logging field
Training Methodologies	5 complete implementations	None
Stripe Payments (Coach)	Full integration	No
Google Calendar Sync	Two-way sync	No
Strava Import	Auto-import cardio	No
Logging Simplicity	AI-assisted input	Clean manual interface
Social Features	Limited	Friends, leaderboards
Exercise Database	1300+ with AI categorization	1200+ exercises
Offline Support	Full AI functionality	Full functionality
Price	Free (beta) / €6/mo	Free tier / $2.99/mo Pro

Full Feature Matrix (20+ capabilities)

Every capability that matters for serious lifters, compared side by side. Legend: ✓ supported, ✗ missing, ~ partial.

Feature	Arvo	Hevy	Notes
Workout logging (sets, reps, weight)	✓	✓	Both cover the basics reliably.
AI progression (set-by-set weight/rep targets)	✓	✗	Arvo recalculates targets every set using RIR, fatigue and historical data.
RIR/RPE auto-regulation	✓	~	Hevy lets you log RIR/RPE but does not adjust the next set around it.
Methodology implementations (Kuba, Mentzer, FST-7, Hypertrophy, Strength)	✓	✗	Arvo enforces methodology-specific set schemes and periodization.
MEV / MAV / MRV volume landmarks	✓ auto	~ manual	Arvo tracks landmarks per muscle; Hevy shows raw weekly volume only.
Automatic deload trigger	✓	✗	Arvo proposes deloads from fatigue + performance trend.
Injury & limitation tracking	✓	✗	Arvo filters exercises around reported injuries.
Custom equipment with AI awareness	✓	~	Hevy has named equipment fields; Arvo uses equipment to swap exercises when needed.
Gym social / training groups	✓ Gym Crew (8 members)	✓ Routine sharing	Hevy is stronger on public feed; Arvo focuses on small private crews.
Apple Watch native app	✓	✓	Both offer on-wrist logging.
Wear OS native app	✓	~	Arvo ships a full Wear OS companion; Hevy's Android Wear story is more limited.
iOS Live Activity / Dynamic Island	✓	✗	Arvo keeps workout state on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.
CSV import from Hevy	✓	—	Arvo parses Hevy exports directly — preserves exercises, weights, reps, RPE.
AI Cardio coach (running, rowing, cycling)	✓	✗	Arvo programs cardio alongside strength; Hevy is strength-only.
Exercise substitution	✓ AI-driven	~ manual	Arvo suggests swaps based on equipment, injury and muscle target.
Recovery map (muscle-level fatigue heatmap)	✓	✗	Arvo shows per-muscle fatigue decay over the week.
Conversational chat coach	✓ 60+ tools	✗	Arvo's chat can modify today's session, log sets, change split, etc.
Offline workout logging	✓	✓	Both sync when you reconnect.
Multi-language UI	7 languages	4-5 languages	Arvo ships EN, IT, ES, DE, FR, PL, PT-BR.
Free tier	✓ generous	✓ generous	Both give real value without paying.
Monthly price (paid tier)	€4-6/mo	$5.99/mo (Pro)	Hevy also sells a $74.99 lifetime license.

Pricing side by side

What you actually get in each plan, including what's locked behind the paywall.

Capability	Hevy Free	Hevy Pro	Arvo Free	Arvo Pro
Unlimited workout logging	✓	✓	✓	✓
Routine / template builder	~ limited	✓ unlimited	✓	✓
Advanced graphs & analytics	~ basic	✓ full	✓	✓
AI workout generation	✗	✗	✓ limited/mo	✓ unlimited
Set-by-set AI coaching	✗	✗	✓	✓
MEV/MAV/MRV volume tracking	✗	✗	✓	✓
Methodologies (Kuba, Mentzer, FST-7)	✗	✗	✓	✓
Ads removed	✗	✓	✓	✓
Price	$0	$5.99/mo or $74.99 lifetime	€0	€4-6/mo

Arvo keeps core AI coaching in the free tier; Hevy keeps AI out of both tiers. If you only need clean manual logging, Hevy Free is hard to beat on price.

Key Differences

AI vs Manual

Arvo tells you what weight to use next. Hevy shows you what you did last time. Arvo coaches; Hevy records.

Workout Generation

Arvo generates complete workouts based on your goals, equipment, and methodology preference. Hevy requires you to create or use templates.

Progression System

Arvo implements double progression, linear periodization, and methodology-specific protocols. Hevy leaves progression decisions entirely to you.

Target Audience

Arvo is for lifters who want intelligent guidance. Hevy is for experienced lifters who know what they're doing and just need to log.

Switch to Arvo in 30 Seconds

Import your Hevy workout history — exercises, weights, reps, and RPE are all preserved. Your AI coach uses your history to give personalized recommendations from day one.

Direct Hevy CSV import — just export and upload
Exercises, sets, weights, reps, and RPE/RIR preserved
AI coach analyzes your history for smarter recommendations
No data left behind — start exactly where you stopped

Import Your Hevy Data

How to migrate from Hevy to Arvo (2 minutes)

Your Hevy history is not stuck. Arvo parses the official Hevy CSV export and rebuilds your workout log automatically.

About 2 minutes

1
Export your data from Hevy
Open Hevy → Settings → Export Data. Hevy emails you a ZIP with a workouts CSV.
2
Open the Arvo chat
Sign in to Arvo (web or mobile) and open the AI chat screen.
3
Drop the CSV file
Attach the Hevy workouts.csv directly in chat. No spreadsheet editing needed.
4
AI parses your history automatically
Arvo maps exercises to its database, preserves weights, reps, RIR/RPE and notes, and reconstructs your sessions in order.
5
Review imported workouts
Skim the last 4 weeks to confirm the mapping looks right, then start your next session — the AI coach already uses your history.

Read the full Hevy → Arvo CSV guide

Which app is right for you?

Honest decision matrix. We don't think every lifter should switch.

Choose Hevy if

You want a pure tracker with no AI opinions.
You already know how to program your own training.
You value the lowest possible price (or the lifetime deal).
You rely on Hevy's public feed and leaderboards.
Your friends and gym partners are already on Hevy.

Choose Arvo if

You want methodology-accurate coaching (Kuba, Mentzer, FST-7).
You want set-by-set AI progression, not just a log.
You care about wearable depth (Apple Watch + Wear OS + Live Activity).
You want a small private Gym Crew instead of a public feed.
You want cardio and strength planned together, not in separate apps.

Use both if

You already have months of clean Hevy data you don't want to disrupt.
You want to keep logging in Hevy while generating AI programs in Arvo.
You can export Hevy CSV into Arvo periodically to get AI insights on your actual training.

Three lifter scenarios

These are composite, illustrative profiles built from recurring support conversations — not real individuals.

Marco — 3-year Hevy user, intermediate bodybuilder

Marco had logged almost three years of pushes, pulls and legs in Hevy. The logging was fine; the progression was not. He kept adding weight by feel, then stalling, then blaming sleep. When he switched to Arvo he imported the Hevy CSV and picked the FST-7 methodology. Arvo used his history to set a reasonable starting point and then coached him set by set: if he hit the top of the rep range at RIR 2 the next set went up, if he missed reps the load held. Twelve weeks later his main lifts were measurably higher and — more importantly — he stopped arguing with himself at every working set. Marco still likes Hevy's feed and misses the leaderboards, but the coaching gap was too large for him to go back.

Sara — new lifter, 6 months training

Sara tried Hevy first because her gym friends used it. She found the app beautiful but paralysing: the template library assumed she already knew what split to run, how many sets were enough, when to deload. She downloaded Arvo, answered the onboarding questions, and got a full split generated around her 3-day availability. Every session the AI told her the starting weight, reps to aim for, and whether to add load for the next set. She never had to read an Excel spreadsheet from a YouTube coach again. For Sara the deciding factor was that Arvo removed the cognitive load of programming, not that it looked prettier. She still opens Hevy occasionally to see what her friends lifted that week.

Alex — advanced powerlifter, 8+ years training

Alex runs a coach-designed powerlifting block and has no interest in AI rewriting his program. He logs in Hevy because it is fast and stays out of the way. Every 4-8 weeks he exports his Hevy data to CSV and imports it into Arvo, then uses Arvo's AI chat to ask questions like 'what muscle groups am I under-stimulating?' or 'are my top sets trending up or flat?'. Arvo never touches his main programming, but it gives him a second opinion grounded in his real numbers. For Alex the honest setup is both apps: Hevy as the daily logger, Arvo as an analyst he can interrogate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arvo better than Hevy?

For lifters who want AI-powered progression and automatic workout adjustments, Arvo is better. Hevy is better if you prefer manual control and want a clean, simple logging experience without AI recommendations.

Is Arvo more expensive than Hevy?

Hevy has a free tier with ads. Hevy Pro costs $2.99/month or $23.99/year. Arvo is free during beta and will cost €6/month post-beta. Both offer good value, but Arvo includes AI features that Hevy lacks entirely.

Does Hevy have AI like Arvo?

No. Hevy is primarily a workout logger with templates and graphs. It doesn't have AI that recommends weights, adjusts your workout in real-time, or implements training methodologies. That's Arvo's core advantage.

Can I track the same data in both apps?

Both track weight, reps, and sets. Arvo additionally tracks RIR/RPE, mental readiness, and automatically calculates MEV/MAV/MRV. Hevy requires manual entry for everything without intelligent suggestions.

Which app has better graphs and analytics?

Hevy has excellent visualization for logged data. Arvo's analytics include AI-generated insights, plateau detection, and volume tracking against scientific landmarks. Arvo interprets your data; Hevy displays it.

Does Hevy support training methodologies like Kuba or FST-7?

No. Hevy is a pure logger without methodology support. You can create templates that mimic methodology structures, but there's no automatic set/rep scheme enforcement or methodology-specific periodization like Arvo offers.

Does Hevy track MEV/MAV/MRV volume?

No. Hevy tracks total volume but doesn't use scientific volume landmarks. You can calculate these manually, but Arvo automatically tracks MEV, MAV, and MRV per muscle group with intelligent deload recommendations.

Can I import my Hevy data to Arvo?

Yes! Arvo supports direct Hevy CSV import. Export your data from Hevy as CSV, then import it in Arvo under Settings > Data Management. Your exercises, weights, reps, RPE/RIR, and notes are all preserved. Plus, the AI coach will use your full workout history to give you better recommendations from day one.

Which app is better for beginners?

Arvo is better for beginners because it tells you exactly what to do. Hevy assumes you already know how to program your workouts. Arvo's AI guidance removes the guesswork from training.

Does Hevy have social features that Arvo lacks?

Yes. Hevy has friends, leaderboards, and social sharing. Arvo focuses on personal coaching rather than social features, though coach integration is available for those who want human guidance alongside AI.

Which app is better for powerlifting?

Both work for powerlifting. Hevy's simplicity appeals to powerlifters who follow specific programs. Arvo's methodology support and RIR tracking can optimize powerlifting training with AI-driven periodization.

Can Hevy replace a personal trainer?

Hevy is a logger, not a trainer—it doesn't tell you what to do. Arvo is designed to replace or complement a personal trainer with AI coaching that provides real-time workout recommendations.

Is Arvo better than Hevy for beginners?

Yes, for most beginners. Hevy assumes you already know how to build a split, pick rep ranges and manage fatigue; Arvo handles all three through its onboarding and set-by-set coaching. If you are a beginner with no coach, the practical answer is: Arvo will make fewer programming mistakes for you than you will make by yourself copying templates in Hevy.

Can I use both Hevy and Arvo at the same time?

Yes. Many advanced lifters log day-to-day in Hevy (fast, minimal UI) and periodically export their CSV into Arvo to get AI analysis, volume landmarks and program suggestions. The two apps do not conflict: Hevy is your notebook, Arvo is your coach. The only downside is double-entry if you try to log live in both apps at once.

How long does the Hevy to Arvo migration take?

About 2 minutes end-to-end. Exporting the CSV from Hevy takes under a minute (Settings → Export Data). Uploading it in Arvo's chat takes another minute while the AI parses exercises, weights, reps, RIR/RPE and notes. You do not need to clean up the file by hand — Arvo maps Hevy exercise names to its internal database automatically.

Does Arvo have a free tier like Hevy?

Yes. Arvo has a free tier that still includes the AI coach, methodology support and volume tracking — the features Hevy's free tier does not offer. Arvo's free tier has monthly limits on full AI workout generations; beyond that you need Arvo Pro (€4-6/month). Hevy Free is ad-supported; Arvo Free is not.

Which app has better Apple Watch support?

Both have native Apple Watch apps for on-wrist set logging. Arvo adds iOS Live Activity and Dynamic Island support so the current workout stays visible on the Lock Screen, plus a native Wear OS companion for Android users — Hevy's Wear OS story is more limited. For pure Apple Watch logging the two are close; for the full wearable picture Arvo is ahead.

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