Introducing OpenLift: Open Source Fitness Tracking for Serious Lifters
We've been working on OpenLift, a self-hosted fitness tracking platform designed for people who take their training seriously and value control over their data. After months of development, we're ready to share what we've built and our vision for making fitness software that actually serves lifters.
Note: This is our development community platform (openlift.dev) focused on technical documentation and developer resources. For general updates, progress tracking, and user-focused information, visit our main site at openlift.app.
The Current State of Fitness Apps
Most fitness apps fall into two categories: basic trackers that hit subscription paywalls, or complex platforms that lock your data into proprietary systems. Your years of workout history becomes hostage to corporate decisions, policy changes, or service shutdowns.
We wanted to build something different: fitness software that respects data ownership, adapts to real training needs, and grows through community input rather than corporate feature restrictions.
Our Two-Path Approach: Core and Cloud
We're developing OpenLift with two distinct offerings to serve different user needs:
Core - For Self-Hosters
OpenLift Core is designed for individuals and small groups who want to run their own fitness tracking infrastructure. Core includes all the essential functionality needed for serious training:
- Complete workout tracking with weights, reps, sets, RPE, and rest periods
- Detailed workout notes and form cues
- Progress photo and video uploads
- Comprehensive workout analytics and progression tracking
- Recovery analysis and training load monitoring
- Basic program planning and template management
Core is built for Docker deployment and designed to run reliably on modest hardware. Your data stays on your server, under your control.
Cloud Version - Advanced Features and Convenience
Our Cloud offering will provide the Core foundation plus advanced features for users who prefer managed hosting:
- Enhanced coaching tools and client management
- Advanced analytics and machine learning insights
- Integrated community features and workout sharing
- Automated backup and disaster recovery
- Priority support and feature development
The Cloud version will eventually operate on a freemium model with both free and premium tiers. However, during our early development phase, all users will have access to the full feature set while we refine the platform and prove we've built something worth supporting. Only when we're confident we're delivering genuine value will we introduce the freemium model. This approach ensures we can maintain the infrastructure, continue development, and provide quality support while keeping basic functionality accessible to everyone.
Open Source Commitment
The Core components will be fully open sourced over time as we solidify the codebase and documentation. Our immediate priority is getting a stable, deployable system into users' hands. Once Core is solid, we'll progressively open source the components to enable community contributions and modifications.
This isn't about hiding code behind license walls - it's about ensuring we release quality, well-documented software that the community can actually build upon.
Technical Foundation
OpenLift is built on modern, reliable technologies:
- TypeScript for type safety and developer experience
- Fastify with GraphQL for performant, flexible APIs
- MongoDB with Prisma for robust data management
- Docker for consistent deployment across environments
- Comprehensive test coverage for reliability
The architecture follows service-oriented design principles with clear separation between:
- Authentication and user management
- Workout tracking and analytics
- Program planning and progression systems
- Recovery analysis and coaching features
- File storage and media management
Core Features Available Now
Workout Tracking
Track everything that matters in your training: exercises, sets, reps, weights, RPE ratings, rest periods, and detailed notes. The system handles complex workout structures and periodization schemes.
Analytics and Insights
Built-in analytics help you understand training patterns, identify strengths and weaknesses, and track progress over time. Volume calculations, intensity analysis, and progression tracking come standard.
Program Management
Create and manage workout templates, structure training blocks, and plan progression schemes. The system supports everything from simple linear progression to complex periodization models.
Recovery Tracking
Monitor training load, recovery status, and readiness indicators to optimize training frequency and intensity.
Current Development Status
We're actively developing OpenLift with regular updates to functionality and stability. You can track our progress at openlift.app/development where we maintain real-time development status and recent improvements.
Our current roadmap outlines near-term priorities including mobile app development, enhanced coaching features, and advanced analytics capabilities. Development priorities are driven by community feedback and real training needs.
Getting Started
If you're interested in trying OpenLift:
- Visit openlift.app for the latest updates and user-focused information
- Check the development status at openlift.app/development
- Review our roadmap to understand upcoming features
- Follow the technical documentation here (openlift.dev) for Docker deployment instructions
- Join our Discord community for discussions, support, and development updates
The system requires basic familiarity with Docker, but deployment is straightforward for anyone comfortable with command-line tools.
Building a Sustainable Community
We're new to this space, but we're committed to building something lasting. OpenLift succeeds when it's developed by people who actually use it for their training.
Whether you're a developer interested in contributing code, a lifter with ideas for better features, or someone who wants fitness software that respects your intelligence and data ownership, we welcome your involvement. Join our Discord community to connect with other users and contributors.
This isn't about revolutionary disruption or venture-backed growth targets. It's about building practical software that serves people who take their training seriously and want tools that respect their time and data.
Our community is just getting started, but we're focused on creating something valuable for the long term.
What's Next
Near-term development includes:
- Mobile app for easier workout logging
- Enhanced program planning tools
- Improved recovery analysis features
- Coaching and client management capabilities
- Community features for workout sharing and discussion
Development priorities are guided by user feedback and real training needs. The best features come from people solving their own training challenges.
The OpenLift team is building fitness software that respects your data and serves your training. We're developers who lift and lifters who code.