By Will Duru, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, Award winning Personal Trainer with over 10 years of experience in strength training
Finding the right fitness app in Canada can be frustrating. Most apps are designed for massive American gym chains or boutique studios that do not exist here. They assume you have access to equipment that your local GoodLife or Fit4Less might not carry. They price everything in USD and forget that Canadians have different needs.
I built the 12REPS app as a tool that works for real people in real gyms. After a decade of training clients and understanding what actually drives results, I created something that delivers professional programming without the professional price tag.
Whether you train at a fully equipped gym in Toronto, a community centre in Calgary, a condo gym in Vancouver, or your basement in Montreal during those long winter months, this app adapts to your situation.
Let me show you why it works for Canadian lifters.
What Canadian Lifters Actually Need
After years of helping people build strength, I know what separates effective training from wasted effort. Here is what you actually need from a workout app.
Programmes designed by qualified coaches. Not algorithms guessing what you should do. Not AI generating random workouts. Real programmes built by trainers who understand progressive overload, periodisation, and how to structure training for long term results.
Video demonstrations for every exercise. Clear, professional videos showing exactly how each movement should be performed. When you are learning a Romanian deadlift or perfecting your hip thrust form, you need to see it done correctly.
Flexibility for different equipment setups. Canadian gyms vary enormously. A downtown Toronto gym looks different from a small town fitness centre in Saskatchewan. Your app should work with whatever equipment you have access to.
Over 1,500 exercises to build custom workouts. When you want to train your way, you need options. A comprehensive exercise library lets you create sessions that match your equipment and goals.
Progress tracking that drives results. Not just logging what you did, but showing you what to do next. Systematic progression that builds strength week after week.
Rehab guidance from qualified professionals. Injuries happen. When they do, you need expert guidance to work through them safely, not guess your way back to training.
This is exactly what the 12REPS app delivers.
Why 12REPS Works for Canadians
Designed by a Real Personal Trainer
The programmes in 12REPS come from my decade of experience training real clients. I understand what works because I have tested it hundreds of times with people of all fitness levels.
I know that most people do not have unlimited time to spend in the gym. I know that motivation fluctuates, especially during those dark Canadian winters when driving to the gym feels like an expedition. I know that you want results without complicated systems that require a PhD to understand.
The app reflects this understanding. The programmes are practical and effective. The interface is clean and simple. The approach is straightforward.
Adapts to Any Gym Setup
Whether you train at:
A commercial chain gym like GoodLife Fitness, Fit4Less, or Planet Fitness with solid equipment and busy peak hours
A premium fitness club like Equinox or a boutique studio with extensive facilities
A community recreation centre with basic equipment and limited space
A condo or apartment gym with a few machines and dumbbells
A home gym in your basement or garage
A hotel gym when travelling for work across the country
The app works. Tell it what equipment you have access to, and it provides appropriate programmes and exercises. No more frustration over exercises you cannot perform.
Works Across Canada
I have users training with 12REPS from Vancouver to Halifax and everywhere in between. The app works wherever you are because it was designed with flexibility in mind.
It works offline once downloaded. This is perfect for basement gyms without WiFi, remote areas with spotty service, or anywhere you prefer to train disconnected. Download your programme before you leave home and train without interruption.
Real Value Compared to Personal Training
Personal training in Canada is expensive. In Toronto and Vancouver, expect to pay $80 to $150 per session with an experienced trainer. Even in smaller cities, $50 to $80 per hour is standard.
Training three times per week with a personal trainer costs $600 to $1,800 monthly in major cities. That is $7,200 to $21,600 per year.
The 12REPS app provides expert programming, video guidance, and progress tracking for a fraction of that cost. You get professional methodology without the premium price tag.
This does not mean personal training has no value. For some people, one on one coaching is exactly what they need. But for Canadians who want quality programming at an accessible price point, the app delivers serious results.
What You Get with 12REPS
Structured Programmes
Whether you want to build muscle, increase strength, lose fat, or improve general fitness, there are programmes designed for your specific goal. Each programme includes:
Clear progression from week to week. You always know what weight you should be lifting and when to increase. No guessing, no confusion.
Appropriate volume and intensity. Not too much, not too little. Enough training stimulus to drive progress without burning out or risking injury.
Exercise selection that makes sense. Compound movements as the foundation, isolation work where appropriate, proper balance between muscle groups.
Video Exercise Library
Over 1,500 exercises with full video demonstrations. Every movement is shown clearly so you can see exactly how it should be performed.
The videos focus on technique, not production value. Clear demonstrations of proper form, key cues to remember, common mistakes to avoid. Watch them before your set, reference them during your workout.
Custom Workout Builder
When you want to train your way, the custom workout builder lets you create sessions from the full exercise library. Build your own programmes, save your favourite workouts, track everything.
This flexibility means the app grows with you. Follow structured programmes when you want guidance. Create custom sessions when you want freedom. The choice is yours.
Progress Tracking
Every workout is logged automatically. The app shows your previous performance for each exercise so you can make informed decisions about progression.
Over time, you build a complete training history. See how much stronger you have become. Identify exercises where you are progressing well and areas that need more attention. Share your personal bests with friends or on social media.
Rehab and Recovery
Injuries happen to everyone eventually. When they do, the app includes rehab exercise videos from qualified professionals. Work through issues safely rather than guessing or making things worse.
This is something most apps ignore completely. They assume you are always healthy and ready to train at full intensity. Real life does not work that way.
Who 12REPS Is For
The app works for a wide range of people, but it is particularly well suited for:
Beginners who want proper guidance. If you are new to strength training and want to learn correctly from the start, the structured programmes and video demonstrations provide everything you need to build a solid foundation.
Intermediate lifters who want better programming. If you have been training for a while but feel stuck or unsure whether your current approach is working, expert designed programmes can help you break through plateaus.
Busy professionals who need efficiency. If you have limited time between work, commuting, and family responsibilities, the app provides focused programmes that deliver results without excessive time commitments.
Home gym users who need flexibility. If you train at home with limited equipment, especially during harsh Canadian winters when getting to the gym feels impossible, the app adapts to what you have available.
Anyone who wants quality programming without the cost of a personal trainer. If you cannot afford $100 per session but want the same level of expertise in your programming, the app bridges that gap.
Training Through Canadian Winters
Let me address something specific to Canadian lifters. Winter training is different here.
When it is minus 30 outside and your car needs 20 minutes to warm up, the motivation to drive to the gym drops dramatically. This is when home training becomes essential, and this is where having an app that adapts to limited equipment matters most.
The 12REPS app works just as well with a basement setup of dumbbells and a bench as it does with a fully equipped commercial gym. You can maintain your training consistency through January and February when many people abandon their fitness goals entirely.
Build your home gym over time. Start with adjustable dumbbells and a bench. Add a barbell and plates when budget allows. The app scales with your equipment, providing appropriate programmes at every stage.
When spring arrives and you return to your regular gym, the app transitions seamlessly. Your training history carries over. Your progression continues. No restart required.
Real Results from Real People
The best evidence for any training approach is results. Here is what 12REPS users are achieving.
Beginners are learning proper technique from day one, building habits that will serve them for years. They are not copying random exercises from social media or guessing their way through workouts. They have clear guidance from a qualified trainer.
Intermediate lifters are breaking through plateaus they have been stuck at for months. Proper programming with systematic progression makes a difference that random training simply cannot match.
Busy professionals are maintaining their fitness despite demanding schedules. Efficient programmes that respect their time allow them to stay consistent even during the busiest periods.
Home gym users are getting excellent results with minimal equipment. Smart exercise selection and progressive programming mean limited equipment is not a barrier to serious progress.
Picture This
Eight weeks from now, you walk into your gym with complete confidence.
You know exactly what you are doing today. The app tells you which exercises, how many sets, how many reps, what weight to aim for based on your previous performance.
You perform each movement with proper technique because you have watched the demonstrations and understand the key form cues.
You finish your session knowing it was effective. Not random exercises thrown together, but a structured workout designed to build on your previous sessions and move you closer to your goals.
You check your training history and see that you are lifting more than when you started. Real, measurable progress that you can see and feel.
This is what training with proper programming feels like. This is what the 12REPS app provides.
Getting Started
Download the app and explore the features. Browse the programmes, look through the exercise library, see how the interface works.
Start with a programme that matches your goal and experience level. Follow it consistently, trust the process, track your progress.
If you prefer to build your own workouts, use the custom builder. Select exercises from the library, set your own parameters, create something tailored to your specific situation.
The app is designed to work however you want to use it. Structure when you need it, flexibility when you want it.
Download the 12REPS app now. And join the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 12REPS available in Canada?
Yes, 12REPS is fully available throughout Canada on both iOS and Android devices.
Does the app show weights in kilograms or pounds?
The app supports both metric and imperial measurements. Choose whichever system you prefer.
Can I use the app at any gym?
Absolutely. The app adapts to your available equipment. Whether you train at GoodLife, a community centre, a condo gym, or your basement, it provides appropriate programmes and exercises.
Does the app work offline?
Yes, once programmes and videos are downloaded, you can train without an internet connection. Perfect for basement gyms or areas with poor service.
Who designed the programmes?
All programmes are designed by Will Duru, a certified personal trainer with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science and over 10 years of professional experience.
Can I create my own workouts?
Yes, the custom workout builder lets you create sessions from the library of over 1,500 exercises. Follow structured programmes or build your own.
Is there a free trial?
Download the app to explore features and see if it fits your needs before committing to a subscription.
References
- Statistics Canada. (2024). Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects-start/health/physical_activity
- Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2024). Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. https://csepguidelines.ca/
- ParticipACTION. (2024). Benefits of Strength Training. https://www.participaction.com/
Related Articles on just12reps.com
| Article | Description | Link |
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| Complete Beginner’s Guide to Strength Training | Start your training journey with proper fundamentals. | Read Article |
| The Science of Progressive Overload | Understand the principle that drives all muscle growth. | Read Article |
| Bodyweight Exercises for Strength Training at Home | Train effectively with no equipment needed. | Read Article |
| 3 Day Strength Training Split for Men | A proven programme for building muscle and strength. | Read Article |
| The Science Behind 12 Rep Training | Learn why this rep range works for most people. | Read Article |
About the Author: Will Duru holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science and is an award winning personal trainer with over 10 years of experience. He has helped hundreds of clients build stronger, healthier bodies through structured, science based training programmes. Will created the 12REPS app to make professional training guidance accessible to everyone.
