Zurge vs MacroFactor Workouts
MacroFactor Workouts, from the team behind the MacroFactor nutrition app, programs your lifting with careful, rule-based progression and Jeff Nippard technique videos. It doesn't plan runs. Zurge programs lifting and running in one week, starts free, and one Zolt Pro membership covers both Zurge and Zolt nutrition.
Choose Zurge if
- You run as well as lift and want both in one plan
- You want planning and logging without a subscription
- You want training and nutrition apps for one lower price
- You want to bring your Strong history with you
Choose MacroFactor Workouts if
- You only lift and want RIR-based progression
- You want technique videos for every exercise
- You already use MacroFactor for nutrition
Feature by feature
| Feature | Zurge | MacroFactor Workouts |
|---|---|---|
| Lifting | ||
| Generated programs | Plan library and Build my plan | Built from your goals, level and equipment |
| Automatic progression | Load goes up when you complete your sets, with deloads | Rep ranges and RIR targets |
| Set types and tools | Warm-up, drop, myo-rep and failure sets, supersets, RPE | Warm-up, drop, myo and failure sets, supersets, plate calculator |
| PRs and estimated maxes | e1RM, heaviest set, volume and rep PRs from 1 to 30 reps | Estimated 1, 3 and 10 rep maxes |
| Exercise instructions | Written how-to for every exercise, no videos | Technique videos by Jeff Nippard |
| Import from other apps | Strong CSV import | Past workouts entered by hand |
| Running | ||
| Running plans | 5K to marathon, base building, back to running, run-walk | Basic cardio logging |
| Pace guidance | Pace range plus effort, set from a recent race or hard run | No |
| In-app GPS recording | iPhone, outdoor or treadmill, with spoken cues | No |
| One plan for lifts and runs | Lifts and runs in one week, placed so they don't collide | No |
| Nutrition, coach and price | ||
| Nutrition app | Works with Zolt, one membership | Works with MacroFactor; weight and measurements sync |
| Body metrics and photos | Weight free; measurements and progress photos with Zolt Pro | Weight, measurements and progress photos |
| AI coach chat | Chat coach; every change is a card you approve (Zolt Pro) | Rule-based progression, no chat coach |
| Free tier | Plans, logging, goals, PRs and history | 7-day trial, then subscribe |
| Paid price (US) | $39.99 a year for Zolt Pro, which also covers Zolt nutrition | $71.99 a year; $89.99 a year with MacroFactor nutrition |
In-app run recording is iPhone only. Coach chat and the AI connector need Zolt Pro, $39.99 a year, which also covers Zolt nutrition. MacroFactor Workouts details are from its website, help center and store listings. MacroFactor's help center says the two apps share body weight and measurements but don't adjust training from nutrition data or the other way round.
Why hybrid athletes pick Zurge over MacroFactor Workouts
Runs get planned, not just logged
MacroFactor Workouts added basic cardio in 2026: running and cycling can be logged as exercises. It doesn't write running plans or set paces. Zurge does: race plans from 5K to marathon, base building, intervals and long runs, each with a pace range and an effort.
Lifting and running in one week
Because Zurge plans both sports, it can keep them apart. Tempo and interval runs stay off heavy leg days and the day after, and a missed session moves to a later day without pushing out your long run.
Two apps, one lower price
MacroFactor Workouts is $71.99 a year, or $89.99 a year bundled with MacroFactor's nutrition app. Zolt Pro is $39.99 a year and covers Zurge's coach and Pro in Zolt, our nutrition app, on the same account. And in Zurge, plans and logging are free without Pro.
Bring your history
MacroFactor's help center says you can't import workouts from other apps. Zurge imports your Strong CSV export, with original dates and PRs, so your history comes with you.
Where MacroFactor Workouts is ahead
MacroFactor Workouts has a thoughtful RIR-based progression system, technique videos by Jeff Nippard for its exercises, an Android app today, and the MacroFactor nutrition app beside it, which many lifters already trust. Zurge's exercise guides are written, not filmed. If you only lift and already use MacroFactor, it's a natural pick.
Questions
Does MacroFactor Workouts have running plans?
No. Since early 2026 it can log basic cardio such as running, cycling and swimming, but it doesn't create running plans, set paces or record runs with GPS.
How much does MacroFactor Workouts cost?
In the US it costs $11.99 a month, $47.99 for six months or $71.99 a year, with a 7-day trial and no free tier. The bundle with MacroFactor's nutrition app is $89.99 a year (checked 2026-11-06).
Do MacroFactor and MacroFactor Workouts share data?
They share body weight, body measurements and period data. MacroFactor's help center says neither app adjusts its targets from the other's data.
Is Zurge's progression AI?
No. Zurge builds plans and progresses loads with fixed training rules, so they're predictable. The AI coach can suggest changes, and you approve each one.
Can I import my workout history into Zurge?
Yes, from a Strong CSV export. Hevy import is on the way.
How much does Zurge cost?
Plans, workout and run logging, goals, PRs and history are free. Zolt Pro is $39.99 a year in the US and adds the coach chat, the Claude and ChatGPT connector, measurements and progress photos, plus Pro in the Zolt nutrition app.
Sources
- MacroFactor Workouts pricing. macrofactor.com/workouts/price/
- MacroFactor help: subscriptions and bundles. help.macrofactorapp.com/en/articles/393-how-macrofactor-subscriptions-and-bundles-work
- MacroFactor help: progressive overload in MacroFactor Workouts. help.macrofactorapp.com/en/articles/372-what-does-progressive-overload-mean-in-macrofactor-workouts
- MacroFactor help: how Workouts integrates with MacroFactor nutrition. help.macrofactorapp.com/en/articles/381-how-does-macrofactor-workouts-integrate-with-macrofactor-nutrition
- MacroFactor help: backfilling past workouts. help.macrofactorapp.com/en/articles/384-can-i-backfill-past-workouts-to-have-training-history
- MacroFactor February 2026 update (basic cardio). macrofactor.com/mm-feb-2026/
- MacroFactor Workouts on the US App Store. apps.apple.com/us/app/id6737156524
MacroFactor Workouts details come from its public website, app store listing and published pricing, checked on Nov 6, 2026. Prices vary by country and change often; check the app before you buy. MacroFactor Workouts is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the product. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.