Custom exercises
Add an exercise that is not in the Metric Lift library: a variation, a machine, or a lift with special equipment.
Search the exercise list, find nothing, and tap Create new exercise. Metric Lift adds your exercise to the library, and you can use it in every workout and program after that.
Create a custom exercise
- While you add exercises to a workout or a program, tap Create new exercise.
- Enter the Exercise name. Each name must be unique.
- Pick a Type: Barbell, Bodyweight, Cable, Dumbbell, Kettlebell, Machine, Time, Distance or Other.
- For a Barbell exercise, choose whether to turn on Track velocity.
- Tap Save.
The type sets which fields each set shows. A Time exercise logs a duration and reps. A Distance exercise logs a distance and a duration. A Bodyweight exercise logs reps. The other types log load and reps.
Coaches can also create one in the web builder at app.metric.coach. Type the name in the exercise field, and Metric shows Create custom with your text. Click it, or press Enter when nothing in the library matches. Choose a type and click Create. See Building programs.
Track velocity
Track velocity comes with the Barbell type. With Track velocity on, the exercise uses the camera, and Metric Lift reports bar speed, power, range of motion and bar path for every rep.
Tracking needs a round plate on the camera side. See Common recording issues.
With Track velocity off, or with any other type, you log the set by hand. See Manual exercise entry.
Change the settings for one exercise
A custom barbell exercise has the same Exercise settings as a library exercise. Tap ⋯ on the exercise card, then Exercise settings, to set 1RM estimation, the minimum velocity and the default metric. See Estimated 1RM.
Name it well
The name is what you see in history, charts and exports, so make it specific:
- The variation — Pause Squat 2 s, Tempo Bench 4-1-1-0, SSB Squat.
- The setup — Pin Squat pin 4, Block Pull 10 cm.
Create a separate exercise for each specialty bar. See Load-velocity & power profiles for why.
When it goes wrong
- A wrong name or type. Delete the exercise and create it again with the right name and type.
- Delete with care. Swipe left on a custom exercise in the exercise list, then tap Delete. The delete cannot be undone. Your past sets keep the exercise name.
- Duplicate names. If the name is already in use, Metric Lift shows Exercise name already in use. Names must be unique and does not save.