Intervals Pro: HIIT Timer Reviews

by WeWantItNow

For timing purposes, it should be possible for the voice-announcements to work so that the exercise interval starts when the voice announcement finishes speaking the interval’s name — or, IntervalsPro could add the word “start!” at the end of the voice interval announcement and have the interval time start then. If one could always remember the name of the next interval without fail, a voice announcement of the interval’s name would it be necessary on the first place. If one hadn’t remembered the interval’s name and had to spend a couple of seconds listening to the voice announcement to be reminded, then one would have lost a couple of seconds of time one could have spent already doing the exercise.

Other improvements include providing the option to use a switchover-time of a few seconds between intervals that can optionally be voice-announced as a “switch” time or not announced, but which will not be counted or logged as an exercise or as exercise time (for those who have to change equipment or make our way over to a different spot in a room to do the next exercise). The existing “rest” periods in IntervalsPro do not work for that.

by Roejic

I used another HIIT timer for my Couch to 5k before IntervalsPro and haven't touched it since downloading this one. Intervals even has its own timers built in so you can just use their template. Very thoughtful. The Apple Watch integration and the built in distance tracking meant I didn't have to bring my phone when running while using the timer. I mention this despite it seeming like a given because the other timer app I downloaded didn't support it.

The only gripe I have, if any, would be that I want to be able to see the day's workout beforehand on my watch. As it stands I need to use my phone or start the timer to do so. Also, when running, it says how many intervals are remaining but I'd like very much like the option to have something like ⅜.

Overall, fantastic app and a real game changer for someone like me trying to get up and move this new year (little late I know). For the fitness enthusiasts or people actually planning on using their Apple Watch for tracking workouts, I highly recommend it.

by JonalynnA

I absolutely love IntervalsPro. Finding an interval app that is so customizable is hard, and I've tried most out there. IntervalsPro supersedes all other apps out there, it is super affordable, and the summaries are great. It shows total time, active cal, distance, avg. pace and heart rate. It integrates smoothly with health an the activity rings on the watch if you use that. Also, fully functional on the watch only. I don't carry my phone so finding an app that worked independently was imperative and this one does.

On another note, I had an initial issue when I first upgraded to the paid version where my distance, calories, and avg. pace were not showing in my summary and the developers/support staff not only responded to my email within hours, but walked me through different solutions. I realized that it may have been that I tried using it rather quickly after the upgrade and it possibly took maybe 12-24 hours for IntervalsPro to fully get to its potential and upgraded features, so I count that as user error, but nonetheless the quick and great support set this above the bar for my standards, so much so that I decided to write my first and only app review and I've been an avid iPhone owner since the first release.

Big thanks to Jeff Bailey, you're an awesome person for this brand, either as a rep, support staff, coder, or creator you've got me hooked and hope to see more from you guys at "Intervals".

by Dgillmeister

This is my most used and favorite watch app by far. I’ve been using the intervals app since it first hit IntervalsPro store and have enjoyed a rich set of product updates which is always leveraging new capabilities provided by the hardware or OS. The recent update which added support for approximate timers creation such that when the interval is completed it continues to count upward has found unique applications in my training and provides an incredible level of flexibility to this amazing app. IntervalsPro also works extremely well with heart rate monitor straps so I don’t have to bounce between the intervals app and apple’s workout app.

The developer has always been super helpful and responsive to my questions so I give customer support an A+ in addition to being a very powerful and flexible app. Well done!

by Alan Craig

I do about half of my running on the street and on trails. I really didn’t want to pay a ton of money for a GPS watch, but wanted a way to track my runs and measure my progress over time. For my training program, IntervalsPro is awesome. I really like how you can set your intervals based on time or distance, and how it gives you your pace for each interval.

The “halfway there” reminder is also really nice, especially for more difficult workouts. Unlike some of the other apps, this one seems to be pretty accurate when running on the track. Not 100 percent, but surprisingly close.

It doesn’t have the same cool look or customization as the Fitness 22 Run Tracker. But the interval setup capability alone makes this my new favorite workout timer.

by Angie Rhodes

As a behavior analyst, I use IntervalsPro when collecting data in intervals in classroom, home and community settings. I love it, and here are three reasons why: 1) It has an option for haptic alerts at the end of each interval. This is much less disruptive for the client, who does not need to be subjected to intrusive beeps, chimes or buzzers every 30 or 60 seconds. 2) IntervalsPro has an Apple Watch version so I don’t need to have my phone on me when trying to work with clients. My hands are free, and it doesn’t look like I’m constantly checking texts or emails at work. 3) When I emailed the developer with a question, I got a quick response. This is a reflection of the strong support behind IntervalsPro , which is much appreciated! I will be recommending IntervalsPro to all of my colleagues!

by Caffeinatorthesecond

If you want to set up your own custom intervals. I’ve bought it twice just to support the dev, who’s very responsive too. I gave it four stars only because at the moment, there’s no way to batch delete the workouts and deleting them one by one takes way too much time, when it really shouldn’t. Once that’s been updated, I’ll straight up change it to five stars. Other than that, it integrates excellently with Apple Watch too and it doesn’t force you to use IntervalsPro to track your workouts either. You can set it to just time out your intervals and let any other workout app you want to use track your workout instead. I don’t use the option at the moment, but I definitely thought about it, and was pleasantly surprised it was available. It’s excellent. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

Edit: I don’t know when it happened but batch delete is now in. Excellent app. I just hope it doesn’t go subscription now otherwise this is just excellent for anyone wanting to start running (or if they just want an intervals app!). 10 out of 5 stars!

by Surferboy567

I have just recently gotten into run/walk training and IntervalsPro has been super helpful. IntervalsPro enables you to run without a phone using the Apple Watch which is super helpful. Their is also another features that lets IntervalsPro work as a “remote” for the phone enabling you to play music and have IntervalsPro share spoken alerts with you. It is also really nice to not have to worry about subscription pricing since it is only a one time fee (if you choose to upgrade). The Apple Health integration is also amazing as it records the workouts in Apple Health and fills the activity rings. The developer also seems super prompt when asking questions and adding features.

This has become a core app of mine when run/walk training!

by Rileyfied

I’ve downloaded countless workout, fitness, and timer apps over the years, always disappointed when they lacked that “one more thing” that I needed. LOOK NO FURTHER, PEOPLE! This timer is customizable down to the last detail. Intuitive setup and easy to use. The voices know how to read my inputs (“Sprint Like You Mean It!), and I never have to look at my watch or phone after I begin the timer. Watch works without iPhone nearby, and sound can come through my watch even when I don’t have headphones! Also, it doesn’t forget the simple things like “Copy/Paste” to create multiple versions of the same interval or workout. And, most importantly, it is NEVER BUGGY and works every single time. Pro version is absolutely worth the price. Thanks, creators! Hope to see more from FourthFrame Technologies!

by Mrquetico

I had been looking for a customizable app that allows me to set timers for intervals based on heart rate zones. After trying many other apps, this is by far the best. Completely customizable in many different ways.

I also use it to keep me on track for my morning routines. I created an interval timer that does not send data to Apple Health and simply allows me to follow my desired schedule for early morning reading, prayer, and journaling.

I also couldn’t figure out how to change the volume of the spoken alerts, so I emailed support, and within ten minutes I received a response accurately telling me how to set the volume. (BTW, you long press the start button on an interval timer and a volume setting appears...perfect!)

by Fable28

A few days ago I was telling a friend of mine who is in school to become a physical therapist that I was looking for “a good couch to 5k app” and described exactly what I was looking for. I told him I wanted an interval training program that was backed by science as being a highly effective way to work up to running 5k. I said I wanted to be able to play my own music and have IntervalsPro integrate its sound with my music so I could hear both. I said I wanted a voice to tell me when to do the intervals and stay with me the whole time and that it would be an added bonus if it drew a map for me of where I had ran outside. Well IntervalsPro does all of these things and tons more and I was happy to pay the one time payment for extra features. IntervalsPro is incredible and I’m so happy it exists!

by Stutes

I would like to give this five stars, as I've really enjoyed IntervalsPro . However in recent weeks the watch app has stopped supporting text to speech alerts, making IntervalsPro pretty much useless for my runs. Not sure if they are just really quiet, perhaps even being muted.

UPDATE: Appears to have something to do with Siri. When I have Siri open on my watch, with Intervals running in the background, then I can hear the text to speech alerts just fine.

UPDATE: It did have to do with Siri. Somehow Siri's voice on the Apple Watch can be adjusted independent of the normal volume. Not sure how she got turned down. After numerous attempts to figure out how to raise her volume, I asked Siri on my watch to "turn your volume to 100%." That did the trick, and increased the volume for the text to speech alerts as well.

by Jkjkjk329jk

I have tried every running app there is. All I want is an app that will allow me to leave my phone at home and run with my watch. All the big names can’t do it right and most don’t do it at all. The ones that do can’t sync the workout to your phone afterwards (I’m looking at you UA)

Intervals is hands down the best at it. AND there is no monthly fee. Customize your workout however you want. I use it and have my tempo runs, hill repeats, intervals and long runs all scheduled. I can see my pace and heart rate on my watch for each of my intervals in each type of run (something I can’t do on the big name apps). The workout syncs with the phone app and Apple health perfectly.

Kudos to this independent developer company for putting the billion dollar companies to shame. A real example of the customer service. When I first downloaded IntervalsPro (over a year ago) I was trying to do something that IntervalsPro did not allow. I emailed the company and asked if it was possible. They said no, but said that they were nearing a new release and would see if they could fit my request in.

If you are looking for a great workout app that works great on a watch, this is the one.

by Mad.at.apple.nicknames!

I really love IntervalsPro for its simplicity, usefulness, and customization. It’s easy to set up whatever type of timers/workout intervals I want and I love that the voice commands can be whatever I want. The halfway and 5 seconds left capabilities help motivate me to keep going. My only complaint is that the background screen has changed from black/charcoal to white in this upgrade. It hurts my eyes in the early morning darkness when I run. Being able to set the background screen color/display as an option would be fantastic. It would also be nice to display the time (clock time) slightly larger. It can be a bit hard to read when you’re running. Thanks for creating and maintaining IntervalsPro! (PS it would be nice to post a review without having to make up a nickname all of which I might choose have already been taken!)

by GVHer

I got my Apple Watch 5 a month ago and found it to be frustrating to use for running workouts. It was good for a long easy run but terrible for any timed intervals. Sometimes the screen would lock because moisture was detected- may be I am not supposed to sweat? Often the double tap on the screen would not would not work to time the interval. The Interval App is finally making the Apple Watch useful for more intense workouts.

I run with a group ranging from 6 to 10 minutes per mile. Last night, I set the interval timer to 3 x 7 minutes with 1 minute rest on an out and back course. The timer announced pace, heart rate, and halfway point loud enough that I did not to look at my watch. When I reviewed the workout in the Interval App, it had the actual pace per interval while the Apple workout App had the inaccurate time per segment which was averaging the speed interval and recovery interval.

The watch face of the Apple Watch is brighter and more readable while running at night than my Garmin Fenix 5. The haptics are more palpable plus it has voice.

The main advantage of workout specific watches like the Garmin are the use of buttons for start, stop, and lap functions. If IntervalsPro could use the side button for those functions, IntervalsPro would be near perfect.

by CharlotteK41

I was once a D1 athlete a long long time ago. I then took a 6 year hiatus from all things cardio... and when I decided to get back into running again I knew I needed a straightforward interval timer to help me with my couch potato to 10k program. After reading some reviews I decided to purchase the full version of intervals pro and I am so glad I did! It’s so easy to make unlimited timers, the interface is straight forward and works phenomenally with my Apple Watch and iPhone, and I’m going on 5 weeks of using IntervalsPro and running again after 6 whole years of no cardio activity! I can’t say enough good things about IntervalsPro. If you’re hesitant to purchase, think about it this way. You spend more on a fast food meal and this is way better for you in the long run 😉 that helped me take the plunge. Go for it! It’s a great app!

by Love Doc-yet

This has become the most important tool in my fitness routine. Once I started customizing workouts, IntervalsPro has been essential. Initially I was only using it for intervals, HIIT, tabata, and circuit style workouts. Then I went back and rearranged it and created Sets and Reps style workouts also. Now I can’t imagine workout without it.

Before I go on singing it’s praises I’d love to see one super minor improvement. The “Previous” and “Next” exercise arrows have a somewhat small hot area. So my touch can sometimes trigger the “list menu” function instead of next exercise. It’s a minor quip, but it comes from thousands of hours of usage. Even if they don’t fix it, I’ll still continue to use this for thousands more hours.

The best function in my opinion is the text to speech. Having the voice tell you what’s next means you don’t have to keep your eye on the phone and just focus on working out. It’s amazing really. It’s like having a personal trainer with you helping you through every workout. I can’t say enough how much I love this function.

For me, purchasing the Pro version was a no brainer. I get so much value out of IntervalsPro with every single workout. And since I workout daily, that means every day IntervalsPro has assisted me on my health journey.

by RTTrans888

We all have a group of go-to, well-designed useful apps that we can’t get along without. Intervals now falls in that category for me. I had been using another HIIT timer for many years. It was very simple and did the job, but offered only basic functionality. Intervals is a giant leap forward from that. One of the main reasons I bought it was for Apple Watch functionality. The great thing is that I can listen to music from my iPhone through my Bluetooth headphones, start an Intervals timer on my Apple Watch, and then listen to upcoming alarms through the headphones. The remote mode for the Apple Watch is truly magical. It also allows me to shut off my phone and put it safely in my pocket while working out allowing me to use my Apple Watch to monitor progress of my workout. Also, the post-workout breakdown of data by work and recovery splits is incredible. BTW, I have the Pro version which opens up a full range of functionality, and more importantly allows you to compensate the developers for this excellent app.

by Daveonbass11

I never review apps, but I tried IntervalsPro for the first time tonight - oh my God it's awesome. I wanted an app that would time walking/running intervals for me, but also alert me via haptics to when I needed to switch back & forth (2 min walking, one minute running). This does that - and it alerts you when halfway through each cycle as well as giving you a five second countdown before switching. It's totally awesome and tracks into everything I already have seamlessly as well - I wanted an app that would work with my Apple watch , Apple heath & Oura. This does that. I had been doing periodic interval running on a treadmill, where you can see and control the intervals - but this makes outside interval running easy. Kinda. You still have to run, and without the treadmill to pace me, well - it's different. But really another fun alternative to just running two miles a day as fast as I can. Free to download, but to customize the way I did you need to buy the upgrade. $8.95 + tax well spent :)

by ViperRGD

Having invested in an Apple Watch 4, I was seeking an app that would support the “run-walk-run” Galloway style of running without requiring that I carry my iPhone. The Intervals app exceeded my expectations and precludes the need to carry an extra interval timing device on my runs. It is rich in features and can be configured to support virtually any running use case I can think of. IntervalsPro is very intuitive but I did have a clarifying question about the relationship of “sets” to “cycles”. Within IntervalsPro I was able to send my question off to the FourthFrame gurus and within a few hours I had a response from Jeff that completely addressed my concern. I don’t usually take the time to write reviews but between the quality of IntervalsPro itself and the support behind it, I wanted to spread the word.