Why We Built OpenLift
An Automation Engineer's journey from frustration to solution—building the fitness tracking platform we all deserved but never had.
Hi there! I'm Sam Baker
I'm an Automation Engineer by education who found my calling in the world of IT. I fell for open source because it felt like home—a place where building, sharing, and giving back were the same thing.
The $240/Year Wake-Up Call
I've carried a familiar weight my whole life—trying to get stronger, lose fat, and stay consistent. I'd restart, lose track, and start over again.
The frustration hit a peak when I was about to spend $240 a year just to keep score. Why should achieving better health be considered a luxury?
That moment lit a fuse. I wanted a platform that felt fair, human, and reachable for anyone who's ever thought, "I shouldn't have to pay this much just to stay on track."
More Than Price—Freedom to Train My Way
Price was the first spark, but it wasn't the whole fire. Too many apps felt like glorified spreadsheets: one had great tracking but no way to craft templates, another was flexible but came without solid starters, some offered programs with zero progressions, others obsessed over weightlifting and skipped calisthenics entirely.
So I stitched together everything I loved—a bit of a Frankenstein—plus the things I could never find elsewhere. It's early, imperfect, and real, but for the first time I have all the tools I craved, and they're actually moving me toward my goals.
I'm not a coach or a fitness guru. I'm an engineer who builds what he needs, using every lesson from years of trial and error to craft the ultimate mobile tracker for people who want it all in one place.
Our Backend-as-a-Service Approach
OpenLift is more than just a workout tracker. It's an open project built by people who believe workout tracking should be transparent, accessible, and sustainable. We don't have venture capital, and we don't want to become another corporate platform that puts profits first.
To keep this project healthy for years to come, we've chosen a path that balances freedom, fairness, and sustainability.
How It Works
The backend is fully open source under AGPL v3 — all the intelligence, data processing, and core functionality is available for you to inspect, modify, and self-host.
The mobile app stays closed source — we maintain a single, trusted mobile experience that connects to any OpenLift backend (yours or ours). This ensures consistency and security while giving you complete backend control.
What This Means for You
Personal & Family Self-Hosting
Run OpenLift on your own server with all features unlocked. Advanced progression playbooks, analytics, recovery tools — no subscriptions, no limits. Complete backend control with our official mobile app.
Commercial Use
Gyms and fitness centers need a commercial license to use OpenLift for business. This ensures proper support while keeping the project sustainable for everyone.
Developers & Contributors
Passionate about building self-hostable fitness platforms? Explore our code on GitHub, contribute improvements, and help shape the future.
Cloud Service
Core features always free. Premium analytics and advanced tools require infrastructure we can't provide free at scale. Your subscription directly supports the project's future.
Our Commitment
Always Free Self-Hosting
Self-hosting will always be free and unlimited for personal and family use—with all features unlocked.
Your Data Stays Yours
We do not sell, trade, or exploit your information. Complete ownership and control over your fitness data.
Complete Transparency
We remain transparent about what's free, what's paid, and why. No hidden fees or surprise changes.
Community-Driven
Your contributions, ideas, and discussions shape OpenLift's direction. Built by the community, for the community.
No Unicorn Dreams
We're not trying to "disrupt industries" or make bold promises. We want to build a tool that works, stays alive, and respects the people who use it.
Simple as that.
How You Can Support OpenLift
If you believe in what we're building, you can help in several ways. Together, we can ensure OpenLift has a long, healthy future—free from corporate takeover, and built by the people who actually use it.