I started making an app to track my sets at the gym. Then…that app turned into an iPhone game! 😅
I’ve been on a quest for the past six months to learn how to make iOS apps. That quest has included many other internet side quests such as BIG SORT (a decluttering web app) and Better Things To Do (A gentle Chrome extension that blocks distracting sites).
But the main questline was always focused on building for iPhone.
Before befriending Claude Code and Codex, creating an iPhone app seemed out of reach. And even with AI coding agents, mobile development still seemed like the alluring “harder thing” to figure out.
Curiosity took the wheel, and I let the scope creep on this “practice project.” And boy did it creeeeeep. 🧟♂️
My app became a workout tracker fused with... a companion creature, a gem economy, a shop, a leveling system, a roguelike adventure mode, and a tiny mythology.
Very chunky for a first project. Fun and maddening to make.
The iPhone app is called Strong Frond
It’s a strength training tracker with a strange companion. Your real workouts fuel your frond’s adventures through a fading natural world. You can track workout PRs, battle grubs, and refuel stamina with riceballs. 🍙 Because, why not?!
And it’s about time for Strong Frond to meet more real people. I’m opening a beta! If you train/lift/go to the gym, I’d love for you to try it.
To join the beta, just reply to this email, comment, DM me, or request an invite at strongfrond.com. I’ll send you the Testflight link!
The more direct your feedback is the better. Help me make better things. Let me know what you find confusing, broken, whack, or cool. Help me improve this app and everything I make after it.
And thank you dearlyyy to friends and family who did early testing.
My internal dialogue while working on creative projects has felt like riding the line between “I’m a genius!” and “I’m wayyy out of my depth...” AI amplifies both voices.
Making Strong Frond was more humbling than I anticipated. I have deeper respect for the craft of game design. And the main quest continues—the long journey of making. Thanks for coming along!
I LOVE MY FROND
me and my frond against the world – having the best time kev!