An exercise dataset supplies more than names and instructions. Its images become part of almost every screen in your fitness app. A large catalogue can still leave you with mismatched artwork, opaque backgrounds, or an API dependency you did not want.
If your priority is smooth exercise animations, transparent backgrounds, and one consistent character, RepDB Standard is the option I would shortlist from these four. ExerciseDB is worth comparing for its larger advertised entry count; WorkoutX for hosted delivery; free-exercise-db for a free collection with gym photography.
I build and sell RepDB. This is a disclosed comparison based on public product information and the samples I inspected, with the tradeoffs spelled out so you can decide for your app.
Compare the product you would actually ship
| ExerciseDB | WorkoutX | free-exercise-db | RepDB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Downloadable files | Hosted API | GitHub files | Downloadable files |
| Visuals | Animated GIFs | Hosted GIFs | Gym photographs | Consistent classic + flat WebP styles |
| Background in inspected media | Opaque, near-white | Opaque, near-white | Gym surroundings | Transparent classic assets on Standard |
| Motion | GIF animations | GIF animations via API | None | Standard: 496 exercises with motion clips; 112 use static illustrations |
| Offline use | Self-host the files | Depends on API terms and caching limits | Local files | Self-host or bundle the files |
| Price | $199 Starter / $599 Pro, once | Free plan; $9.99–24.99/month paid plans | Free | Free snapshot; $299 Starter / $499 Standard, once |
Prices and advertised delivery formats checked September 8, 2026. Competitor image observations refer to the July 2026 samples, not every asset in their paid catalogues. Sources are listed at the end.
Look at the artwork before choosing the schema
The visual decision is easier to make with examples:
- ExerciseDB / the WorkoutX sample: an illustrated figure on an opaque near-white panel.
- free-exercise-db: real gym photography with varying framing, backgrounds, and dimensions.
- RepDB classic: one consistent character, with transparent assets on Standard.
- RepDB flat: a consistent illustrated style, also available in the free snapshot.
For a light card, an opaque panel may be fine. On dark mode, a gradient, or a circular container, the panel becomes part of your design whether you want it or not. Transparent media lets your UI choose the background.
Still frames cannot show animation quality. Watch the movement, character, and background together in the RepDB animation preview. The original comparison has a live motion example; DEV's image proxy does not reliably preserve that transparent animated WebP.
Where each dataset fits
ExerciseDB: a larger advertised catalogue
ExerciseDB lists 1,394 entries. Starter provides self-hosted data and 180px/360px GIFs for $199; Pro adds 720px/1080px GIFs, taxonomy, and relationships for $599. Those are raw entry counts; I have not deduplicated the catalogue.
It is worth shortlisting if coverage breadth and a one-time file download are your priorities. Check the actual exercises you need and whether the opaque GIF style fits your product.
WorkoutX: a hosted exercise API
WorkoutX supplies exercise metadata and GIFs through an API. Its free plan lists 500 requests per month; paid monthly plans range from $9.99 to $24.99.
It fits developers who prefer hosted delivery to managing a local bundle. Check request quotas and caching terms against your expected traffic and offline requirements.
free-exercise-db: a free start with real photographs
free-exercise-db is easy to clone and useful for prototypes that suit gym photography. The code and JSON are published under the Unlicense. For commercial use, review the photographs' provenance as well as the repository license.
The UI tradeoff is visible in the examples: framing, backgrounds, and image dimensions vary. Choose it if the free starting point and photography suit your app.
RepDB Standard: a consistent animated exercise library
RepDB Standard is built for fitness apps that need smooth looping animations, transparent backgrounds, and one consistent character. You can use the same classic assets across light mode, dark mode, and brand surfaces, then host them yourself or bundle them for offline use.
The September 4, 2026 paid snapshot contains 608 exercise records: 496 with motion clips and 112 with static illustrations. Standard costs $499 once and includes classic + flat stills, transparent classic assets, JSON/SQLite, exercise relations, workout templates, and embeddings. Instructions in EN/DE/ES are also included.
Starter is $299 for the same paid exercise list with classic + flat stills and JSON. Animations and transparent classic assets are Standard features. Both paid tiers cover commercial use in your own products without required attribution; client deployments under another company's brand require Custom.
The practical reason to pay for Standard is the visual system: your exercise screens keep the same character and style while your app controls the surface. Inspect the movements that matter to your product before choosing a library.
Browse the animation preview →
Can I start with RepDB for free?
Yes. The separate 601-exercise public snapshot has JSON, flat 512×512 WebP images, instructions, muscles, equipment, MET values, goals, and tags. It permits commercial in-app use with visible attribution. It can lag behind the paid catalogue and does not include a production license for the animation samples.
Browse the free viewer or download the GitHub dataset. Free fits apps that need still illustrations; Standard is the upgrade when you need transparent animations and the consistent classic character.
My recommendation by use case
- A fitness app with animated demonstrations, dark mode, and a consistent character: evaluate RepDB Standard.
- A larger advertised entry count with self-hosted GIFs: compare ExerciseDB's coverage with your exercise list.
- A hosted API instead of local files: evaluate WorkoutX's quotas and delivery terms.
- A free prototype built around gym photographs: consider free-exercise-db.
- A free app using consistent flat illustrations: start with RepDB Free Tier.
If you are also considering Vital Animations, GymVisual, or Movekit, I compared their visual approaches and public previews in this exercise animation library comparison.
Sources and scope
Public pricing and delivery information checked September 8, 2026:
- ExerciseDB:
exercisedb.io/pricingandexercisedb.io/terms. - WorkoutX:
workoutxapp.comandworkoutxapp.com/terms.html. - free-exercise-db:
github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db. - RepDB: pricing, license, and the September 4 shipping snapshot.
File-level competitor observations date to July 2026. RepDB's motion count refers to exercise records, not necessarily unique clips; close variants can share an animation. The public Free count was checked September 8. I build and sell RepDB; third-party names and sample imagery are used for identification and comparison.
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