Rest Timer

Consistent rest periods are key to getting the right training stimulus. PT Tracker’s rest timer takes the guesswork out by starting automatically and staying visible without blocking your workout.

How it works

When you complete a set during a workout, the rest timer starts immediately. You don’t need to tap anything extra — it just begins counting down.

Overlay notification

The timer appears as a floating overlay at the top of your screen. This means you can:

Scroll through your workout to review upcoming exercises.
Check your previous set’s numbers.
Read AI Coach suggestions.

The overlay stays visible across all workout screens. When time is up, you’ll get a vibration and visual alert so you know it’s time for your next set.

Dismissing the timer

Tap the overlay to expand it, or swipe it away if you want to start your set early. The timer won’t block you from logging your next set — it’s informational, not a gate.

Customising duration

Different exercises benefit from different rest periods. PT Tracker lets you set rest duration at the exercise level:

Compound lifts (squat, bench, deadlift) — Typically 2–5 minutes for strength work.
Isolation exercises (curls, lateral raises) — Usually 60–90 seconds.
Supersets — Minimal rest between paired exercises, full rest after completing the pair. See supersets and dropsets for details.

To change the default rest time for an exercise, tap the exercise name in your workout and adjust the rest timer setting. This preference saves per exercise, so you only need to set it once.

Global default

If you haven’t set a per-exercise duration, the app uses your global default. You can change this in Settings > Workout > Rest Timer Duration. Most users start with 90 seconds and adjust from there.

Tips

Shorter rest (60–90s) biases towards hypertrophy and muscular endurance. Longer rest (3–5 min) supports maximal strength.
The timer integrates with workout tracking — your rest time data is logged alongside your sets so you can review it later.
If you prefer to manage rest yourself, you can disable the auto-start in settings and trigger the timer manually.