How to Show a Rep Counter on Your Workout Videos

Strength training content lives and dies on reps. But counting reps out loud sounds awkward, and adding rep numbers in post-production means manually keyframing text for every single set. FitCam's rep counter overlay handles this automatically — the count updates live on screen as you move.

How the rep counter overlay works

The rep counter uses your iPhone's motion sensors and camera to detect repetitive movement patterns. As you complete each rep — whether it's a push-up, squat, curl, or pull-up — the counter increments on screen. The number is displayed as part of the overlay, alongside heart rate and zone if you want those too.

What exercises it works with

• Push-ups and variations
• Squats and goblet squats
• Bicep curls and hammer curls
• Lunges
• Pull-ups and chin-ups
• Dips
• Bodyweight rows
• Any exercise with a consistent, cyclical movement pattern

Setting up rep counter recording

1. Open FitCam and choose a strength or gym overlay that includes the rep counter.
2. Position your phone so your full range of motion is visible in the frame — this also helps the motion detection.
3. Start an Apple Watch workout session for heart rate data.
4. Begin your set. The counter starts at 0 and increments with each rep.
5. Rest between sets — the counter resets when you start the next set.

Why rep counters improve gym content

A visible rep count adds structure to the viewing experience. Viewers aren't trying to count along — they can focus on your form, your range of motion, and the effort displayed by your heart rate. It also makes clips more shareable as challenge content: '3 sets of 20, heart rate hit Zone 4 by rep 15.'

Combining reps with heart rate

The most compelling strength content combines both metrics. Viewers see the rep count climb while the heart rate climbs with it — then watch both numbers fall during rest. This visual story of effort and recovery is genuinely interesting and communicates training intensity better than any caption.