Adding Exercises to the Workout Tracker

File Location

All exercises are defined in: src/data/popularExercises.ts

File Structure

The file is organized by MUSCLE GROUP → EQUIPMENT TYPE, with exercises sorted alphabetically within each section:

CHEST ├── Barbell (1) ├── Dumbbell (1) ├── Cable (2) ├── Machine (5) └── Bodyweight (7) BACK └── ...

The file header contains a summary showing counts for each muscle/equipment combination.

Exercise Schema

{ name: string // Unique name (duplicates throw runtime error) equipment: Equipment muscle: Muscle type: ExerciseType metrics: Metrics }

Valid Types

Field Valid Values

equipment

'barbell' , 'dumbbell' , 'machine' , 'cable' , 'bodyweight' , 'kettlebell' , 'band' , 'ez-bar' , 'hex-bar' , 'club' , 'battle-rope'

muscle

'chest' , 'back' , 'legs' , 'shoulders' , 'arms' , 'core'

type

'compound' , 'isolation' , 'stability' , 'cardio' , 'isometric'

metrics

'weight-reps' , 'reps-only' , 'duration' , 'distance-duration' , 'weight-distance'

Metrics Guidelines

Equipment/Type Typical Metrics

Weighted exercises (barbell, dumbbell, machine, cable, kettlebell) 'weight-reps'

Bodyweight strength 'reps-only'

Holds/planks 'duration'

Cardio (running, rowing) 'distance-duration'

Type Guidelines

Type Description Examples

compound

Multi-joint movements Squats, Deadlifts, Bench Press

isolation

Single-joint movements Bicep Curls, Leg Extensions

stability

Dynamic balance/core exercises Bird Dogs, Single-Leg Deadlift

cardio

High heart rate Burpees, Jump Rope

isometric

Static holds under tension Wall Sit, Dead Hang, L-Sit Hold

How to Add Exercises

Step 1: Check What Exists

Read the file header summary to see current counts:

• • LEGS (71): barbell: 8, dumbbell: 9, kettlebell: 3, cable: 3, machine: 26, bodyweight: 22

Or search for specific exercises:

grep -i "squat" src/data/popularExercises.ts

Step 2: Find the Right Section

Exercises are organized by muscle group, then equipment. Find the correct section:

// ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ // LEGS // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

// --- Legs: Barbell (8) --- { name: 'Barbell Calf Raises', equipment: 'barbell', muscle: 'legs', type: 'isolation', metrics: 'weight-reps' },

Step 3: Add in Alphabetical Order

Insert the new exercise in the correct alphabetical position within its section:

// --- Legs: Barbell (8) --- ← Update count to (9) { name: 'Barbell Calf Raises', equipment: 'barbell', muscle: 'legs', type: 'isolation', metrics: 'weight-reps' }, { name: 'Barbell Good Mornings', equipment: 'barbell', muscle: 'legs', type: 'compound', metrics: 'weight-reps' }, { name: 'Barbell Hack Squat', equipment: 'barbell', muscle: 'legs', type: 'compound', metrics: 'weight-reps' }, ← NEW { name: 'Barbell Hip Thrust', equipment: 'barbell', muscle: 'legs', type: 'compound', metrics: 'weight-reps' },

Step 4: Update Counts

• Update the section comment count: // --- Legs: Barbell (8) --- → (9)

• Update the file header summary

Step 5: Verify

Run type-check to ensure no duplicates or type errors:

pnpm type-check

The file has runtime duplicate detection - if you add a duplicate name, it will throw an error immediately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Duplicate names: Every exercise name must be unique across ALL muscles/equipment

• Wrong section: Always add to the correct muscle AND equipment section

• Not alphabetical: Keep exercises sorted A-Z within each section

• Forgetting counts: Update both the section count and header summary

• Wrong metrics: Use 'weight-reps' for weighted, 'reps-only' for bodyweight

Example: Adding Multiple Exercises

When adding multiple exercises at once:

• Group them by muscle → equipment

• Add each to its correct section alphabetically

• Update all affected counts

• Run pnpm type-check once at the end