Strength exercise data via API

exerciseapi.dev serves 881 strength exercises out of 2198 total, as structured JSON over one REST API and a first-party MCP server. Each record carries muscles worked, equipment, mechanic, difficulty, and step-by-step instructions.

Traditional resistance training

Sample strength exercises

1.5 Rep Squatrectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis · barbell · intermediate
3/4 Sit-Uprectus abdominis · body only · beginner
Ab Crunch Machinerectus abdominis · machine · intermediate
Ab Rollerrectus abdominis · other · intermediate
Accommodating Resistance Deadliftbiceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus · barbell · advanced
Advanced Kettlebell Windmillrectus abdominis, obliques internal, obliques external · kettlebell · intermediate

Fetch strength exercises

cURL

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  "https://api.exerciseapi.dev/v1/exercises?category=strength&limit=20"

Use it from your AI coding agent

Add the MCP server to Claude Code or Cursor, then ask your agent for exercises directly. Paste the snippet into your MCP config, or paste it into the agent and ask it to install the server.

MCP config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exerciseapi": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@exerciseapi/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "EXERCISEAPI_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Building a workout or fitness app? Get a free API key and start with the strength catalog.