Top Set Timer

Top Set Timer times your rest and intervals. Most HIIT timers assume fixed work and rest blocks. In strength training, sets take as long as they take, so here you finish the set, rack the bar, and tap once to start your rest.

Why I built it

A heavy set of squats might take 20 seconds one day and 45 the next. What I actually wanted to time was the rest after the set, and the timers I tried didn’t handle that well.

Modes

Rest

The timer starts when you tap it after a set. This suits self-paced work and the longer two to five minute rests common in barbell and powerlifting programs.

HIIT

Repeats work and rest intervals, for conditioning, circuits, and finishers.

EMOM

Every minute on the minute, or any other interval you choose.

Good for

• Barbell strength programs and powerlifting
• Bodyweight and calisthenics workouts
• Sprints and hill runs
• Conditioning blocks in the gym

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Support

Frequently asked questions

How do I change the rest duration? Tap the time on the main screen. You can set anything from 10 seconds to 10 minutes.

How do I switch modes? Use the mode selector at the top of the screen.

Does the timer work in the background? Yes. It keeps running and alerts you when the app is in the background or the screen is locked.

How do I change the alerts? Sound, vibration, and notification options are in the app’s settings.

Is my data backed up? No. Settings are stored only on your device and aren’t synced to the cloud.

Troubleshooting

Notifications don’t arrive. Make sure notifications are on for Top Set Timer in Settings > Notifications, and that Do Not Disturb is off while you train.

There’s no sound. Check that your phone isn’t in silent mode and that sound is turned on in the app’s settings.

The app crashes or freezes. Close and reopen it. If that doesn’t help, delete and reinstall it. You’ll need to set your preferences again afterward.

Contact

For problems not covered here, or for feedback and feature requests, email gregmcinnescontact@gmail.com. It helps if you include:

• Your device model, such as iPhone 15 Pro
• Your iOS version (Settings > General > About)
• What happened, or what you’d like to see
• Screenshots, if you have them

I usually reply within one or two business days.

Privacy

Top Set Timer doesn’t collect, store, or transmit personal data. Everything stays on your device and is never shared with anyone. See the privacy policy for details.