Best 8 Warm Up Timers in 2026: Reviewed & Ranked

Introduction

Home Workout Timer & Tracker is the best warm up timer for most people. You get custom warm-up, work, rest, and cool-down phases without clutter. This guide covers eight timer apps for iPhone and Android, ranked by how well they handle dedicated warm-up periods.

Quick comparison table

1. Home Workout Timer & Tracker

Best for: a no-fuss warm-up timer for strength, mobility, and general training.

Home Workout Timer & Tracker is our top pick for a warm up timer. Set your warm-up, work, and rest phases once, then hit start and move. There is no mid-session fiddling or constant screen-checking. You focus on the movement, not the phone.

Most people use it for a five to ten minute mobility warm-up that flows right into timed strength sets or cool-down stretches. You can use Templates, Custom, or Saved Trainings. Blocks can be set by seconds, reps, meters, or distance. It skips complicated preset libraries but still gives you enough structure for repeat sessions.

Standout features:

• Dedicated warm-up, work, rest, and cool-down phases
• Custom sessions by time, reps, meters, or distance
• Saved routines for one-tap repeat warm-ups
• Optional live distance tracking on running segments

Get Home Workout Timer & Tracker | Home Workout Timer & Tracker on the App Store

2. ChalkTimer

Best for: gymnastics meets that need warm-up to competition timing.

ChalkTimer runs the clock from warm-ups straight through to competition without switching apps. That flow matters when gymnasts are rotating and nobody wants to reset a timer between groups. It works offline, so a weak gym signal will not interrupt timing. Built by coaches and meet directors, the app reflects real meet logistics better than generic interval timers. Available on iOS and Android.

3. Interval Timer: Tabata Timer

Best for: simple Android Tabata and HIIT-style warm-ups.

This Android timer lets you add a dedicated warm-up period before the main Tabata or HIIT block. Round lengths, rest intervals, and set counts are configurable in a few taps, without deep menus. It also works for sports outside the gym, such as court drills or sprint warm-ups. The interface is simple: open it, set your phases, and go. Android-only.

4. Interval Timer - HIIT & Tabata

Best for: detailed Android training phases.

This Android app separates warm-up, preparation, and exercise time into distinct blocks. Color-coded training phases show where you are at a glance, and individual signal alerts announce changes without forcing you to watch the screen. It is a good fit when you want more structure than a simple work/rest timer, especially for a planned warm-up before conditioning. Android-only.

5. Seconds Interval Timer

Best for: highly customizable cross-platform timers.

Seconds Interval Timer supports separate warm-up, work, rest, and cool-down phases. You can set different durations, colors, and alerts per block, then run the entire sequence without touching the phone. Text-to-speech alerts call out phase changes, so your eyes stay off the screen during mobility warm-ups. It has a learning curve, but the customization depth is useful. Available on iOS and Android.

6. Precision Interval Timer

Best for: pre-programming an entire workout without resetting timers.

Precision Interval Timer lets you stack warm-up, conditioning, and cool-down durations into one running timeline. Instead of stopping to reset intervals, you set the full session in advance and let the app move through each phase. That no-stop flow is the main benefit for performance training or longer warm-ups. It suits athletes who want a structured warm-up before conditioning, not a loose gym timer. iPhone-only.

7. Best Interval Timer

Best for: coach-style guidance that keeps you on track.

Best Interval Timer acts like a simple coaching voice. You edit routines to include warm-up intervals and high- or low-intensity blocks, then follow the cues without clock-watching. It is not a deep interval builder, but that is the advantage: less setup, more movement. The app works best for users who want the timer to direct the session, not for complex exercise programming. iPhone-only.

8. Exercise Timer

Best for: visual learners who want custom intervals with GIFs.

Exercise Timer lets you create custom intervals with dedicated warm-up time and attach GIFs to each movement. That visual cue helps during dynamic warm-ups because you can glance at the phone and see the exercise instead of reading text. Alerts can be customized per phase, so the warm-up transition sounds different from the work period. Available on iOS and Android.

How we picked these apps

Every app on this list had to include a dedicated warm-up phase, not just generic work/rest intervals. We compared iPhone and Android options, then matched them to specific use cases: gymnastics meet timing, Tabata warm-ups, general gym sessions, and visual learners. We prioritized timers that reduce screen-checking through audio cues, color changes, or pre-set phase sequences. Home Workout Timer & Tracker earned the top spot because it balances simplicity and control for most warm-up needs. We only link directly to Home Workout Timer & Tracker in this article.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a good warm-up timer app?

A good warm up timer app includes a separate warm-up phase, clear audio or visual alerts, and a way to move into work or rest without resetting mid-session.

Do Tabata timers work for warm-ups?

Yes, if the Tabata timer lets you add a custom warm-up period before the intervals begin. A timer that only does work and rest rounds is not ideal for a dedicated warm-up.

Are warm-up timer apps free?

Many have free versions or trials, but premium features vary. Some apps on this list are iPhone-only or Android-only, so check the comparison table before downloading.

The verdict

For a dedicated warm up timer that stays out of the way, Home Workout Timer & Tracker is the best overall pick. It gives you custom warm-up, work, and rest phases without clutter, so you can set the session once and just move. Get it here: Get Home Workout Timer & Tracker.