Hevy Routine Creator

Quick Start

<skill-dir>/bin/hevy auth <key>           # Authenticate (get key from hevy.com/settings)
<skill-dir>/bin/hevy exercises search "squat"
<skill-dir>/bin/hevy routines template > routine.json
# Edit routine.json
<skill-dir>/bin/hevy routines create routine.json

For all commands: <skill-dir>/bin/hevy --help

Workflow

1. Parse workout plan - extract exercises, sets, reps, weights, rest times
2. Look up exercise IDs - hevy exercises search <name>
3. Build routine JSON - start with hevy routines template
4. Create routine - hevy routines create file.json

Critical Rules

• NEVER use @ in notes (causes silent 400 errors)
• ALWAYS wrap: {"routine": {...}} not bare object
• ALWAYS match set properties to exercise type:
  • weight_reps → weight_kg, reps
  • reps_only → reps only (NO weight!)
  • duration → duration_seconds
  • distance_duration → distance_meters, duration_seconds
  • short_distance_weight → distance_meters, weight_kg (Farmers Walk, Sled Push/Pull)
• NEVER guess IDs - always hevy exercises search

Exercise Type Decision

User describes...	Exercise Type	Set Properties
Weight + reps ("3x10 @ 135lb")	weight_reps	weight_kg, reps
Just reps ("3x12 pull-ups")	reps_only	reps only
Time hold ("60s plank")	duration	duration_seconds
Distance + time ("500m row")	distance_duration	distance_meters, duration_seconds
Distance + weight ("50m farmers walk @ 80kg")	short_distance_weight	distance_meters, weight_kg

When unsure: hevy exercises get <id> shows the exercise type.

Interpreting Workout Plans

Supersets:

• "A1/A2", "superset", "paired" → same superset_id (integers: 0, 1, 2...)
• "Circuit" or "EMOM" → all exercises share one superset_id
• Separate exercises → superset_id: null

Rest: Goes on LAST exercise of superset only

AMRAP/Max effort: Use "reps": null

Example superset structure:

{
  "exercise_template_id": "79D0BB3A",
  "superset_id": 0,
  "rest_seconds": null,
  "sets": [{"type": "normal", "weight_kg": 80, "reps": 10}]
},
{
  "exercise_template_id": "1B2B1E7C",
  "superset_id": 0,
  "rest_seconds": 90,
  "sets": [{"type": "normal", "reps": 8}]
}

Common Exercise IDs

Use hevy exercises search for current IDs. These are reference examples:

Exercise	ID	Type
Squat (Barbell)	D04AC939	weight_reps
Deadlift (Barbell)	C6272009	weight_reps
Bench Press (Barbell)	79D0BB3A	weight_reps
Overhead Press (Barbell)	AE23FF09	weight_reps
Pull Up	1B2B1E7C	reps_only
Push Up	392887AA	reps_only
Rowing Machine	0222DB42	distance_duration
Stretching	527DA061	duration
Farmers Walk	49742539	short_distance_weight

Before Creating Custom Exercises

1. Search partial names ("row" not "cable row")
2. Check equipment variants (Barbell, Dumbbell, Cable, Machine)
3. Try alternate names ("Skull Crushers" = "Lying Tricep Extension")

Unit Conversion

User provides lbs → convert to kg: weight_kg = lbs / 2.205

Round to nearest 0.5 kg for practical loading.

Handling Search Results

Scenario	Action
Exact match	Use that ID
Multiple similar (e.g., "Squat" returns Barbell, Dumbbell, Smith)	Pick equipment variant matching user's context
No results	Try shorter term ("tricep" not "tricep pushdown cable")
Still nothing	Create custom exercise only as last resort

Bulk Import Strategy

For programs with 10+ routines:

1. Build all JSON files first
2. Create one routine, verify it appears correctly in app
3. Create remaining with 2-second delays between calls
4. If 429 error: wait 60s, resume from failed routine

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Fix
HTML response	@ in notes	Replace with "at"
Exercise not found	Typo	Search partial name
401 Unauthorized	Bad API key	hevy auth test
429 Rate limit	Too many requests	Wait 60s, then retry
400 Bad Request	Wrong set properties for exercise type	Check exercise type with hevy exercises get <id>
Field not allowed	Read-only field in update	Remove id, created_at, updated_at fields
Sets rejected	weight_kg on reps_only exercise	Remove weight, use only reps

CLI vs This File

Need	Use
Exact command syntax, all flags	hevy <command> --help
Workflow, gotchas, interpretation rules	This file
Exploring all capabilities	hevy --help