Overview
Exercises works by analyzing the exercise data provided and returning information on various exercises. It uses various sources to determine the information on exercises and returns the data.
Endpoint
One host, one path per API. The block below shows this call in four languages; every one of them is the same HTTP request. Making requests covers the timeouts, retries and parameter rules that apply to all of them. The SDKs wrap the same call in a typed client.
curl "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/exercises?muscle=chest&name=barbell&equipment=barbell" \
-H "x-api-key: your_api_key_here"const res = await fetch('https://api.apiverve.com/v1/exercises?muscle=chest&name=barbell&equipment=barbell', {
headers: { 'x-api-key': 'your_api_key_here' },
});
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${res.status} ${await res.text()}`);
const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(data);import requests
res = requests.get(
"https://api.apiverve.com/v1/exercises?muscle=chest&name=barbell&equipment=barbell",
headers={"x-api-key": "your_api_key_here"},
timeout=15,
)
res.raise_for_status()
print(res.json()["data"])package main
import (
"fmt"
"io"
"net/http"
)
func main() {
req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/exercises?muscle=chest&name=barbell&equipment=barbell", nil)
req.Header.Set("x-api-key", "your_api_key_here")
res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
if err != nil {
panic(err)
}
defer res.Body.Close()
out, _ := io.ReadAll(res.Body)
fmt.Println(string(out))
}Replace your_api_key_here with the key from your dashboard. When the inputs arrive as a list rather than one at a time, batch requests run up to 200 of them through this same API in a single call.
Authentication
Send your key in the x-api-key header. That is the only auth step — there is no token exchange and no per-endpoint scope to configure. Authentication covers creating, rotating and revoking keys.
A 401 means the key is missing, invalid or expired. A 403 means the key is valid but not permitted here — blocked by a key restriction or an IP allow-list. Running out of credits is a 429.
Parameters
Sent in the query string. Premium parameters are accepted on every plan but only take effect on plans that include them.
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
muscleRequired | string | The muscle group to get exercises forabdominalsabductorsadductorsbicepscalveschestforearmsglutes+9 |
nameOptional | string | The name of the exercise to get information about |
equipmentOptional | string | The equipment used for the exercisebarbelldumbbellcablemachinebody_onlykettlebellsbandsfoam_roll+4 |
Response
Every API returns the same three top-level keys, so one response handler covers your whole integration: status, error and data. Only data changes shape. Response format covers the envelope, the other output formats and how premium fields are withheld.
{
"status": "ok",
"error": null,
"data": {
"count": 5,
"filteredOn": [
"name",
"muscle"
],
"exercises": [
{
"name": "Barbell Ab Rollout",
"force": "pull",
"level": "intermediate",
"mechanic": "compound",
"equipment": "barbell",
"instructions": [
"For this exercise you will need to get into a pushup position, but instead of having your hands of the floor, you will be grabbing on to an Olympic barbell (loaded with 5-10 lbs on each side) instead. This will be your starting position.",
"While keeping a slight arch on your back, lift your hips and roll the barbell towards your feet as you exhale. Tip: As you perform the movement, your glutes should be coming up, you should be keeping the abs tight and should maintain your back posture at all times. Also your arms should be staying perpendicular to the floor throughout the movement. If you don't, you will work out your shoulders and back more than the abs.",
"After a second contraction at the top, start to roll the barbell back forward to the starting position slowly as you inhale.",
"Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions."
],
"muscle": "biceps"
},
{
"name": "Barbell Ab Rollout - On Knees",
"force": "pull",
"level": "expert",
"mechanic": "compound",
"equipment": "barbell",
"instructions": [
"Hold an Olympic barbell loaded with 5-10lbs on each side and kneel on the floor.",
"Now place the barbell on the floor in front of you so that you are on all your hands and knees (as in a kneeling push up position). This will be your starting position.",
"Slowly roll the barbell straight forward, stretching your body into a straight position. Tip: Go down as far as you can without touching the floor with your body. Breathe in during this portion of the movement.",
"After a second pause at the stretched position, start pulling yourself back to the starting position as you breathe out. Tip: Go slowly and keep your abs tight at all times."
],
"muscle": "biceps"
},
{
"name": "Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip",
"force": "push",
"level": "beginner",
"mechanic": "compound",
"equipment": "barbell",
"instructions": [
"Lie back on a flat bench. Using a medium width grip (a grip that creates a 90-degree angle in the middle of the movement between the forearms and the upper arms), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked. This will be your starting position.",
"From the starting position, breathe in and begin coming down slowly until the bar touches your middle chest.",
"After a brief pause, push the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out. Focus on pushing the bar using your chest muscles. Lock your arms and squeeze your chest in the contracted position at the top of the motion, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: Ideally, lowering the weight should take about twice as long as raising it.",
"Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.",
"When you are done, place the bar back in the rack."
],
"muscle": "biceps"
},
{
"name": "Barbell Curl",
"force": "pull",
"level": "beginner",
"mechanic": "isolation",
"equipment": "barbell",
"instructions": [
"Stand up with your torso upright while holding a barbell at a shoulder-width grip. The palm of your hands should be facing forward and the elbows should be close to the torso. This will be your starting position.",
"While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Tip: Only the forearms should move.",
"Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second and squeeze the biceps hard.",
"Slowly begin to bring the bar back to starting position as your breathe in.",
"Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions."
],
"muscle": "biceps"
},
{
"name": "Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline",
"force": "pull",
"level": "beginner",
"mechanic": "isolation",
"equipment": "barbell",
"instructions": [
"Lie against an incline bench, with your arms holding a barbell and hanging down in a horizontal line. This will be your starting position.",
"While keeping the upper arms stationary, curl the weight up as high as you can while squeezing the biceps. Breathe out as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Only the forearms should move. Do not swing the arms.",
"After a second contraction, slowly go back to the starting position as you inhale. Tip: Make sure that you go all of the way down.",
"Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions."
],
"muscle": "biceps"
}
]
}
}Response fields
Paths are relative to data. Premium fields are absent rather than zeroed on plans that do not include them, so check for presence instead of comparing to 0.
| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
count | number | 5 | Total number of exercises returned |
filteredOn | array | [name, ...] | Fields used to filter exercise results |
exercises | array[5] | Array of exercise objects with detailed information | |
name | string | "Barbell Ab Rollout" | Official name of the exercise |
force | string | "pull" | Force type: push or pull motion |
levelPremium | string | "intermediate" | Difficulty level: beginner, intermediate, or expert |
mechanicPremium | string | "compound" | Exercise mechanics: compound or isolation movement |
equipment | string | "barbell" | Type of equipment required for exercise |
instructionsPremium | array | [For this exercise you will need to get into a pushup position, but instead of having your hands of the floor, you will be grabbing on to an Olympic barbell (loaded with 5-10 lbs on each side) instead. This will be your starting position., ...] | Step-by-step instructions for performing exercise |
muscle | string | "biceps" | Primary muscle group targeted by exercise |
Errors
Read the HTTP status first, then error for the specific reason. The body names the parameter that has to change. Error handling covers the full status list and which of them are worth retrying.
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
400 | Input was rejected | Read error; it names the parameter. |
401 | Key missing or invalid | Check the header name and the key value. |
403 | Key valid, but not permitted | A key restriction or IP allow-list; see key scoping. |
429 | Rate limited, or out of credits | Read error to tell them apart; see rate limits. |
Other ways to use Exercises
Set up Exercises on APIVerve, or reach the same source a different way. Your APIVerve account and credits work on all of them — one key, one balance.
Related
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