Thenx vs Busy Dad Training
Thenx and Busy Dad Training both sit in the bodyweight space, but their philosophies differ. Thenx is about calisthenics skills and variety; Busy Dad Training is about disciplined burpee mastery. Here's how they compare for busy men training at home.
Updated 2026-07-28
At a glance
How they compare
Busy Dad Training — best for busy dads who want zero-friction bodyweight training
Thenx offers calisthenics workouts and skill paths (beginner to advanced) with follow-along videos. However, the team is increasingly focused on their 'Streamer University' pivot into the creator economy and gaming space — the fitness app is no longer their primary focus. Their Google Play rating (3.83★) reflects user frustration with this shift.
Best for: Men who want calisthenics variety and skill goals with a bar at home — but the company's attention is elsewhere.
Pros
- Fixed 20-minute sessions with no decision fatigue.
- No equipment — train anywhere.
- Clear level progression with objective benchmarks.
- £9.99/mo or £99.99/yr (~£8.33/month billed annually).
- Full app: timer, level tracking, community.
Cons
- Narrow exercise menu — two movements only.
- Not for those who want exercise variety or barbell work.
- Upper levels are demanding; Graduation is a long-term goal.
Thenx — Men who want calisthenics variety and skill goals with a bar at home — but the company's attention is elsewhere.
Thenx offers calisthenics workouts and skill paths (beginner to advanced) with follow-along videos. However, the team is increasingly focused on their 'Streamer University' pivot into the creator economy and gaming space — the fitness app is no longer their primary focus. Their Google Play rating (3.83★) reflects user frustration with this shift.
Pros
- Structured skill progressions with technique breakdowns.
- Workouts can be relatively short for technique sessions.
- Large YouTube community (13.2M combined subs) — though less app-focused now.
Cons
- Pull-up bar strongly recommended for full value.
- Declining app focus as the company pivots to creator economy (Streamer University).
- Higher subscription price than BDT ($19.99/mo vs £9.99/mo) with a 3.83★ rating.
The verdict
“If you have a pull-up bar and want calisthenics skill variety with the backing of a big YouTube brand, Thenx is an option — but the company is clearly pivoting away from fitness toward the creator economy, and their 3.83★ rating reflects user frustration. If you want a focused, actively maintained, no-equipment system — 20 minutes, two movements, four levels — Busy Dad Training is more focused, more affordable, and not a side project.”
Why choose Busy Dad Training?
- No equipment at all — not even a pull-up bar. Train anywhere.
- Fixed 20-minute sessions with zero planning. Thenx sessions vary and often assume you have time for longer skill work.
- Lower price: £9.99/month vs Thenx Premium at $19.99/month — less than half the cost for a programme with a 3.83★ user rating.
- Single clear goal: progress through the levels. No choice paralysis between 50 different skill paths — and unlike Thenx, the app IS the company's focus, not a side project.
- The company behind it is 100% committed to fitness, not pivoting to gaming or the creator economy.
Where Thenx wins
- Thenx offers pull-up and dip progression that builds upper body mass and skill in ways burpees alone cannot.
- Larger YouTube presence (13.2M subs) and established brand in street workout culture.
- Follow-along video library for dozens of exercises — though app updates are slowing.
Key difference
Thenx and Busy Dad Training serve different training philosophies.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need equipment for Thenx?
- Thenx works best with a pull-up bar. Many programmes and skill progressions assume bar access. Busy Dad Training requires zero equipment.
- Which app is better for pure bodyweight training?
- Both offer bodyweight training, but they've diverged. Thenx is now primarily a creator-economy brand (Streamer University) with a fitness app on the side — rating 3.83★. Busy Dad Training is a dedicated fitness app with ongoing updates, a clear level system, and no distraction from other ventures.
- Is Thenx more expensive than Busy Dad Training?
- Thenx Premium is $19.99/month or $119.99/year. Busy Dad Training is from £9.99/month or £99.99/year (~£8.33/month billed annually). That's less than half the cost for a focused programme that isn't losing developer attention to a gaming pivot.
How do I get started with Busy Dad Training?
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