The HoldOut Guide
HoldOut is a free browser stopwatch built around one simple question: how long can you hold it, right now? You pick a bodyweight position, a giant count-up clock fills the screen, and the second you drop it stamps a personal-best record you can screenshot and share. There is no account, no download, and nothing to set up. This guide explains what the toy is, how the clock works, a few honest tips for getting a cleaner run, and answers to the questions people ask most.
What HoldOut is (and isn’t)
HoldOut is an entertainment challenge toy: a stopwatch you race against your own record. You choose one of seven generic holds — plank, wall sit, dead hang, hollow hold, superman, glute bridge, or side plank — and the app times you. That is the whole product. It is not a coach and gives no form correction, training plans, rep counts, calorie math, or health metrics. It only counts seconds. Whether an activity is right for you, and how long to do it, is entirely your call — HoldOut is for fun, not fitness or medical advice.
How to play
From the home screen, tap a hold to open its pace-clock. Tap once to start, and the numbers begin climbing from zero in big mechanical split-flap digits. If you already have a record for that hold, a faint “ghost” line shows the time to beat so you always know how close you are. Get into your position, hold it, and when you can’t hold any longer, tap anywhere to drop. If you beat your old time, a Personal Best medal card strikes into place — ready to screenshot or share by link. Tap Replay to go again, or Change Hold to switch. Your records live in your own browser, so they are there when you come back.
Tips for a cleaner run
- Warm up first. A cold start ends fast. Move around for a minute so your first attempt actually reflects what you’ve got.
- Watch the ghost line, not the number. Chasing the faint “beat this” marker is far more motivating than staring at the raw seconds ticking up.
- Stop the moment it feels wrong. Pain, shaking you can’t control, or dizziness means drop — a record is never worth pushing past your own limits for.
- Compete against yesterday, not anyone else. The only number that matters is your last one. Adding a second or two per session adds up fast.
- Prop your phone where you can see it. The clock is huge on purpose — set it at eye level so a glance is enough.
- Share the medal to keep yourself honest. Posting a personal best is a low-key way to make next week’s attempt count.
FAQ
Is HoldOut free? Yes. It is free and ad-supported, with no account and no paywall. Everything works in your browser.
Where are my records stored? On your device, in your browser’s local storage. Nothing is tied to an account, and clearing your browser data clears your records.
Can I share a personal best? Yes. When you beat a record, the medal card can be screenshotted or shared as a link that renders your result for anyone who opens it — no account needed on their end either.
Does it tell me how to do the holds correctly? No. HoldOut only times a hold you already choose to do. It offers no technique, form, or coaching guidance of any kind.
Is this fitness or medical advice? No. HoldOut is an entertainment toy, not fitness, training, or medical advice. If you have any doubt about whether an activity is safe for you, check with a qualified professional first.
Ready? Pick a hold and start the clock. See also our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.