Magnetic Phone Holder Solutions for the Gym: Secure Your Phone During Workouts

Magnetic Phone Holder Solutions for the Gym: Secure Your Phone During Workouts

Keeping your phone safe and accessible at the gym can be a challenge. Many of us end up placing our phones on the floor or wedging them against a water bottle while we lift, risking damage or inconvenient angles. Fortunately, magnetic gym phone holders have emerged as a clever solution. These holders let you stick your phone onto metal equipment (racks, machines, etc.) so you can easily watch workout videos, change music, or record your form. In this post, we’ll explore the best magnetic phone holder solutions for gym-goers, how they work (for both iPhone MagSafe and Android devices), and compare popular options – including our own Blaubeck Magnetic Gym Phone Holder. Let’s dive in!

Why Use a Magnetic Phone Holder at the Gym?

Using a magnetic phone mount in the gym offers several benefits:

  • Keep Your Phone Off the Floor: No more leaving your phone on dirty gym floors or precariously balancing it on a bench. A magnet holder lets you stick the phone at eye level on a treadmill, squat rack, or cable machine. This protects your phone from being stepped on or knocked over.

  • Easy Access to Music/Apps: Sticking your phone on equipment means you can quickly skip songs, check your workout app, or read messages without interrupting your exercise. It’s hands-free convenience – your phone screen stays in view.

  • Record Workouts & Form: For those who film their lifts or cardio sessions, a magnetic mount acts like a tripod alternative. You can attach the phone to a metal surface and record stable video of your form or gym content without asking someone to film. This is great for tracking progress or creating fitness videos.

  • Fast Attachment & Removal: Magnets make it effortless to mount or grab your phone. There’s no fiddling with clamps or straps each set – just snap your phone on when you need it, and pull it off when you’re done. One Reddit user praised this ease of use, noting that a magnetic grip “sticks phone to metal, works as a stand, works as a grip, then detaches completely when you don’t need it – better than having to glue something to your case”. In short, it streamlines your gym routine.

Of course, to get these benefits you need a reliable magnetic holder. Not all magnets are created equal – some weaker mounts can slip or drop your phone if not designed well. In the next sections, we’ll look at what features to consider in a gym phone mount and then review some of the top solutions available.

What to Look For in a Magnetic Gym Phone Holder

Choosing the right magnetic phone holder for your workouts is important. Here are key factors and features to consider:

  • Strong Magnet Grip: The holder should use high-strength magnets (often N52-grade) to support the weight of your phone, even during movement or vibrations. Weak magnets risk your phone sliding down or falling off the equipment. For example, one mount uses 6× N52 magnets in its base to ensure it “holds your device strongly to the metal” surface. Look for products specifically advertising strong magnet ratings or multiple magnets in the design.

  • Secure Phone Attachment: Consider how the holder attaches to your phone. MagSafe-compatible mounts can directly snap to the built-in magnets on newer iPhones. Other mounts may include a metal ring or plate you can stick on any phone (or case) to make it magnetically attachable. Some mounts even have an adjustable clamp or cradle to physically grip your phone for extra security – useful if you have a heavier phone or plan to do very intense exercises where magnets alone might wobble. (We’ll discuss magnet vs. cradle designs more below.)

  • Non-Slip and No Damage: The base of the magnet that sticks to gym equipment should have a protective layer (rubber or silicone) to avoid scratching the equipment’s paint. It also prevents slipping. High-quality mounts include padding on the magnet base and any clamp arms to keep things steady and scratch-free. 

  • Adjustability: To get the best viewing angle, a good gym phone holder often has a 360° swivel or adjustable hinge. This lets you tilt or rotate the phone from portrait to landscape. For example, mounts with a ball-joint mechanism allow you to smoothly switch angles for filming or viewing.

  • Compatibility: Make sure the holder fits your device. Many magnetic holders are universal – if they rely on magnets, they’ll work with any phone as long as you attach a metal ring if needed. If it’s a clamp style, check that the clamp size is large enough for your phone model (including your case). Some magnet mounts are marketed for iPhone MagSafe specifically, but they can usually work with Android phones if you apply the included metal ring accessory.

  • Portability & Convenience: Ideally the mount is compact enough to toss in your gym bag. Most magnetic mounts are quite small and lightweight. Some can even double as a kickstand for your phone off the gym (for example, a magnetic mount that you can also use on a desk). Simpler is better – as one Redditor lamented, a lot of existing gym phone holders had cumbersome parts that weakened over time (e.g. adhesive pads that wear out, or joints that loosen)reddit.com. You want a durable, minimalist design that’s easy to use repeatedly.

  • No Interference with Charging: If you use wireless charging (Qi or MagSafe charging), ensure the solution doesn’t interfere. Pure magnetic attachments usually are fine (MagSafe rings are designed not to block charging). But if you use a metal plate or an older adhesive magnet, you might have to remove it to wirelessly charge. Many modern accessories are designed to be charge-friendly.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can avoid the common pitfalls (like mounts that wobble during a heavy set, or adhesive-based gadgets that lose their stickiness). In fact, heavy lifters have pointed out that “adhesive mounts suck” and that some basic magnetic mounts can wobble and fail to hold during heavy barbell movements. So it’s worth investing in a well-designed solution with strong magnets and a secure attachment method.

Types of Magnetic Gym Phone Holder Solutions

When it comes to magnet-based phone mounts for the gym, a few different approaches exist. Below we break down the main categories and popular examples of each:

1. Magnetically Attached Grips and Rings (MagSafe Accessories)

One way to go is using a MagSafe-compatible grip or ring accessory that attaches to the back of your phone. Examples include products like the Ohsnap Grip or the Anker MagGo magnetic ring grip. These are basically slim attachments that snap onto your iPhone’s MagSafe magnet (or onto a metal ring sticker for other phones). They often double as a finger grip or kickstand, and crucially, they can stick your phone onto any steel surface in the gym.

Users like them for their multi-functionality. For instance, the Anker 610 MagGo grip serves as a ring handle and a stand, and as one user noted, it can securely stick an iPhone onto gym equipment without needing any adhesive on the phone itself. It’s completely removable when not needed, which keeps your phone slim during the rest of your day.

However, some of these magnetic grips use adhesive backing (for example, older Ohsnap versions required sticking a metal pad to your phone). The adhesive approach can be less reliable long-term. Some reviewers found that adhesive-based grips would eventually loosen up, sometimes even staying stuck to the metal equipment when they pulled the phone away! One person described their Ohsnap grip experience: after a while the adhesive got loose and “they’re constantly leaving the actual [Ohsnap] attached to whatever metal they stick their phones to” upon removal. That’s obviously not ideal in a gym environment. Thankfully, newer MagSafe grips (like Ohsnap’s latest Snap Grip or the Anker ring) forego adhesives and rely purely on magnets, making them more convenient. Just keep in mind that magnetic hold strength varies – these grips are strong enough for casual use (holding an iPhone 14/15, etc.), but they might slide on a vibrating machine or a completely vertical rack if the magnets aren’t super strong. They work best on flat metal surfaces and for lighter activity (or for quickly sticking your phone between sets).

2. Dedicated Magnetic Gym Mounts (Pucks and Clamp-style Holders)

Another category is purpose-built gym phone mounts that use magnets. These typically have a robust magnet base that sticks to equipment, combined with either a flat platform or a clamp to hold your phone. Our Blaubeck Magnetic Gym Phone Holder falls in this group, as do products like the “Gym Buddy” mount or the A2C magnetic holder.

Unlike the simple MagSafe rings, these mounts are designed from the ground up for gym use – prioritizing strength and stability. For example, the Blaubeck mount uses 17 MagSafe-aligned N52 magnets plus 6 rear magnets in its construction, creating a powerful grip on both the phone and the metal surface. This ensures no drops and no need to readjust the phone mid-set. It attaches directly to any metal equipment (rack, machine, even a metal plate on a dumbbell rack) and locks onto your phone via MagSafe – or via an included adhesive metal ring for Android/non-MagSafe users. There’s no cradle needed and no added bulk on your case, yet it holds incredibly firmly. In fact, one user of a competing magnetic case noted they chose it because of an “incredibly strong magnet” that “sticks hard to anything metal”, which is exactly the kind of strength these gym mounts go for.


Some gym phone holders use a magnet base plus a clamp to secure the phone. The model shown (Torque Fitness Magnetic Phone Holder) has a magnetic foot that sticks to a rack, with an adjustable cradle for the phone. Such designs are universal for any phone, though they add a bit of bulk compared to purely magnetic attachments.

Many dedicated gym mounts feature an adjustable 360° joint or hinge, allowing you to tilt and rotate your phone for the perfect viewing or recording angle. Some, like the Torque Fitness or A2C holder, use a spring-loaded clamp grip (with rubberized pads) to physically hold the phone in addition to the magnet base. The clamp adds security especially if you’re doing something like high-intensity interval training where vibrations are intense. The downside is you have an extra step of opening/closing the clamp to insert your phone, and the mount itself is a bit larger to carry around. The upside: it works with any phone – large Android phablet or tiny iPhone – regardless of having MagSafe magnets or not.

If you prefer not to use a clamp, the Blaubeck-style mounts offer a happy medium: they rely on strong magnets on both sides (phone and equipment) to achieve a secure hold. This works great for most typical uses. Plus, they’re very compact – often pocket-sized. Some even double as a tabletop stand; for example, the Blaubeck mount can flip into a little stand for your desk or be used on a metal surface like a kitchen fridge or even a golf cart.

Real-world tip: When using these mounts on a rack or machine, make sure the surface is actually steel (most gym equipment is). Magnets won’t stick to aluminum or certain stainless steels – though those are rare in racks. Also, flat surfaces or right angles (like the side of a power rack upright) tend to give a better hold than a curved surface. If your gym has racks with powder-coated paint, the rubber pad on the magnet base will help it stick without sliding.

3. Magnetic Phone Cases (MagBak, Rokform, etc.)

Another solution is to make your phone itself magnetic by using a case with strong embedded magnets. Brands like MagBak and Rokform produce cases that have far stronger magnets than the standard MagSafe ring. These cases are popular among gym-goers who want an all-in-one solution – just slap your cased phone onto a squat rack and you’re done. In fact, one Redditor stated that a MagSafe case with a strong magnet (like Rokform or MagBak) “sticks to all gym equipment” reliably. They’re known to hold up even for heavier phones. Another user with years of experience across many cases said Rokform cases had “the strongest magnet of all” he’d used, high praise for their sticking power.

MagBak, for example, is a slim case that contains powerful magnets and usually comes with a thin strip you can also use to mount on non-magnetic surfaces. Rokform cases often include both magnets and a twist-lock system (originally made for mounting on bikes or car mounts), and their magnets are so strong that sometimes you need effort to pull the phone off metal. The trade-offs here: you have to use that specific case (which means less flexibility in case style/design), and these cases can be a bit pricey (often $50–$70 range). They also add some weight to your phone due to the magnets. But if you don’t mind using the specialized case, this is a very seamless solution – your phone is always gym-ready. As one user describes, they’ve stuck with MagBak for multiple phones precisely because of the strong magnet and convenience.

Android users can also find magnetic cases (Rokform makes some for Samsung Galaxy, etc.), but the selection is more limited compared to iPhone. If you already have a MagSafe-compatible case for your Android device (some case makers now include MagSafe rings), you could combine it with a MagSafe accessory from the above categories.

4. Magnetic Gym Pouches / Sling Bags

A newer trend seen in some gyms is the magnetic sling bag or pouch. This is essentially a small pouch or mini bag with magnets on one side, which you can slap onto a metal surface (like the side of a squat rack or a machine). The pouch has a pocket for your phone (and often room for keys, cards, etc.). For example, we’ve seen a magnetic gym waist pouch product that sticks to racks and holds your phone securely. A Reddit thread discussed these sling bags, noting some people found them super convenient, while others felt certain models’ magnets weren’t strong enough to trust completely.

The Blaubeck lineup even includes a Magnetic Water Bottle Sleeve Bag that serves a similar purpose – you can attach your water bottle (with phone pocket) to metal surfaces instead of leaving it on the ground. The advantage of these pouches is that your phone is enclosed/protected and you can keep other small items with it. The disadvantage is you can’t see or use the phone screen while it’s in the pouch (if your goal was to watch a video or check an app mid-workout). So this is more about storage convenience than viewing/filming. It comes down to personal preference: if you primarily want to get your phone out of the way, a magnetic pouch is neat; if you want to see the screen or camera, a mount or grip is better.

Comparison of Top Magnetic Gym Phone Holders

To summarize the options, here’s a comparison table of popular magnetic gym phone holders, including their key features and approximate prices:

Product Type Price (Approx.) Key Features
Blaubeck Magnetic Gym Phone Holder Double-sided magnet mount (MagSafe & Android) ~$20 Powerful 17× N52 magnets for phone + 6 for base; no cradle needed; includes metal ring for non-MagSafe; ultra-secure grip; also works as stand.
Anker MagGo 610 Magnetic Grip MagSafe ring grip/stand ~$16 Attaches via MagSafe; serves as grip & kickstand; holds ~800g (up to 28 oz) weight; detaches easily when not needed.
Ohsnap Grip (Snap 3/4) Magnetic grip (adhesive or MagSafe) ~$30 Ultra-thin phone grip with built-in magnet; allows wireless charging; older versions used adhesive (which can loosen); newer versions MagSafe-compatible.
MagBak Case Magnetic phone case ~$50–60 Slim protective case with strong embedded magnets; sticks directly to metal surfaces; works with other MagSafe accessories; various models for iPhones.
Rokform Case (Rugged/Crystal) Magnetic phone case (+ twist-lock) ~$60–70 Very strong magnets (often 2 magnets) plus optional mechanical lock; durable, military-grade protection; models for iPhone and some Galaxy phones.
A2C / Gym Buddy Mount Magnetic base + clamp mount ~$20–25 Alloy clamp cradle fits most phones; base has 6× N52 magnets for secure attachment; 360° rotation for adjustable viewing; portable, disassembles easily.
Magnetic Sling Bag/Pouch Magnet-backed phone pouch ~$25 Small pouch or sling with magnets to stick on equipment; holds phone and accessories; convenient for storage (phone not visible while inside); fits all phone sizes.

Pricing is approximate and may vary by retailer or model. Features are abbreviated; see manufacturer details for full specs.

As shown above, each solution has its pros and cons. If you want maximum strength and simplicity, a dedicated magnet mount (like Blaubeck’s) or a magnetic case are top choices for securely sticking your phone during any workout. If you value multi-use and portability, a MagSafe grip like Anker or Ohsnap offers convenience and quick removal. And if you’re looking to keep your phone and essentials out of the way, a magnetized pouch could be your gym buddy.

Personal Experience and Final Thoughts

After sifting through countless Reddit discussions and trying a few of these myself, I found that a high-quality magnetic mount truly makes a difference in the gym. Initially, I tried a cheap adhesive metal plate and generic magnet – and had some scares with my phone sliding down the cable machine during workouts. Learning from others’ experiences, I switched to a purpose-built magnetic holder and immediately noticed the stronger hold. One lifter’s comment resonated with me: they pointed out the frustration when accessories are iPhone-only, and wished for a solution that works for everyone. That’s another reason I gravitated to the Blaubeck mount – it’s designed to be universal (MagSafe for iPhone, adhesive ring for Android) so no one is left out.

From a personal standpoint, the convenience is addicting. Now I can set up my phone at eye level on a squat rack to watch my lifting cues, or stick it on a treadmill to enjoy a show, all without worrying that it’ll crash to the floor. If you’ve been hesitant about these magnetic holders, I’d say give one a try – just opt for a reputable product with strong magnets. The peace of mind knowing your phone is secure (and not being accidentally kicked by the person at the next bench) is worth it.

In summary, magnetic gym phone holders have proven to be a game-changer for gym enthusiasts. Whether you prefer a sleek magnet mount, a multi-purpose grip, or a full-on magnetic case, there’s an option that’ll fit your needs and smartphone. Just remember the key lessons from the community: go for strength, reliability, and compatibility. As the technology (like Apple’s MagSafe) becomes more common, we’re seeing more creative solutions pop up – hopefully with even stronger magnets and features to handle any workout you throw at them.

Ready to upgrade your workout? Ditch the precarious balancing act and try a magnetic phone holder. Your phone (and your focus) will thank you. Happy lifting and filming! 📱💪