Powerbuilding Workout of the Day API

By: Winston Hsiao

Last Updated: June 2022

What is powerbuilding?

Powerbuilding is a combination of two different training styles: powerlifting and bodybuilding. It uses three compound exercises — the deadlift, bench press and squat — to build strength, while bodybuilding exercises help grow muscle size and definition.

---

About the API

• Allows users to view, create, update, and delete workouts through various endpoints
  • Parameters such as workout id, or workout mode/type can be used to view, update or delete specific workouts
• A UUID (universally unique identifier) is generated for each workout
• Features caching for faster load times
• Usage & documentation info below

---

How to Use API

Testing Locally

This project uses Node.js and Express.js along with various package/dependencies please ensure that required packages are installed on your local device before proceeding

1. Clone Repository
2. Navigate to folder in terminal
3. enter $ npm run dev into terminal

You should see

API is listening on port 3000
Version 1 Docs are available on http://localhost:3000/api/v1/docs

inside your terminal if everything is working correctly.

4. Once the API is running locally, open up web browser and go to http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts

Here you should see the workouts formatted in json, located in the local db.json folder /src/database/db.json

Example Use Cases

API utilizes http requests such as GET, POST, PATCH, DELETE, etc...
I recommend using Postman when testing usage/endpoints.

Retrieve all workouts (GET)

GET request with the url below
http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts
Traveling to this link directly in web browser will send a GET request and display workout info in json format within web browser

Retrieve a specific workout using a workout id (GET)

GET request with the url below
http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts/workoutid
http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts/33dbae02-c147-4e28-863c-db7bd472b2d6
Display workout info in json format for workout with matching id

Create a workout (POST)

Send a post request to http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts with a request body containing a json object (workout info)
Below is an example of an acceptable workout in json:

{
"name": "Bench Day",
"mode": "AMRAP 20",
"equipment": [ "rack", "barbell" ],
"exercises": [ "45lbs 1x8", "95lbs 1x8", "135lbs 1x8", "165lbs 1x5" ],
"trainerTips": [ "RPE 8" ]
}

Update a workout (PATCH)

Similar usage as when creating a workout except PATCH is used instead of POST see Create a workout above for details
http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts/workoutid
http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts/33dbae02-c147-4e28-863c-db7bd472b2d6

Delete a workout (DELETE)

Request sent with DELETE using the workout's UUID as a path
http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts/workoutid
http://localhost:3000/api/v1/workouts/33dbae02-c147-4e28-863c-db7bd472b2d6

Documentation

Further documentation such as error codes/status messages for various endpoints can be found hosted locally along with the API using middleware swagger.io You can view documentation at http://localhost:3000/api/v1/docs while the API runs locally on your device

enter $ npm run dev in terminal while in the project's folder to run API locally

API is listening on port 3000
Version 1 Docs are available on http://localhost:3000/api/v1/docs

should be visible in terminal when running successfully

---

To Do

• Add further documentation for ease of use/modification
• Implement caching for other endpoints (caching is currently only implemented with retrieving all workouts)
• Implement functionality for security/permissions
• Discuss usage of external database options such as MongoDB, etc instead of storing workout info locally in repo file
• Add more functionality regarding users/members and records (WIP)

---

References

REST API Design Best Practices Handbook – How to Build a REST API with JavaScript, Node.js, and Express.js
API Cache
Swagger.io