The Beachside Reader, installed on your device
Add the Reader to your home screen for instant access to plain-English, cited health & fitness journalism and 12 free calculators — offline-capable, free, and ad-free. No account required.
On iPhone or iPad: tap the Share icon in Safari, then Add to Home Screen. iOS doesn't support the one-tap install button above — this is Apple's standard install path for every web app.
What you get
Works offline
Once installed, the app shell, all 12 calculators, and your previously-read articles keep working without a connection. A branded offline page loads instead of a browser error if you're fully offline somewhere new.
Reader Companion
A slide-out panel for notes (with voice dictation), your reading history, saved highlights, adjustable text size, and read-aloud — all stored locally on your device.
12 free calculators
TDEE, macros, calorie deficit, BMR, 1RM, heart-rate zones, pace, body fat, FFMI, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and sweat rate — no sign-up, no paywall.
No ads, free
The Reader carries no display advertising. It's funded by reader support and affiliate links that never shape the editorial content.
Updates automatically
A service worker keeps the app current in the background — no app-store update prompts, ever.
No account needed
Everything above works with zero sign-up. An optional free account only unlocks saved articles across devices and the newsletter.
Popular calculators
Install instructions by platform
🤖 Android (Chrome / Edge)
- Tap Install the app above
- Confirm in the browser prompt
- Find it on your home screen, just like a native app
🍎 iPhone / iPad (Safari)
- Tap the Share icon (square with an arrow)
- Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen
- Tap Add — Safari never shows the one-tap install button other browsers do
💻 Desktop (Chrome / Edge)
- Tap Install the app above, or
- Click the install icon in the address bar
- The Reader opens in its own window, separate from your browser tabs
Questions
Does it work offline?
Yes. Once installed, the app shell, all 12 calculators, and any article you've already opened stay available without a connection. New articles need a connection the first time you read them.
Does it cost anything?
No. The app is entirely free, with no ads and no paywalled features. The Reader is funded by voluntary reader support and affiliate links that never influence the editorial content.
How do I uninstall it?
Treat it like any installed app: on Android/desktop, long-press or right-click the icon and choose Uninstall/Remove; on iOS, long-press the home-screen icon and choose Remove App.
How do updates arrive?
Automatically. A service worker checks for a newer version in the background each time you open the app and swaps it in on your next visit — there's nothing to download or approve.