What is MusclesWorked?

Exercise-to-muscle mapping: 856 exercises, 65 muscles, workout analysis & alternatives.

How do I install MusclesWorked?

Clone MusclesWorked from https://github.com/csjoblom/musclesworked-mcp and configure it as an MCP server in your client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, or VS Code).

Is MusclesWorked open source?

Yes, MusclesWorked is open source under the MIT license. Source code is available at https://github.com/csjoblom/musclesworked-mcp.

What category does MusclesWorked belong to?

MusclesWorked is listed under Developer Tools MCP servers on MCPFind.

MusclesWorked — MCP Server for Developer Tools

musclesworked-mcp

MCP server for the musclesworked.com exercise-to-muscle mapping API.

Connects Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, and other MCP clients to 856 exercises and 65 muscles with detailed primary/secondary/stabilizer activation data across 14 muscle groups.

Setup

Get an API key at musclesworked.com/dashboard.

Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "musclesworked": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "musclesworked-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "MUSCLESWORKED_API_KEY": "mw_live_..."
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add musclesworked -- npx -y musclesworked-mcp --api-key mw_live_...

Or add to .mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "musclesworked": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "musclesworked-mcp", "--api-key", "mw_live_..."]
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Add to .cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "musclesworked": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "musclesworked-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "MUSCLESWORKED_API_KEY": "mw_live_..."
      }
    }
  }
}

Tools

Tool	Description
`get_muscles_worked`	Get primary, secondary, and stabilizer muscles for an exercise
`find_exercises`	Find exercises targeting a specific muscle with optional filters
`analyze_workout`	Analyze a workout for coverage, gaps, and imbalances
`get_alternatives`	Find alternative exercises ranked by muscle overlap
`search_exercises`	Search exercises by name to discover IDs
`search_muscles`	Search muscles by name to discover IDs

Example Prompts

"What muscles does the barbell bench press work?"
"Find bodyweight exercises for my chest"
"Analyze my push day: bench press, overhead press, tricep pushdown, lateral raise"
"What are some alternatives to barbell squats?"
"Search for exercises that target the hamstrings"

Configuration

Option	Description
`--api-key <key>`	API key (or set `MUSCLESWORKED_API_KEY` env var)
`MUSCLESWORKED_API_URL`	Override base URL (default: `https://musclesworked.com`)

Development

git clone https://github.com/csjoblom/musclesworked-mcp.git
cd musclesworked-mcp
npm install
npm run build

# Test with MCP Inspector
MUSCLESWORKED_API_KEY=mw_live_... npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/index.js

License

MIT

Set up in your AI client

AI clientOperating system

Merge this template into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Keep existing servers. Add any arguments, credentials, and permissions required by the maintainer; this template has not been install-tested.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-github-csjoblom-musclesworked": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "musclesworked-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect. Confirm the server appears connected in the client’s tool list, then try a read-only example from its documentation.

Claude Desktop setup reference

Compatible MCP Clients

MusclesWorked works with any MCP-compatible client. Copy the config snippet from the Configuration section above and add it to the file shown for your client, then restart the application.

Claude Desktop~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonRestart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect.

Cursor~/.cursor/mcp.jsonRestart Cursor for changes to take effect.

VS Code.vscode/mcp.jsonReload VS Code window for changes to take effect.

Windsurf~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.jsonRestart Windsurf for changes to take effect.

Claude Code.mcp.jsonSave at the project root, then start Claude Code in that project and review the MCP server approval prompt. Keep real credentials out of shared files.

MusclesWorked