Should I charge for AdaptiFit on day one, or keep it free to build trust?

One of the decisions I’m wrestling with right now is how to launch AdaptiFit — my fitness app that builds personalized workouts, nutrition plans, and adapts training when you’re injured.

On one hand, I believe in the value. If an app helps you train smarter and recover stronger, it feels fair to charge (even something small like $7–10/month). Charging early also tests whether people actually want it enough to pay.

On the other hand, I know fitness apps often get abandoned after a couple of weeks. Part of me thinks keeping it free for the first stage could build trust, retention, and momentum. But then I risk attracting users who never would’ve paid anyway.

I don’t want AdaptiFit to just be another app that people try and drop. I want it to be something they actually stick with.

If you were in my shoes, how would you approach monetization at launch? Would you charge early to validate, or focus first on retention and community before flipping the switch?