Strava is a comprehensive social fitness tracking app that caters to a wide range of activities, from running and cycling to hiking and yoga. It offers a variety of features to help users track their progress, set goals, and stay motivated. With its user-friendly interface and strong community, Strava is an excellent choice for individuals seeking to enhance their fitness journey. We love that the app offers a variety of training plans and guided runs, which, Rodgers notes, come in handy for any level of experience but are particularly helpful for new runners. The app offers solid stats, such as speed and distance, and allows you to record route information and other details, like what shoes you wore. Future offers an incredibly personalized virtual training experience.
Runtopia is an Android app that helps you track your running and walking activities. It offers a motivating reward system where you can earn Sports Coins by completing tasks and tracking your steps. These coins can then be exchanged for awesome rewards like PayPal cash, gift cards, and fitness gear. The app also provides features like real-time running data, audio guidance, personalized training plans, and a social running community to keep you motivated.
Best for Garmin Users
The app has a community feature that allows you to connect with other runners and share your experiences. There’s also a customizable voice announcer that can help stimulate your runs. Unfortunately, most running apps do not work universally with every platform. In fact, it can be downright confusing with all the updates and changes in technology. You have to narrow down your search based on the device or platform on which you plan to use it. If you like to run a variety of routes, and if you’re looking to maximize your bang for buck, we think you’ll enjoy the MapMyRun app.
Hal Higdon Training
The app connects to a wide range of fitness sensors including heart rate monitors, cycling cadence sensors, and power meters. Nike+ also includes photo sharing features and customizable run playlists. Its clean interface makes it easy to start running without complicated setup.
Best Workout Apps Video Review
Unlike other options in this guide, the Peloton app offers live customer support for immediate assistance whenever you run into an issue. Another thing that sets this app apart is that it gives you access to livestreaming workout classes taught by world-class instructors. Other features include activity tracking, heart rate monitor support, and a music library with thousands of songs. While the app was developed by Peloton, their equipment isn’t required for you to use it (you will be able to use it for free if you are currently a Peloton member, though).
Progress Tracking
If you’re part of the Apple ecosystem, we think this is well worth the cost. To read more about this training plan, which can be followed with or without the app, be sure to check out our Couch to 5k Planning Guide. What is a bit different about this app (and really neat if you ask me) is that not all the coaches are athletes. There are some celebrities thrown in there offering guidance throughout the run as well as tips for improvement. If you are someone who likes to listen to your favorite tunes while working out, this app has an in-app music player so you can listen to a playlist of your choice from your device. Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, used the Couch to 5k app for several months when he wanted to start running longer distances.
Finding the Right Running App to Improve Your Health
Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more fantastical, you can also pound the pavement in Watopia, Zwift’s imaginary island. Simply log in after downloading Zwift to your device, choose your course, and get running with other virtual athletes doing the same thing. You can hook up for fun runs, or even actual races, complete with prizes. Whatever camp you may be in, here are the best running apps that can help improve your workouts—and help you enjoy them even more, too. Keep scrolling for the 10 best running apps and how to choose the best option for your feet and phone.
For instance, if your goal is to improve your endurance, the app might create a training plan that gradually increases the duration and intensity of your runs over several weeks. On the other hand, if you’re looking to boost your speed, the plan might incorporate interval training sessions. The Cloudsurfer 2 blends performance and style, and we would also be perfect for anyone who incorporates walking into their daily routine. The clean, futuristic vibe might not be for everyone, but the other runners will surely realize you mean business.
- Another tester, Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, used Caliber Premium to work with a coach for a customized strength training routine.
- Its core function is excellent GPS tracking, either through your phone or a connected watch, providing reliable data on your pace, distance, and elevation.
- James is an elite distance runner and has also raced triathlon for a number of years.
- If Aaptiv has a weakness, it’s the progressive overload, or lack thereof.
- She grew up playing tennis, became an avid runner in college, competed in a bikini competition in her mid-twenties, and even completed a triathlon.
- This app is less about social competition and more about providing a simple, proven, and structured training plan.
Why We Like Nike Training Club
If you’re really working on form then checkout the Running Technique Program. One of the first things you can work on is your foot turn over and a metronome app is extremely helpful for a lot of runners to get used to the rhythm. I appreciate this format over picking and choosing randomzied workouts. Road ID is known for bracelets that identify you to first responders after an unfortunate accident. The company also has a handy app that lets you share your location with friends and family. The app sends an SOS message with your location if you stop moving for five minutes and don’t respond to the app’s alert.
Think about your running goals
Your paid membership allows you to log into as many iFIT treadmills and other cardio equipment that support the app. In addition to all the training features, there is location sharing from Garmin and Apple Watch devices, which gives your live location to three safety contacts. More recently, Strava added Personal Heatmaps, which are interactive visualizations of your runs. Accuracy is a big concern when it comes to tracking mileage, and all of the apps on our list do a very good job at that. However, with all apps come the potential for bugs and problems along the way. Garmin Connect comes out on top due to its superior runner-focused watches.
Factors to consider when choosing a workout app
Nike Run Club offers extensive tracking, coaching, https://www.reddit.com/r/Review/comments/1p91mv0/not_defending_madmuscles_but_its_not_as_bad_as/ and social networking features without hidden subscription fees. Suitable for beginners to marathon trainers, this app stands out as the best free option available. Probably offers the broadest array of guided runs, coaching, audio prompts, and fun workouts. Some of these features are free on NRC, while other apps charge a premium. All that said, Nike doesn’t offer the same level of personalization as some competitors, such as adaptive training plans.
Apple
But once your free trial runs out, you should keep in mind that Aaptiv is relatively expensive compared to other running apps. This app, which was created by the popular sportswear brand Under Armour, offers everything you need to improve your running performance. The free version includes progress tracking, audio coaching, and a helpful route finder tool.