I’m looking to start running regularly and need help finding the best running apps to track progress, set goals, and stay motivated. What apps do you recommend?
Alright, so you wanna start running, huh? First off, yay for you—welcome to the weird cult of people who choose to suffer for miles. But let’s get into the nitty-gritty of running apps because there are SO many, and most of them are gonna try to convince you they’re the best thing since cushioned sneakers. Spoiler: they’re not all that.
1. Strava: If you wanna flex your runs to friends like you’re some kind of Olympic hopeful, Strava’s unbeatable. It’s basically fitness social media. Post runs, see kudos, stalk other runners’ routes. But if you’re not into premium, it can be kind of ‘meh’ for detailed metrics. Also, brace yourself for comparisons—nothing like seeing someone casually throw down a 6-minute mile and feeling like a slug.
2. Nike Run Club: Slick design, and they’ve got guided runs that can hype you up. It tracks progress and lets you listen to some dude in your ear telling you, “You can do this,” as you’re dying at mile 1. Plus, it’s free, which… yeah, that’s a win.
3. Runkeeper: I’ve heard it’s solid, but personally, it feels like Strava and NRC’s less fun cousin. It tracks your runs, sets goals, blah blah, but I feel it’s kinda predictable. Nothing groundbreaking.
4. Couch to 5K (C25K): Fantastic if you’re literally starting at zero. It’s like, ‘Okay, run now… aaaand walk!’ Super manageable schedules, but like, maybe don’t expect it to care about performance post-5K—after that, you’re on your own, kid.
5. MapMyRun: Similar vibe to Runkeeper but with a heavy Under Armour hand in there (prepare for ads about shoes and gear). It’s good for route mapping, but I wouldn’t say it’s “the best” in any category.
Here’s the deal: all these apps can measure time, distance, pace—basic stats. The ‘best’ one for you depends on your vibe. Wanna run competitively or die scrolling through charts about your splits? Strava. Wanna survive 5Ks as a newbie? C25K. Just want someone to boss you around while you sweat? NRC and their soothing motivational coaches.
Bottom line, don’t overthink which app, just pick one and run already. Your first mile isn’t judging you—it’s just glad you’re out there.
C’mon, running apps can only do so much. They’re not gonna lace up your shoes and drag you out the door. That said, yeah, I’ll humor this. Some of @kakeru’s suggestions are solid, but let me tweak the vibe here.
First off, Strava. Sure, it’s like Instagram for runners, but do you really want to turn your sweaty jogging escapades into a popularity contest? It’s a good option if showing off your splits and stalking local runners is your thing, but meh, it’s not for everyone.
Nike Run Club? Yeah, okay, it’s polished, it’s free, and the guided runs are nice if you want some cheerleader energy in your ear. But let’s be real: if you’re not into that kind of hand-holding, it could get grating fast.
Runkeeper vs. MapMyRun… They’re pretty much interchangeable. Runkeeper is straightforward, while MapMyRun feels more like a glorified Under Armour ad board. Fine if you’re mapping routes, but don’t expect them to blow your mind.
Now, I’ll give some props to C25K—it’s great for total newbies who need a gentle intro to running without feeling like a broken-down mess. But if you’re beyond that, you’ll outgrow it quicker than last season’s workout trend.
One app kakeru skipped? Adidas Running by Runtastic. It’s tidy, tracks your stats, and has challenges to keep you moving. Not groundbreaking, but it has fewer frills than others and keeps you focused on running, not comparing yourself to every marathoner on the planet.
Honestly, though, forget the app obsession. Just pick one. They all track GPS and pace. If it syncs with your playlist and doesn’t annoy you, it’ll work. Run for yourself, not for the data.