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The best running apps for training motivation

9.11.2016

Translation: machine translated

If you search for "running" in the Apple or Google Play Store, the range of apps is almost endless. The apps record your training data, create personalised training plans, motivate you, compare your performance with that of your friends - and, and, and. But which of these apps are really any good?

I did some research for you and asked the Sports and Marketing teams which apps are currently very popular with our runners. I present the top 5 here. You can also find out which apps can be synchronised with which wearables.

1. Runtastic

The Runtastic app records your fitness activities such as jogging, running, hiking or cycling via GPS tracker and provides you with exciting statistics on distance, lap time, speed, altitude, calories burned and more. You can create a kind of "running community" with your friends via the app, share your running performance with them and always have an insight into their training data. The ranking based on your performance will motivate you and spur you on to peak performance.
Another plus: The Runtastic app is compatible with most trackers, sports watches and smartwatches, so you can synchronise your performance and activity statistics between your wearable and the app. Runtastic has even designed its own high-performance tracker with the Orbit.

The standard version of the app is free on iTunes, Google Play and Windows Phone. The Pro version with additional fitness reports and 3-day weather forecast costs CHF 4.99. [[productlist:2754699]]

2. strava

Strava is particularly popular with cyclists and bikers. But the app is just as good for jogging! It uses your smartphone's GPS to record speeds, distances travelled, times and calories burned, and allows you to compare your run with those of your friends. Strava helps you to always find new places for your running workout that are also popular with other runners.

Strava has teamed up with fitbit so that the app can be synchronised with the fitbit Charge 2, Surge or Blaze, for example, and exchanges information with these wearables. However, the app now also works with other models, such as the Sony SmartWatch 3, as well as with several sports watches from Suunto, TomTom, Garmin and Polar, e.g. the Garmin Vivoactive HR or the Polar M400 (more on this here). Strava has developed a separate app for the Apple Watch.

The basic version of Strava is also free on iTunes and Google Play. Premium functions can be purchased, such as personalised heart rate analysis or individually tailored power field and speed range analyses. [[productlist:5686548,3230671]]

3. Garmin Connect

Garmin Connect is certainly the first choice of all runners who are travelling with a Garmin wearable, e.g. the Forerunner 235, the Forerunner 630 or the Vivosmart HR+. However, the app is also suitable for anyone who goes running without a Garmin sports watch or tracker.
The app is particularly impressive when it comes to creating running routes, training plans and personalised running calendars. The app also records your weight and tracks your goals.

However, the app is currently only compatible with Garmin wearables for recording and synchronising running data. Alternatively, you can record your runs via iSmoothRun and then transfer this data to Garmin Connect.

The app is free and available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone. [[productlist:5776916,5636933]]

4. Nike+ Run Club

The Nike app is all about motivation and coaching! The personalised coaching plans are based on your current fitness level and your fitness goals and adapt to your progress. You can easily share your achievements with your friends, compete with the best in the Community and be motivated by Nike athletes such as Kevin Hart, Mo Farah and Allyson Felix. The app also records your runs via GPS and provides you with all the important information such as pace, location, distance, incline, heart rate and split times. Another plus: personalised Nike+ Club playlists give you an extra motivational boost!

There is a special Apple Watch app version of Nike+ Run Club. The normal app is only compatible with a few wearables, such as the Wahoo Tickr X or the TomTom Spark.

You can download the app for free on iTunes or Google Play. [[productlist:5622600]]

5. Spotify Running

The free Spotify Running app does not record any running data and does not create any training plans. It only provides you with one thing: motivation through music! The app creates an endless mix of your favourite music: each song matches your current running pace so that you can run your laps in a dynamic and motivated way. Depending on your mood, you can choose between different genres each time - hip-hop, electro, pop, classical and many other music styles are available.