Fraser: Regardless of whether you're new in the running scene or you've been logging training
miles for years on end, I'm going to bet that you would probably enjoy getting a little
bit more from your runs than simply the exercise benefits alone. Well, this is where the vast
selection of running apps can come in handy. Now, whether your interests lie in monitoring
pace and distance, perhaps enjoying the social community aspect, or using mapping tools to
explore new routes or maybe even adding in music to give you some more motivation, believe
me, there is an app out there for you. Today, I'm going to run you through my thoughts about
our favorite running apps to help along the way.
[music] By installing a good running app on your phone,
the built-in sensors on it are going to enable you to track basic metrics like distance,
pace, speed, calories burned, and some apps will even be able to track and map out your
route as you're running too but do be mindful of checking with that data stored for privacy
reasons. Then, of course, you can take that to another level again by using one of the
many smartwatches, GPS watches, fitness trackers, and pairing those with your running apps that
you've chosen. All of a sudden, you're going to have a mobile
data center that can collect all of that information, ready to graph and chart your stats to hopefully
show how they're improving over time. With that being said, which of these apps should
we be considering for our running? [music]
Right then. I'll get straight into this with my personal favorite and that is Strava. Now,
I know I'm not alone because it's extremely popular with cyclists, triathletes, and runners
alike the world over. Strava offers in-depth GPS tracking, works with a variety of GPS
devices. Like many apps these days, it's entirely compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Now, I have been using Strava for many, many years and I guess for a couple of key reasons.
Firstly, that's because I like having all of my bike and run workouts in one simple
to view location. I also like the fact that I can track my running
mileage from week to week really easily, and monitor metrics like my heart rate during
key sessions or at least when I was doing key sessions when I was racing, but all in
all, it allows me to treat it like a training diary which I just really enjoy. Secondly,
it's because I'm really quite nosy and I like to see what other people are doing in my surrounding
area or even in other places around the world where I used to go and get some training done.
Now, I guess that is a community aspect of Strava that is really engaging and another
tool that is really well known on the Strava platform is its segments feature. Now, this
segments features allow you to compare yourself to any other runner who's been over at the
same routes as you, whether that be on the trails or in the streets or on the roads.
If you really wish, you can compare yourself to top world-class athletes or pros who might
also have run those segments too. Now, Strava also has a paid-for aspect to
it too under what they call their summit membership. Features that bring this to the next level
include in-depth analysis of those segments plus access to detailed leaderboards in those
segments too. You can also allow up to three people who don't have to be Strava users to
have access to your real-time database which is a safety feature the Strava called Beacon.
Another feature which actually is only on their desktop, but I do really quite like
is their heatmaps. Now, this allows you to see exactly where
you'd be running and running the most often, plus where others in your area have been running
too which is a really useful way to be able to try and plot some new routes. Now, on the
notion of plotting new routes, that takes me on to my next app which is Komoot.
[music] Now, another feature of Strava summit is that
it has a route builder function built-in and Komoot is another app that we have used a
lot on the channel to help build new routes and plan different places to go running. Now,
this is something that's particularly useful if you're in an area that is unfamiliar to
you. I know for one that Mark has had a lot of fun using Komoot to plan new routes. Another
very cool function of this app is that it's able to give you advance warning of any changes
in terrain. Say the surface is going to go from smooth
tarmac on to rough rocky trail, it will give you a heads up and the same again for any
elevation changes too. This is a feature that is unique to Komoot and you won't be able
to find elsewhere. [music]
Now, before I finish up talking about mapping features, perhaps you require something a
little bit more advanced or fancy venturing into, shall we say more uncharted territories.
Well, if that's the case, some friends of mine suggested Outdoor Active which does have
a basic set up which allows you to plan, print, and navigate some routes. For a small monthly
fee, it can give a pro membership which allows access to highly detailed country-specific
maps, the likes of Swisstopo in Switzerland, IGN in France, and here, in the UK, the Ordnance
Survey network. Now, another extremely useful feature to this
app is that it allows you access to these planned routes if you are completely offline
and out of internet connection which, let's be honest, might often be the case and more
off-the-beaten-track areas. [music]
Okay, so what about the big-name running brands? Well, yes many of them do have their own running
apps. For many runners out there that are just starting, this can seem like an obvious
connection to make between the running shoes that you have and the app that you want to
choose. With that being said, what is it that some of them have to offer? Well, firstly,
we've got Map My Run from Under Armour. Now, whether you are just wanted to choose
a run because you fancy change of scenery in the area that you usually run or maybe
you're in a completely new location and don't know where you're going, then this offering
from Under Armour is likely to be a really good option worth considering, not only does
it have a comprehensive tracker to record all of your basic metrics, but also gives
you access to a vast array of millions of running routes the world over or you can also
go on their website to plan your own route to then download.
Also, another interesting factor of this app is that you can sync it with MyFitnessPal
to link together your training and your diet habits to get a much clearer overall picture
of your health. However, possibly the most popular such app is the Nike Run Club. Without
a doubt, the standout feature of this app is that it is completely free.
There are no extra payments required, meaning you get an all-in-one platform that not only
gives you tracking services like the distance, pace, and speed, but it also gives you audio
coached and guided run workouts too, plus some fun stuff like motivational comments
and cheers from top Nike athletes when you get to the end of your runs. You can also
connect to music streaming services like Spotify and Apple music to overlay those audio-guided
workouts with your favorite playlists which essentially gives you the best of both worlds.
[music] Now, sticking with apps that are completely
free to use, the Couch to 5K planner is hugely popular especially here in the UK and it does
exactly what it says on the tin. Now, this National Health Service promoted planner gives
you an ability to go from being a complete novice through to accomplishing a 5K.
Now, this is achieved by three weekly runs that build from starting with as little as
60 seconds of running at any one time. Now, often the biggest hurdle for a novice runner
is knowing how or where to start with their running or not doing too much. This plan takes
all of the guesswork out of it and all you have to do is stick with it you'll hit that
5k. [music]
Now, so far, I've just covered running in the outdoors, but what if you want to track
running indoors on the treadmill? Well, this is where the virtual world of Zwift comes
into its own. Now, you can simply attach a foot pod sensor onto your running shoes or
even better, if you've got access to a Bluetooth enabled treadmill, that means you can then
connect to the app, and then you're ready to run in those virtual worlds of Zwift.
Now, you can just run in these virtual worlds such as the jungles of Watopia or maybe more
urban routes in London and based in New York or you can alternatively decide to opt for
one of the structured workouts that are inside the app or also, there's many different group
workouts that run every day. It is also worth noting that the cycling side of Zwift is still
a paid-for function, but that isn't the case for running on the platform so that is worth
making the most of for now. [music]
Now, I touched on the integration of music in the Nike app a little bit earlier, but
Weav Run is another option available. Now, what it does is it matches the beat of music
to your footfall. It's very cleverly able to know your cadence and speed up as you run
faster. Crucially, if you've started to slow down and flag a little, then you should notice
that feedback in your ears as the music drops in peace.
Now, admittedly, this does sound a little bit odd and it might not be for everybody,
but I can't see how this might help to energize and motivate you should you normally think
about stopping a run a bit early. Now, I appreciate there's any number of apps
out there for tracking, mapping, and motivating you to get more out of your run and I could
have included many more. There's even the gamification of running called Zombies, Run.
Now, if you've used that one or any others you think I could know about, please drop
them in the comments below. I think for me, it will be a creature of habit
and sticking with Strava for now. Hopefully, you've enjoyed this video so please give it
a thumb up, like. Don't forget to follow us on our social media channels and subscribe
to get all of our other videos. [00:10:42] [END OF AUDIO]