The best running apps have features like pre-programmed routes, an audio coach, the ability to chat with others and set up challenges, and personalized training plans. They also display useful data in the form of graphs and charts so you can easily track your progress.
At the very beginning, Runkeeper is the best choice. It is easy to use and has all the necessary functionality. Plus a lot of useful tips on how not to deviate from your intended goal and distribute your strength over the distance.
RunKeeper
A very popular application among running enthusiasts, which has already collected more than 26 million users. The program allows you to track and control all workout parameters: pace, distance, time spent, heart rate, calories burned. To do this, at the very beginning, you just need to select the type of activity. It can be running, walking, cycling, swimming, snowboarding - whatever you want.
RunKeeper can comment on your athletic achievements and give instructions by voice, so you don't have to take your smartphone out of your pocket while exercising. The program also syncs with several dozen different sports services, such as Fitbit, Withings or Garmin.
RunKeeper: GPS running walking
ASICS Digital, Inc.
Price: Free
Download
Price: Free
Strava
With Strava, you can compare times on specific sections of a course with other users who have already run it. Perfect for professional runners. There are detailed analytics, special attention is paid to the social component.
If you enjoy the competitive and social aspects of running, Strava is for you. Here you can compare your times with other community members or with your friends to increase motivation. There is a security measure called "Beacon" - it will tell three of your loved ones exactly where you are training (and they do not have to install the application).
To spice things up, you can create group challenges on Strava, such as "who can run the fastest 5K" or "who can run the most in a certain time."
Available for Android/iOS and Apple Watch.
iSmoothRun
An exclusive app for iPhone owners that uses GPS and a built-in pedometer to track your physical activity. The program measures distance traveled and time spent, pace, heart rate and calories burned. All this data can then be exported to Dailymile, Runkeeper, Runningfreeonline, Garmin Connect, Strava, Movescount and other sports services. Or post on Facebook and Twitter.
iSmoothRun also takes into account the mileage on your shoes and tells you when it's time to buy new sneakers. In addition to running, you can use it for walking and cycling and track your weight loss progress.
iSmoothRun
Lake Horizon Ltd
Price: 449.00 rubles
Download
Price: 449.00 rubles
Nike+ Run Club
Nike+ Run Club is a great choice for Apple Watch owners. Not only is the app free, it lets you run with audio cues from Nike trainers, instructions, and personal training. Pace, location, distance, incline, and heart rate are clearly displayed.
A universal application, one of the most popular in the App Store for iPhone and Apple Watch. There are GPS, audio training guides, weekly and monthly motivational challenge runs and personal programs. You can sync with Apple Music or Spotify and listen to music from a playlist curated just for you while you run.
Social runners will love the opportunity to compete with buddies while cheering each other on. Nike+ Run Club is a choice for those who run with an Apple Watch and who need running statistics, but do not want to take a smartphone with them.
Available for Android / iOS.
Running apps for iPhone and Android
A running application is traditionally installed on a smartphone. As a rule, the phone is attached to the body in a purse or small case while jogging. But let’s say right away that we are against running while staring at the phone. To adequately track your performance, it is more logical to use sports watches and trackers. They are distraction-free and sync with all your running apps. In our opinion, the best price and selection of professional sports watches is on the M-Video website. The catalog is available at this link.
Select tracker style
One important question before choosing a fitness tracker is what form factor you want. Most of these devices are worn on the wrist, although others can be chosen, including those in the form of a ring. Bracelets and watches are difficult to lose, and fixed varieties can fall off during washing.
Watch bracelets can get in the way when you are typing on a computer or sleeping. If you are bothered by a foreign object on your wrist, it is better to use another option.
Motiv Ring brings fitness trackers to your fingers. All the same parameters are tracked as in hand-worn models, but in a discrete form factor in the style of jewelry. Motiv Ring has an excellent review rating, but the company is not currently accepting orders.
There are also trackers for children, such as Fitbit Ace 2. Don't forget about Fido. There are even trackers for pets.
Heart rate monitor in a fitness bracelet
Let's tell you a little more about the features of the heart rate monitor in fitness bracelets. If you turn the base of the bracelet over, you will see rapidly flashing sensors - light bulbs. This is an optical system for tracking blood flow using infrared radiation. It is based on a method with a complex name - photoplethysmogram.
That is, in a fitness bracelet, as in a sports watch, the miracle of physical laws works. This device, a photoresistor, responds to the amount of light absorbed. The greater the blood flow (pulse), the more light the red blood cells absorb, the less light reaches the mechanism.
This process is converted into a heart rate reading—pulse in beats per minute. This entire system in heart rate monitors measures pulse, heart rate and heart rate variability.
Read on the topic: Pulse zones: what heart rate to run at
However, this method has a big drawback - an error in pulse readings occurs after the mark of 100 beats per minute. This is also reflected in the speed at which heart rate changes are displayed on the bracelet or watch monitor.
The good news is that both budget fitness bracelets and expensive sports watches suffer from these inaccuracies. For sports watches, the deviations are, of course, much lower. But when dealing with a fitness bracelet, you most likely will not notice this error during training unless you specifically monitor and compare it with the readings of other sensors or methods. Plus, these method errors do not apply to the state of rest - the measurements there are accurate.
Do you want to track your sleep?
Many fitness trackers are capable of tracking sleep. Typically, motion is detected using a three-axis accelerometer, and sensitivity is higher at night than during the day. Some devices provide graphs that show REM and deep sleep times based on movement.
There are special sleep trackers that are attached to the mattress. It's unlikely that they have a big advantage over wrist trackers. Wearable trackers can do more than just track sleep.
If you don't want to wear something on your wrist while you sleep, you can buy the Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed.
10K Running
Description
An interesting application, in fact it is a training program, following which you can run 10 kilometers in 14 weeks. Accordingly, it has no social component; all functionality is associated only with the training process. It is a continuation of the 5K Runner application. Workout
There is a clear training plan, following which you can increase your results. But this application is not for beginners; if you do not have experience in jogging, then you should start with the previous version. There are all the necessary statistics to track your results: distance traveled, calories burned and running speed
What do users like?
Together with the first version, 5K Runner is a good option for those who have not run before. The goal of these programs is to help a person who has not previously been a runner run their first 10 kilometers. And she copes with this.
What do users not like?
This application has two disadvantages. First, only the first 2 weeks are free, to continue you will need to pay. And secondly, the application is not Russified and only supports English.
Charity Miles
It's a charity donation app and fitness tracker rolled into one. The company will make donations to charitable organizations on your behalf. By covering miles, you help your chosen charity make money. Can track several types of loads - walking, running, dancing and cycling.
With Charity Miles, your mileage will be more meaningful and inspired - for every mile you accumulate, money will be donated to the charity of your choice. Just launch this free application, select the desired fund and for every kilometer you cover by running, walking or cycling, money will be awarded to it.
You can team up with friends and raise funds together. And to keep you motivated, Charity Miles will remind you to run and earn money. But the app doesn't track fitness metrics perfectly and doesn't have as many features as its competitors.
Available for Android / iOS.
How is a fitness bracelet different from a sports watch?
A fitness bracelet is an ideal option for those who are starting to lead an active and healthy lifestyle and for those who are just starting to track transformations in the body and body through training.
Advantages of a fitness bracelet over a sports watch:
- Several times cheaper than a sports watch - a fitness bracelet due to this becomes a compromise between spending and the desire to start monitoring your heart rate;
- the bracelet is lighter and the watch is smaller;
- has a sufficient set of functions for tracking workouts;
- has smart features that make it more than just a pedometer or heart rate monitor;
- wide selection of models and their frequent updates.
But fitness bracelets, precisely because they are compromises, have disadvantages over sports watches. It is because of them that professionals and serious runners and sports enthusiasts buy sports watches:
- The heart rate monitor of a fitness bracelet, although working using the same method as a sports watch, is less accurate. Sports watches have more sensors and a more complex mechanism;
- the bracelet is less durable, less durable, the screen is often scratched;
- there is no way to set up a training program, for example, for a marathon;
- The sports watch has detailed statistics and analytics of training activity. If we compare the statistics of Mi Band and the statistics of Polar Flow, the first one looks quite poor;
- You can swim, dive and even go diving in a sports watch.
Nuances of choice
Deciding on a running watch model is quite difficult. You need to select a device according to your personal parameters. The set of characteristics and functions in your assistant depend on the type of load and on what terrain you are training on.
City running watch
For those who prefer to run only within the city, you can buy a watch with the simplest set of functions: calculating distance and pace, heart rate monitor. For indoor training in the winter, you will need a built-in pedometer and accelerometer.
Professional running athletes may require features such as stride length, running power, and foot contact time.
Watch for cross-country running: trail running, skyrunning
Runners who train outside the city should purchase a device with a built-in altimeter to monitor pressure changes. This feature will help you better navigate in mountainous areas.
The device provides accurate data on the location altitude. This will help calculate the load level based on the grade and rate of ascent.
What hours are needed for cross-country training:
- Must support several satellite navigation systems, in case communication with one of them is interrupted.
- A useful feature would be one that shows where the runner is on the map.
- Some models are equipped with full-format maps; using such watches, you can program your jogging route in advance.
- With long battery life to eliminate the chance of the watch turning off during the peak of a workout or in uncharted terrain.
Support for other sports
When deciding which sports watch to buy, consider additional features that are needed not only for a specific sport. For example, cyclists will benefit from the option to connect a power meter and a device for calculating cadence.
Athletes who rely on running and swimming as cardio exercises can purchase a watch that calculates stroke efficiency and stroke rate, assesses swimming style and the number of pool lengths covered.
The most convenient watches are those with a multisport mode. The type of load can be switched using one button.
For beginners and amateurs
Beginning runners are recommended to buy a watch with a minimum set of functions or a fitness bracelet with a GPS tracker. Such a device is easier to master and adapt to your workout. You can focus on the quality of your run rather than tracking new metrics. At the same time, the available modes are sufficient for effective jogging.
Such devices last a long time and do not discharge when running, since they have built-in batteries of minimal durability.
For amateurs and experienced athletes
Mid-class watches of the same price are the most optimal models for amateur runners and professionals in the world of sports. When choosing a specific model, consider the volume and duration of your workout. It is better to buy a gadget with the maximum range of functions.
The main thing is the battery; the watch needs to work for at least 5 hours without recharging.
Endomondo
The app tracks mileage, workout duration, calories burned, average speed and other parameters. The results of your training can be posted on social networks. In the application itself, you will have access to a feed where you can share your achievements with other users.
Endomondo is fully compatible with ANT speed, respiration and heart rate sensors. Otherwise, this is a pretty standard running app and is ideal for those who don't like too much extra stuff.
Endomondo: Pros and Cons of Under Armor's Running App
TOP 5 GPS watches for running
Let's present the 5 best models of GPS running watches from different price segments, and their brief characteristics.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar
Smart watch that charges from sunlight. Features of the model: GPS, NFC, moisture protection.
Measurements:
- monitoring calories, sleep, physical activity;
- continuous heart rate measurement;
- stopwatch;
- timer;
- shows the level of oxygen in the blood;
- built-in heart rate monitor.
Price from 80,900 rub.
Apple Watch Series 6
A watch that can be used to receive phone calls. The device counts calories, records activity type, takes into account sleep and oxygen levels. There are the following sensors:
- gyroscope;
- accelerometer;
- altimeter;
- heart rate monitor
Price from 33,000 rub.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
The device has an updated display and a thin frame, making it as convenient as possible for training. Functions: connection with phone, heart rate monitor, monitoring of sleep, activity, calories burned.
There are sensors:
- gyroscope;
- accelerometer;
- altimeter
Price from 19,000 rub.
Huawei Watch GT 2e Sport
A device with volumetric 3D glass. In addition to standard functions, the watch has several training modes. Classic sensor set:
- gyroscope;
- accelerometer;
- altimeter;
- heart rate monitor
Price from 12,000 rub.
Xiaomi Haylou LS05
One of the cheapest and simplest devices. The watch measures heart rate, monitors sleep and activity. They have a limited number of sensors - there is only an accelerometer. Feature – can work for about 1 month without recharging.
Price from 2300 rub.
