Running has and always will be one of the best forms of exercise, especially when it comes to burning fat.
This is because running, while tiring, is not as intense as other exercises such as sprinting. Because of this running puts you in that fat “burning zone” when it comes to your heart rate.
As your body breaks down fat slowly compared to other energy resources you want to be doing a lower intensity exercise that you can do for a longer period of time – like running!
So, what are the potential issues with running? Well, the most common complaint is that it can be a bit boring. Another complaint is that they just don’t see the point.
Well, what we’re going to look at is a few ways in which we can help with running. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a new runner everyone needs a little help from time to time.
And what’s the best way to get that help? Well, an app is a great way of providing both motivation and enjoyment, finding new and interesting routes while tracking your progress. Let’s have a look at the best ones out there.
Nike Run Club
Nike Run Club is the first app we’re going to look at, this app is designed with the intention of tracking your runs, guiding your runs, and even sharing them with friends if you so wish.
The main feature for newer runner is going to be the guided runs, these essentially are a way of having a coach speak to the runner as they go, a virtual coach in the most literal sense.
This is an incredible tool for new runners, while it may seem obvious how to run small changes in technique can make a huge difference and the motivation provided can be a god send for any new runner.
As mentioned, the app also tracks your runs. These are pretty standard for most apps but are there for a good reason.
Being able to see exactly how far you’ve gone and even the route you took is great for motivation. “Look how far I ran this morning!”, for example. It’s a great feeling when you see the results of your hard work.
Challenges are something else that’s worth a mention. They’re really useful if you’d like to take advantage of them. Despite being called challenges they are essentially goals you’re setting yourself, can you run this far in this amount of time by this date.
Ask any sports psychologist and they’ll tell you goals are key. They keep you motivated and focused on where you want to be.
Strava
Stave is an app designed to help you find the route best suited for you. The app helps you find routes and track your distance, speed, and other factors such as heart rate if you have a monitor to link the app with.
This is the simplest app and for those who are looking for a tracker to monitor the different levels of their fitness and generally gain more of an insight into your health. These sorts of apps are great for keeping yourself accountable and on track with your goals.
If you’re looking for simplicity, an app that helps you understand exactly what you’re doing and shows you where you may be able to improve then Strava is the app for you. It is one of the best free running apps for beginners that want to establish a regular running routine.
It can also be worth signing up for a premium subscription, as you’ll get access to premium features like the ability to set custom goals, or use relative effort to see the effect of a run on your body. You can check our full Strava review for more info.
MapMyRun
MapMyRun is the next app we’ll have a look at, this app is a tracking app that tracks where you go, how far you’ve gone and how many steps you’ve taken. Emphasis on creating and searching for current routes allows users to either forge their own path or follow in the footsteps of others.
This app is very simple in its design and is aimed at allowing users to set their own goals and then track whether they reach those goals. You can choose to do this as you like, in your day to day maybe or even go out and do specific routes that others have made.
This way you’ll get an idea of where you’re going and if you would like to run a specific distance then you can select those routes that best apply.
If you happen to have Under Armour smart shoes you can even sync the app with the shoes, this will give you in depth statistics about pace, stride length and even cadence. According to their site you’ll even get coaching tips along the way!
Conclusion
In conclusion it the best running app for you is going to depend on what you’re looking for to improve your running. Are you trying to make the running more interesting? Then MayMyRun may be best for you with predetermined routes that you can experience.
If you need motivation for your running, then the Nike Run Club app is going to be best for you with their coach that keeps you motivated and offers advice as you’re running.
If you’re simply looking for an app that tracks your stats and reminds you to get your exercise every day, then Human is the app for you with its reminders and emphasis on getting 30 minutes of exercise every day.
We hope this article has helped you decide which running app is best for you and you’re back out there as soon as possible.
