Why fitness apps could be doing more harm than good

You can track your workouts, share your stats, and enjoy your progress. For a tracking app called “run club”, I shouldn’t be surprised that you can only track runs, yet I am. Many runners cross-train to complement their running; without a sports watch how else are you to track that data? On top of my runs, I swim and strength train once a week, but neither appeared on Nike Run Club. Gymverse also offers really great wearable connectivity; when I tested it with my Apple Watch, I could start, track, and end workouts on my watch rather than needing to open the app on my phone.

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  • Once an activity has started recording, the time, average split pace, and distance are big and bold on your phone screen – so you can scan them while you’re pacing along.
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  • Simultaneously, your Fatigue accumulates faster, which leads to a decline in form.
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  • For the novice, the Fitness and Freshness feature is one of the more complicated tools on Strava.
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  • When employing this method, training goes through various phases as you improve fitness toward the season’s goals.
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  • Even though the app doesn’t offer any standout features, it includes solid basics at a decent price point.
  • Intuitive Data Visualization Complex metrics become accessible through clean, well-designed charts and graphs.

Similarities between Strava and Runkeeper

Future brings the luxury of working out with a personal trainer to your fingertips, literally. This isn’t one of those dime-a-dozen apps that have boring and broad workout programs with zero specialization for your personal needs. Sorry to brag, but our own All / Out Studio app just happens to be one of the best streaming fitness apps available. That’s because the programming was created by the world’s most elite trainers, as well as our own certified team of fitness experts.

Endomondo

Other fitness apps also follow a similar pricing model where they offer free versions with limited features and premium versions that unlock additional functionalities. It’s important to assess which features are essential for your needs before deciding on a subscription plan. In the world of fitness apps, Strava stands out as a popular choice among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. With its unique features and user-friendly interface, it has gained a loyal following. However, there are other fitness apps available in the market that offer similar functionalities. In this article, we will compare Strava with other fitness apps to help you make an informed decision.

Best Running Apps for Apple Watch in 2024

In our opinion, Strava can be a great platform for intermediate athletes that value data tracking over personalized instruction. The service is somewhat expensive, though, and the supported sports may not be everyone’s cup of tea — looking at you, strength training enthusiasts. In this Strava app review, we’ll examine the digital training tool’s user experience, as well as its cost, available features, and more. We’ve also used our equipment testing methodology to critique and compare Strava with dozens of other fitness apps we’ve had the pleasure of trialing over the years. Plus, the service supports other workout modalities for mad muscle program review individuals partaking in activities like water sports, golf, and more. As one of the best cycling apps, running apps, and general workout tracking platforms, it’s no surprise that Strava carries positive reviews for both iOS and Android users.

On the ‚You‘ page, there is also a list of recently used devices, so you can see how your activities have been tracked. Besides, as reported by a Strava spokesperson to DC Rainmaker after the lawsuit dropped, Strava is still looking for a resolution that is somewhat amicable. You’re training for an eventIf you’re going to be sticking to a training schedule, Strava is the ideal place to log everything. You’ll be able to set challenges and see how your performance changes in the run-up to the event. With the attribution issue seemingly settled, it’s interesting to see if the patent dispute is quietly shelved as well at some point in the future.

You’ll have a running route anywhere you go

Strava uses global maps with detailed road and trail data, so when you add two points to a route, there’s the option to stick to roads or trails automatically. I mostly run solo, but the ability to share a route with friends or club members makes it easy to organize group rides or runs. Instead of juggling various apps and programs for my timer, form cues, and workout schedule, everything is conveniently consolidated in one location.

Strava Fitness App vs Nike Run Club

Like Strava, you can connect Runkeeper to other apps with Zapier—so you can add workouts to your calendar or analyze them in a spreadsheet, for example. The app supports freestyling your workout too, which is a nice touch; I was able to start a blank workout and add exercise types and reps/sets as I went. Hevy also worked nicely with my Apple Watch, which meant I didn’t have to hold—or keep checking—my phone the whole time. But when paired with a Fitbit device, you get a lot more from the Fitbit app—including much more accurate activity tracking. I was able to pick up a used wearable device on Facebook Marketplace for about $40, though a brand-new one can cost significantly more.

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Activity Variety

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strava vs fitness app

You can follow other people on Strava to see each other’s activity in a newsfeed, like and comment on activities, see the details of other’s workouts, and more. You can use your phone or sync your Strava account with many different activity trackers and apps, like an Apple Watch, Garmin, FitBit, Wahoo, Polar, and more, with additional integrations added regularly. If you’ve got any type of running watch, heart rate monitor, or fitness tracker, Strava can probably connect with it.

The problem with focusing on that single line is that it drives people to try and push it as high as possible. In general, the overall numbers in your chart aren’t as important as the general trends you identify. One of the more powerful things https://realreviews.io/reviews/madmuscles.com you can do with this information is to compare where you are now to past periods when you were fit. This can help you determine your current fitness, appropriate training loads, and how to improve even more. In essence, this simple chart enables you to track your levels of fitness, fatigue, and form over selected periods of time, graphing this information to be used as a guide for optimizing your training.

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Strava Vs Apple fitness

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You’ll need to find your own motivation to start moving, although you can still record a strength session on the app. Strava is generally well-regarded among athletes and fitness enthusiasts, but it’s not perfect. It’s https://madmuscles.en.uptodown.com/android also fair to say that the performance aspect of Strava depends on what activities you’re tracking, what plan you’re on, and what device (if any) you’re wearing. On the flip side of social features, Strava also has plenty of privacy features with safety in mind.

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Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

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The app allows you to stream classes in 10 different categories (cycling, running, bootcamp, outdoor, strength, and more) anywhere, with live studio classes uploaded daily to an extant library of over 10,000. We especially love attending the live classes, because you get the actual push from those around you and from Peloton’s lineup of fitness-celebrity trainers. These days the digital world is very much a part of our existence, and for all of the negatives that come with that, there are also potentially useful tools that are available to those in the pursuit of fitness. As the ways we approach exercise have shifted in the face of changing technology, having a digital training partner has become more commonplace. Whether you’re exercising at home, or on the road, the best workout apps have become one of the most versatile fitness tools out there. Looking into customer complaints about Strava’s free features turning into paid subscription features, Thematic can point to the time when this switch happened.

We made sure to utilize both iOS and Android smartphones, to compare how these apps performed on those different operating systems. Consider the workouts you enjoy or want to check out, whether that’s yoga, strength training, cardio, or HIIT. Some apps focus on specific activities, while others provide a variety to keep your routine exciting. Matching the app’s offerings to your preferences can make sticking to your fitness routine easier, which is really the whole point with finding a training resource. “Both apps have similar features, such as GPS tracking, activity tracking, and the ability to set goals and track progress.

Apple Fitness isn’t amazing at tracking strength training metrics like reps or sets, but if you have a lot of variety in your fitness routine, it can handle a little bit of everything. All of the activity tracking features are available on Strava’s free version, but Strava Premium is where the app elevates itself with in-depth training plans, custom route building, group challenges, and more. “I honestly don’t think Strava’s free version is worth the download,” says our tester, a certified personal trainer. “You can get GPS tracking services from elsewhere, but the premium features are what give this service its gusto.” As such, we’ll focus on the Strava Premium service for the remainder of this review. Other fitness apps like Nike Run Club and Runkeeper also offer similar tracking capabilities but may lack some advanced features that are unique to Strava. For example, Strava allows users to create segments where they can compete with others who have completed the same route.

In addition to the GPS tracking and the standard performance metrics, there are plenty of detailed specs that elevate their understanding of their completed running workouts and other sport-based activities. However, our tester notes that while this beacon feature is nice for adventures, they do wish the Strava location services were a little more private. “When you’re out on a route, your geolocation is made public as you track your pacing and navigation. Even after tinkering with the privacy settings, you can still easily see where I’ve run or biked,” they state.

You can even pair your Strava account to your best heart rate monitor for more informed data tracking. The privacy issue is a concern, as the app will share your location, but some may not be bothered by this. It would be nice if more features were available in the free version, but if you’re regularly using this app, the subscription may be well worth it.

veröffentlicht am 10.11.2025