Run, Don't Walk, to Download These 7 Best Running Apps

If checking in with friends is your biggest motivator, consider adding Strava to your phone. This running app, which is also useful for cycling and hiking, allows you to track indoor or outdoor runs, join clubs, find popular routes near you, compete in global challenges and more. In addition, Strava has a safety feature, allowing you to share your run in real time with a trusted contact.

Training to run a local 5K, or planning to race in an upcoming marathon on the other side of the world? No matter what race you’re prepping for, Runna is a premium app that can help you prepare with personalized training plans. In addition to runs, the training plans incorporate strength and conditioning workouts to boost your performance. You’ll also find advice in the app for everything from tweaking your running form to fueling properly ahead of a run.

Maybe you prefer running on a treadmill or track, or your local running route through the park isn’t quite as exciting as you wish it could be. That’s where Zwift comes into play. This app makes running feel more like an adventure. It can connect to some treadmill models, or display it on your phone or through a smart TV. You can follow along to immersive 3D locations along with training plans and on-demand workouts through the app. In addition to offering running plans, Zwift is also a good app for indoor cycling.

Nike Run Club is a free app that offers plenty of functionality, from tracking your runs to offering training and guidance. Users can join existing challenges or set up their own, following training plans, or even run along to guided runs for added encouragement, whether you want to run a 5K or a full marathon or anything in between or beyond. A unique feature is the shoe tracker, which calculates the amount of mileage on each pair of your sneakers and notifies you when they’ll need to be replaced.

If you’re training for a race, consider Trenara Coach. This app uses data from your favorite fitness tracker along with your input goals to develop customized training plans for you to follow. The user-friendly app tracks your progress, shows your upcoming workouts and offers feedback on each session. With paid subscriptions, the plans can also adapt to your terrain and altitude and recent training sessions, and the app can even predict your race times based on your training progress.

Prefer the great outdoors and a sense of adventure when it comes to your runs? While going out on your own can be a thrill, it’s also important to be safe and know where the trail ahead of you is going. AllTrails helps you find running routes near you, whether you’re at home or on a trip. If you have a furry friend in tow, AllTrails can even point you in the direction of dog-friendly routes.

If you want running to feel more like a game than exercise, then ZRX is for you. Power up the app, choose a workout and start walking your route. While you can listen to music during the walk, you’ll start to hear zombie sounds from the app, prompting you to speed up into a jogging or running pace. The app also includes Marvel-inspired training programs or various genres of audio dramas if those are more your speed.