Smart Phone Running/Fitness apps

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

12/31/2013 01:56:01 PM · #1

Does anyone use any? Any recommendations specifically for running?

I currently use three, sort of:

Zombies, run! - this concept I kind of like although I am not into zombies at all. But I like the interjection of story between songs. The problem is you also have to 'play the game' after your runs which I am not into at all.
Fit-bit - the most recent version only as it has a mode for using the M7 chip in the 5s which is good for me as I don't have a Fit Bit band. This I guess is to encourage you to buy a Fit Bit.
Step Tracker - the most basic as it only counts steps and converts to distance. The most recent version added a time mode so you can start a timer and record steps/distance for specific 'runs' or 'walks' as well as the total for the day.

When you search there are so many and who knows what is good or not? I know only the one that works for me is going to do the trick. But have to start looking somewhere.

EL-ROI

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

12/31/2013 03:10:39 PM · #2

I am using Strava for iphone. It has a GPS tracker, records your time/distance and also has an online feed which allows for social networking. It can post your info to facebook if you are interested in sharing.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

12/31/2013 03:16:33 PM · #3

Everyone at my work uses fitbits. Now you know 100% of what I know about the topic.

markwiley

Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS

12/31/2013 03:26:46 PM · #4

I had the Fitbit flex and upgraded recently to the newer Force. I liked the old one but like the newer even better because it has a full display, clock and counts stairs as well as steps. However, I mostly just use it for counting steps for walking rather than running. It does help motivate me to keep moving. If my steps are low I'll grab the lease and take the dog for a walk or grab my camera and take an excursion.

alanfreed

Nikon D6

12/31/2013 03:28:09 PM · #5

I use Runkeeper for walking. I like how it draws me a pretty map of where I went, etc.

Message edited by author 2013-12-31 15:31:05.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

12/31/2013 04:49:28 PM · #6

Originally posted by alanfreed:

I use Runkeeper for walking. I like how it draws me a pretty map of where I went, etc.

Mine would be a red dot (I use the treadmill...too cold outside!) :)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/31/2013 06:33:01 PM · #7

Zombies, Run does that for me. GPS tracks that is. I like that app as it interjects pieces of a story between songs from a playlist I constructed and also tells me time and distance through the headphones as I run. The problem is the game side of it and the whole zombie apocalypse aspect. Just not my interest. It is the GPS tracking and time/distance as I run that keeps me with it.

Not really into any 'social aspect' of things. I do not have Facebook account or any other social media. Again, just not my thing.

I will investigate Strava. Never heard of it.

There was something about Runkeeper I was not happy with at one point. That was a while ago. Perhaps with the new phone and new version of the app it is different. Will have to look into that one again too.

I currently run in a local cemetery. A very beautiful spot bordered on two sides by rivers that merge on a third side. No one ever bothers me, quiet, mountains all around, off the road (a must at my age - cannot take tarmac anymore). But then I look at the GPS map and it is just a bunch of circles in the same spot. So mapping is not really that important. But I do like to hear announcements of the distance as I run.

Message edited by author 2013-12-31 18:41:01.

banmorn

Nikon D750

12/31/2013 07:55:16 PM · #8

I walk and use accupedo pro on my android. No music, just stats. It does have a running option.

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/31/2013 08:08:40 PM · #9

I use RunMeter the most and really like it. I do a walk/run methods, so it allows me to customize my workout and announces when to make changes. It also can be adjusted to monitor your speed, time, distance, etc.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

12/31/2013 08:19:08 PM · #10

Strava for me, because I already use it for cycling, so adding my rare runs wasn't much of a stretch. I record them with my phone - seems to work just fine, although it doesn't do much other than record your run. It'll give you splits (by mile, for instance) and tell you if your projected 5K is any better than the last time you tried....

EL-ROI

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

12/31/2013 09:12:28 PM · #11

Originally posted by rjkstesch:

This app sounds intriguing... I looked it up and read about planning your workouts on the pro version. Can you plan a couch to 5k workout plan? For instance: day 1 walk 10 minutes, run 5 minutes, walk 10 minutes... day 2 walk 9 minutes, run 7 minutes, walk 9 minutes... etc.

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

12/31/2013 11:27:33 PM · #12

Originally posted by EL-ROI:

Originally posted by rjkstesch:
I use RunMeter the most and really like it. I do a walk/run methods, so it allows me to customize my workout and announces when to make changes. It also can be adjusted to monitor your speed, time, distance, etc.

This app sounds intriguing... I looked it up and read about planning your workouts on the pro version. Can you plan a couch to 5k workout plan? For instance: day 1 walk 10 minutes, run 5 minutes, walk 10 minutes... day 2 walk 9 minutes, run 7 minutes, walk 9 minutes... etc.

In the settings, it has 4 built in plans, a 5K, 10k, 1/2 marathon and marathon. Example: Day one of 5K - Warm up 5 min. (Run 1:00 min, Walk 1:30 min) 8 times, Cool down 5 min.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

01/01/2014 08:11:52 AM · #13

Thanks for the replies.

I checked out the suggestions. I am discouraged at all the 'socialization' with these apps. Why does everything have to be everyone else's business? Anyway, between the social aspects, the in-app purchases to get what I would like, the forced app refresh settings and a few other quirks I just don't like, I will keep searching.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

01/01/2014 08:44:15 AM · #14

Ok -- you run by a cemetery -- and your profile pict looks a little on the way to zombie-ish... are you sure that you're not a zombie in the making??? ;)