Best Running Apps for Android & iPhone of 2021

Top And popular Best Running Apps: weight-loss-articles.net experts have identified the best mobile apps for Running (for iOS and Android devices). These apps received the highest overall score after 78 criteria. There is no doubt that running is a beneficial type of exercise for the typical person. This sport is also as accessible as possible: no extra equipment or facilities are required.

List Of The Best Running Apps

All you’ll need is a street, some sneakers, and some clothing. We’ll go over the advantages of running, the different styles of running, the complexities of training, and some pointers on how to get the most out of your jogging.t

1. Runtastic - adidas Running & adidas Training apps

Popular mobile running app and leader of our testing. It supports the Health Kit / Google Fit service. It allows you to customize the workout screen for yourself (displays only information of interest to the user, starting with distance, pace, and other standard indicators, ending with the current speed, average heart rate, etc.). The application implements advanced statistics that allow you to view information on various criteria at certain time intervals with a display of the route traveled.

The application also provides the advanced motivation that allows you to add friends, compare your own results with them and share your workouts in the news feed. The application contains training programs that are suitable not only to keep yourself in shape or lose weight but also to prepare to run 5, 10 km, or a marathon.

However, to use all the functionality, you will need to subscribe to a paid subscription. During testing, the application correctly displayed the route of the run and accurately measured the distance.

The security level of the application meets high standards. The mobile application regularly receives updates, demonstrates correct and stable operation.

Advantages

  • Advanced functionality
  • Advanced statistics
  • Advanced motivation
  • Cross-platform
  • Support for the Health Kit / Google Fit service
  • Protection against accidental workout termination
  • The ability to connect a heart rate monitor
  • The ability to share the location

Disadvantages

  • Mandatory authorization
  • Expensive subscription
  • Heavy application weight

2. Samsung Health 

The rich set of functions of the application allows the user to enjoy jogging without worrying about the accuracy of measurements. The application has very detailed statistics that show all the data, from the route to the weather in the region where the run was performed.

The only Best Running Apps out of all tested, which allows you to set a login password.  Well implemented training programs with downloadable gifs that will help you get used to a new sport. The app also allows you to connect many third-party devices such as scales, glucometers, blood pressure monitors, smartwatches, etc.

However, the app lacks any kind of synchronization with social networks, and you cannot share your current location.  Also, without registration, the mobile application does not allow using the basic functionality. The security level of the application meets high standards. The mobile application regularly receives updates, demonstrates correct and stable operation.

Advantages

  • Free app
  • Advanced statistics
  • Virtual achievements
  • Daily water consumption tracker
  • Daily food
  • Consumption tracker – daily caffeine consumption
  • Rracker – sleep tracker

Disadvantages

  • Mandatory registration

3. Map My Fitness Workout Trainer

Map My Fitness Workout Trainer has managed to create a social fitness network that allows users to track fitness and health statistics. The mobile application Map My Fitness Workout Trainer Running Cycling Walking records the running time, pace, calories, heart rate.

You can connect heart rate and speed sensors to the Best Running Apps via Bluetooth or synchronize the app with services such as Google Fit / Health Kit, Garmin, etc. However, the mobile app does not allow using the basic functionality without authorization. It also has no tips or welcome instructions.

The security level of the application meets high standards, despite the impossibility of setting a password for the entrance.  The mobile application regularly receives updates, demonstrates correct and stable operation.

Advantages

  • Cross-platform
  • Advanced statistics
  • Advanced motivation
  • Virtual achievements
  • Auto-pause
  • Protection against accidental workout termination

Disadvantages

  • Speed is not displayed during training
  • Presence of advertising
  • Calculates the distance with an error
  • Large application weight

4. Runkeeper - Run and Mile Tracker

The app from the significant shoe manufacturer ASICS is easy to use, but hidden behind that simplicity is rich functionality. The mobile application allows you to track such basic indicators as total time, calories, heart rate, pace. Has convenient run statistics with well-implemented load and ascent summary graphs.

Runkeeper – Run and Mile Tracker Allows you to connect to a variety of Bluetooth-based fitness devices or sync with services such as Google Fit / Health Kit, Fitbit, etc. An excellent social component is where you can add friends from existing social networks like Facebook or Twitter.

However, the application does not have a feed of events and does not allow you to see people nearby who are also running. And to reveal all the functionality of the application, you will have to buy a premium subscription. The security level of the application meets high standards, despite the impossibility of setting a password for the entrance. The mobile application regularly receives updates, demonstrates correct and stable operation.

Advantages

  • Advanced functionality
  • Advanced statistics
  • Advanced motivation
  • The ability to connect a heart rate monitor
  • Tracks shoe wear

Disadvantages

  • Mandatory registration
  • Expensive subscription

5. Strava: Track Running, Cycling & Swimming

Strava Running & Cycling: GPS is a popular mobile running app. It has advanced statistics that allow you to analyze your workouts by time and view your workout routes.

The strava application also implements advanced motivation that allows you to add users as friends, compare the results of training with other users, share them in the feed, and share your geolocation during training. It supports the Health Kit service and has training plans.

However, during training, the app does not count the number of calories burned and does not display the running speed, and to use the full functionality, you will need to subscribe. During testing, the application correctly displayed the route of the run. The security level of the Best Running Apps meets high standards.

Advantages

  • Advanced statistics 
  • Inexpensive subscription 
  • Supports the Health Kit service
  • Advanced motivation
  • The ability to connect a heart rate monitor
  • Protection against accidental termination of the workout 
  • The ability to transfer the current location 

Disadvantages

  • Mandatory authorization
  • Distance calculation with an error
  • Does not measure speed and calories
  • No adaptation for people with restricted abilities

6. Nike Run Club

Nike + Run Club is a popular running and activity tracking app with a choice of competitive programs that are updated every month. The functions "Audio run" and "My trainer" are conveniently implemented with the choice of an individual running program that takes into account the wishes of the user.

Achievements celebrate running progress and can be shared on Facebook. You can connect heart rate sensors to the app via Bluetooth or sync the app with services such as Google Fit / Health Kit or Garmin. The app also allows you to specify running shoes to track shoe resources. 

However, the Nike + Run Club app lacks a welcome guide, and the Contact Us section is a Twitter feedback form and an Illinois phone number. The security level of the application meets high standards, despite the impossibility of setting a password for the entrance. Also, the application does not ask for active consent to the processing and storage of personal data. The mobile application regularly receives updates, demonstrates correct and stable operation.

Advantages

  • Completely free
  • Advanced functionality
  • Advanced motivation
  • The ability to connect a heart rate monitor
  • Good statistics
  • Audio training

Disadvantages

  • Mandatory authorization
  • Large application weight

What Are the Benefits of Running: Examining the Benefits​

And the fact that while running, the human body consumes less oxygen confirms this. A lot of oxygen is bad for the body – it “burns” it from the inside. And with this type of training, the amount of O2 consumed is reduced, and human life is extended.

Improvement of the musculoskeletal system

Good for blood supply: 2-4 years after regular running training, a capillary network begins to grow in a person. During systematic running, changes also occur in the muscles, which are better adapted to stress and in cartilage and bone tissues. As a result, the whole body is in good shape, and a person feels vigorous even at a fairly mature age.

Running is an anti-stress sport

And these are the mental health benefits. It all works as follows. On the one hand, the cortisol released during exercise helps keep blood sugar at a stable level so that you can run better. On the other hand, a running person is calm at the brain level – training increases the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid. And it is considered a resting neurotransmitter. On the third hand, running has a good effect on the work of the peripheral nervous system, which is associated with the work of internal organs.

Happiness is on the run

Walking several kilometers regularly allows the brain to receive endorphins and endocannabinoids that bring us happiness. And the movement itself, the achievement of certain results, allows the brain to receive dopamine, which is a mediator of pleasure. It is the need for reinforcement with dopamine that allows us to go jogging without laziness. Running also triggers the release of serotonin, which excites and makes us happy. At the same time, a lack of serotonin provokes depression, lack of strength, mood.

Improving the quality of life

Leaving the comfort zone, achieving goals, the opportunity to test their strengths for many people give a feeling of pleasure, love for their body, and personality in general. Good physical shape and self-confidence, and a stable hormonal background positively affect personal life, including sexual life. And this is another argument in the treasury of the benefits of running for both men and women.

Slowing down the aging of the brain

Running is considered one of the reasons for the survival of nerve cells in the brain: the rhythmic movement of the legs causes the release of neurotrophin, which conserves neurons, preventing them from dying. Improving blood circulation, reducing oxidative stress allow the brain not to age prematurely. Running people have better-developed connections between parts of the brain, and they directly affect the ability to plan, make decisions, and work in multitasking mode.

Deceleration of aging itself, which occurs at the molecular level in runners

Statistics say that sportspeople live 3 years longer, their risk of premature death is 25-40% lower. And scientists have come to the conclusion that one run can give us 7 hours of life.

Health in general

It is important to understand that running does not save you from health problems and certainly does not heal. But practicing this sport in conjunction with other methods of health care is considered the prevention of hypertension, prostatitis, diabetes, problems with fat metabolism, respiratory diseases, and the risk of a heart attack. The benefits of running for women and men have been proven empirically: those who actively move are less dependent on outside help and less at risk of becoming disabled.

Types of Running

Among the huge number of types of running, we will single out the most popular.

Interval

A technique of running with alternating fast, jogging, and regular stride. Simply put, during such a run, several types of loads are combined, and the body’s capabilities increase and strengthen after a week of regular exercise.

Jogging

Jogging is a rewarding workout that maintains a slow pace with narrow strides. When jogging, the speed is slightly faster than when walking. The benefits of this type of running in the morning or as a recovery workout have been evaluated.

Jogging on the spot is great for home workouts too. The technique is simple; the types are ordinary, with a “high heel,” knees raised high.

Light Running

Light (or footing) – refers more to race walking. It is considered health-improving and strengthening. Light running speed – 10-12 km / h: quick take-off, soft push, landing on the outer part of the foot with the pelvis turning forward.

Medium

Medium – typical for non-professional athletes. The distances are average, and the speed is low. Such running energizes and tones up.

Sprint

Sprint – the distances are small, the speed is maximum. The benefit of running short distances is that it develops physical fitness well; sometimes, it is part of interval running and light running.

Fartlek

Fartlek is a run in which different speeds alternate in one workout. It is more complex than the interval one because it is non-cyclic (there is no alternation of load and rest). It is carried out over rough terrain.

Natural

Natural – running barefoot or with thin-soled shoes. Technically, this is running squatting in small steps with an emphasis on the fingers. Running, in which the foot is subconsciously placed on the toe, can cause fewer injuries.

Hope You like the article. Feel free to share on social media.