10 Best Running Apps for Beginners | Best List

This article contains a list of the best running apps for beginners.

In this digital age, your smartphone should be your go-to for everything. You should be able to use your smartphone for just about anything.

Some apps have been put in place to aid you in your exercise journey, especially as a beginner.

Whether you are someone who prefers an at-home workout session or you are a gym rat, there are countless apps out there to help you exercise more effectively. 

What is a Running App?

As you know, running is an exercise that strengthens your muscles and helps you burn fat. When doing this, you could need a running app to help you keep track. Whether you are working up to your first mile or running your second marathon, running apps provide an essential tool for maximizing your workout.

From tracking pace to providing motivational cues, running apps have come a long way and are essentially like having a personal trainer in your pocket. As a beginner, a running app is great for tracking your performance.  

Why do You Need a Running App in 2022?

Some of the reasons why a running app should be of utmost importance
to you in 2022 are:

  • A running app would aid in your routine, helping you keep track of your performance. 
  • A running app would time you, show you how many miles you have run and how many targets you have left. 
  • A running app mostly has an alarm, helping you cultivate your running habit as a beginner. 
  • By having a running app on your phone as a beginner, also ensures you know when to change your routine.  

How do Running Apps Work?

Most running apps for beginners work with GPS. Others work with vitals or a stopwatch setting. SO you can set it when you start and turn it off when you stop. If you need a running path, you could also set it and the running app provides an accurate one for you.  

The running apps that work with GPS mostly do not work well among buildings and trees. Buildings can interfere with satellite readings because the signal bounces off of the building. Your device assumes that the signal went in a straight line, but the bounce added some distance, which changes where it thinks you are. The same goes for trees.  

To get extra accuracy especially if you sometimes run indoors many devices can work with a foot pod. You calibrate it so the device learns how long your stride is, and it will work that into its calculations. If you are timing yourself on short distances, find a track or measured path and learn to read the markings. If you are trying to hit a specific pace for training purposes, GPS devices can help.  

10 Best Running Apps for Beginners

#1. ASICS Runkeeper

One of the first running apps on the scene, ASICS Runkeeper is an easy-to-use app that tracks your pace, distance, calories burned, time, and more. With this running app for beginners, you can look back on past runs to track your progress and discover new routes near you.

It’s one of the best running apps for beginners, providing basic run data to help you get into your new routine, but has straightforward info runners at every skill level will appreciate. 

Click here to get App 

#2. Map My Run

The Map My Run app is also one of the best running apps for beginners. It offers all the basic functionality of a running app, most of which include pace, distance, calories burned, and time, with the added benefit of linking to compatible fitness trackers and heart rate monitors.

You can also input more robust data like food consumption and track the distance logged on your running shoes. The app would alert you when it is your running time and would also let you know when you need a new pair of running shoes. The app can also identify what type of run you are doing.  

Click here to get App 

#3. Adidas Running App 

Adidas Running App has unique features that make it stand out from other running apps for beginners. This app links to Google Earth for easy route mapping. It has great analytics, with graphs and charts depicting your progress and easy social sharing. It is also very easy to use. In addition, the app comes with built-in training schedules and even syncs up with Spotify and Pandora for easy music 

Click here to get the App  

#4. Charity Miles

Charity Miles is a basic running app that lets you help others while taking care of yourself. Before you start your run, you would be required to choose the charity you want to donate to that day.

For each mile, you run, walk, or bike, corporate sponsors will donate to the cause of your choice. The more you run, the more they donate. Typical donations are $0.10 per mile biked and $0.25 per mile run or walked. It is one of the best running apps for beginners.  

Click here to get the App  

#5. Nike Run Club

This is one of the best running apps for beginners. No, you don’t have to have Nike products to enjoy the benefits of the Nike Run Club App. All you need is to set your running terrain and the app tracks your pace, distance, calories burned, and time.

The thing that sets this app apart are the gamified options that let you share your personal goals, challenge friends and beat your record. You can also upload a “Power Song” to play when you need an extra boost on your run. This app also notifies you when it is time to run. You can change this from the app settings too. 

Click here to get the App  

#6. Strava

Strava is popular among competitive runners because of its advanced GPS tracking features. The free app provides basic stats like pace, elevation, distance, and heart rate monitor connection. Strava also focuses on community and you can connect with your contacts and Facebook friends.

If you opt for the premium Strava Summit membership, this gives you a more detailed analysis of your running as well as access to a safety feature that shares your location with designated contacts while you run. It is one of the best running apps for beginners. 

Click here to get the App  

#6. Fitfy

Fitify is one of the best running apps for runners of all types. It has a range of features, including features that do not even have to do with running. Hence, if you are running and decide to check out other exercise routines, you could.

The app also links with music and also provides guided audio runs if that’s your thing. In addition to basic stats like pace, elevation, and distance, the aesthetic of the app is nice and easy to navigate.
Even though the app has an option for premium subscriptions, most features open
on the app are free. 

Click here to get the App  

#7. Human

If you need some workout motivation, Human is the app for you. This app essentially works in the background, keeping track of your walks, runs, and movement throughout the day with relatively little drain on your smartphone battery.

The human also focuses on active minutes rather than steps, encouraging you to hit certain daily milestones. The app also compares how you stack up to people nearby in terms of activity. It is one of the best running apps for beginners.  

Click here to get the App  

#8. Runcoach

Runcoach is another running app for beginners that is highly spoken of. It is perfect for those needing a structured running regimen. Runcoach features training programs to help you achieve your goals, whether that’s running a 5K or half marathon.

The app boasts that 25% of all Runcoach users achieve a higher level of fitness within six months and that Runcoach users improve their race finish time by 7%. The app has no in-app purchases and is very easy to use.  

Click here to get the App  

#9. Peloton digital

This running app for beginners gives you the option to take advantage of the numerous running programs littered all over the place. The Peloton Digital App has expanded to include outdoor runs, where a Peloton trainer does the workout with you and guides you through a curated outdoor run complete with music.

Just start the app, put your phone in your pocket, and hit the road. This running app is easy to use and most of its features are free as well.  

Click here to get the App  

#10. Couch to 5k

The Couch to 5K is perfect for novice runners looking to get in shape and build up their running regimen in just a few short weeks. Set a goal date for your first 5K and the app will provide training schedules with 20–30 min routes three times a week until your race.

The built-in pacing tells you when to walk, when to run, and coaches you through your route while gradually building stamina and strength. Choose 1 of 4 virtual coaches to keep you motivated. It is one of the best running apps for beginners. 
Click here to get the App  

Conclusion

Running is considered to be one of the top cardio exercises that help you in reducing your body fat faster. But, running can be tough, especially for beginners. Thus, fitness experts and many amazing fitness apps offer tips and techniques to run effectively. Be it for fitness, or to win a race, running has to be done right to impact positively.  

Frequently Asked Questions

The best overall running app for beginners is Runkeeper. 

Train three days a week, run or run/walk 20 to 30 minutes, two days a week, take a long run or run/walk (40 minutes to an hour) on the weekend, rest or cross-train on your off days, run at a conversational pace, consider taking regular walk-breaks. 

Go through the list of best running apps for beginners above, then install it and set it up. You can then put your weight, name, and other information that could be required of you. Strava is pretty easy to use. As a beginner, you could start with it.  

ASICS Runkeeper, Map My Run, Adidas Running App by Runtastic, and PUMATRAC are the best free running apps for iOS.  

Running is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss. It burns a lot of calories, may help you continue to burn calories long after a workout, may help suppress appetite, and targets harmful belly fat.  

Regular running for beginners means getting out at least twice a week. Your running will improve as your body adapts to the consistent training stimulus. It’s better to run twice a week, every week than to run 6 times in one week and then do no running for the next 3 weeks. 

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