Getting To Know Runkeeper

Everything you need to know about Runkeeper

One of the most popular running apps, Runkeeper uses the GPS technology found in your phone to track your fitness activity, giving you results comparable to a GPS watch. The intuitive and easy-to-use interface of the app makes it easy to track how far you went, how long it took, what your pace/speed was, how many calories you burned, and the path you travelled on a map! The website stores all the information.

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Background

The Runkeeper app was launched in 2008 and acquired by Asics in 2016. Asics is a Japanese company that is well known in the running world as it makes some of the most popular shoes on the market like the nimbus and the Kayano. It also own Race Roster, a provider of registration services to many events. So for Asics this is part of a digital strategy that will help generate more awareness and sales of its shoes and its apparel.

Runkeeper is available on both Android and iOS, and is suitable for runners of all abilities and aspirations.

There is also a website for the app, where you can build routes and upload them to the app. There's more information on that later.

Despite its name, Runkeeper isn't just for running. There are many different activities that you can select from, including downhill skiing, yoga and meditation! They are divided into gps and stopwatch options.

Pricing

There are two plans: free and the premium option, known as Runkeeper Go). If you are looking at the premium version but you're not quite sure you can trial it at no cost for 7 days.

• Free You can track your run and log stats.

• Runkeeper Go - £11.99/$9.99 per month or £39.99/$39.99 a year

There are some really good features on the premium option, like workout comparisons, advanced metrics and detailed insights that are really helpful. There are extensive training plans.

How do you use Runkeeper?

Once you're signed up, or logged in there are some quick questions and then it's on to the main screen.

• Me: Shown above This is where your running stats will be displayed. Make sure to toggle under 'activities' as there are 3 more metrics on the next page; calories burned, elevation climb and time spent. The shoe mileage tracker is very useful. Under that (not shown) is an area where you set goals and an area for insights. At the very top right of this page (not shown) is the settings button and here you can make all the changes you need as you go along (below). In apps and devices you'll see how to connect Runkeeper to your Apple Watch, Garmin connect or your Fitbit, as well as other apps. .

• Training: This is where different guided workout and training plans are, under the two tabs at the top. The guided workouts are good but there are very limited training plans in the free version, but very many more in the premium option.

• Start: Brings you to the Start section. Just hit start to get going or select a route first. More on that later. You can select music from here, by connecting to Apple Music, or Spotify and you can select your workout here. If you're doing a different kind of activity you select it here.

• Community: You can add friends and create groups of your friends here. You can share your workouts, and feedback on other peoples.

• Explore: This leads you to two tabs, one for races near you (this only links to Race Roster, so the amount of events here is limited) and the other to challenges.

Key features

Let's explore some of these features in a bit more detail.

• Planning routes

This is where you'll need to visit the website. Runkeeper allows you to use routes that others have added to the website and also allows you to create your own, which is really helpful. If you're new to an area, or just want a refresh to your routes then this is a great way of exploring. Log in using the same details as for the app and go to the magnifying glass icon on right of the top navigation bar. Select the 'routes' option and that will then give you a screen where you can search for routes others have added, using some basic filters and it will come up with a list. Select the one you want and add it to your account.

To add a route of your own head back to the magnifying glass icon and select routes and then hit the blue 'create your own' button. You'll be presented with a map and it's then up to you. There is a snap to road tool which makes it more accurate. Once you've finished save it and add it to your account. To find the routes you've saved, both yours and those of others

go to ME on the main navigation bar and on the next screen go to ROUTES on the right and there they are.

To then select one of these on the app when you're ready to run you just go to the start screen, hit the 'cog' icon on the top left and select routes from the activity settings screen you land on. The route you selected from the list on the website and the one you created will be there for you to select from.

• Setting goals

It is easy to set a goal on the 'Me' screen. You can either select your own or ask the app to help you. When setting your own you just add an activity, and a date and it adds it to the screen and starts to give you insights and updates as you go. And when you reach a goal it's celebration time on screen!

• Training

This section is split into two, with each sitting under a tab at the top of the screen.

Guided workouts - You can choose from a wide array of pre-recorded workouts by coaches and professional athletes.

Training plans - there are categories, one based on training for an event and the other focused on running for exercise.

Those based on training for events are only accessible to those users who have a premium plan. They go from 5k up to a full marathon and all distance inbetween. You pick your distance , answer some quick questions and you get a 'personalised plan' based on your answers. The running for exercise plans are available for users of the free version and again they are based on answers to a few questions. You're then given a plan that lets you schedule. It's very top level, but better than nothing.

• Explore

This is where you'll find Challenges, which are short term goals that are done alongside thousands of others, who have signed up to the same challenge. This adds something different to your workouts and if you're not following a training plan then they are worth a look.

• Shoe Mileage Tracker

Tracking how many miles you've run in a pair of shoes is essential to prevent overuse and potential injuries as a result. You can add more than one pair and change them on the Me screen when you need to. One pair can be set as the default option. There is of course an option to head to the Asics online store when you hit the target mileage in one of your current pairs.

• Auto Pause

You can enable this function on the activity settings screen and it means the tracking is paused when you're stationary for a few seconds, such as at traffic lights. It saves you having to manually make the adjustment. You'll need to toggle it on when you first set up.

• Audio Stats

As you're running (or whatever you're doing) there are autocues that give you regular progress updates. You can choose the voice you prefer and what updates you get. Distance is always a good one. There is a lot of customisation with this feature. You can also get updates, as notifications when you set goals in the paid for version of the app. These are very useful and should act as motivators.

How social is it?

If you're looking for an app that is a running social network it's not this one. It does allow you to interact with others as you wish, But it's not all about sharing, which is much more the focus of Strava.

Community, at the bottom right of the main home screen, is where you interact with others and you can do that by checking your feed, where you can see your activities and those of any friends you’ve connected with, either by adding contacts from your phone or logging in via Facebook. The other tab on community is where you can create your own running group.

So if you want to interact with others you can, but it's not really the focus of this app and if you do want to remain totally private you're not made to feel like that's very unusual.

How easy is it to use?

What's not to love about this app? Occasionally the auto-pause function was a bit glitchy, but that was pretty much the only negative and that's not bad given how much functionality it has.

It's really easy to use and very intuitive, so even if you didn't research much beforehand it's pretty obvious how it all works after a few minutes. And it can be customised in lots of areas, to make it personal to you. You can take on a challenge, add a training goal, adjust the audio stats, including the voice, and change the priorities of the metrics measured on the home screen. You can link to your Spotify and to your Garmin, and to lots more.

After a run you can add notes and add a smiley face, or otherwise, to indicate how the run went. It's all very easy.

The website, where you have to go to get routes, looks a bit dated and could do with updating, but it's easy to use so that's no major drama.

It's hard to find fault. It would be even better if it was all free, but thankfully enough of it is. If you need a training plan for your next distance event it is worth investing in the premium version, Runkeeper Go.