If you want to start running, you’re in luck! Here is a list of the best running apps for beginners that you should try. Whether you need help figuring out where to start or just want inspiration, there are plenty of running apps for beginners.

Whether you want to improve your fitness or have a specific goal in mind, like participating in a local 5K or running a half marathon, we guarantee that there is an app on this list that will help you achieve it.

Below is the list of the most popular running apps.

The 11 Best Running Apps

1. 5K Runner

If you are starting out in the world of running, this is the ideal app for you.

The 5K Runner app has training plans for novice runners, so you can gradually condition your body and reach the goal of running 5 kilometers in just 8 weeks.

Through an audio-trainer, the app will guide your routine, which consists of walking and running alternatively, gradually increasing the intensity.

Being aimed at those starting out in the world of running, the app has a motivational component. Through phrases and comments, it encourages the user to carry out each activity. In addition, at the end of the day, you can get a medal if you have managed to reach the goal. You can share your results, achievements and medals achieved through your Facebook or Twitter.

In addition, 5K runner allows you to record your progress and offers a user forum where you can share your experience. The idea is to create a network of runners who are motivated during the 8 weeks that the training plan lasts.

2. ‎Runkeeper

Runkeeper is one of the most downloaded apps by runners. The community of runners that uses this app exceeds 50 million users.

It allows you to establish a training routine according to a previously established objective, which can range from a simple routine, to lose weight, to preparing to run a marathon.

With Runkeeper, you can obtain different statistics such as distance, calories lost, terrain elevation, speed and rhythm. All this thanks to the GPS of your mobile. The app allows you to record the detailed history of your training, so that you can keep an eye on your progress. And if you have not been able to finish your activities, they are saved so that you can continue them at another time if you wish.

You can also count on a coach to accompany you during the exercise. To do this, you just have to connect your headphones to listen to the evolution of your training.

Better yet, Runkeeper offers weather information so that you have all the information you need when planning your routes.

3. Strava

Strava is considered a social network for runners and other types of athletes worldwide.

Like other running apps, Strava allows you to record speed, pace, distance traveled, accumulated positive slope and many more parameters.

This app also allows you to join running clubs that share the same interests, as well as exchange knowledge and experiences. It also proposes personal challenges to encourage self-improvement.

Thanks to Strava, you can also explore new routes and compare yourself with other users.

4. Map My Run

The next app is Map My Run, one of the best running apps for beginners who want to train but don’t know where to start to find a good route.

The “Routes” feature allows you to find new running routes in your area. You can also save your favorite routes or add your own to share with others.

Map My Run generates the necessary information to monitor pace, distance, calories or elevation during the race. In addition, it has a wide variety of sports modalities that you can select to record your progress. Some of them are Cross Training, gym workouts, cycling or yoga.

5. RockMyRun

Research has shown that upbeat music can significantly improve performance and have a huge impact on your exercise time. RockMyRun, as its name suggests, is an app that provides you with the best music for entertainment, so that you can constantly maintain your energy and rhythm, while running. The playlists have been designed by some famous DJs like David Guetta, Zedd, Major Lazer and others.

With mixes built in BPM (beats per minute), the songs offer a unique training experience. To further enhance your intensity and efficiency, the app automatically adjusts the beat and tempo of your mixes based on your steps. You will start to feel the difference in your training sessions, once you start using the app.

6. Zombie Run

This app is aimed at athletes who get bored during jogging and who are looking for additional motivation to put on their sneakers.

Zombie Run is a very attractive apps that will encourage you to go out and play sports as a game. This app is a racing game that casts you as a hero in a zombie adventure story, one in which you must run to save your life and the lives of others. The app indicates through the headphones when the undead are approaching, escape routes, points free of infection and more.

Just put on your headphones and the app will give you audio instructions on when to walk, run, jog and stretch. But honestly, instructions aren’t really necessary, because as soon as you hear a zombie approaching you, your instincts will kick in and you’ll go at your own pace without realizing it.

7. Charity Miles

Looking for a goal to motivate you to go running, but zombies aren’t your thing? How about running for a good cause? If it catches your eye, the app you’re looking for is called Charity Miles.

The concept is simple: you run, you share your results on social networks to validate them and the app makes a donation of 25 cents for each kilometer you run to an NGO of your choice. Currently, there are dozens of humanitarian associations that benefit from this concept.

To be honest, if you are looking for an app that records your statistics on your runs, your heart rate, your marks and offers you a personalized training, this app is not the best. However, to motivate you to run, for a good cause, it is the only one that exists.

8. Nike Run Club

Another popular app in the world of running is the one presented by the Nike brand, known as Nike Run Club.

Whether you are a beginner or veteran runner, with this app you will monitor physical activity and get the necessary motivation to run. Thanks to your smartphone’s accelerometer and GPS, you can measure time, distance and pace and get directions, by voice, at every kilometer. It has training programs, advice from coaches, specific exercises for training and racing.

9. Adidas Running by Runtastic

Comparing with other running apps in the list, the Adidas running app offers more statistics and data to analyze your running. It allows you to keep track of calories burned, speed when running, walking or cycling. You can also manually add workouts for swimming, dancing, and many more.

Among its features, the voice coach stands out, which tells you how your progress is going based on the preferences you previously configured. You can set your own goals and, of course, share achievements with social networks.

It has a Premium version that offers unlimited running plans for those who want to run distances of 5K, 10K, half marathon or full marathon.

10. PUMATRAC

PUMATRAC™ offers a sleek interface with all the benefits of a basic running app, but with several additional features to offer a holistic view of your workouts. The app extracts additional information that may affect your running performance, such as the weather, time of day, or day of the month, and synthesizes it to determine personal insights. For example, you may find that you run better on Friday mornings before 10, or that you run faster when listening to rock music.

11. Sports Tracker

This award-winning app will allow you to carry out a good measurement and analysis of your workouts so that you can evaluate your progress and performance. It offers detailed and accurate information ranging from calories consumed to average running speed. It has an option to save the records obtained in a personal diary and has training instructions, dictated by voice. It also allows you to share records, comment on photos and workouts of friends and other users of Sports Tracker.

Running For Beginners: 8 Tips to Start Running

• Start with short intervals.
• Don’t start too fast.
• The body needs to recover.
• Run quietly and with short steps.
• Choose the right surface.
• Let flatus not be an obstacle.
• Take care of your body.
• Do cross training.

How long should a beginner run?

I recommend that you start with little time, 10 minutes is a good time to take a walk and get the work done without going home totally exhausted. In addition, knowing that exercise is simple and takes a short time helps your mind to have a better acceptance and avoid excuses.

Summary

More than once we wanted to start from scratch to run to exercise, but either we never started or we abandoned on the second day. We hope this list of best running apps for beginners can help your keep running.