I have been doing a lot of sports since I was young. Although I have practiced different sports, my favorite sports were always skating and running. I could only skate in the winter, so I did a lot of running in the summer to build up a good condition for the winter. An ideal combination!
Eventually I stopped skating, but I never stopped running. I try to run at least twice a week. In the winter I sometimes forget a bit. To gain extra motivation and insight, I think running definitely helps.
By downloading a running app on your iPhone, you can conveniently keep track of the distances you run and how fast you run. Instead of the good old stopwatch, I decided it was time to start using a number of apps on my iPhone 13. Measuring is knowing! With the new apps Strava and Runkeeper on my phone, I kept track of my running statistics. These are the most used running apps at the moment!
Running Bracelet
When I run I use a sports armband. This way I can always take my refurbished iPhone with me. This is really a must, without your iPhone it is difficult to keep track of your speed in apps. Your iPhone is also easy to carry with this armband. The sports armband also feels nice around your arm. I personally find this more pleasant than carrying the iPhone in your jacket pocket.
Strava
Strava is one of the most popular running apps at the moment. Strava is a social media oriented app. You can share your €˜running laps€™ with other users of the app. These fellow users can follow your account so that they get an update when you share something and they can also give your achievements kudos€™ (likes). Just like Instagram!
In addition, you can share your sports performance, including a photo, directly on Instagram and Facebook, for example. You can also upload a photo and the distance with the speed and time. Furthermore, the app can keep track of which user has the fastest time on a certain segment; if that is you, you can call yourself KOM (King of Mountain) or QOM (Queen of Mountain). Fun fact: The app is so popular that special competitions are organized to improve a Strava time on a certain segment!
Runkeeper
Runkeeper is one of the most popular running apps in the App Store . When using Runkeeper you can choose from a larger range of sports activities; for example, you can choose to keep track of your swimming or skiing performance with this app. In addition, everything really revolves around your development and progress; you will find various training schedules in the app and you can keep track of your heart rate, which gives you insight into your condition.
Just like Strava, Runkeeper also lets you share your results (including photos) immediately on social media such as Facebook and Instagram.
The final verdict
So it depends a bit on what you want with this app: Strava is a kind of social media for sports performance and really focused on sharing your results with friends (although it is not necessary). In addition, this app is mainly focused on two sports, cycling and running.
If you like to track performance in sports other than the two sports mentioned above, you should use Runkeeper. With Runkeeper you can also measure your own progress and you can also measure your heart rate.
Personally, Strava appeals to me the most; I've gotten a bit used to the app by now and it's really fun (and addictive) to follow the performances of others in the app. I found out that I had the fastest time on a certain segment (a 5 km lap).
In addition, you can see which laps are often run by other people; for example, if you want to run a 10 km lap, there is always a nice lap to be found nearby. And of course you can also compete on this lap to become QOM;)
App or no app?
At first I was a bit skeptical about using sports apps and I didn't think it was necessary to measure my running statistics. In the meantime I have turned 180 degrees, I can no longer do without my beloved Strava app.
I recently caught myself doing this, my refurbished iPhone 13 was about to die (2% left). I decided to postpone my run for half an hour so it could charge a bit, because how annoying is it when you run ten km and your iPhone dies after two km.. Yep.. I'm into Strava now!
