Trail Run Project can get you on beautiful routes via its worldwide database of options. Just do a location search to find everything from tough mountain routes to city runs and more. MapMyRun allows you to create your own custom routes and receive mileage and elevation information about them. These features come with the free version, alongside access to challenges, personal goal tracking, an exercise video library, workout logging and saving, and more. If you’re looking for a basic app the whole family can use, we highly recommend Nike Run Club.
Improve your running form
We only recommend the apps that have genuinely enhanced our running experience, in the hope that we can help many other runners benefit from them too. Most workouts are minutes because even with more time, you’re still busy! It’s designed for the beginner to intermediate runner and can be done at home. If you’re ready to start adding some weight to build more muscle and get stronger, WOHOOO. That’s absolutely critical for any athlete over 30 and truly beneficial if we can start before that. These can be done at home and again you have options based on where you are currently.
Use a Marathon Training Plan

« I’ve used TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Garmin Coach. NXT RUN is the first one that actually adjusts my plan based on how runs feel, not just what the calendar says. » Convert your outdoor pace into the exact treadmill pace that matches your effort, personalized by your height, weight, and incline. Backed by the ACSM metabolic equation and Pugh aerodynamic drag research.
- Log in, sync your avatar to your iPad or other device, then ride or run around courses, surrounded by other virtual athletes from all over the globe doing the same thing.
- Runna is strongest for runners who want one calendar, one progression, and fewer decisions.
- Fitbod works well when you want AI to vary your sessions and prevent adaptation plateaus.
- You can check your device’s compatibility in Garmin’s support documentation.
- Sessions start from eight minutes, and TalkSport reports that users can improve fitness by up to 30% in eight weeks.
- A fully aligned spine from muscle that can hold position means running with ease.
RunSmart Online
TrainingPeaks is the professional standard for endurance athlete planning and analysis. Most professional and semi-professional running coaches use TrainingPeaks to program their athletes. The free tier is limited but useful; the premium tier provides full access to the PMC, workout analysis, and structured plan library. If you work with a human coach, there is a strong chance they will use TrainingPeaks to communicate your programme. For weight-loss-focused strength training, Fitbod and Caliber are again the top picks — but for different users. Fitbod works well when you want AI to vary your sessions and prevent adaptation plateaus.

What is Strength Training for Runners?
That has lead to a few video courses that will provide you with specific training guides and videos to follow based on your current level of fitness. We usually prescribe this on days where you are doing a hard interval or tempo workout for your run. This allows you to keep hard days hard and easy days easy. Meaning the following day should be a recovery run or easy run, allowing your body to adapt to the work from a double day. When you have a flexible schedule, the ideal scenario tends to be doing your running workout in the morning. Completing your normal day and then finishing with strength training.
Nike Training Club — Free Expert Workouts
The ecosystem is easy to use, but it does not fully connect fatigue, lifting load, and run intensity the way a true integrated coaching platform would. The Run Experience is a strong choice for runners who learn best by being coached through the session, not by reading a workout card and figuring it out. The app leans heavily into video-guided strength, run form, mobility work, and community support. By recording daily food intake, setting nutritional goals, and connecting with other users, this app offers a convenient way for beginners to get healthy. There are a ton of resources with educational information about nutrition, exercise, and overall wellness. In fact, there are so many awesome fitness apps for women out there that it can be hard to figure out which one is the best one for you.
of 5 / Get Strong
Place the harder session after an easy run or on the same day as a workout, then keep the next day easy. Put mobility or lighter core work before rest days, during travel, or after shorter recovery runs. That setup keeps your hard days hard and protects the quality of key run sessions. NTC works best for runners who already have a running schedule and need help filling the gaps https://www.mouthshut.com/product-reviews/mad-muscles-reviews-926193534 around it.
Strava has all the running tracking features you’d expect – from running speed and distance travelled, to more in-depth performance analytics and weekly miles. 2015 study by Beattie et al. found that over a 40-week period, distance runners following a strength-training program were able to improve their leg strength without creating “unwanted” muscle mass. Graeme is the founder of SportCoaching and has coached more than 750 athletes from 20 countries, from beginners to Olympians, in cycling, running, triathlon, mountain biking, boxing, and skiing. His coaching philosophy and methods form the foundation of SportCoaching’s training programs and resources.
Every workout,dialed in
You can also download Zwift to other equipment to keep track of your runs. Check out Runcoach to create a workout schedule and stick to it. Set a running goal and input information on your schedule, and the algorithm will deliver customized guidance on how to train. You can also pay to reach out to USATF-certified coaches for help with injuries, nutrition, and more.
Side Plank Twist
Sends your next 7 workouts directly to Garmin, Apple Watch, COROS, or Wahoo. Deep performance analytics that track trends across every run. Road ID is known for bracelets that identify you to first responders after an unfortunate accident. The company also has a handy app that lets you share your location with friends and family.
Practise Your Pre-Race Routine
RunKeeper is one of the most popular running apps, known for its easy-to-use interface and accurate GPS tracking. It helps runners stay on top of their progress with real-time stats on pace, distance, and calories burned. There are indoor run training plans to get you started or to train for races, as well as bootcamp classes that mix in strength training.
