Best (free) Running App - Android

[turbo_tortoise155]

I'm looking to start the Couch to 5K in this new challenge and I'm looking around for a cool app to use. I really wanted to use "Zombies, Run", but part of my fitness goals is not to spend money. I know most people would just say, "It's only 3.99!!!!", but its kind of a principle thing with me. I can do this. I don't need to buy a bunch of shiny stuff to make it happen.

 

Anyway, anybody have a good experience with a free running app? It doesn't have to be 5K specific. It also, doesn't have to be free if you just LOVE the one you paid for - let me know. I'll check it out.

 

 

 

[SSquirrel]

I have iOS so I can't comment as to that, but is RunKeeper free on Android?  It works very well.  As to the issue of the cost of the app, would it help to think of Zombies Run! as a game, you just have this really awesome controller you've been growing since birth? heh  Then you aren't buying the app for fitness, you are buying a game to have fun with.  Just so happens that a side effect of the fun will be getting in shape

[turbo_tortoise155]

Thanks SSquirrel. I appreciate the idea. Getting chased by Zombies does seem like fun after all!

 

All kidding aside I may just have to break down and get it.. it looks like tons of fun.

 

I will check out RunKeeper also.

[JesterShay]

Well, depending on what you want the app to do, I use Gymboss Interval Timer for Android.  It's been great for Couch to 5K for me, as I can program the intervals and set different beep sounds to them so I can tell automatically which one is a run or walk sound.  The only thing I couldn't program in was the typical 5 minute warm-up, but if you've got your device, it's not too hard to time out 5 minutes and then start the timer in the app.  I haven't really been into tracking distance or anything like that, so it works for me.

[roninspirit]

I personally love the Nike+ running app. It was one of my favorite apps on iOS, and when I switched to a Nexus 4, I was sad that they didn't have the Nike app yet. But then they got it shortly after I switched and all was right again. I love all the information I have access to on the Nike+ site after syncing a run.

 

My girlfriend likes MapMyRun. She really likes it. I can't speak to the quality of it or Runkeeper, but my feeling is that they all do similar things and provide similar access to data on their websites. I just happen to prefer Nike's interface. You should try them all and go with the one you like best.

 

I understand your hesitation to pay $3.99 for an app. I want the Zombies, Run app too, and if it was on iOS, I wouldn't hesitate, but since I have no intention of sticking with Android and will jump back to an iPhone the first chance I get, I am hesitant to pay for Android apps.

[TheOtherScott]

RunKeeper is great on iOS and Android.  I'd been using the iPhone version a lot, but didn't lose any functionality when switching to Android.

[turbo_tortoise155]

RunKeeper is great on iOS and Android.  I'd been using the iPhone version a lot, but didn't lose any functionality when switching to Android.

 

I personally love the Nike+ running app. It was one of my favorite apps on iOS, and when I switched to a Nexus 4, I was sad that they didn't have the Nike app yet. But then they got it shortly after I switched and all was right again. I love all the information I have access to on the Nike+ site after syncing a run.

 

My girlfriend likes MapMyRun. She really likes it. I can't speak to the quality of it or Runkeeper, but my feeling is that they all do similar things and provide similar access to data on their websites. I just happen to prefer Nike's interface. You should try them all and go with the one you like best.

 

I understand your hesitation to pay $3.99 for an app. I want the Zombies, Run app too, and if it was on iOS, I wouldn't hesitate, but since I have no intention of sticking with Android and will jump back to an iPhone the first chance I get, I am hesitant to pay for Android apps.

 

Well, depending on what you want the app to do, I use Gymboss Interval Timer for Android.  It's been great for Couch to 5K for me, as I can program the intervals and set different beep sounds to them so I can tell automatically which one is a run or walk sound.  The only thing I couldn't program in was the typical 5 minute warm-up, but if you've got your device, it's not too hard to time out 5 minutes and then start the timer in the app.  I haven't really been into tracking distance or anything like that, so it works for me.

 

 

Thanks for the tips! I'll try to check them all out.

[Gilfren]

I also love the nike app. I love that you can track it online as well... records you best runs, longest distance, etc.

[tnm2018]

I just downloaded RunDouble for android.  It is specifically for c25K, does the interval timing, allows you to upload your own playlists. It has a ton of other features as well.  I'm using it tomorrow for the first time, I'll let you know more then.

[turbo_tortoise155]

I'd really apprecite if you did! I'm using RunKeeper right now, but I can't get it to prompt me for my walk/runs. If RunDouble is better I'd love to know!

[LakeWil]

I'm an Android user and I've used Nike+ and RunKeeper.  I would recommend RunKeeper over Nike+ for the Android platform because you can program specific distances or specific times compared to Nike+ which just has a basic run feature.  Plus the Android version is still beta quality software.

[Vintage]

I use runkeeper on my iPhone and I'm satisfied with it. 

 

Runkeeper will prompt your intervals (or at least on iPhone it will, and I bet it's the same on Android. On the iPhone app, when I open up the page to start a new activity, I see the screen where you can choose what type of activity you're doing, a route, playlist, etc, and one of the options is to use a certain workout. If I select this and look at the one-offs, they'll give you a list of preloaded workouts or the option to add a new one - if you go to add a new one you can set your intervals (it won't say run/walk, it will say slow/steady/fast - I just use slow for walking, steady for my easy running pace and fast for a sprint). You can have it give you time intervals or distance intervals and tell it how many times you want it to repeat. 

 

If you're really wanting the zombie app but are resisting paying for it, maybe you could sort of compromise by making yourself earn it. Maybe you could set a run schedule and decide that after you've stuck with it for 3 weeks you can spend the money, for instance. I always feel a little better about spending money on stuff like that if I've proven to myself that I'll actually use it, and making myself wait ensures I'm not impulse buying.

[turbo_tortoise155]

I use runkeeper on my iPhone and I'm satisfied with it. 

 

Runkeeper will prompt your intervals (or at least on iPhone it will, and I bet it's the same on Android. On the iPhone app, when I open up the page to start a new activity, I see the screen where you can choose what type of activity you're doing, a route, playlist, etc, and one of the options is to use a certain workout. If I select this and look at the one-offs, they'll give you a list of preloaded workouts or the option to add a new one - if you go to add a new one you can set your intervals (it won't say run/walk, it will say slow/steady/fast - I just use slow for walking, steady for my easy running pace and fast for a sprint). You can have it give you time intervals or distance intervals and tell it how many times you want it to repeat. 

 

If you're really wanting the zombie app but are resisting paying for it, maybe you could sort of compromise by making yourself earn it. Maybe you could set a run schedule and decide that after you've stuck with it for 3 weeks you can spend the money, for instance. I always feel a little better about spending money on stuff like that if I've proven to myself that I'll actually use it, and making myself wait ensures I'm not impulse buying.

 

I heard from another NF user that I could plug in a new activity into RunKeeper. I've been having it do my warm-ups and intervals for me and it is working GREAT. I also like the idea of "earning" the Zombies! Run! App. I'm going to think about that and maybe come up with a timeline. I downloaded a free version, but I haven't tried it yet.

[Fisher]

Runkeeper is awesome, except for the fact that it doesn't support Bluetooth Smart heart rate monitors on Android (only iOS).

 

For that reason, I decided to try Map My Run, but it has annoying ads.

 

My wife's been hogging the HR monitor anyway, so I'm probably going to switch back to Runkeeper.

 

Endomondo works pretty well too.

 

My advice is to just try several and see which one you prefer.

[turbo_tortoise155]

Runkeeper is awesome, except for the fact that it doesn't support Bluetooth Smart heart rate monitors on Android (only iOS).

 

For that reason, I decided to try Map My Run, but it has annoying ads.

 

My wife's been hogging the HR monitor anyway, so I'm probably going to switch back to Runkeeper.

 

Endomondo works pretty well too.

 

My advice is to just try several and see which one you prefer.

Runkeeper has been working GREAT. I figured out how to put in my own workout with my intervals for C25K. It tells me when to walk or run. It keeps track of pace, time and average speed. It had a small learning curve, but it is sweet now!

[sweetleaf5]

What I like best about run keeper is the ability to look at it online and see the maps and elevation, it shows your pace, etc...I like it.

[turbo_tortoise155]

What I like best about run keeper is the ability to look at it online and see the maps and elevation, it shows your pace, etc...I like it.

I didn't know I could do that! Thanks for the heads up

[Rooks]

I'm way late to this party, but I agree with everyone else about RunKeeper.  Been using it for along time (see my sig).  Works great for tracking (seems to accurate, at least more so then Zombies, Run!).  

 

I also own Zombies, Run! and it's very fun, but when I'm just looking for tracking, I still use RunKeeper.  Only gripe I have is that I wish they would do music player integration (like Zombies, Run! does), but at the same time, it's not too hard to just start music, then start RunKeeper.  

 

Now, I just have to figure out how to get Zombies, Run! 2 to work on my old phone.  Stupid requirements to have Android 4.0.