I Tried Strava’s New Run-Coaching App Called Runna For Six Weeks

So, you’ve got plenty of choice, based on your running experience, fitness level, goals, and availability. I also appreciated the option to add strength training sessions to my program. I’m particularly guilty of skipping gym sessions in favor of doing a few extra runs to boost my weekly mileage, but having two strength training sessions a week in my plan kept me accountable. Our world-class coaches, including former Olympians, have helped runners of all levels hit their goals.

Best investment I’ve made for my physical health and running progress

We have a wide selection of bodyweight strength workouts for runners to help you get started. Track your runs, celebrate milestones, and see your progress unfold. Runna gives you clear feedback and insights so you can track real progress and feel stronger with every step. Like any good running app it’ll also measure your workouts to record them in one place.

The Runna App Is a Great Way to Stick to a Structured Running Program

He spent nine years working on the Coach magazine and website before moving to the fitness team at Tom’s Guide in 2024. Nick is a keen runner and also the founder of YouTube channel The Run Testers, which specialises in reviewing running shoes, watches, headphones and other gear. Runna costs £15.99 per month or £99.99 annually for a monthly subscription. The annual plan offers a significant discount, working out to roughly £8.33 per month. The app also offers a free trial, allowing you to test the app before committing to a subscription.

It also works alongside certain brands of smartwatch with built-in integration. I’ve heard more people talk about AllTrails in a holiday context than a fitness one, but the app is useful for people who like the outdoors instead of dingy basement gyms and repetitive treadmill runs. Follow your personalised workouts and track your runs using your favorite devices like Garmin or Apple Watch. Push for progress with elite coaching.Be part of something big.

I’m a complete beginner. Is Runna for me?

The Google Play store is rife with running apps, but there are options for gym fans too. Lots of Google Fit’s workouts are done automatically, so it’ll track walks or runs you’ve done based solely on the bounce of your phone (though you can manually track a workout if you like). This is a simple app for Android users that can do things like count your steps and calories burned, chart the exercises you’ve done and monitor your vitals. It’s best used alongside a fitness tracker but you don’t actually need one for it to work. How much that will cost users is the key question, and one that won’t be answered imminently.

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• Ben is a certified running and triathlon coach with over 7 years of experience, helping runners of all levels.

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• And if you’ve practiced with light snacks or caffeine in training, you can use those to give yourself an extra edge.

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• Runna positions itself as a personalized running coach and training calendar.

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• It was estimated to take 25 to 35 minutes, but I was disappointed to see I couldn’t preview the workout before I started it.

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• You can drop pins on a map to create a track, work out the distance, adjust legs and so on; it’s really useful for long-distance running and creating new running routes.
• Over the course of 16 weeks, there are plenty of things that can pop up and force you to miss or move a session, from a hip niggle, to too many Aperol Spritz’s at a friend’s wedding.

Why use a personalized training plan?

I found my plan to be a great fit for my fitness level and my schedule, and I enjoyed the variety of workout types. Most running apps don’t program mobility or strength work, or they treat it as an afterthought if they do. Runna’s mobility and strength work are optional, but once you turn them on in settings, they’ll appear in your weekly plan with yet another checkbox to check off. I erred on the side of caution by giving it a 35-minute 5K is madmuscles a scam time. I knew that was probably slower than what I’m capable of, and sure enough a few days later the app pointed out that I’d run five kilometers (about three miles) in 32 minutes on one of my training runs.

Guide to Key Runna Features

Recovery runs are very short, very easy jogs after tough sessions. They help loosen muscles, improve circulation, and get your legs ready for the next key workout without strain. They boost speed and running economy, making goal pace at any distance feel more comfortable and sustainable. There’s also a social function which lets you browse routes nearby you, so if you don’t want to plan your own 10k you can use someone else’s. The app also has certain running drills, improvement programs and goal tracking functions. Stay motivated with progress tracking, community support, and coaching tips to help you reach your full potential.

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Amazing app for beginners and seasoned runners alike!

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I don’t have any serious reservations about the app itself, so the question of whether it’s worth the cost will come down to your opinions on the running plans it delivers. The Activities screen shows your past workouts, including ones that you did with another device or app. The Community tab is a Facebook-like feed where people share their runs, and mine was already populated with strangers.

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Half Marathon Plan

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Each day, it also provided useful notes from coaches on how I should approach the next run, as well as insights on supporting behaviours such as sleep, recovery and nutrition. Once you’re ready to start training again, you can use one of our post-injury training plans to return to running safely without risking another injury. Runna is designed to help you reach your training goals with a fully customizable and easy-to-navigate app. But for those who want a deeper dive into the cool features available with Runna, we’ve created this guide to walk you through some features you can use to tailor your plan to fit your needs and stay on track. Whether you’re training for your first 5k or an ultramarathon, recovery is the foundation that allows progress. Prioritizing it means you’ll train harder, adapt better, and keep moving toward your goals without setbacks.

While there are different types of plans, once you choose one—say, a marathon training plan—the app will design you one single plan that they have calculated is the best one for you. You can tweak the personalization settings, but you don’t get the option of deciding between plans that are designed according to different training philosophies. For example, some marathon plans spread their mileage more evenly throughout the week than others. The first thing you’ll be asked to do, once you install the Runna app, is to set up a training plan. I don’t have a race on my calendar, so I appreciated that there were options for building fitness without targeting a race. The app recommended the Get Fit Plan for me, but I ended up going with the Functional Fitness plan (which I assume is for Crossfit-style athletes looking to build their cardio endurance).

You can add a mobility training program to your running plan to improve the range of motion and flexibility of your joints and muscles. With Runna guiding you, every session teaches you how to pace better – so on race day, challenge day, or simply your next run, you’ll know exactly how to deliver your best effort. When it comes to event day – whether that’s a race or a personal milestone – stick to what you know.

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I was able to customize the plan

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When she’s not pounding the pavements, you’ll find Jane striding round the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy. Form is something built over time, so don’t expect instant change. Small, consistent improvements add up – helping you run smoother, stronger, and with less risk of injury across any distance. Work on form during training https://vinnews.com/2025/02/14/mad-muscles-review-no-hidden-fees-just-full-access-to-everything-you-need/ so it becomes second nature when it matters most.

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These are the 7 best fitness apps for Android (that aren’t Strava)

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But while writing these letters on Instagram is easy, earning the right to do so is considerably harder. Cori Ritchey, C.S.C.S., is the fitness editor at Women’s Health, as well as a certified strength and condition coach and group fitness instructor. She’s reported on topics regarding health, nutrition, mental health, fitness, sex, and relationships for several years. You can find more of her work in Men’s Health, HealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and others. We’ve both enjoyed using Runna, and while adjustments were needed, it’s been a valuable training tool. Users can accept or reject these changes, though, in the Training Preferences section I mentioned earlier.