Here’s our selection of the best free running apps for Android that allow the monitoring of evolution, performance and physical condition, among other functions for the runner.
As much as swimming or cycling, running is one of the most complete exercises that exist. Its systematic practice prevents us from some diseases such as s sedentary lifestyle or high blood pressure. And, in the world of running, technology increasingly adds more useful applications so that running is an activity as entertaining as productive. Running apps for Android devices helps optimize the performance of each runner. They measure distance, heart rate, rhythm and even interact in social networks, among other functions.
For all those who prefer to carry their mobile phone while they train, we have prepared a selection of the best applications that you can install to control your workouts and races.
Whether you wear an activity wristband that dumps the data to the app, or if you register your exercise sessions directly with your mobile, this article interests you.
The best free jogging, walking and running apps for Android right now
You already have a pair of running shoes, running clothes, and essential accessories, such as a water bottle and ready to run in order to stay fit. Now, you just need to install one or more free running apps on your Android. In this way, you can make your exercise sessions more accurate and fun. Let’s see the best Android apps for runners.
5K Run Trainer
If you are starting in the world of running this is the ideal application for you. The 5K Run app has training plans for novice runners, so you can go conditioning your body little by little and achieve the goal of running 5 kilometers in just 8 weeks. Through an audio coach, the application will guide your routine, which consists of walking and running alternately, increasing the intensity little by little.
Being aimed at those who are new to the world of running, the app has a motivational component. Through phrases and comments, the user is encouraged to carry out each activity. Also, at the end of the day, you will get a medal if you have managed to reach the goal. In addition, the application has a simple and convenient interface.
RunKeeper
This is another of the best free running apps for Android users. In fact, Runkeeper is one of the most downloaded applications at Google Play. The application is developed by Asics, a footwear and sports equipment brand.
It allows you to establish a training routine according to a previously established objective, which can go from a simple routine to lose weight to the preparation to run a marathon. You can obtain different statistics such as distance, lost calories, terrain elevation, speed and rhythm. All thanks to the GPS of your mobile.
The platform also works with devices such as smartwatches and activity wristbands, which you can synchronize with the application. In addition, you can have a coach to accompany you during exercise. To do this, you only have to connect your headphones to listen to the evolution of your training.
In addition, you can set your location and your friends will see it in real-time. But if you do not want to share your current location, you can use a fake GPS location app.
Runtastic Running
Runtastic allows you to record the most important data of a workout or race, such as pace, speed, calories burned during exercise, race time by intervals, as well as distance traveled.
However, its greatest attraction is that it also offers coverage for other sports, such as aerobics, walks, cycling or even martial arts among other sports.
With the help of a coach, with Runtastic you can design your training routine focused on the discipline you choose to practice.
It also allows interaction between friends and other users. With it, you can share your photos, routes
Runtastic also synchronizes with your smartphone’s music player so you can listen to music while you train. It is one of the most complete applications, so it is not surprising that it has positioned itself as one of the favorites of the runners.
Download Runtastic Running App
Nike Run Club
This is another of the best free running apps for Android users. This application, in addition to registering for your races, helps you improve times through training: they range from 5K to completing a marathon.
The app has different levels for all kinds of challenges and can be customized. The training plans contain, in addition to the race, strength exercises, elasticity, and even suggest the days of breaks.
You can share your challenge on social networks from start to finish. It has the characteristic of helping you receive “live” encouragement from those who like your publication when you start running.
It has a menu of challenges, in which you can invite your friends to compete for a certain number of kilometers per month; whoever reaches them first will be the winner.
The application connects with the playlist of your phone or with your Spotify. You have the option to add your power songs for those times when you need more motivation.
Strava tracker
Strava is the most popular sports application in the world. Not only among those who practice running, but among other athletes who own smartwatches and activity bands.
The reason is that Strava is compatible with most of the devices that are currently on the market, including the most advanced heart rate monitor.
Like other running applications, Strava allows you to record speed, pace, distance traveled, accumulated positive slope and many more parameters, which in the case of using it for cycling incorporates even more. However, its success is due to the level of interaction it offers its users.
Strava is popularly known as the social network par excellence of the athlete, where you can join groups that have the same interest. You can interact with other users as followers and motivate them to participate in group training. In fact, you can create training groups among your friends yourself and set up training routes, as well as configure weekly or monthly challenges.
Endomondo – Running & Walking
This is another of the best free running apps for Android users. The sports application Endomondo was one of the pioneers in this group. Through the GPS system of your smartphone, it shows your pace, distance traveled, accumulated altitude and training time. It also allows you to register your route and calculate the calories burned during the journey.
The interface is handled in a simple way, being one of those recommended for new users or who do not want to get too complicated with the mobile phone.
In the section of social networks and community, you can share your results in your user profile of the official website. There is also a community of corridors, where tips and experiences of each route are shared. In addition, Endomondo offers the possibility to create training plans for you or to challenge your friends.
Something innovative in this application is that it alerts by voice whenever it is necessary to hydrate, which is always appreciated.
Map My Run
This application differs a bit from the ones we’ve seen so
Regarding the design of the personalized routes, it must be mentioned that they cannot be created from the mobile, but must be done from the computer and then sent to your mobile phone.
Map My Run generates the necessary information to monitor rhythm, distance, calories or unevenness during the race. In addition, it has a wide variety of sports that you can select to record your progress. Some of them are Cross-Training, gym, cycling or yoga workouts.
If you have no time for outdoor running,
then you can use a treadmill to complete your morning exercise.
RockMyRun
Are you looking for the best running apps for Android with music? If yes, this is a perfect choice for you.
Music is a companion that can never be missed in training, but it must have some appropriate characteristics if we really want to collaborate with our performance, for example, be appropriate to the rhythm of our body. That’s what this application allows you to achieve. It offers you the best mixes of the best DJs in the world such as Guetta and Afrojack so you do not lower the rhythm of your training.
In addition, these musical combinations are composed in BMP (beats per minute) to match your rhythm. It also offers different musical genres, there is even country! Do not lose sight of your goal.
Conclusion
That’s all for now, friends. We have just finished the review of the best running apps for Android to run that you can download. Now, it’s your turn. Choose the one that you think best suits your needs and train!
Remember that the accuracy of the data recorded by this type of application is not as reliable, neither in the data obtained from the GPS nor the heart rate, as if you get it from a sports heart rate monitor, so our recommendation as always is to encourage you to take the step and choose between one of the heart rate monitors with GPS that exist in the market.