Even though Strava-Garmin-Suunto lawsuit has been since then voluntarily droppedThis whole debacle has me wondering what alternatives are available if I want or even need to stop using Strava. When it comes to app addiction, it's good to stay on your feet, and the lawsuit was a timely reminder that I may have been too dependent on the globally popular running app.
There are so many options on the market, including runner and TrainingPeaks, it can be difficult to know where to turn. After a period of research I discovered Adidas Running application. To be honest, I hadn't heard of this app before, but I liked that it didn't shy away from catering to all levels of ability and experience.
Home Screen Heroes
This is part of a regular series of articles highlighting apps we couldn't live without. Read them all here.
After completing these setup steps, I was quickly able to access all of the app's features. The app is incredibly easy to navigate, with tabs at the bottom of the interface for activity tracking, community engagement, and progress reporting. Let's dive into what this app can do.
Advanced Activity Tracking
The app is focused on tracking runs, although a wide range of other activities can also be tracked, including football, hiking, cycling and even e-sports. You can select your desired activity from a “quick list” of three options, or by scrolling down and choosing from a long list of alternatives.
The app is a full-featured fitness tracker that uses GPS to record movements and metrics such as distance, duration, heart rate (with a sensor connected), pace, calories burned and cadence. They are presented in a well-designed and intuitive interface that is easy to understand even if you glance at it while running.
To help you stay motivated, the app also provides a wide range of audio files that you can play while you run. They can even help you during your warm-up and warm-up, as well as guide your run itself. If you instead prefer music as a constant companion, the Adidas Running app will work with all music apps, including Spotify, Apple Music and more.
Setting Personal Goals
After successfully tracking several different runs, I was ready to take my Adidas running experience to the next level. This meant that I took responsibility for my progress and set goals. I wanted to run more consistently, so I set a goal on the app to run at least 5K four times a week. I liked the responsibility, but I wasn't thrilled about being told I hadn't met my daily goal after running less than 5K!
In addition to these goals, the app includes numerous training plans, including 3K, 5K and 10K distances. Each training plan is tailored to each user's level and includes step-by-step instructions. Think of it as your personal running coach, but much cheaper. As you progress through the Beginner Plans, you'll be able to explore other training plans that will help you prepare for your first 10K, half marathon, marathon, and more.
One of the best things about Strava is the ability to connect with like-minded people, whether it's people you know who love running or strangers from around the world who share the same passion as you. It’s not for nothing that it’s been called “Facebook for athletes.”
Luckily, Adidas Running offers a similar level of engagement, albeit with less emphasis on competitive running. Instead, the focus is on making running fun and enjoyable. Like Strava, it has a social element that allows you to connect with friends and participate in local Adidas Runners communities. Unfortunately, the user base isn't as large as Strava, which could be a problem for some users whose friends aren't ready to switch apps.
The app allows you to share your tracked runs and other tracked activities with your community. Earn real-time support with Live Cheers as your friends (assuming they are on the app) keep you motivated during your activities and reciprocate by following and liking their tracked activities. You can also participate in competitions and virtual races as a group to earn badges.
The Evolving Adidas Running Experience
At the time of writing, in the UK at least, Adidas has announced that the premium subscription is no longer available. Their official statement states that they are changing the way they work with Adidas Running and are preparing for a new experience. This change is “on the horizon”, but there is no time frame for it. It's quite cryptic, but it wouldn't be surprising if Adidas consolidated its offerings into one global adiClub membership rather than requiring an app subscription.
Other countries and territories may still offer a premium membership, which previously provided access to adaptive training plans, interval training, personal records of your progress, automatically pausing your activity tracking when you stop moving, and more. If you download the app, you will be able to see whether the premium option is available or not.
I've enjoyed my time with the Adidas Running app, and if I ever have to give up Strava, I know where I'll immediately turn.
Download Adidas Running: Run Tracker for iOS And Android.
Follow TechRadar on Google News. And add us as your preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the “Subscribe” button!
And of course you can also Follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxing videos and get regular updates from us on whatsapp too much.
