Running, brisk walking, and even walking yourself are a great way to strengthen your health and be fit, and mobile fitness apps can serve as a super useful tool to maximize any workout.
Basically, physical activity measurement apps are like a personal trainer in your pocket.
They can track your steps, distance run, calories burned, suggest routes and trails for running and walking.
They can also provide motivation and more, all to help you achieve all your set health goals.
To help you find the best option for your training level, we’ve made a list of candidates looking for active apps that offer interesting features, both for beginners and those advanced marathon runners.
So, check out the best free running and walking apps you can rely on in 2021, available for all Android and iPhone smartphones.
The best apps for fast walking and running
1. Awesome
Extremely popular among cyclists and runners, Strava is an excellent choice for amateurs and professionals due to its advanced GPS tracking features.
The free app provides basic statistics such as speed, height, distance run, steps, heart rate, etc.. Strava also focuses on the community and you can connect with your contacts and Facebook friends.
It is also known for its popular feature of segments that show how you get along with other runners on the same route. Users also gain access to the Beacon security option, which allows three designated contacts to monitor your location while you run.
If you opt for a premium Strava Summit membership, this gives you a more detailed analysis of your running as well as access to a security feature that shares your place with specific contacts while on the go.
2. C25K
If you want to get yourself in better shape but don’t know where to start, the first thing you need to do is download the Couch to 5k app. In this fitness app for beginners you will find an easy-to-follow program that lasts just over 9 weeks, and you can do it completely at your own pace.
If you choose to follow the program exactly, you will perform three 30-minute workouts each week, which includes walking, brisk walking, running and resting. As the weeks progress, the program is upgraded so that you exercise more and less rest time.
The C25K App also includes plenty of support and motivation with sound updates for instructions and words of encouragement, as well as a timer that will show you how far you’ve gone with training.
Even if you’re an absolute beginner and have never run in your life, the free Couch to 5k app can change all that in just over 9 weeks.
3. Nike Run Club
One of the best free running and walking apps is the Nike Run Club. Designed for beginners and veteran runners, this app is a comprehensive tracker, music device and tool with a social network.
The app measures various metrics such as pace, distance run and mileage divisions; it also includes a variety of training plans that adapt to your fitness goals and progress.
In addition to basic statistics, the aesthetics of the app are beautiful and easy to navigate. Features include trophies and badges you get to achieve goals like the longest run or the fastest personal pace.
In addition to the built-in music player and the ability to connect to Spotify, the NRC app also allows you to listen to audio cheers sent by your friends, as well as cheering Nike’s professional athletes.
4. Adidas Running
More known by Runtastic, its former name, Adidas Running remains one of the best running apps, especially if you’re looking for a tool that maps your workouts and tracks various running and walking metrics.
Adidas Running measures your time, speed and distances while also providing customized training with voice coach and cheering to help motivate you to progress more.
A configurable dashboard allows you to track only the data that is important to you. Community features, challenges and goals can provide additional motivation to run.
The Adidas Running app is free, but a premium subscription also includes training plans, route planning, interval training, and more.
5. Runkeeper
A perennial favorite among runners, Runkeeper uses your phone’s GPS to track running, cycling, walking, hiking and other remote activities.
This is the beepThe latna app counts your steps, records your pace, distance, total training time, calories burned, and other useful metrics. It also delivers a variety of training plans, along with reminders and gamified challenges.
Users can download maps for free and follow popular running routes. You can measure your progress and track your training history, as well as sync with a number of other apps and services and receive detailed activity reports.
Runkeeper also works with a variety of smartwatches and fitness devices such as the Apple Watch and Wear OS devices.
6. Pacer
The pacer app is more focused on walking and the number of steps taken, but it may also be the best starting point for developing a running habit for beginners. Like man, Pacer works in the background, recording your walked steps throughout the day giving you a picture of your activity level.
Pacer users can track the history and trends of their activities, browse routes, create tailored fitness goals, and participate in challenges and motivational groups to add a social aspect to exercise.
The app is also well connected to other fitness centers such as Apple Health, MyFitnessPal and Fitbit, which allows you to sync data from Pacer.
The pacer app is free, although premium subscribers get additional features like guided workouts or weight loss plans.
7. Map My Run
Looking for a new running track? Choose one of the 70 million routes on MapMyRun.
This all-in-one Under Armour app is best for tracking and mapping like running, walking, total distance traveled, pace, altitude, calories burned, and more using your phone’s GPS and other sensors.
This app allows integration with My Fitness Pal, so you can sync your diet and exercise data to get a clearer picture of your health.
The app displays real-time statistics and total end-of-view data. Useful add-ons include support for a variety of fitness trackers and heart rate sensors, Wear OS support, and diet tracking.
A premium subscription enables voice tutoring and location sharing, and removes ads.
8. Pumatrac
Pumatrac app inserts some cute accessories along with a standard plethora of tools for measuring running and walking.
This app records calorie burning, distances traveled, maps the running track, etc. Pumatrac also records a whole host of other things, such as time, time of day, month and more.
Additionally, Pumatrac generates other personalized insights based on your run, noting whether you run further listening to rock or pop, Fridays, Mondays, weekends, and more.
The latest additions include physical challenges that will keep you motivated and more engaged.
9. Runcoach
The hardest part of any fitness program is that first step.
Runcoach prepares you best for running if you’re a beginner, with workout schedules that are tailored to your fitness level and what you’re striving to do, whether you want to fix the line or are preparing for 5K.
The app sets a running or walking schedule based on the data you enter, including how many days a week you can train. From there, Runcoach helps you build mileage, and also allows you to adjust your workout schedule if you skipped a day.
The data you collect can be synchronized with HealthKit, Garmin, Fitbit, Stravo and Runkeeper.
Runcoach is free to use, but a paid membership is available if you want to get into more advanced workouts.
10. Zombies, Run!
We can’t finish an article that are the best free running apps for beginners without putting Zombies, Run! in the list. If you’re looking for an app that will give you an incentive to speed up, you can’t find a better one than this!
In addition to having an 8-week program similar to C25K, this app also has a unique story line based on “escaping” zombies and stockpiling for survival.
All you have to do is put on your headphones, and then the app will give you sound instructions on when to walk, walk, run and do stretching. But frankly, the instructions aren’t entirely necessary because once you hear zombies approaching you, your instinct is triggered and you’ll beat your pace without even realizing it.
Not only is this a good running program for beginners, but it’s also creative, fun, and completely different from everyone else. In addition, in the event that the zombie apocalypse actually happens, you will be up toBro prepared.
If you think it would be fun to launch this app when it’s dark outside, make sure safety comes first.
Are these running apps good for beginners?
Most of the steps and running apps presented above have custom programs for all types of athletes, including beginners.
Also, different apps focus on different things. Some are best for measuring steps and walking, some for diet and calories, while some are focused on fitness and exercise.
So choosing the best app for your needs largely depends on what you want to use them for.