I’ve tested a wide variety of the best running watches with navigation features, and used their partner apps to plan routes, as well as using standalone apps to plan and follow routes. Whether seeking scenic trails or aiming for performance goals, you have access to the best route planning technology right at your fingertips. If you’re looking to push further, Garmin Coach steps in with free access to professional coaching and adaptable workout plans tailored to suit your fitness level and goals. Whether gearing up for a 5k or a marathon, the integration of training plans directly within the app ensures structured progress every step of the way. Garmin Connect stands out for runners who crave detailed fitness tracking and personalized training programs.
Why AllTrails
We liked the new running tolerance score for estimating maximum weekly mileage and the race-day tools that automatically lock your splits to the official race markers. Entry level watches even come with adaptive training plans, daily suggested workouts based on your recovery, and cadence alerts to help with improvements in form. For example, a runner might use Strava to track workouts, Runna for a structured training plan, and a mobility app such as GOWOD to prepare the body before running and support recovery afterwards. While running apps are excellent at tracking workouts and analysing performance data, they often focus primarily on what happens during the run itself. Campus Coach also appeals to runners who prefer guided progression over self-managed training, offering a more coaching-led experience rather than just data tracking. In addition to basic run tracking, MapMyRun offers tools for logging workouts, analysing performance trends, and connecting with a broader fitness ecosystem through wearable devices and smart training gear.
Basic version is free for iOS and Android; upgrade to Runkeeper Go for $9.99/month or $39.99/year)
The best running apps provide training analytics, structured training plans and allow you to track and share your progress to help you achieve your goals. Creating a running route on Google Maps is completely viable, but it isn’t necessarily the best tool for the job. Since it wasn’t designed to create running routes, it can fall a little short in that area.
Data Linked to You
Running apps also come equipped with features such as training programs tailored to different experience levels so users can progressively increase their workload at a sustainable pace leading to better overall performance. Planning your running route before lacing up empowers you with the confidence to navigate new trails while maximizing every stride of your workout. It’s like having a road map for runners, ensuring each run is not just about endurance, but also about enjoying a well-crafted journey that meets all your training needs. The training load and recovery tools are some of the best in the business, offline mapping and navigation are a bonus at this price, and the run-time battery is competitive. Fitness benchmarking is also excellent, with at-rest fitness tests and performance testing for running, cycling and walking.
Featured Event
- In short, mapping your run makes exercising feel like a game, which keeps you coming back for more.
- These are the best free fitness apps that I’ve found testing out a variety of things on my workouts from roads to trails to the gym.
- It’s a highly competent navigator, too, with mapping upgrades that add terrain contours on your TopoActive map, dynamic round trip, and route guidance that can update mid-run to hit a specified distance if you go off-course.
- Finding the right running routes can have a big effect on how safe, fun, and effective runners are at any level.
- To keep reps motivated, SalesRabbit features built-in gamification, including leaderboards, badges, and custom contests that foster a competitive, goal-driven environment.
- The Runna app is widely regarded as one of the best apps for runners who want to stick to a training plan.
The lively 1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen, subtle stainless steel body and bezel avoids looking cheap and the suite of sensors includes blood oxygen, body temp unimeal review and altimeter. However, if you’re looking to branch out and try a new tool, there are countless options out there for you to choose from. The most useful feature is to see the status, destination, and time until your train or bus will arrive, along with other useful information. With the ability to add addresses as either pins, starting point, waypoint, or destination, InRoute is one of the best choices out there for creating multiple multi-stop routes at once. Using Badger Maps also means you can mobilize your sales CRM software, giving you instant access to important customer information as you work your territory.
Best Apps for Beginners
It will also generally have a starting point and end point that is easily accessible and convenient. It is priced at $29.99 per year, and while it is more affordable than others, it doesn’t have as many features as some other route creators. Adding the ability to create routes on the app would be a welcome feature in the future.
WHICH RUNNING APP IS BEST FOR YOU?
The Ultra 3 packs Apple’s latest sensors, including multi-band GPS, ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, alongside comprehensive training and health insights like VO₂ Max, training load and a new sleep score. It now adds satellite SOS and no-network messaging for off-grid safety, plus improved 5G connectivity. Battery life stretches to 14 hours of GPS or 42 hours in smartwatch mode – better than before, though still short of top-end Garmins. A snappy processor zips through taps and swipes, the dual frequency GPS and optical sensors are decently accurate, plus there’s ECG, blood oxygen and skin temperature sensing. Polar’s nightly sleep and recovery tools are excellent, but do burn through battery overnight.
Step by Step Guide to Planning a Route With Garmin Connect
For trail runners, customizing apps to explore exciting routes away from busy streets can provide immediate benefits. Urban runners, on the other hand, might prefer apps that help them maintain consistent daily distances. Whether you’re training for a half-marathon or just looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Runkeeper adapts to your goals with flexible tracking options and tailored workout plans. The integration with various wearables further enhances its precision, making every run not just a physical effort but a data-driven journey toward better fitness. Unlike other apps on the list, the Nike app allows you to set up training plans, challenges, and guided runs, which also goes hand-in-hand with their Nike Training app, at no extra cost.
RoadiD
If you’re a Garmin watch user, Garmin Connect is your indispensable partner in maximising every run. This app goes beyond simple distance tracking; it offers an in-depth analysis of your health metrics, from heart rate variability and blood oxygen levels to stress and hydration data. This app excels in breaking down your long-term goals into manageable stages. It offers a fully personalised training plan that adjusts to your progress and specific targets. Runna’s interface is designed to be both motivating and informative, providing real-time feedback on your pace, splits, and even cool-down intervals.
Google Fit: Activity Tracker
You can also share maps with friends, which is perfect for planning a group run. The best running routes in your area depend on your location and preferences. You can discover popular routes by using running route planners like Strava, MapMyRun, or AllTrails, which provide community-driven recommendations and reviews. Local parks, nature reserves, and city trails are often great places to start. AllTrails is a popular platform for discovering new trail routes for running and hiking, supported by a community tracking over 300,000 miles of trails worldwide.
