Running for Apple Watch 2023

Last Updated: May 10, 2024 by

Running Apps for Apple Watch

An Apple Watch can be a game-changer in this regard. You can track your run with your watch alone with the help of one of the numerous available running apps, meaning you can leave your iPhone at home. Once you get past your anxiety about running without your phone, you’ll find that this is a much more pleasant alternative. Discover top-notch running apps for Apple Watch, enhancing your productivity and lifestyle on your wrist. Explore now!

There is no shortage of excellent running applications on the market today. To help you select the optimal running apps for Apple Watch, MKS reviews a selection of the most well-liked options currently available.

Workout

workout app

Our Apple Watch is preloaded with excellent running software. In fact, workout app is a fantastic app for various workouts and is free, making it a serious competitor for the best running app for Apple Watch.

The app can record both indoor and outdoor runs, so if you like to exercise on a treadmill, there’s no need to worry about your inactivity. You can choose from a variety of open runs or paced runs that help you complete a certain distance in a certain amount of time, regardless of whether you’re running outdoors or indoors. You can even design your own programs with timed or distanced runs interspersed with rest times.

Your watch can show you how far you’ve gone, how long you’ve been running, your current pace, and your average pace. Your Apple Watch even doubles as a music controller for your workout playlists. 

Strava

Strava app

Strava app was one of the earliest Apple Watch-running apps and is still popular today. Its success can be attributed, in part, to its emphasis on the camaraderie inherent in the sport of running.

Create group challenges to see who can run the farthest or fastest and compete with other Strava members. In addition to cycling, Strava can record a plethora of other activities. The watch displays the time, distance, average pace, and heart rate of your runs without the need for your phone.

You can find exercise routes posted by other users, compete on segments of routes, and track and evaluate your training with the Strava subscription.

Runkeeper

Runkeeper app

Runkeeper app is also a popular and well-established fitness tracker on Apple Watch. With the Apple Watch app, you won’t need to bring your iPhone along on your workouts anymore.

Pre-programmed programs like “20 Minutes Easy Workout” and “2 Miles With Rest” are available, and you can even construct your own routines on your iPhone and upload them to your watch. Time, distance, pace, and heart rate are displayed on the main app screen; you may scroll to other panels to view your current heart rate zone and impending intervals.

The software itself is free to use, but a Runkeeper Go membership unlocks premium features like custom training plans, analytics, and in-app coaching.

Nike Run Club

Nike Run Club

The Nike Run Club, an Apple Watch app, lets you leave your iPhone at home. Time, heart rate, and current pace are just a few of the metrics that smartwatches may display; others include calories burnt, cadence, distance covered, and average pace. After finishing your run, you can view a GPS-generated map of your route.

The app’s training routines range from helping you complete your first 5K to preparing you for a full marathon. You can challenge yourself to run 30 kilometers before the end of the month or compete with friends on the Nike Run Club leaderboard. In addition, as it is a Nike app, you can record your mileage in each of your running shoes. There are no optional add-ons or additional costs associated with using the app.

Adidas Running

Adidas Running app

You might be familiar with Runtastic if you’ve used a running app. Its demise is because it has been rebranded as Adidas Running app. All the fantastic elements that made Runtastic successful are still there, and now the app also tracks a variety of other sports.

You can use the Apple Watch app to check your heart rate, speed, and heart rate zone even when you’re away from your iPhone. As you run, you’ll also hear progress reports read to you. You may let your fans monitor your every move and cheer you on while you run by using their Live Tracking feature.

The basic app lets you track your progress toward a distance or time target during your workouts. You’ll need a paid subscription if you want to track your calorie burn or set a combined distance and duration target. Training programs, intervals, a paced goal, and more are all at your fingertips.

Couch to 5K Runner

Couch to 5K runner app

If you’ve never run before or it’s been a while, a Couch to 5K runner app is a perfect distance to work up to. That’s why we made this app for you.

You fill out some basic information about yourself, like your age, weight, height, running goal, motivation for starting to run, and previous running experience. The software will then suggest a baseline for your running schedule, letting you quickly move on to more challenging workouts. However, you cannot advance in the story without purchasing a subscription. The free software requires you to begin on Day 1 of Week 1 if you want to use it.

Six times through, you’ll alternate between running and walking for one minute at a time. You should be able to run a 5K race without stopping by the eighth week.

Endomondo

Endomondo's app

The first of Endomondo’s app three primary in-run screens appear as you begin running and displays data such as run time, distance covered, current pace, and heart rate. By swiping to the left, you can see your current heart rate and the percentage of time you’ve spent in each of the five heart rate zones. You get the bare essentials of GPS and heart rate tracking, but it’s still one of the best running apps for Apple Watch.

Runtastic

Runtastic app

Runtastic app will help you train for your next marathon or other race and meet your personal goals. You can keep yourself motivated by constantly comparing yourself to your previous best times and distances travelled. After you’ve completed your run, you can share your data on social media.

You may begin any Runtastic activity on your Apple Watch, and the app will synchronize with your exercise ring goals. Runtastic premium membership can be purchased for $10 monthly or $50 annually. Access to premium statistics, ad-free content, dietary guidelines, and more are included in the subscription fee.

APPLE Workout

Apple Workout app

The Apple Workout app provides access to a wide variety of exercises. Indoor and outdoor run modes are included, and a plethora of data is presented on the watch face and can be customized using the Apple Watch app. Your iPhone can show you how far you’ve traveled, how fast you’re going, how long you’ve been moving, how fast you’ve been moving, how active you have been, and how many calories you’ve burned. In addition to choosing between a single metric view and several metric views, you can also specify the order in which they are displayed.

One screen will display your statistics, a swipe to the left will change the song, and a swipe to the right will pause or stop the music. Distance, time, active calories, total calories, average pace, and average heart rate are just a few of the metrics that can be found on the post-run statistics screen.

Charity Miles

Charity Miles

Running technology can be a real lifesaver when you just can’t muster the energy to get out the door. With Charity Miles, you can get more out of your runs than just physical fitness.

By using our running software, you can directly contribute to the causes you care about while getting in some serious workout. Doing something that helps other people and advances a cause you care about is a great approach to improving your life and making a difference in the world.

To help you keep track of all of your fitness stats in one location, Charity Miles is compatible with Strava and Apple Health.

Peloton

Peloton app

There are a plethora of options for treadmill running applications in the modern era. To keep you from becoming bored staring at the treadmill’s screen, the finest applications offer virtual running routes that take you to exotic locations throughout the country or the world.

There are other running apps on the treadmill, but they all provide scheduled routines. The latter group includes the Peloton app. Treadmill lessons are perfect for runners who want extra pointers from a “coach” but don’t feel comfortable figuring it out independently.

The app features a wide variety of live and on-demand fitness classes, from boxing to yoga to indoor cycling.

Zwift

Zwift app

The Zwift app is perfect for treadmill runners who wish to be transported to exotic locations like the Boston Marathon route, the Swiss Alps, or the streets of Berlin. This is a top-tier app for treadmill users who want to spice up their workout by adding elements of competition and exploration to their indoor runs.

Although the app’s primary purpose is to facilitate indoor cycling, the run mode is a great method to take advantage of the energizing potential of fantasy and turn an otherwise mundane treadmill interface into an opportunity to realize your international running ambitions virtually.

Zombies Run

Zombies run app

Repel the Zombies run app! Premiered well over a decade ago, but if you enjoy the gamification of fitness, it’s still one of the most entertaining and inspiring running apps for many runners. In order to survive the zombie apocalypse, you can listen to a series of audio stories in this running app.

You’ll receive audible cues encouraging you to speed up or directing you to pick up specific items to strengthen your fortifications as you run.

MapMyRun

MapMyRun app

Use a running app like MapMyRun app to locate running routes based on location and distance when you are traveling and unsure of where to run or when you simply want to switch up your normal local routes.

More than 70 million running routes from all over the world have been contributed to this app. The software uses GPS to keep track of your location, velocity, duration, and other metrics as you run or walk.

There are extensive features in the free version and more in-depth training regimens in the premium edition.

Road ID

Road ID app

Road ID app is well-known among runners as the manufacturer of engraved bracelets that may be fastened to a pair of shoelaces in case of an emergency. The bracelets contain information about the runner’s identity and any preexisting medical concerns.

In addition to these standard safety elements, they offer running software that will show your loved ones exactly where you are at all times. If you don’t cancel the app’s warning after not moving for more than five minutes, it will send your emergency contacts an SOS text message with your GPS coordinates and location.

If you train while running alone or in the dark, this app can reassure your loved ones that you are safe.

Conclusion

This selection will serve as a starting point as you search for the most suitable running apps for Apple Watch. The Apple Watch may be one of the most well-known fitness trackers, but it’s capable of so much more!

Junaid Ali

About the Author: Junaid Ali

Junaid Sheikh is a dedicated and talented content writer and creator known for his engaging and insightful work across various digital platforms. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Junaid crafts compelling content that resonates with audiences and drives engagement. His expertise spans across multiple niches, from technology to lifestyle, showcasing his versatility and creativity. Junaid's commitment to quality and his ability to connect with his audience make him a standout professional in the field of content creation. Whether through written articles, social media posts, or multimedia projects, Junaid Sheikh consistently delivers high-quality content that informs, entertains, and inspires. Discover more about her on his LinkedIn profile.