Notes for those using or consider using Runkeeper
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yirara
Posts: 10,601 Member
After trying many different running apps I settled for Runkeeper. Here's a little review and some tips on how to make it work properly.
The menu is not very intuitive and their own version of the C25K workout is rather rubbish, but where the free version of this app really shines is that you can create custom interval workouts. This is something I have not really seen in other free apps. Once I figured out this is actually possible (their FAQ is also mildly rubbish) it took me 10 minutes to get the whole C25K programme in there.
On iOS you click on START and can just go running from there. But if you click on the section of screen that says 'No Workout' or displays the programme part you're about to do you can build your own workouts. Chose One Offs and scroll to the bottom where the custom workout button is and follow the instructions. Here you can also select the C25K day you're about to run.
Another dodgy thing of this app is the elevation model they are using. In a completely flat area my training sessions end up with a total elevation of about 200-300m. This is way off. But you can fix it. Go to their website and chose the workout you'd like to fix. Use the dropdown arrow right above the map and edit the activity. First uncheck SNAP TO ROADS. Then drag one random point the shortest distance possible. Basically just touch it, and make sure you don't change your running stats doing that. Then save, and you have proper elevation data. Next time you start up the app the proper elevation data is updated there as well.
+ no advertizing in the app
+ no spam emails so far
+ custom interval workouts in free version
+ stats are sufficient for me, but might be a bit small for some
+/- Actually, the calories burned is not too off for me. Yesterdays run gave me 273kcal, while using METS gave me around 230. Still inflated, but much lower than many other estimates I've seen.
- not the best user interface
- Their FAQ and support data is not very clear and finding the right answer not always that easy. But at least they respond to emails quickly
- elevation data implementation needs fixing
- I found their training programmes to be a bit annoying. If I miss a day the whole programme might get messed up. Another reason to use custom workouts.
The menu is not very intuitive and their own version of the C25K workout is rather rubbish, but where the free version of this app really shines is that you can create custom interval workouts. This is something I have not really seen in other free apps. Once I figured out this is actually possible (their FAQ is also mildly rubbish) it took me 10 minutes to get the whole C25K programme in there.
On iOS you click on START and can just go running from there. But if you click on the section of screen that says 'No Workout' or displays the programme part you're about to do you can build your own workouts. Chose One Offs and scroll to the bottom where the custom workout button is and follow the instructions. Here you can also select the C25K day you're about to run.
Another dodgy thing of this app is the elevation model they are using. In a completely flat area my training sessions end up with a total elevation of about 200-300m. This is way off. But you can fix it. Go to their website and chose the workout you'd like to fix. Use the dropdown arrow right above the map and edit the activity. First uncheck SNAP TO ROADS. Then drag one random point the shortest distance possible. Basically just touch it, and make sure you don't change your running stats doing that. Then save, and you have proper elevation data. Next time you start up the app the proper elevation data is updated there as well.
+ no advertizing in the app
+ no spam emails so far
+ custom interval workouts in free version
+ stats are sufficient for me, but might be a bit small for some
+/- Actually, the calories burned is not too off for me. Yesterdays run gave me 273kcal, while using METS gave me around 230. Still inflated, but much lower than many other estimates I've seen.
- not the best user interface
- Their FAQ and support data is not very clear and finding the right answer not always that easy. But at least they respond to emails quickly
- elevation data implementation needs fixing
- I found their training programmes to be a bit annoying. If I miss a day the whole programme might get messed up. Another reason to use custom workouts.
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Thats actually really useful, I've used runkeeper for a while now and never knew a about those interval features, thanks!0
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You're welcome. It's not the best app out there, but it becomes usable if one knows the little workarounds.
I looked at a few others. Many were close to useless without premium content. From what was left:
Endomondo has too much of a community platform for my liking, and you give them permission to access your location data even if the app is not running, which is a big no for me.
Strava looks nice, but the dark app colour is unusable in daylight for me unless I turn up the background light to max. Which basically means I run out of battery power too quickly.
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