Strava App

Orphia

Tell me more about Strava.

I use the iPhone 6 Health app to count my steps (which links to MFP to earn me exercise calories), but I need something to time my runs. (Did 2 half kms this week and have signed up for Parkrun which starts in 2 weeks.)

I notice Parkrun uses Strava, so I'd love to know what sort of data I might get out of it.

Do you have to click buttons when you start running? That would be a pain.

msf74

I have never used Strava on my phone (I sync to it from my Polar watch now using Flow2Strava) but I guess you would have to click an icon on your phone to start and stop any recording.

It is great though. For running you get distance, elapsed time, moving time, elevation, route map, average pace, lap data, your pace splits, matched runs (so if you do the same routes it compares how you do are progressing) heart rate (if you are using one which can sync with your phone I presume) flybys (other Strava users who are doing a similar route in your vicinity and whether you passed them), and also how you did in specific segments of the run in comparison to what you ran before.

It gets a little addictive at times...

mwyvr

Yes, if using your phone to capture run data you have to click a button to start Strava recording your run, just like every other app I can think of that I've tried. Yes it is mildly annoying if one is being anal about precise start and stop times, but few runners need to be that anal.

I did this for months until I killed a phone screen with sweat (carried the phone in a small belt pouch in the small of my back). Then I bought a Garmin running GPS watch, rationalizing that it would be cheaper in the long run but also that I'd become serious enough about training that the additional features - access to a lap button on my wrist, seeing cadence and pace in real time - were worth it. So... no more frustration. Maybe I am anal after all.

I still carry a phone but in a ziplock bag and for use as.... a phone.

PS: I'm glad I captured data in Strava on my phone because I have a seamless record from the time I started running to current. Garmin can be configured to also update Strava. It's great seeing progress in one place.

patrikc333

use it only online, cause I don't want to carry a mobile with me

yes you have to push a button to start the activity

i have a garmin watch, and both strava and garmin are linked together, so runs are uploaded from garmin to strava

a watch is much better because I can see my current pace, HR etc

but I like strava for the interaction with others as described above

I don't think that strava analysis is particular good though, I prefer garmin connect for that

to be short - I'll recommend to use both so they complement each other

Orphia

Thank you very much, lovely people! Your answers have been very helpful. Just downloaded it!