Even though the Strava-Garmin-Suunto lawsuit has since been voluntarily dropped, the whole debacle got me thinking about what alternatives are available should I wish to or even need to jettison my use of Strava. It’s good to remain light on your feet when it comes to app reliance, and the lawsuit was a timely reminder that maybe I was too reliant on the globally popular running app.
With so many options on the market, including Runkeeper and TrainingPeaks, it can be difficult to know where to turn. After a period of research, I found the Adidas Running app. Full disclosure, I hadn’t actually heard of the app before, but I liked the fact that it was unashamed about catering to all levels of ability and experience.
This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn't live without. Read them all here.
Having finished these setup steps, I was quickly able to access all of the app’s features. The app is incredibly easy to navigate, with tabs for activity tracking, community engagement, and progress reporting all located along the bottom of the interface. Let’s dive into what this app is capable of.
Advanced activity tracking
The app centers around run tracking, although it’s also possible to track a wide range of other activities, including soccer, hiking, cycling, and even e-sports. The desired activity can be selected from a ‘quick list’ of three options or by scrolling down and selecting from a long list of alternatives.
The app is a fully functional fitness tracker that uses GPS to record movement and metrics such as distance, duration, heart rate (with a connected sensor), pace, calories burned, and cadence. These are presented in a well-laid-out and intuitive interface that is easy to interpret even when glancing at it during a run.
To help you stay motivated, the app also provides a wide range of audio files that you can play while you run. These can even guide you through warm-ups and warm-downs in addition to guiding the runs themselves. If you prefer music as a constant companion instead, the Adidas Running app will work with all music apps, including Spotify, Apple Music, and others.
Setting personal goals
After successfully tracking a few different runs, I was ready to take my Adidas Running experience to the next level. This involved taking ownership of my progress by setting goals. I was keen to run more consistently, so I created an in-app goal of running at least 5km four times a week. I loved the accountability, but wasn't overly enamored at being told that I had missed my daily target after running less than the 5km target!
Alongside these goals, the app includes numerous training plans, including for 3km, 5km, and 10km distances. Each training plan adapts to the level of each user and includes step-by-step guidance. Think of it as your own personal running coach, but way cheaper. As you move through the beginner plans, you can then explore other training plans that help you prepare for your first 10K, half-marathon, marathon, and more.
Engaging with the running community
One of the best things about the Strava experience is the ability to connect with like-minded individuals, whether they are friends you know who love running or strangers from around the world who share the same passion as you. There’s a reason it’s been labeled the "Facebook for Athletes".
Thankfully, Adidas Running offers a similar level of connection, albeit with less focus on competitive running. Instead, the focus is on making running fun and enjoyable. Like Strava, it has a social element, which allows you to connect with friends and participate in local Adidas Runners communities. Unfortunately, the user base is not as large as Strava’s, which could be a problem for some users whose friends are not prepared to make the app switch.
The app lets you share your tracked runs and other tracked activities with your community. Earn support with real-time Live Cheers as your friends (assuming they’re on the app) keep you motivated during your activities, and return the favor by following and liking their tracked activities. You can also join challenges and virtual races as a group while earning badges.
An evolving Adidas Running experience
At the time of writing, in the UK at least, Adidas has announced that a premium subscription is no longer available. Their official announcement states that they’re changing the way they do things on Adidas Running and are preparing for a new experience. This change is “on the horizon”, but there’s no timeframe on that. It’s pretty cryptic, but it would be no surprise if Adidas were unifying its offering into one global adiClub membership rather than requiring an app subscription.
Other countries and territories may still offer a premium membership, which previously opened up access to adaptive training plans, interval training, personal records of your achievements, auto-pause of your activity tracking when you stop moving, and more. If you download the app, you’ll be able to see whether a premium option is available or not.
I've loved my time with the Adidas Running app, and should I ever need to part ways with Strava, I know where I'm instantly turning to.
Download Adidas Running: Run Tracker for iOS and Android.
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