Just what the doctor ordered (literally)
I am pre-diabetic which means if my weight gets away from me I could enter into diabetes. My doctor had recommended exercising which until now I’ve avoided. I knew I needed to start running and what I lacked was motivation. It’s too easy to cheat, cut corners and basically get out of a meaningful run or exercise if you lack discipline. I lack discipline, and won’t deny it. This simple app commits you to a specific goal each time you use. I would feel guilty cutting corners with this app and so I don’t. Each workout gives you a tangible and achievable goal. When you reach that goal you feel both physically as well as mentally fulfilled. So yes, 5 stars. I am doing the trial but will buy the unlimited $10 full app. It’s worth every penny. A copay to the doctor for one visit is 3x’s that so yeah pretty easy choice.
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Made me enjoy running
This is a good app with a nice, clean interface that makes it motivating and easy to use.
I am a 21 year old guy in decent shape, and damnit I should be able to run. But, about three months ago, I would have been hard pressed to run a mile. I ran/walked a 5k with my co-workers in November 2017 and I finished in ~35 minutes and felt like throwing up (the average time for my age group was around 24 minutes).
My girlfriend started using this app in May. I picked it up and did the first day May 16th. I got hooked really quick and decided to shell out the $10 to buy it—that was my biggest iOS purchase to date.
7 weeks later on July 21, I finished!
Now I can do the 5k in around 23 minutes, and today (July 29th) I ran my first 10k.
In a little over 2 months I went from disliking running a mile to kinda enjoying my 10k run.
I think the app convinced me to take my time slowly add on distance, instead of running too hard and feeling exhausted and discouraged.
Mileage will vary from person to person (pun not intended but I stand by it)—I think I was probably in a rather unique place to take advantage of this app—but I still think it will be well worth the money for most people in most situations. I highly recommend!
I am a 21 year old guy in decent shape, and damnit I should be able to run. But, about three months ago, I would have been hard pressed to run a mile. I ran/walked a 5k with my co-workers in November 2017 and I finished in ~35 minutes and felt like throwing up (the average time for my age group was around 24 minutes).
My girlfriend started using this app in May. I picked it up and did the first day May 16th. I got hooked really quick and decided to shell out the $10 to buy it—that was my biggest iOS purchase to date.
7 weeks later on July 21, I finished!
Now I can do the 5k in around 23 minutes, and today (July 29th) I ran my first 10k.
In a little over 2 months I went from disliking running a mile to kinda enjoying my 10k run.
I think the app convinced me to take my time slowly add on distance, instead of running too hard and feeling exhausted and discouraged.
Mileage will vary from person to person (pun not intended but I stand by it)—I think I was probably in a rather unique place to take advantage of this app—but I still think it will be well worth the money for most people in most situations. I highly recommend!
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If you are new to running don’t hesitate
Great app for people wanting to start running who are either unfit or not confident enough to train without guidance.
I am mid thirties and although active, I haven’t regularly exercised for the last seven years because of having children. I wanted/needed to get fit again doing something that 1) wouldn’t cost a fortune (like a gym membership) and 2) I could fit in as and when with my lifestyle...running seemed perfect so I gave this app a go and I am so glad I did! It was great to slowly get me fitter without breaking me or making me want to give up. This is manageable for all ages and fitness levels - don’t be afraid to try it - you can do it! It really is well worth it if you need a bit of support and encouragement to keep going. I did skip a few weeks here and there just because my fitness was at a higher level so I was able to do that.
I now love running and am starting the 10k app.
I am mid thirties and although active, I haven’t regularly exercised for the last seven years because of having children. I wanted/needed to get fit again doing something that 1) wouldn’t cost a fortune (like a gym membership) and 2) I could fit in as and when with my lifestyle...running seemed perfect so I gave this app a go and I am so glad I did! It was great to slowly get me fitter without breaking me or making me want to give up. This is manageable for all ages and fitness levels - don’t be afraid to try it - you can do it! It really is well worth it if you need a bit of support and encouragement to keep going. I did skip a few weeks here and there just because my fitness was at a higher level so I was able to do that.
I now love running and am starting the 10k app.
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Love it!!
I haven’t made it all the way through do to personal reasons and life. But I love running with this app. Buzzer to run and walk. A “coach” voice letting you know “your awesome” “halfway there” “almost done” “great job”. Inspirational quotes to start your workout. You can listen to music. I listen to pandora and it still chimes in to keep you going. And a lock screen so you don’t accidentally skip an interval. I just love it. It’s totally worth paying for in my opinion and yes I’m a cheepo and never pay for apps but this is definitely worth it if you are looking to start out slow. And let me tell you I have never been a runner in my life and after 2 kids I’m ready to get back in shape. And this is definitely helping. Pick your own pace and don’t give up! 😘
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Extremely good
This app is great and really effective. The app (which is gorgeous) includes a program that combines walking and running and it increases the running on every workout. This worked great for me and it's how I got into running (40+ years young). The audio coach comes through the headphones and tells you when it's time to walk or run, so that you don't really have to do anything except listen and do what he says. I also love the motivational coaching that goes with it. The progress is just right, and really sets you up to making it to the end. I also enjoy their motivation thoughts on each workout and the great guidance through the app.
All in all - a great great great app.
Update - started running again after quitting for a year and the app still did its magic. Got me back into shape fairly easily. Actualdly it took me less than 4 weeks to do it instead of their advertized 8 weeks, but I think that this is because of muscle memory (and maybe a little bit of self belief which made me skip ahead whenever it felt right). it worked great the first time, and now but now my body was able to get back into it even easier. Happy this app is doing its magic again, and it’s time to continue to 10k!
All in all - a great great great app.
Update - started running again after quitting for a year and the app still did its magic. Got me back into shape fairly easily. Actualdly it took me less than 4 weeks to do it instead of their advertized 8 weeks, but I think that this is because of muscle memory (and maybe a little bit of self belief which made me skip ahead whenever it felt right). it worked great the first time, and now but now my body was able to get back into it even easier. Happy this app is doing its magic again, and it’s time to continue to 10k!
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Halfway there and still going!
Yesterday was week 4 day 3. When I started My pace was 2 mi in 30 min and the full 5k took 46. Yesterday the 2mi mark was 25 min and the 5k mark was 38. I’ve tried several of these couch to 5k apps before and have never made it past week 2. I either got lazy or the runs got too difficult too quickly and I became discouraged. Right now I’m pretty motivated to keep going! I was hesitant at first to pay because 9.99 is a bit steep. But it has been worth it and maybe since I paid I feel more obligated to follow through.
The only downside to the app is that it doesn’t give cues while on in the background. I would also enjoy more words of encouragement during the run.
The only downside to the app is that it doesn’t give cues while on in the background. I would also enjoy more words of encouragement during the run.
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Don’t buy lifetime...
First I will say I loved this app. The pacing is great and I can run a full 5k after doing the program. Sure it’s something you could do yourself without the app but I loved that I could just hit go and concentrate on my running instead of timing myself because I knew the app was going to tell me what to do. Now I paid the lifetime instead it the 3 months. That’s where I get disappointed. Silly me had hopes that paying the lifetime I could use other apps by the same company to continue to improve my running. Well, jokes on me. I downloaded 10k Runner to see and guess what: I could have just downloaded that app in the first place and did the 5k program I paid for FOR FREE before the 10k app made me pay. All in all I don’t regret spending the money on the app because that helped motivate me to keep using it but I wish I would have paid for 3 months instead of lifetime because that gets me nowhere. I don’t use the app anymore because I use a Fitbit and their app to track my runs now because it gives me my pace mile by mile. Which is another disappointment with this app. You have to figure your own pace at the end of your run and that will include your 5 minute warm ups and cool downs. In short: good app? Yes. Just don’t spend more than you need too.
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Has multiple versions to buy
This program is great; does what it says, allows modifications, lets me set it and forget it. Even pipes up to encourage me to run randomly.
When I got to week 2, I found I needed to upgrade to keep using the program. This was frustrating at the time because my phone took forever to download and I had to wait to run.
Also, being in a hurry, I didn’t research my options - and I feel they were somewhat unclear. It seems you can pay between $5 and $12, depending on what you want. Frankly I don’t even know what I paid - I thought the lifetime was my best deal, but now that I’ve finished I realize that unless I stop running and have to start over someday, this will not be much use to me.
At this point, having completed the run, I’ll have to pay for the ‘next step’ I decide on. I wish I’d just gotten the 10k program to start, because it doesn’t seem there’s any discount or way to progress from the 5k. So that’s a little disappointing, and why I chose four stars. I’d give five if all the price tiers were clearly labeled.
When I got to week 2, I found I needed to upgrade to keep using the program. This was frustrating at the time because my phone took forever to download and I had to wait to run.
Also, being in a hurry, I didn’t research my options - and I feel they were somewhat unclear. It seems you can pay between $5 and $12, depending on what you want. Frankly I don’t even know what I paid - I thought the lifetime was my best deal, but now that I’ve finished I realize that unless I stop running and have to start over someday, this will not be much use to me.
At this point, having completed the run, I’ll have to pay for the ‘next step’ I decide on. I wish I’d just gotten the 10k program to start, because it doesn’t seem there’s any discount or way to progress from the 5k. So that’s a little disappointing, and why I chose four stars. I’d give five if all the price tiers were clearly labeled.
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Less Than One Star
I wish I could give this app a negative star review rating but... I can't. I was training to run last summer when I tore my MCL in a fall. I decided to try this app after being cleared by the doctor to return to running. The app, on the surface, had a high number of reviews and most were positive. The design was stylish and it was free, I had nothing to lose? The question mark is intended at the end of the previous sentence.
Today I gave this app a try and first I found the small bits of "motivation" to be uninspiring. The app boosts you up by immediately giving you a badge for completing your first run. Then I noticed the reality...there are only FOUR, yes, 4 runs on the free version of this app. If you want to do the whole 8 or 9 weeks (it varies with couch to 5k apps), you'll have to pay.
I'm not sure why the app designers don't just make it a straight forward, paid app and not waste anyone's time or data or physical investment in a plan that's only going to ask for money to complete. Yes, you CAN find another app for free after starting this one, but, these programs work on a progress system and some change the run/walk ratio over time so you are eventually doing more running than walking and complete the program as a runner able to go a distance of 5k. Having to go four runs and find out you have to pay to continue and if you can't you now have to find ANOTHER couch to 5k app to complete your goals.
Hopefully someone reads this.
Today I gave this app a try and first I found the small bits of "motivation" to be uninspiring. The app boosts you up by immediately giving you a badge for completing your first run. Then I noticed the reality...there are only FOUR, yes, 4 runs on the free version of this app. If you want to do the whole 8 or 9 weeks (it varies with couch to 5k apps), you'll have to pay.
I'm not sure why the app designers don't just make it a straight forward, paid app and not waste anyone's time or data or physical investment in a plan that's only going to ask for money to complete. Yes, you CAN find another app for free after starting this one, but, these programs work on a progress system and some change the run/walk ratio over time so you are eventually doing more running than walking and complete the program as a runner able to go a distance of 5k. Having to go four runs and find out you have to pay to continue and if you can't you now have to find ANOTHER couch to 5k app to complete your goals.
Hopefully someone reads this.
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This really DOES work!
So while on vacation at the end of August I decided I needed more exercise so I went for a run. It was humbling to only be able to run for 30-45 seconds at a time without needing to walk. It was also very motivational! I downloaded the app and figured I’d give a try to get to 5k. I was skeptical but figured even if I did every step 2 or three times I would get there, and if not then at least I was getting exercise. Will I can’t believe it but following the program I was able to get to running for 35 mins (3.53 miles) and only repeated 2 of the sessions. Very rewarding! Now I’m starting the 10K app and looking forward to the next challenge! Thanks fitness22!!
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