# NHS Couch to 5K — user reviews > 182 indexed App Store user reviews of NHS Couch to 5K by Department of Health and Social Care (Digital), rated 4.81/5 from 396,041 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-couch-to-5k/id1082307672/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-couch-to-5k/id1082307672.md ## Newest reviews (16 of 182) ### 5/5 — Consistency *2026-08-28, version 10.3.1* Couch to 5k has taken a 22stone former smoker to being able to run for 30mins continuously, when I started I didn’t think it would be possible but have just finished the programme and achieved that goal ### 5/5 — Thank you NHS *2026-08-24, version 10.3.1* So proud to be an employee of an incredible NHS and a graduate of this programme…Thank you so much, my NHS… ### 5/5 — Get off the couch people as running is fun and fun is good *2026-08-23, version 10.3.1* Great coup with Steve Cram as virtual coach Why not get a video of the coach an avatar Surely did motivate me Positive affirmations are the way ### 5/5 — Took a few years but finished! *2026-08-22, version 10.3.1* No way would I have continued running without this app. I tried some others and tried different coaches in this app. In the end it was Steve Cram who got me over the finish line. ### 5/5 — Excellent. Beyond my expectations. *2026-08-21, version 10.3.1* Started couch to 5km with low expectations as I have arthritis but this has helped me a lot. I am now running and loving it. It also massively improved my overall mental health and mood. ### 5/5 — Amazing *2026-08-21, version 10.3.1* This completly changed my life after having a baby. Got my fitness levels up at times that suited me. Shout out to Denise Lewis for being the best coach ### 5/5 — The Perfect Starting Point *2026-08-21, version 10.3.1* Exercise wise I’ve never finished anything properly. However, I finally achieved something with this app. If you said I’d run a 30 minute 5k in 9 weeks time I wouldn’t have believed you, but this process sets you up perfectly. Even at the beginning when they tell you the next run will involve 5, 8 or 10 minute runs I was dreading the increase but you just flow through it with this progressive build up. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and chuffed I finished it. Recommend this to anyone looking to start running. ### 5/5 — Got me running for the 2nd time!! *2026-08-20, version 10.3.1* This app truly delivers results! I used it once during Covid and again 6 years later. Denise, the coach talked me through each step. Before I completed the programme, I was able run 5K and even ran a 5K race - something I thought I’d never do! ### 5/5 — It changed my life *2026-08-20, version 10.3.1* I started this and was doing 10k long before I graduated. The 1st 20 min run really shows you what you can do. Thank you ### 5/5 — The BEST *2026-08-20, version 10.3.1* SO grateful for this app!!! I’m now a runner!!! Didn’t think it was possible, thank you thank you thank you!!! ### 5/5 — One of the best things I’ve ever done *2026-08-18, version 10.3.1* I couldn’t believe the improvements I have made to my fitness, mental health and overall confidence from taking part in this challenge. I would recommend to anyone to give it a try, some weeks I was dreading the runs but once I completed them I felt a million times better and towards the final few runs I was looking forward to them. Steve was my trainer throughout the programme and really helped give me some motivation on days where I needed it, I’m sure the other trainers are also great too. So to anyone who is looking to make a change please give it a go you will not regret it. ### 5/5 — Thank you for making a runner out of me *2026-08-17, version 10.3.1* Fathima M ### 5/5 — From non-runner to runner! *2026-08-17, version 10.3.0* I never thought I’d be a runner. Hated it at school. But wind forward to me at 46 and I gave it a go. This app changed my life for the better. Give it a try, get your running shoes on, take it easy, keep going - and become a runner! It’ll change - and potentially save - your life. ### 5/5 — Jim *2026-08-17, version 10.3.0* Highly recommend. Started running again at 61 years old after some health issues. Eased me back in perfectly. ### 5/5 — Great App *2026-08-16, version 10.3.0* I’ve just completed the challenge after several attempts, it was great and the feeling are even better. Although I am a relatively fit person, running was something that I struggled with all my life, but from now on, running is going to be part of my weekly routine. Thank you NHS. ### 5/5 — What a brilliant, brilliant app! *2026-08-15, version 10.3.0* I can’t praise it enough. My coach was Steve Cram and he led me steadily through the 9 weeks. This morning I graduated the programme by doing a 5k park run. I have never been a runner, ever, and yet here I am running 5k 😳 and it’s because of this app which is fantastic. Can I also plug the C25k Facebook group which was incredibly supportive, full of really useful advice and help. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Dangerous in rehabilitation *2026-05-07, version 10.1.0* I will spare you my medical war stories but in rehabilitation from serious injuries this app is far too aggressive and it caused me harm and set back my rehabilitation progress by months. Since the app doesn’t calibrate for injuries, only consider it if you have no medical issues. ### 1/5 — App issue *2026-04-21, version 10.1.0* App will not load just get the home page. ### 2/5 — App *2026-08-28, version 10.3.1* I can’t get this app to show on my Home Screen ### 2/5 — App keeps freezing - please sort it out!!! *2026-08-13, version 10.3.0* I absolutely love this app, completed it twice BUT when I do the stepping stones runs - THEY ALWAYS FREEZE - it is soo dis heartening and their is no where to report this issue - PLEASE - sort this out so I can give you the stars you deserve! ### 2/5 — Doesn’t tell you how far you run *2026-05-14, version 10.1.0* I like the app in general BUT! Bizarrely, it doesn’t tell you how far you’re running on each run so you’re completely clueless in terms of miles/kilometers of your progress. Which is odd because the aim is to eventually be able to run 5K. It doesn’t show you the map of your run either. What a shame. ### 2/5 — Freezes on the home page *2026-04-21, version 10.1.0* Great app when it works! I’ve currently had an intermittent issue where the rest of the app doesn’t load past the home page. I’ve tried deleting, redownloading, restarting, everything. Sometimes it works, but today I’m having no luck- I was really looking forward to that run! ### 2/5 — Use the Get Running app instead. *2019-03-30* I used the Get Running app a couple of years ago and found it really useful and managed to achieve my goal of running for 30 minutes non stop. Then due to having surgery I stopped running and got out of shape. I decided to start running again and for a change, thought I’d use this NHS app after hearing good things about it. Unfortunately I was left disappointed. I find there is no encouragement from the coaches whatsoever. I used all of the coaches on different runs and all you get is the initial voice telling you to get ready to run/ walk then silence. I was really looking forward to the Sarah Millican one thinking she’d tell funny stories etc to boost moral but there’s nothing. The Get Running app encourages you all the way through. For example, telling you when you have 30 seconds left of running or telling you when you have 10 more seconds of walking which enables you time to ready yourself to run again. It stops you looking at your phone all the time to see how long you have left to run/ walk because the coach talks to you a lot more. I think you should have the coaches talk to you more and provide more encouragement which would take your mind off points in the run when you feel like you’re struggling a bit, and then if you wish to listen to music instead you can just turn the coach voice off. ### 3/5 — Alerts *2026-08-20, version 10.3.1* I like to listen to music or radio so i turn off the audio, but the vibration isnt noticeble enough. Needs to be a settings bg for vibration plus sound signal or brief announcement (“2 minutes run starts now”. Should ideally also monitor pace in each run/walk section. ### 3/5 — Helped get from my couch *2026-08-18, version 10.3.1* To what is a runner (albeit a slow one). Positive messaging and an achievable program… ### 4/5 — So helpful *2026-08-24, version 10.3.1* Amazing, it helped me so much! I’d never have done the 5k without this app ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — amazing *2026-09-03, version 10.3.1* this app got me from struggling to run 3 mins in a school sports track to running 5k on steep hills. I’ve never felt better in myself and my body so i’m so grateful! ### 5/5 — Fantastic *2026-08-31, version 10.3.1* Fantastic support after physio recommendation to assist with progress after Achilles snap. Done during months9-10 to get back to running. ### 5/5 — I love it *2026-08-31, version 10.3.1* This is such a good app as it keeps you fit and healthy while you can improve your mental health. I love it ### 5/5 — Didn’t realise how effective it would be! *2026-08-31, version 10.3.1* I did my first 5k run and couldn’t believe it! Evidence it works! It took me longer than 9 weeks as I couldn’t fit three runs a week but still it helped me progress and survive the tough times. Thanks so much! ### 5/5 — Amazing *2026-08-30, version 10.3.1* Can’t believe I have just run 5k! At nearly 50 having never run and smoked for 30 years I never thought this would be possible. But the app is so supportive and takes you through every stage with encouragement. I can now say I am a runner. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Amazing app *2026-08-29, version 10.3.1* Loved it ### 5/5 — Amazing *2026-08-29, version 10.3.1* Has been so amazing, gives me such good motivation and the constant words of motivation when running really helps you get there. ### 5/5 — Good but a bit eager *2026-08-29, version 10.3.1* Great app, helped get me back running after a few years break during which I had a baby. Only complaint is that the app tells you to have a day off between runs, and almost as soon as it gets past 48 hours from a run, you get a very condescending notification telling you how daunting it must be to run again after a break. A break it tells you to have. I think that a gentle ‘got time for a run?’ On 2nd day would be better. ### 5/5 — Inspired and motivated *2026-08-28, version 10.3.1* At first I was dreading running but this app supported me and inspired me to keep going. Never been more confident in running. Super proud of graduating. Will definitely continue with this journey. Highly recommended! ☺️🏃‍♀️ ### 5/5 — Great app, with effective incremental steps for progress *2026-08-28, version 10.3.1* This is a very straightforward app which I’ve used alongside Strava to develop running ability and stamina. Did it with teenage sons (one at a time, one headphone each 🤣) and found it really helpful in encouraging gradual progress. Have just finished it with the second son and we both found it very useful. Also used Spotify so we had music to run to. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*