Couch to 5K® - Run training

This app has the basics, which is all you really need to get started running. I started from very little activity and not much experience being athletic when I was younger. Run-walk was the only way I was able to build up the stamina to actually complete a full 5K. Because of this app, I’ve even worked up to running a full 10K, something I never thought I’d be able to accomplish. You’re able to listen to your music, pick the narrator you prefer to give you the audio cues, it records how much you run (and your pace during the walking and running portions separately). It’s also completely free. You could try the program for as long as you want to decide if you like it or if you want to pay and try something else. Unfortunately I don’t like the 5K to 10K program by this company as much, but once you’re at a 5K level there are much better programs and capabilities out there. It doesn’t sync with your Apple Watch and it doesn’t really update anymore but for the basics it gets the job done better than any other app which requires payment nowadays. It’s totally worth the download and try!

I’ve had this app as long as it’s been out. I’m in my 40s and have had 2 kids and several moves and then of course COVID hit the world. So I’ve started and stopped running many, many times. Each time I want to restart running I try a new app to help me pace myself so it doesn’t feel too hard and I give up. But I already go back to this app. It just works for me - easy at the beginning and it gets harder slowly so you always feel like you can do it and you’re making progress. HOWEVER - I beg that you update the app so that it syncs with your Apple Watch. I run mainly on a treadmill now - easier on the knees and the rest of the joints. And I can never blame weather for skipping. But since it only tracks your phone, which sits stable on the shelf, there is no tracking. It doesn’t track my distance or improvement or HeartRate… and it could, so easily. So please please please upgrade!

I was using this running program through the Active website before it became an app. I absolutely loved the program and app (up until about a year and a half ago) and over the years have told so many people to purchase it because it’s one of the best ones I’ve found in terms of building a base without injuries and for not being intimidating, even for new runners. That said, the last year or so I’ve been thoroughly disappointed with the app. It’s buggy, shuts down randomly and doesn’t save the run (other apps I’ve tried that are free, you can just reopen the app if it crashes and the run is still going so you don’t lose everything), and most importantly does not work with the Apple Watch like it claims to (I have a cellular plan and the app, phone and watch are fully up to date). You have to bring your phone with you if you want to see any of the stats (time, distance, pace, interval) and that defeats the purpose. Also, sometimes it’ll queue me to run or walk with a buzz notification on my watch (when I’ve left my phone at home) but most the time doesn't. There’s no telling when it will or won’t work. The convenience this app used to provide isn’t there any more because it’s not keeping up to date with modern technology. Until these issues are fixed I would discourage anyone paying for the app.