Training Tools: Online Running Aids
Check out these four sites that offer unique training advice, tracking and feedback.
Check out these four sites that offer unique training advice, tracking and feedback.
MapMyFitness
www.mapmyfitness.com
Early this summer the training app MapMyFitness underwent a complete redesign, and along with a sleek new look, the app now makes working out a lot more fun. The new version has popular running routes integrated into the program, allowing runners to compete with 9 million other MapMyFitness users for awards such as King or Queen of the Mountain. “We’ve been working on the gameification of the entire site to make it more fun for people to work out,” says co-founder Robin Thurston. “And it engages you with the community.” The redesign also offers a new training plan function, allowing runners to upload goals such as running a half marathon, and then track their progress.
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Compatible with most smart phones and GPS devices, users can link the app with just about any training device. The app is free, or upgrade for $100 to the Pro version for unlimited access and discounts.
Nike Training Club
www.nike.com/nikewomen/features/ntc
This free cross-training app offers an endless variety of workouts that can be personalized—you choose the amount of time you work out, which strength-based or cardio-based exercises you want and which body parts to work. Each exercise is demonstrated by pro-athletes so you can perfect your form. Earn new workouts and get training advice by building up your training time.
Daily Mile
www.dailymile.com
Daily Mile is the ultimate social media running community. With more than 12 million workouts logged, equaling enough calories to burn more than 78 million doughnuts, Daily Mile allows users to share their workouts, motivate their friends and show off all their hard training. Search for friends and find other motivating Daily Mile users on this free app, and become virtual training partners.
Find Your Zone
Zone Sports offers how-to technical running instructional videos with top athletes, coaches and industry experts. The videos, which cost $1 apiece, range from four to six minutes and cover everything from standard workouts like 5 x 1,000m, 12 x 400m and track-based threshold runs, to dynamic warm-ups, strength and flexibility drills and pedestal routines for building general strength. As of June, Find Your Zone had more than 75 videos with Jay Johnson, Michael Wardian, Sara Vaughn, Phil Warton and Dave Mackey, to name a few.
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This piece first appeared in the July 2012 issue of Competitor magazine.