Runtastic gps running

As a fan of health apps, it was already quite difficult to choose one single app that gives you all the features that you’d like. And then comes along something like Runtastic. Runtastic is one of the more popular running apps, in that it follows a simple principle – a fantastic interface, and a list of features that appear minimalist, but are actually quite extensive.

The whole thing is brought together by the convenience that the app offers. For example, on my regular run this morning, I chose to use this app over the MapMyRun app to test a few of its features. While the interfaces are similar, the app seems to be a little more advanced in terms of its tracking and scheduling features.

The app begins with the collection of data – height, weight and age, and then preps you for your run. You can set a goal or a time limit for how long you want to run and the app will keep providing voice-over notifications for the same. The app kicks off the routine with a proper countdown, and the app beings tracking your run. You even have the option to link the app to your music player to have a bit of on-the-run entertainment. The GPS tracking is actually quite accurate – up to a few feet, and keeps a proper record of where you’ve been, what pace you’ve been travelling and the app then estimates how many calories you have burned. This is then followed by a comprehensive report that allows you to understand all the data collected in a simplistic, easy-to-read format.

The app also offers linking with the Runstastic Heart rate monitor in the pro version. One of the major niggles I’ve found with this app is that the tracking is not as accurate in the iOS versions when compared to the Android (Nexus 5) interface. Also, while there are several features that are brilliant – weight training, cardio training and tracking, weight loss, Beginner training, Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K run training, none of the training plans are free, and each plan is at a hefty price of approximately $50. The basic app is free to download on both Appstores, and is available for devices running Android 4.0 and up, and iOS7 and up.