11 Free Apps to Make Running Fun (Android & iOS)

No matter if it’s good or not, but running is super popular today, thanks to the mass media. By the way, running has its points – it’s much cheaper than going to the gym (you can just run on the street), doesn’t require a coach and the whole process totally depends on you.

Moreover, it contains only one exercise – running itself, so you don’t need to stress your memory for another time. Still, who has never felt tired and bored with all these exercises? Most people are not athletic by nature and in our days when motivational quotes and stuff are literally everywhere even they become less and less effective.

You may also like: 9 Best random workout generator apps for Android & iOS

At the same time, we all want to improve our running routine or find a reason to start running every day. Luckily, the developers understand usual people’s needs so they made a number of interesting running apps which would seem interesting even for those who never actually run.

RunGo – Voice Guided Running

This is the app which will not only assist you in your daily training but also will provide useful information about the place where you running. This way you can combine two developments: physical and informational.

You have probably guessed how it works – you run and hear the voice in the background guiding you. The scheme of your running path will always be displayed on the screen of your device.

It offers turn-by-turn directions for thousands of running routes, also it includes races and city tours. What is more, you can create your own routes and add them to the program.

You will get access to the library of run routes with advanced voice navigation. Besides, you can download routes and then have access even with no Internet. The app tracks and logs your runs.

As always you also will be having common options which every running app has: the information on time, distance, and calories. There is also speech feedback on distance and place.

So this way you can turn your run into an exciting quest and learn tons of useful and interesting information in the process. The app has more than 70000 routes worldwide, so whenever you are, you have something to explore without losing shape.

You may also like: 11 Best workout timer apps for Android & iOS

ROAD iD

This app is made not only for runners but also for cyclists, kids, hikers, walkers, skiers, and basically anyone not glued to the couch. Its main feature, besides the casual fitness training, is its navigation which will provide you the connection between you and other people even when you’re running.

Get it and you’ll have safety and peace of mind in the palm of your hands. This is also very useful to track children on their way to school and home. making sure they’re all right.

What is more, here you can send your family a notification that you have stopped moving. By the way, to track your route, the people in your contacts won’t have to install this app.

All they gotta have is a web browser and they can find out your location just using any digital map. Moreover, you can create your own lock screen which will contain 3 most essential contacts in case of emergency. So even in case if you need to prove your route to someone – the app will prove it for you!

Nike+ Run Club

This is the running app from the world-famous brand. So in fact, it is made not for simple run sheer, but you’re also joining the club of the big runners family.

You will be able to monitor the results of others to stay motivated and inspired, and experts’ advice will enhance your progress. The app itself is claimed to be to make the process of your running training more fun.

The app will save all the data about your race. You will get access to the personalized approach to your type and, therefore, a more effective training program.

For your achievements, you will be getting various awards. There is also a possibility to share your achievements with friends via social networks. Along with that, you will get a set of funny stickers.

During your running friends can send you support. After all, you can compare your results to others and compete with your friends. All you have to do is to tag your races.

For each new personal record, which will be marked with counterpoints, distance, and time, you will be receiving an award. It is also interesting since it will give you a chance to monitor how many days you can go running every day.

 

Zombies, Run!

You can be a person who is super lazy to do running and you still cannot find any motivation to start (all these competitive things and motivational quotes just don’t work when it comes to you).

Believe it, there are thousands of people who feel the same way. To solve this problem, the developers of this app created a super funny program that will make you finally RUN!

And you’re basic motivation is going to be survival. How does it work? You go outside, take a run on a little distance when suddenly you hear zombies are chasing you. Get ready for the exciting adventure that you are going to experience in just a single race.

By the way, the app was developed by award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman. You will feel like a movie hero on a complicated mission, and in your headphones, you will hear a real drama that will put you in the center of a zombie apocalypses.

While you run to the perfect mix of heart-pumping audio drama and pulse-pounding songs from your own playlist, you’ll collect supplies to grow your base back home. The app was acknowledged by a number of respected media sources, such as BBC, WIRED, CNN and many others.

Pokémon GO

Ok you may say this is not exactly a fitness game, but actually, you can combine it with your running workouts -why not? For sure, a couple of years ago everyone was hearing of this game literally every day – so popular it was.

Still, let’s recall one more time how it works. You are viewing the worlds through your smartphone which displays different Pokemons.

You go for them and catch them. They appear in their native environment – look for Water-type Pokémon by lakes and oceans. Of course, in order to catch more Pokemons, you should go to interesting places, such as museums, art installations, historical markers, and monuments – but those are dubiously places for running.

Again, as it’s been mentioned before, this app can be a cool addition to your workout, not its purpose. As you’re getting more Pokemons, you are able to catch more-powerful Pokemon to complete your Pokedex.

You can catch many Pokemons of the same type in order to help them grow. There are also Gym Battles where you have to join the team and battle for the ownership of Gyms with Pokemons on your side.

It can be really exciting since the game includes all our favorite characters from childhood – Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Pikachu – and many others.

Klocked

Klocked is an innovative app for sports lovers, namely runners, who want to improve their results and get a unique experience. This app is fundamentally different from other fitness trackers.

Here, users will be able to turn their usual run into an exciting virtual 3D experience in different cities all around the world. For example, if users are stuck inside on a treadmill, they can easily connect the app to the treadmill and run as if they were outside.

Also, in this app, users will be able to win medals for the marathon. Due to the engagement of users into this app, they are able to run much longer distances than before.

The community and coaches of this app are really motivating users not to abandon their workouts. This app tracks the outdoor activities of users via GPS.

Moreover, users will be able to easily create their own avatars to represent them in virtual races. To customize their avatar, users can choose a T-shirt, sneakers, tights, eyes, hair, and more.

On a special Klocked map, users can track their progress. This app has different types of workouts, such as:

• Solo
• Group
• Races

This feature allows users to not only exercise, but also make new friends and run together.

Charity Miles: Walking & Running Distance Tracker

With this app, you can bring the benefit not only to yourself but also for other people. It works the following way: you start doing a workout, run or walk – and the longer you’re doing it, the more money you gain for charity. After you have earned a sum of money, enough for spending, you can choose a charity foundation to send your assets to.

The users of this app have already earned more than $2.5 million for charity. A great feature of this app is that you can use it anytime – while walking with your dog or morning jog.

The main motivation for you will become the movement with a purpose. The knowledge that you’re not only improving your health and body but also helping others will make you go another extra mile.

What is more important, this purpose is totally real, unlike those fantastic ones which were created mostly for entertainment.  This is why Charity Miles helps so many people lose weight and get in the best shape of their lives.

The app sends money to such funds as Stand Up To Cancer, ASPCA, Habitat for Humanity, Alzheimer’s Association, The Nature Conservancy, and many others.

You may also like: 9 Best parkour training apps for Android & iOS

Spotify Music

This is a famous music app that almost everyone uses nowadays. You ask how would it make your running more interesting? The thing is, this is a giant music world where you can find the music of any type.

You can not merely listen to it, but also create your own playlists and listen to the playlists of others. And here is where you can find really good music for your races.

Seriously, why not try to run to someone’s playlist, improving your sports skills and, maybe, discovering new tracks? What is more, Spotify now is the app where the number of plays is counted for an artist to mark their positions in music charts.

So in case you want to support the artist you like you can listen to their songs while running. When you browse through the Genres and Moods tab on the app, you’ll find the Running Mood.

Click in and you will get something a bit similar to PaceDJ—the app prompts you to start running in order to “detect your tempo.” You can choose from about twenty different playlist genres to run to, and music that matches your running speed with shuffle through your playlist.

Ninja Fitness Free: Strength, Running, Yoga and Meditation Workout Program

Another interesting fitness app for iOS. Here, by doing different physical activities, including running, you’re upgrading your 3D ninja.

You’ll be following the legendary ninja trainer Grandmaster Old Beard as he shows you the way of the fit ninja through his unique and fun workouts. All the workout represented in the app don’t require you to use any additional equipment, you can accomplish everything with your bodyweight. You have to be ready to feel like a real ninja!

This is definitely a new look at fitness motivation. The first thing you do is creating your ninja, male or female. Gradually, as you do workouts, your ninja also changes with you. Later you will start gaining ninja stars by performing workouts to trade in for harder workouts, outfits, armor, and weapons for your ninja.

All the workouts are classified in accordance with their type: Strength, Agility, Endurance, and Zen. Moreover, you get win ninja bels by improving your skills in all skills section. Before doing each exercise, you will get access to a video where it is explained how to do that.

Despite all the fun and entertainment, the app has a pretty decent approach to your training by even saving and monitoring your progress throughout time.

You will find running workouts in the Endurance section. There you will regulate your running speed and distance. As always, you will start from the beginner level and gradually will be moving to a pro. The app will adjust to your rhythm.

PaceDJ: Music To Drive Your Running Pace

Now you got a chance run longer, faster, and more effectively than ever. This app called Pace DJ modifies music to your running pace with the possibility of creation interval workouts. You don’t have to create your perfect playlist for running or switch the music during your races anymore – this app will do everything for you.

What is more, this app was recommended by such authoritative sources as New York Times, Washington Post, Health Magazine, Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and many others.

Its users say that the app really improves their productivity during their races since the music doesn’t distract and helps to maintain their rhythm. It also helps to stay focused.

If you speed up, the app plays more intensive beats and slower, if you slow down. You can create custom interval workouts or choose from pre-programmed templates.

You can use songs from your phone library or choose from more than 35 million songs in the app. This app also allows you to share your workouts on Facebook. What is more, it has an extended list of settings so you can personalize the work of the app on maximum for your workouts.

You may also like: 7 Best Tai Chi Apps for Android & iOS

The Walk: Fitness Tracker Game

This app has been getting more and more popular lately and it’s no surprise because it is such a cool software. You can imagine yourself as an agent whose mission is to save the world.

Each step matters. In this app, you have a choice whether you want to walk or run, and the bigger distance you pass, the more levels and pieces of the story you unlock. Each episode has checkpoints, collectible items, the ability to choose a route, and even achievements.

Moreover, the app is capable to track the distance you walk/run, even when it’s running in the background mode. And you can always come back and end your mission right at the moment where you left it.

Overall, the app is really authentic and feels more like a game than a fitness app. If you’re looking for good exercises in the first place, this is probably, not the best choice ever. Even though this app might adjust to your fitness rhythms and adjust the tempo of the run according to your specific requirements.

Daria Sauline

App enthusiast, an experienced Android and iOS user