Image courtesy of Strava
Nike’s massive brand seems to dominate every corner of the athletic world today, but this famous company nonetheless got its humble beginnings in running. Naturally then, Nike also has an amazing running app that helps to round out its expertise in this sport.
The Nike+ Run Club app is the perfect run tracker for beginner runners because it doesn’t require any fancy gear at all, and it is completely free to download and use. Starting a run is as simple as pressing “Go,” but runners also have the option of planning a run based on time, distance, or speed.
During the run, the app provides occasional encouragement to get you through the toughest parts. It’s great for the mid-run slump, or to get you motivated for your last-leg kick. However, if that isn’t your thing, this commentary can always be disabled in settings.
One of NRC’s strengths is providing beautifully presented stats after a run. Of all the running apps that have been tested, NRC is one of the most visually stunning. The graphics flow seamlessly, and the layout is perfectly simple and elegant. Runners can easily see their speed over the course of a mapped run, see a graph of their distance over time, or even track elevation against speed. All these visuals provide a good post-run recap, and they are especially fun to look back on as you improve.
NRC also has a lot to offer for the more seasoned runner. There is a coach feature that creates customized training plans to help you achieve your goals, whether it be completing a 5k or running your fastest marathon, or anything in between.
For runners who are more stats-oriented, it might be a good idea to pair NRC with something else. It seems that Nike has traded away some of the more detailed analytics in favor of a layout that is clean and a platform that lends itself to sharing and other social functions. However, the app syncs data seamlessly with many types of GPS watches, and it is especially integrated with Apple Watch.
Set your goals in motion with the Nike+ Run Club app—it is a great run tracker, training plan, and motivation platform all rolled into one.