5K Runner: Couch potato to 5K

dawn renee

9 months ago

I paid for this app & its great if all you want to do is use the app! Once you start it, it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to get out of it & back to my phone! While in the app, I can't temporarily exit the app (with it still running in the background) to check a text or change my music or anything! I want a refund. I found a very similar app that's FREE, that works better in EVERY way, that I will be using. So NO, I do NOT recommend this app, not for an android phone!!

Swsunshine82

4 years ago

It's a decent app. It provides motivation. It's easy to use. The only issue I have is that it does not accurately track distance. There have been multiple times where the app just stopped tracking mid workout without me interfering with use. It's important to know how far I'm running in order to be successful with this program. Please fix that issue. Thank you.

Anel Zhuaspayeva

5 years ago

I'm finally improving at running! On week 5 right now and didn't get stuck anywhere so far. Week 4 was grueling to me, but I dutifully ran every minute that it told me to run even when my heart rate was 195 bpm. Make sure to eat protein after and drink plenty of water after runs to strengthen your muscles. It works with the Libby app, so you can listen to audiobooks while running! GPS glitches occasionally, but mostly correct. Minus 1 star for not having guided stretching at the end of runs.

Mandi Grande

4 years ago

I tried the free version and will not be paying for the extended version because it doesn't track distance. I thought it was because my phone was searching for a wifi signal while I was running. So I turned off wifi and used data, but it still hasn't recorded distance at all for any of the free runs. It looks as though it only tracks when the app is open, as other people have said. Glad I didn't pay for this.

Jessica Chaos

5 years ago

Very simple and straight forward but also made visually pleasing. The program is easy to follow with instructions, i would say i dont think a very sedentary person could start this program without a couple weeks of just walking first. The only critique I have is that once the app is running a session it stops all other app audio so i can't listen to music or a book and have this app running, need to correct to allow for overlay where it just pauses other apps to play its sounds.

A Google user

5 years ago

updated: I ran the whole summer using the free app in 2017. Started running again in 2019 and now they want a recurring payment after the first 4 runs. Nothing else about using the app has changed. Here's the review I wrote 2 years ago: I am not aspiring to run a 5k, I just wanted to get some exercise. A friend recommended this and it is great because it tells me to stop and walk before I get tired and cranky and give up on running again for the next 15 years.

Alicia Hemphill

4 years ago

The app is fine. It keeps a timer for you, tells you when to run and walk, etc. But you only get a week with the free version. If you want the full 8 weeks you'll have to pay. Edited to add: once you pay, the app works fine. So changing from 1 to 3 stars. However, I had to change phones and lost all of my history. Is this fixable?

A Google user

5 years ago

Anyone interested in starting to run and lose weight should download this app. It's an 8 week plan. Each session is 30 minutes. 5 min walk warm up rest of the time its run 1 min walk 1 min repeat for 20 minutes then 5 min cool down. You can play music on pandora while using this app and they'll play at same time. You'll hear the lady over the music telling you what to do so you dont have be on your phone constantly or have it in your hand at all. It's a really good app to get you running

Stephanie Trax

10 months ago

EXACTLY what I was looking for! An app that gives quick simple prompts and lets my YouTube music play in the background. No coaching whatsoever, just a quick, nice "start your five minute cool down" or "start running". Simple, pleasant and keeps me from having to time it myself. Will definitely buy full version for the affordable $2.99 cost. Thank you!!!!

Ally K.

3 years ago

The app seems fine. You can't do the whole program on the free version, which isn't clearly indicated anywhere. My biggest gripe otherwise is that it doesn't automatically advance you once you complete a day, so I accidentally ran the first day twice because I didn't realize that I had to swipe forward to get to the next step in the program. When you open the app each day, it takes you automatically to what you last finished, rather than what you should be doing that day.

S well

3 years ago

Misleading! This app costs $5 one time, or $3/3 months. It gives you 4 running days to TRY. or was ADVERTISED as a FREE app. But it is NOT. ALSO, it constantly takes you to internet browser to upgrade, or to an ad. And the browser keeps taking clicks when you want out. Even trying the phone's back or other buttons opens a site. And it's not clear how to get out of an ad either. Don't trust anyone who likes at the get go. And who would pay so much for something so riddled with Booby-Trap clicks.

Rahul Komati

4 years ago

Good interface and running plan. HORRIBLE tracking. 4 stars because it gave me the motivation and plan to start running again. Nice interface easily shows how much time you have left when glancing at your phone sweatily during runs. The big downside is the tracking is truly garbage. One day it'll say I ran 0.3 miles in 30 min and another day 3.2 miles?? On essentially the same routes. I've tried in city, suburbs, parks. Shame I paid for that. So many other apps have mastered this for years...

Solution Girl

1 year ago

I downloaded and was very interested in paying to have all the features, when I checked out the programs in the app (other than the run program) it said the app needs to be updated as it's an old version and won't work on my phone. so I reached out to see of they had plans to do that. The email back I was told " wr only give customers support to those who are on the paid version" obviously I would not oay if I cannot use the features. Anyway, that right there is enough to go elsewhere for me.

Tim

9 months ago

It's a perfectly good functional app. The problem I have with it is it's programming. It strikes me as very unrealistic that you're going to succeed in going from week 3, workout 2 to week 6, workout 1. It's far too big a jump that I'm not convinced is incrementally built correctly. I'm on week 3, workout 2 and self programmed 3 min-2 min x5 because running and walking 50/50 for 16 minutes is ridiculous if you think you're going to succeed later when it disproportionately ramps up.

Lucinda Lewis

9 months ago

I like the basic idea of the app and fully intended to purchase it if it worked but it repeatedly closes out in the middle of the run. I will start thinking the interval is lasting a really long time and look at my phone and it has force quit and closed even when in "locked" mode. I have to start all over again or try to guess where I was and its really affecting my progress.

Mary McKitrick

7 months ago

Great and gradual progression as time goes by! Really a must for my arthritis. Update: 11-21-24 The app is still working well. I use it to train after periods of bad weather and not being able to run outside as much. I love that I can listen to my own music in the background. The prompt "hey there! Awesome runner, have a great run today", is pretty cheesy in my opinion. Lol. That being said, I have no complaints.

Roelant van der Heijde

4 months ago

Great for training but crashes a lot. If this app didn't stop in the background so often (right in the middle of runs), it would be the perfect training tool. I start the app, go training but if the app stops halfway through a 5 minute run, I have no idea when to stop... Then I have to start all over. If they can fix this, it will be the ideal running trainer. Update: works great now and it hasn't crashed a single time in the last 6+ months that I've been using it. Updating the review to 5*.