How to use Strava to track your runs
April, 2022
Whether you are gearing up for your next challenge or simply want a better insight into your running performance, Strava is an excellent app to use.
Strava has been around for over a decade and it is used by tens of millions of people to track and analyze their exercise.
Getting started with Strava can seem a bit complicated; however, I have compiled this short guide which will show you how to use Strava and get the most from this fitness app.
What do you need to use Strava?
You will need a mixture of different devices to get the most from Strava.
The best setup is downloading the Strava app onto your Smartphone and using this with a GPS fitness watch. The watch will track your activity during your run and then sync to the Strava app on your Smartphone when you are finished.
You can also access Strava from a computer by going to strava.com and putting your activity and exercise on their website.
Do I need to create a Strava account and is it free?
Yes.
There is a free version of Strava, but you will need to set up a Strava account to start tracking your runs. If you want, you can login with your Facebook or Google account, or you can register with your email address.
The free version of Strava is often enough for most people. This gives you access to your activity data across various forms of exercise including running, cycling, swimming, and other workouts. The free version also allows you to participate in challenges and join in with local fitness clubs.
There is a subscription service called Strava Summit. It works out at £4.00 per month if you pay annually and allows you to:
- Access advanced performance metrics
- Set custom goals for your workouts
- Compare exercise with past activity
- Plan running routes
- Compare your performance against others
- Access training plans
You can often get a trial version of Strava Summit to find out its functionality.
How to track your runs on Strava
Tracking your running performance of Strava is pretty straightforward.
Once you have your account and profile setup, there are different methods of adding your exercise.
Manual Entry
If you aren’t running with your Smartphone or a GPS watch, you can manually put in your workout. This is a good way to track your runs if you are using a fitness watch that doesn’t have GPS.
Smartphone
To track your runs via your Smartphone, simply hit the ‘Record’ icon at the bottom of the screen, choose your exercise type, and press ‘Start’ This will begin recording your run and when you tap ‘Finish’, your run data will be saved. This data provides information on your exercise including time, distance, route, and average pace.
GPS Watch
Another method to track your runs via Strava is through your GPS watch. This is often a better approach for people who don’t want to run with a heavy Smartphone. To do this, you need to link your device to the Strava app and sync your device to Strava after you have finished.
What else can Strava do?
One of the major benefits of using Strava to track your exercises is the community aspect of the app.
Through Strava, you can take part in different challenges and compete against others, or you can join local clubs to connect with new people. This is one of the most attractive parts of Strava and it can prevent your workouts becoming boring.
Useful information
This basic guide to Strava will help you get started with this fitness app. I have included some links below which can help you get more from Strava:
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