Running Apps UX Research
This is a UX Research I made about Running Apps. There are plenty of apps as the ones researched here, I just download everyone of them and made some trials. There are Apps for running, coach, workouts, games, inspiring ideas, all of them are related to running in one or other sense.
While researching I focused on three different aspects:
- First the innovation of each App, in terms of user engagement. Focus on social, gamification, challenge and spirit.
- Secondly, I tried to identify different mobile patterns, following pttrns, mobile-patterns, interfaces.pro and Nielsen report. Identifying UI general aspects for this kind of Apps. I also looked for the tone, the design, colors, distribution, menus, notification systems, etc.
- Lastly, I took a look at the technology used in each of the Apps. There´s a huge tech background developing at fast speed.
So here is each of the Apps:
Workout Trainer
Once the App is installed every user has a little test on the onboarding, asking for your fit state, what do you want to work (muscles), your challenge, the training you usually like. There is a kind of commitment with the App, so you can set how many days a week you are going to train.
In my opionion the main idea of this App is to sell the premium content. Exercises are really well explained, you have videos showing how to do any of them. The interface of this kind of Apps is like a constant dialog with an appropiate rhythm, not noisy.
The App design is clean, clear, uses white, light green and blue as main background colors. Right Hamburger menu (I can say you will find it in almost of this App list).
The Run Experience
This App is part of Strava, it combines running with workouts specially prepared for runners. It is a video based app, so you always have a coach showing you how to do exercises, giving advice for training (posture, breathing, rhythm, etc.) These videos are updated every week, many of them free, they are presented by coachs, you can take a look at their YouTube channel.
The App has a lot of categories:
- 5K Training
- Beginner Running
- Distance Running Tips
- Featured Posts
- Half Marathon Training
- Injury Prevention
- Marathon Training
- Pilates For Running
- Popular posts
- Runner Nutrition
- Running Technique
- Strength Training
- Tips & Tricks
- Uncategorized
- Workouts
I would say this is a complete App for Pro Runners.
There´s a “Run Experience Community” where you have more options. If you are not part or this community, you can always join what they call “The training club”. The App is also connected to a Facebook Group where you can be updated about races and news.
There´s a hamburger menu on the left and menu at the top, so you can scroll between all categories (beginner, 5K, half marathon, marathon, etc.) More at therunexperience.com
Samsung Pear
Samsung partnered with Pear Sports for this exclusive fitness App. Pear Sports focus on people not interested to train at gyms, outdoor lovers, offers users personalized digital coach based on their fitness data, with a big focus on spoken instructions during exercises.
It is Coach based, so each coach has his trains. There´s a subscription price about 4€. Should they connect this App with their watches (for example Samsung Gear Fit Pro 2 comes with some Apps pre-installed, such as MapMyRun, MyFitnessPal, Endomondo and UA Record, but nothing about this App)
White spaces, empty data sets, dominant black and white, icon buttons, I really like the styling of this App. See more at pearsports.com
Runator
This is what we would call an aggregator App, the App is vinculated with other running Apps, so once you use them, all data can be transfered to Runator. There three interesting things in the App:
- You can make challenges to other runners
- There´s a popular race orientation all over the App
- There are many promotions run related
The design could be improved, I mean, has modal windows like, too many tooltips, and uses lot opacity and shadows. See more at their site.
Run Tracker
RunTracker, or Running Distance Tracker, concentrates in the act of running. This is quite important for the display and UI Design. Think of a runner watching the screen while running, the smartphone usually goes on an arm, there are some things to be considered:
- Numbers and letters should be big and clear. This goes straight for time, distance, heart and calories tracking.
- Pause/End buttons should be big enough
- There is no need of many things while running: No need of social buttons, no need of stats (they are seen later), no need of coachs.
Actually, we see in Run Tracker many of these: Tab Bar, two buttons for locke/pause running, three display trackers (time, pace and distance). There is also black background color, this should improve the App performance. The App is from Fitness22, they have a lot or running Apps at his site.
Map my Run
So, let´s go to what I would call the most complete Running Apps. This list goes for the top of the market: MapMyRun, Puma, Nike+, Endomondo, Runtastic, Runkeeper and Strava. There are three differentiating features compared to the rest of apps:
- The use of pro stats
- Better location service and GPS display
- Integration with widgets and devices
Map my Run is one of these, it comes from Under Armour. Has Live tracking for followers, routes, voice integration, challenges, and integration with other related apps (nutrition, Under Armour shop).
White background, Hamburger on the left, simple organization of elements while running, nice stats display. See more at MapmyRun.
Puma
I really like the look and feel of Puma Running App. The app uses almost just black and white with a clear display. Maybe there are some problems with Spanish translation.
It has a special social point: Arunner ranking, and the app is connected to the race “wings for life world run” where you run against a car catcher. The winner is the last to be overtaken by this car.
See the App at iTunes or GooglePlay.
Nike+ Run
I remember this App in the past used to be designed in red. Now It has jumped also to a black and white clear consistent design.
Has voice integration, badge system, special training programs, Spotify connection, shop, Nike Run Club for runners, etc. You can download the App here.
Endomondo
One of the most complete runing apps. Comes from Under Armour, take a look at the site. Actually the App is not only for running, but also for many other sports, so you can combine. Train plans have my best consideration, the app asks you how often do you run, the intensity, etc.
Hamburger menu, Card design system, green, white and violet as dominant colors. I would remove that 320x50 Ad at the bottom to be honest. Download the App here.
Runtastic
Ok, this is the one I use :) I hope I´ll reach the thousand kilometers this year, in fact, that is my app challenge. Why do I use it? Because it is easy to use, has lots of stats and integrates bracelet.
Has Tab bar in the upper part, but just for stats. Hamburger menu on the left, voice integration, GPS. You can see how many meters you have gone up or down. White, blue and green (reminds of sky and earth). See more at the site.
Runkeeper
Runkeeper is similar to Runtastic, I have also used this one a lot. Actually, with a smart watch you can vinculate different Apps, it just transfers the data by Bluetooth. Runkeeper is from Asics, one of the best running sport shoes.
As Runtastic has one time payment for the Premium content.
Can combine many other sports, nice map display. Has a light beautiful design. See more at runkeeper.com
Strava
Running and cycling App. I would say this is one of the best apps for pro runners and triathlon. Has almost everything, I would highlight the challenge, clubs and training videos. Stats are awesome and you can connect with lots of runners even runners of your skills. This introduces BigData, in fact, they have just launched Strava Global Heatmap, an interactive bigdata map following runners routes’.
Has an energetic orange color mixed with white. Nice tone, I would say Strava is motivation and challenge.
The Premium version is expensive, but has special discounts on shops, insurance and so on. See more at Strava.
Run an empire
This is a real world strategy run game. It says: “Race against others to control the most territory in your local environment”. Although it is only available in New Zealand and UK on IOS, it really looks amazing. An hexagon gamification GPS multiple player running game based on territory, badges, shields and strategy. They say this is the Pokemon GO Style App for running.
Basically you can attack or defend in an ongoing live running challenge. One of the co-founders, Ben Barker says: “It’s a game of territory claiming and defending. Each run you need a strategy of defending a territory you have under control or go out after someone else’s territory. Once you have territory you earn currency that can be spent on upgrading your crest. There are quadrant awards and achievements that are included on the crest that pops up whenever you take control of a hex. You can also equip a certain piece that will offer a benefit when you go for a run or help you defend a particular territory.”
It is so well customized that the App looks like a real board game, reminds me of NAC war games. Live colors, Tab Bar at bottom, progress bars, shields… Nice look and feel, looks like you are in the middle ages.
You can check how the project was built at kickstarter or see more at their website.
Spotify Run
You can see the video presentation here, or at the site. Whether you run or just go to the gym. There are a lot of lists for different trains or moods, you have beast mode, gym mode, hiit workout, Running Rock, Cool Down, etc.
They use a card design pattern over black background. Tab Bat at bottom.
Mario Run
Well this a game, but I included it in the list due to its relation to running. I like the onboarding experience of the game, the tone (buttons like “accept”, “later”, all is positive in the game), the storytelling (in fact this a little story of Princess and castles, worlds, races and kingdoms). The user is running from moment zero. There are badges, tutorials, different enemies and characters (you can play with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Toad and Toadette), messages and notifications. You can play with one hand (thumb zone).
I think the game gives nice clues for running gamification. See more at MarioRun site.
Running for weight loss
This App is fully oriented for weight loss, maybe it was though for women (all photos of people are women), is connected to nutrition and coachs. It has training plans designed for different purposes, audio-guided workouts made up of running, walking and sprint intervals, vVarious coaches up to the user’s choice. I like very much the calendar training, really motivating.
It has a Tinder logo like, red colors with white, Hamburger menu on left. Clear and nice design. Tab bar while running. See more at the site.
Charity Miles
Move With Purpose. Earn Money For Charity. A question everyone makes to runners: Why do you run? This App has an answer for that, a very humanitarian point, since you can run for a cause. So you just log in, choose your cause and run. I made some for WWF. Has a social integration.
Apart from that, the design could be improved. See more at Charity Miles.
Zombies Run
‘Run in the real world, became a hero on another. Only a few have survived the zombie epidemic. You are a Runner en-route to one of humanity’s last remaining outposts. They need your help to gather supplies, rescue survivors, and defend their home. And you have another mission — one they don’t know about…’
This App caused a big sensation in the market. Is it a game? An AR? What is it? You log in, get a mission and go for it. Suddenly you begin hearing helicopters and a story based on missions with a very innovative point. In fact it has one million players (runners, joggers, walkers).
The interface is simple you understand the game fast. There is no need of showing maps, distance or heart rhythm. Just keep connected to the instructions listened and avoid zombies. See more here.
Burn your fat with me
This is the first in a series of motivation fitness apps from Japanese indie developer Creative Freaks, actually this is the version for boys, but you have also the girls version “Burn your far with me for girls”. It is presented as a story where you find and old friend from school (they call it a Japanese visual dating novel game). So when you meet this girl from your childhood she is very happy to see you but she sees you a bit fat, so you´d better train your fit. And that´s the way you begin to train your fitness. The more you train the more chapters you can unblock and get to know this old friend, Mayu Uehara.
If you use Android you can download the App here, if you use IOS just here.
EpicWin
Developeb by Rexbox, Epicwin turns your chores Into a Role Playing Game (RPG). We can say your to-do-list or your challenges turn to be an RPG game, instead of a game done with its challenges and activities, you do the game, hard work it is yes, but, isn´t it fascinating?
Players can select a Dwarf, Warrior Priestess, a skeleton, Warrior, or Treeman. Once selected, users can create their own name. Then you create a quest with a description (task), connect it with a single date, repeat it daily, weekly, etc. You can also et the number of points associated with a task and what category the task fits into (strength, stamina, intellect, social, or spirit).
The App could look a bit old, I think it was released first in 2010. It has brown background, game design with cartoons, badges, points, etc. showing its interactivity approach. The App has a Tab Bar at the bottom son navigation is quite easy (profile, progress, options, quests...). You can take a look at Apple App Store or at Google Play Store.
General Conclusions
- Running Apps have a high tech component (GPS, Tracking, integration with connected devices, stats display, Heart rythm, etc.)
- Training programs are important to guide runners
- Every runner checks his stats
- Going social is a plus
- Coachs are not relevant
- Reasons for running: Get fit, weight loss, challenge
- Gamification is a plus
- Pro runners more likely to go Premium
- GPS is vital
- Voice API Implementation is a trend
UI Conclussions
- Hamburguer Menu
- Social Login
- White background most common
- Tab Bar is recommended
- Progress Features implementation
- Notifications as a Coach
- While running not many details recommended
- Clear colors, simplify
