Thoughts on distance trackers please- Strava vs Apple watch

[Comaltdel]

Doing my c2 run today I wanted to aim for the 5km target having managed 4.95 in the 30 mins on my last two runs. I set my Apple Watch to outdoor run distance 5k and also started my Strava app at the same time. Having run 32 minutes I checked the Apple Watch and it said 4.56k whilst Strava said I’d done 5.05km. 😳🤔. I believed Strava but maybe I’m wrong? I appreciate none of these gadgets are infallible but to be 0.5k different felt rather a large difference. Have more experienced runners or fitness gurus/app users any advice/input? Tia

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I got rid of my Apple Watch as it was so inaccurate. Up to 20 seconds wrong at parkrun. But I’ve never rated Strava highly either 🤣 I swapped to a garmin in the end. Cheaper, more accurate, more running stats, and easier to operate in the rain.

[Comaltdel Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha99. I’m not sure I could cope with another gadget! 😜

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It’s an interesting one... Was Strava running on the watch? If not was the watch talking to your phone? Apple Watch isn’t bad for gps accuracy, but is much better when the iPhone is also on that run.

[Comaltdel Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I had Strava on the iPhone alongside the watch on my wrist... so watch and phone were chatting constantly I’d assume...?

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

When I transfer data from my Apple Watch to Strava it always cuts a bit off so I’ve got lots of runs on Strava of 4.98 km. So annoying! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Generally tho the data is pretty close. I do carry my iPhone too for my music. Don’t know if that makes a difference 🤔

[Comaltdel Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Yes it’s weird.. I’m going to try again just in the interests of scientific nerdiness!

[KaryB]

I find Strava says I've run further. My Garmin and Mapmyrun pretty much agree so as much as I'd like to believe Strava I don't trust its accuracy.

[Comaltdel Graduate in reply to KaryB]

Oh gosh thanks. I’ll try Mapmyrun too and see who wins out. I’m now thinking I’ve not been running as far as I had thought and am quite disappointed. 🙁 Oh well another day another run and challenge to aim for!

[Musej Graduate]

I’d suggest using a rout you know is 5 km, time it and then do it better! That’s the best way with apps there is not the same level of accuracy. Or you could use a pedometer!

[Comaltdel Graduate in reply to Musej]

Good idea Musej. I’ll plan a route and give it a go. Thx

[Sybilw Graduate]

I’ve run garmin alongside Strava and they were WAY out. I’d have loved to have gone with Strava but reality won!

[Comaltdel Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

Oh dear I can just hear the cries from my partner when I say “I need another gadget” 😂😉

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to Comaltdel]

🤣🤣

[Jerry_Hatrick Graduate]

I’ve given up with recording distances using GPS on my phone. My regular running route is circuits around some local playing fields which involves about 8 sharp turns each 1k lap. I measured the course using Google Earth Pro and the Ordnance Survey app, both of which are very accurate. Because of the way GPS samples the run and joins up the dots it appears to cut the corners by about 4 or 5 yards a time, so after about 7K it is about 200 metres short, which is enough to mess up any statistics if I wanted them.

I’m no expert but, there are quite a few factors that affect the accuracy of different GPS devices and they are not quite as consistent for measuring distances as some people imagine. On a run in the open with few changes in direction the problem is a lot less significant. As Musej previously suggested, it’s best to measure your route with a good mapping tool first.

[Comaltdel Graduate in reply to Jerry_Hatrick]

Homework... thanks Jerry I’ll get the map out and compasses. Old Skool rools 😜

[Newbie59 Graduate]

I would recommend the website walklakes.co.uk as it's a free tool for route planning all over the UK and you can switch between OS maps view and aerial view. It will also tell you how much ascent and descent there is on your planned route.

[Comaltdel Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

That’s really helpful to know thanks Newbie59. I’d not heard of that free tool so will definitely check it out. Loving all the advice and sage wisdom on the forum