Strava users, please can you tell me if you have standard or premium membership?

[hells_bells2207]

If the latter, is it worth it?

What extras do you get that you use & think are useful?

Thank you 🙏

Happy Easter

[CBDB Graduate]

I don’t have a subscription for Strava and am only using the free version. I’m actually only using it for my rowing, as I’ve only ever used Runkeeper (also free version) for my running.

For me, it was clear I did not want to tie myself down with a subscription, as I like to explore different apps. The main three ones (for me) have all their own strengths, and all have their own comprehensive free offers. So I found it worthwhile staying with the free offer until I knew the apps well.

Three main ones for me:

Runkeeper - the best run tracker with the most comprehensive free offer. Key function for me: pocket run, which means that even if you forget to hit start, as long as you have your phone with you, it tracks at least time and distance.

NRC - brilliant audio guided runs! If one likes a voice giving you instructions and if one wants to experience different ways of training, this is (for me) the best app for this. And it tracks your runs, obviously.

Strava - Strava is for me the weakest tracker, as it does not give me any other running functionality than the others do. But the biggest strength is that it is also a social network. So if you like social networks, you are likely to like Strava. They used to have a great feature in the free version (heatmaps) but I think this may have now moved behind a paywall.

Those are the three key ones for me. But I have tried some others out as well, and one which I am currently using is of course Zombies, Run, which is a whole other kind of running app, one that links a run tracker to immersive story telling.

Enjoy exploring!

[Kevin41 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Zombies, run terrified me ha ha. It’s so engaging but definitely not for me!!

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to Kevin41]

I would not even entertain it!I hate all things like that, even including clowns, halloween & so on!

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Thank you for your in depth helpful message. It truly is a great help regarding the running apps.

I shall take note now but also refer back to them.

Thanks again for all your time.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi hells_bells2207 , I still use the free version of Strava. I'm too frivolous a runner to get any value from the premium version! The only thing that might interest me, because of where I run, would be gradient-adjusted pace and pretty coloured maps. But I figure I'd rather spend the money on running shoes. Or wine, come to that!

[Vespina Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

👍👍 for wine 😆. That is definitely getting your priorities right.

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Perfect answer. I’m with you.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

The free version is good enough for me 👍

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate]

I bought a one year subscription just to see if I would make more use of Strava - but I haven't.

They send me a monthly summary and there's a nice calendar view which shows my runs. I thought I would be able to see new runs around my area which I could try out, but if there are any I haven't been able to spot them on there.

Probably won't renew when the time comes.

I still just look at Garmin Connect, and sometimes I used to download the data from it and run it through some scripts to see a different analysis.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

As a passionate hater of many of the features that Strava have now put behind a paywall, I’m much happier to be on there. I’d pay not to see some of that stuff, but don’t tell them that.

I use Garmin Connect for everything, it exports to Nike Run Club because I sometimes like a guided run with them, and to Strava because I turned on the link to connect for a challenge about 18 months ago and so far haven’t got round to turning it off again.

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Ha ha, yes! I've always hated the leader boards!

[Vespina Graduate]

I checked out Strava but didn’t like it much. I don’t do well on social networks generally (which is a weird thing to say as I love it on here but that’s because it’s not competitive).

I love my running stats so I use the Tempo app which has a free version and has a premium version for £10.49 for the year. This has everything I need and I love the layout.

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

I spend enough time staring at stats from Garmin and NRC, I don't need a whole lot more from Strava 😂The free version is enough for me, it allows me to look at my husband's information and also to see what friends are up to, that's all I want.

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate]

I started using Strava to track my cycling, so I've carried on using it for running too. I used to pay for the premium to set myself a distance goal for the year and see whether I was on track to do it. At the time you could pay a small amount for different small packages of features.

Then they changed the subscription to a quite expensive all or nothing. I payed up for a bit, but really I wasn't using most of the features, so now I'm back to the free version.

I don't think it's useful unless you have specific training goals. Otherwise it's just interesting if you like looking at lots of statistics.

I just use it as activity tracking social media, record my activities-running, walks, cycling, gym, take nice photos, see what my friends are up to.

[Frenc Graduate]

I asked this exact same question a while ago! I use the free version because it tells me just what I need without information overload. I imagine the stats that come with the paid version are very interesting though. 😊

[Wawacito Graduate]

I am using the free version, have been using it for about a year now, and am happy with that.

All I need it an app to record distance and pace. That the free version also provides basic tempo analysis is nice. No need for me to connect with other runners through Strava.

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

Definitely just the free version, whatever you get with the paid subscription, I'm not missing as I'm happy with the info I get. I use my Garmin watch so it's captured in Garmin connect and set off Strava in my headphones so I know what my pace is in km and my Garmin in miles. Usually I have Coach Bennett from NRC at the same time!! 🤣🏃‍♀️