Analysis: What Is the adidas Running App?
-
Origin / History
-
The adidas Running App was originally called Runtastic, developed by Runtastic GmbH (an Austrian company). (Wikipedia)
-
In 2015, Adidas acquired Runtastic for about €220 million. (TechCrunch)
-
In September 2019, the Runtastic app was rebranded and renamed to adidas Running. (Android Police)
-
-
Features
-
GPS Tracking: The app can record your running route, pace, distance, and more via GPS. (GlobeNewswire)
-
Training Plans: It offers guided training plans for many goals — first 5K, 10K, half marathon, etc. (SmileBlogs)
-
Voice Coach: During runs, the app can speak out your stats (pace, time) via a voice coach. (Tom's Guide)
-
Challenges / Community: You can join challenges, compete with others, and share your runs. (Tom's Guide)
-
Statistics & Charts: After each workout, you can view detailed charts (heart rate, pace, distance). (App Store)
-
Integration with adiClub: The app is linked to Adidas’ loyalty program (adiClub), so you can earn points when you run. (Adidas Group)
-
Compatibility: Works with smartwatches, heart-rate monitors, etc. (Chrome Stats)
-
-
Pricing / Subscription
-
The app offers both free and premium tiers. According to older reviews, premium features included adaptive training, auto‑pause, and deeper insights. (Android Police)
-
As of November 2025, Adidas announced that premium subscriptions will be discontinued and previously paid premium features will be available to all via adiClub. (The Sun)
-
-
Strengths & Pros
-
According to Tom’s Guide, the app is especially good for runners who care about detailed stats. (Tom's Guide)
-
The interface is user‑friendly and starting a run is easy. (Chrome Stats)
-
Challenges and training plans help with motivation. (Tom's Guide)
-
The voice coach makes long runs more guided and less boring. (Tom's Guide)
-
-
Weaknesses & Criticism
-
GPS Issues: Some users report that GPS tracking is not always reliable. > “Every time the app has me finishing at a different place … The difference can sometimes be up to 1k apart.” (Reddit)
-
Instability / Crashes: There are reports of the app freezing, crashing, or failing to save runs. (SmileBlogs)
-
Sync Problems: Issues have been reported when syncing with external devices (e.g., Bluetooth chest straps on watches). (Reddit)
-
Community Activity: Some users feel the social / community part is weak or “idle.” (Reddit)
-
Legacy Support Concern: There are complaints that Adidas is not investing enough in the app now, especially compared to when it was just Runtastic. (Reddit)
-
Data Export / Migration: Users have had trouble exporting their long run history in a neat, usable format. (Reddit)
-
-
Recent Changes
-
As mentioned, the premium subscription model is being removed and premium features are being rolled into the adiClub. (The Sun)
-
The app’s future development may be more tightly integrated with Adidas’s broader digital‑fitness strategy.
-
Adidas Running App
If you love running or want to start, the adidas Running App (formerly known as Runtastic) is a great tool to help you track your progress, improve your fitness, and stay motivated. In this blog, we’ll explore what this app is, its features, benefits, and some of the things you should watch out for.
What Is the adidas Running App?
The adidas Running App is a mobile app designed to track running and other fitness activities. It was originally developed by Runtastic, an Austrian company, but was bought by Adidas in 2015 for about €220 million. (Adidas Group) In 2019, Runtastic officially became adidas Running, giving it a fresh look and tying it more closely to the Adidas brand. (Android Police)
How the App Helps You Run Better
One of the biggest benefits of the adidas Running App is its GPS tracking. When you go for a run, the app tracks your route, distance, pace, and where you went on a map. This is super useful because you can look back later and see exactly how you did. (GlobeNewswire)
If you want to improve or train for a race, the app offers training plans. These plans are designed for different goals — maybe you want to finish your first 5K, or maybe you're training for a half marathon. The app guides you step by step. (SmileBlogs)
There’s also a Voice Coach feature. While running, the app can speak out your pace, distance, or time. It’s like having a personal coach in your ear! (Tom's Guide)
To keep you motivated, adidas Running has challenges and a social side. You can join virtual races or buddy up with other runners. Competing or sharing your runs can push you to run more. (Tom's Guide)
After a workout, you get detailed charts and statistics. You can view graphs for heart rate, speed, distance, and more. This deeper data helps you understand your performance over time. (App Store)
If you’re part of Adidas’s loyalty program, called adiClub, you earn points when you run using this app. These points can be redeemed for rewards — a cool way to reward yourself for running. (Adidas Group)
Pros: Why People Like adidas Running
-
Easy to Use: Many users say the interface is clean, and it’s very simple to start tracking a run. (Chrome Stats)
-
Detailed Analytics: For people who love data, the app’s charts and graphs are very powerful. (Tom's Guide)
-
Guided Training: The training plans are helpful and cover a wide range of abilities. (Tom's Guide)
-
Motivation Through Challenges: Challenges help push you to run more, and getting voice feedback while running keeps things dynamic. (Tom's Guide)
-
Rewards: By earning adiClub points, you can redeem them for Adidas products or other rewards, making your runs more rewarding.
Cons: Things to Be Careful About
-
GPS Accuracy: Some users complain that the GPS data isn’t always perfect. One user said their finish location kept changing and could be off by up to 1 km. (Reddit)
-
App Stability: There have been reports of crashes, freezes, or losing activity data, especially after updates. (SmileBlogs)
-
Syncing with Wearables: For those using Bluetooth heart rate straps or smartwatches, certain devices don’t always sync perfectly. (Reddit)
-
Community Engagement: Some users feel the social side is weak, with not enough active users or engagement. (Reddit)
-
Past Features Removed: A few long-time users say Adidas has removed or degraded features since acquiring Runtastic. (Reddit)
-
Data Export: Exporting your older run history isn’t always smooth, and organizing that data can be frustrating. (Reddit)
Recent and Upcoming Changes
-
Subscription Update: In November 2025, Adidas announced that they are eliminating the separate premium subscription for the running app. (The Sun) Instead, premium features are being made available to all users through the adiClub.
-
Focus on adiClub: This move seems to make the Adidas Running App more tightly integrated with the wider Adidas loyalty ecosystem.
-
Long-Term Support: While Adidas is continuing the app, some users worry about how much it will be updated or improved, especially given competition from other fitness apps.
Is adidas Running Right for You?
Here are some scenarios where the app shines — and some where you might want to think twice:
Good Fit If You:
-
Want a free (or low-cost) running app with good features.
-
Like to analyze your training with charts, pace, heart rate, and route maps.
-
Need guided training plans for beginner to intermediate runs.
-
Enjoy joining virtual challenges or need social motivation.
-
Are already an adiClub member and want to earn points via running.
Might Avoid If You:
-
Depend on very precise GPS tracking (especially for competitive running).
-
Use a wearable (like a chest strap) that doesn’t always sync well.
-
Prefer a very active running community (some users find the community on adidas Running less active than on other apps).
-
Want to export your data cleanly and easily to another platform.
Tips to Make the Most of the App
-
Assign Permisions Correctly: Make sure GPS and location permissions are enabled so tracking is more accurate.
-
Use the Voice Coach: Turn it on during runs to get updates on pace and distance — it helps maintain focus.
-
Try Training Plans: Even if you're a casual runner, using a plan for a 5K or 10K can boost your consistency.
-
Join Challenges: These keep things interesting — competing or cooperating with others can boost motivation.
-
Connect to adiClub: Link your account to adiClub so you can earn points and redeem rewards.
-
Back Up Your Data: Periodically export or sync your workouts, so you don’t lose your history.
Final Thoughts
The adidas Running App is a mature and reliable running tracker. It’s backed by a big brand (Adidas) and offers many features that help both beginners and experienced runners. While it has some drawbacks — especially around GPS accuracy and syncing — many people find it a strong companion for their running journey.
With the recent change in its subscription model, adidas Running is becoming more accessible. If you like to track your runs, follow training plans, or participate in challenges — this app is definitely worth considering.
So next time you lace up your shoes, give the adidas Running App a try and see how it supports your fitness goals!