Top 5 Running Apps

Our top rated running apps to enhance your home workout.

A man using the Zwift app while on a JTX Fitness running machine

If you’re looking for an extra kick of motivation for your home workouts, look no further. We’ve scoured the market and found 5 of the best running apps that will make your run extra special.

You can use all of these apps with our range of smart treadmills.

Here at JTX, we want to help you make the most of your treadmill. So, we’ve been testing a huge range of running apps to see how engaging, motivating and easy to use they are. We’ve separated the wheat from the chaff and found 5 apps that will take your home workouts up a gear. They’ll motivate you to get back on the treadmill, again and again.

Which Running App Is Best For You?

1. ZWIFT

Our Pick for the Techy, Serious Runner..

Our review - 9 / 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Take your workout to the next level. An immersive gaming style experience.

Top Treadmill Running App, Zwift
Zwift, Top Treadmill App for iphone

Zwift is a fun and well designed app that connects you to a scenic virtual world. JTX Fitness offer a range of Zwift Treadmills which connect directly to the app. Alternatively, you can purchase a footpod separately that will upload your movement data to the app.

We found this app incredibly intuitive and easy to use. Once you’re set-up, you’ll be led through a comprehensive introduction video, where you’ll get a guided tour of the app and its features. After entering your personal details, your on-screen avatar will stop, start and speed up with you as you run on your treadmill. Then, you can get exploring the world of Zwift! Run through fantasy islands, jungles and volcanoes.

Detailed Running Statistics

This app does require a bit more kit than some of the other apps we’re reviewing, but in our opinion, it’s worth it. To use Zwift, you’ll need a smart treadmill with Zwift connectivity or send it your movement information via a footpod. We tested the app on JTX Fitness running machines and tested a Stryde footpod but cheaper ones are available. Zwift gives you really detailed stats every time you train. You also have the option to connect your heart rate monitor to get even more detailed feedback.

Big on Community

The video game feel in Zwift is really developed through interaction with other users. When you’re running you can see other ‘players’ running around you; you can run with friends and you can join group runs with people from all over the world. These features seriously boost motivation, especially if you’re competitive.

Cons - One downside of having so much visual information packed into this app is you really need a tablet to run it on. A phone will be OK but it could get a bit frustrating. Also, there is a slight time lag, which doesn’t affect the enjoyment or quality of the run, but is good to know about.

Footpods make an estimation of distance covered based on your height and stride length, so it might vary slightly from the distance actually covered, shown on your treadmill screen. Zwift allows you to keep running through the virtual world even after your run is over, so it's really easy to make sure you've covered every meter.

If you do download Zwift, be careful in set-up when you enter your 5K race time. If you haven’t done a 5K run, set your targets low and change the speed during your run. If you set it too high, (or if you put in your personal best rather than your average) your first introduction run will be too hard.

Overall; Ever felt addicted to a video game? Get ready to feel addicted to running and give Zwift a go. We’re sure you’ll love it.

2. BITGYM

Our Top Rated Running App The No Fuss Runner..

Our review - 8 / 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Great, simple app that will have you running through the alps in seconds!

Treadmill Running App, BitGym
Top Treadmill Running App for Android, BitGym

Bitgym is a super simple, no gadgets required app, that takes you on beautiful trails around the world.

All you’ll need to get going with BitGym is your device and your treadmill. There’s nothing to set up because BitGym uses the front camera to track your movement. Just rest it on your machine, start running and enjoy the view!

Favorite Features

As BitGym guides you around some of the most beautiful parts of the world. It gives you on-screen interesting facts about the location you’re running through. We loved this unique feature! You can also listen to your own music while the app is running or you can choose to listen to the app's nature noises. BitGym even allows you to Live Stream videos or to download them for offline use.

When you sign up you’ll be guided to an introduction video which will show you around the very simple interface. You’ll see that the speed of the video changes depending on how fast or slow you’re running. This is an excellent piece of tech which really makes your running experience more integrated.

Cons - it’s not the most accurate piece of equipment. It isn’t the one for you if you want a good breakdown of statistics from your run. However, it does give you the option to connect your heart rate monitor. It also has a fairly limited amount of tours compared to some other apps.

Overall, it’s definitely one to try out! With such a minimal amount of effort required, who could say no?

Free Version

1 Circuit per tour available (18+)

10 Minute maximum workout length

Paid Version

[BitGym Premium subscriptions £5.99 /month]

Unlimited (120+) circuits per tour

Unlimited workout length

Availability

Compatible with iOS and Android.

Reviews

Apple Store - 4.4 / 5 - ‎245 reviews

Google Play - 4.3 / 5 - 2,875 reviews

3. ZOMBIES, RUN!

Our Pick for the Fun Loving Runner..

Our review - 8 / 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s a brilliant, novel idea that could be just the thing to get you moving!

Zombies, Run! Top Treadmill Running apps

The world has been overrun by zombies. Run for your life, to collect supplies and rescue survivors. Zombies, Run! Is a novel, exciting audio app, in which you are the main character of an unfolding, apocalyptic story.

The app is simple to set up and you can get going in minutes. After adjusting a few settings, you can begin your first ‘mission’. You’ll receive a ‘radio transmission’ with instructions for your run. Zombie chases are intermittent and unexpected, speed up to escape. What better motivation to run fast is there?

Your radio transmissions are broken up with your own music, which is great. After your run, you can view your stats, which include distance, time and how many zombie mobs you’ve evaded, of course.

On the surface Zombies, Run! Looks like a novel app that could keep you going for a while, but the more we delved, the more we found! Zombies, Run! has so many features and an in-depth story that keeps developing. You’ll meet other characters along the way, pick up supplies and build a base.

The main drawback is that there’s no way to connect to a tracker or cadence monitor. Instead, the app tracks using movement of your device. So, you either hold your phone or put it in your pocket for the duration of your run.

Overall; We can't think of anything that would motivate you to get running more than the threat of a zombie attack. A must-try to tell your friends about.

Free Version

First four missions free

One mission a week after that

Paid Version

[Pro Membership subscriptions for Zombies, Run! are £3.49 /month or £22.99 /year]

Unlimited (300+) and ad-free missions

Interval training and airdrop

Full stats

Run customization

Availability

Compatible with iOS and Android.

Reviews

Apple store - 4.8 / 5 - ‎1,802 reviews

Google Play - 4.3 / 5 - 18,113 reviews

4. AAPTIV

Our Pick for those who love a Personal Trainer...

Our review - 7 / 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The next best thing to a personal trainer.

Aaptiv; Treadmill apps

Aaptiv; Apps for Treadmill

Aaptiv offers a wide range of audio sessions led by personal trainers. It’s as close as you can get to having a super enthusiastic, motivational gym partner at home.

Workouts are focused on home gym equipment sessions and there’s a huge range of running, elliptical, home rowing machine and indoor cycling sessions. We love how varied the sessions are - sprints, interval runs, endurance runs, workouts to perform on your walking treadmill and even HIIT treadmill workouts.

There’s also a huge range of personal trainers to choose from so you’ll never get bored with the same voice.

Cons; We like being able to experience the app before entering our card details, but this isn’t possible with Aaptiv, so it has to lose a star! Aaptiv also doesn’t give you the option to listen to your own music which, although their music is pretty good most of the time, could be a drawback!

Overall; If you know you’re motivated by having someone there to push you through a session, consider Aaptiv.

Free Version

7 day free trial - Watch out, you have to enter your card details, forget to cancel before the 7 days are up and you’ll automatically be on a monthly direct debit

Paid Version

[£10.99 per month or £92.99 annually]

Unlimited audio access to motivational PT audio sessions

40 new classes every week

Gift friends classes

Availability

Compatible with iOS and Android.

Reviews

Apple store - 4.8 / 5 - 43.1K reviews

Google Play - 3.7 / 5 - 8,073 total reviews

5. KINOMAP

Best Running App For The Explorer

Our review - 8 / 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Run real life tracks from all over the globe.

Top Treadmill Running Apps, Kinomap

Kinomap; Treadmill Running App

Kinomap is similar to BitGym, with more detailed feedback. You can connect with a footpod and a heart rate monitor if you have a JTX MoveLight, JTX Slim-Line or a JTX Sprint-3. Or you can integrate directly via Bluetooth if you have any of our other running machines.

The JTX RunRise, JTX Sprint-5, JTX Sprint-7, JTX Sprint-8 Pro, JTX Sprint-9 Pro and JTX Club-Pro are all compatible with Kinomap via Bluetooth; the app will receive information on your speed and incline directly from the treadmill. Linking up with the Kinomap app will change the incline of your treadmill for you automatically. Or, you can use a footpod on any of our treadmills, which will measure your cadence too.

Rather than uploading the majority of videos themselves, Kinomap asks users to upload videos. This is a brilliant choice for anyone who loves to be more adventurous in the summer months. Why not record your own route, upload and share, and ride it all winter! Another bonus of Kinomap is you can share your statistics on social media or upload them to your tracking app.

However, the interface is a little messy and it’s hard to navigate your way to the courses.

Overall; We love Kinomap for its seamless integration. The automatic incline changes make running real life routes so easy.

Free Version

Access only to starter videos, quite a limited choice.

Paid Version

[£10 per month. On offer at £55 annually]

Practice interval training

Unlock all video content

Join multiplayer sessions

Take part in Kinomap challenges and get selected for real world contests. (*some premium challenges might incur a one off fee)

Availability

Compatible with iOS and Android.

Reviews

Apple Store - 4.4 / 5 (from 21 reviews)

Google Play - 3.5 / 5 (from 127 reviews)

Our Top Rated Running App is... ZWIFT

The running app we’ve enjoyed using most here at JTX Fitness is Zwift. Its intuitive interface, game-like set up and extra features really added a special something to our runs and got us racing back for more!

In our opinion, it’s the perfect running companion. Zwift is visually enjoyable, community-minded and geared towards experienced runners.

We were really impressed with the detailed after-run stats. The app as a whole injected some serious motivation into our workouts. It offers up an insight into how to improve your training and gives tailored advice on how to reach your fitness goals.


Have you tried out any treadmill running apps with your JTX equipment? We’d love to hear about it!

Please note; These apps have frequent updates and prices outlined here are correct to the time of writing this article. 11/12/2018