ASICS Runkeeper

ASICS Runkeeper turns a phone into a GPS log for running, walking, biking and indoor exercise. It suits individual exercisers who want a free record of their activity, especially runners who may later want structured race preparation. Its core tracking is available on the free plan; Go adds training and live sharing, but Android users cannot access coaching or target pace.

Overview

Runkeeper records distance, duration, pace or speed, calories and route maps using phone GPS. Choose running, walking or biking, or switch to Indoor Mode for indoor activity. Workouts sync to Runkeeper.com, where an online history and progress tools make past sessions easier to review.

This is a focused activity tracker rather than a coach-facing training system. Basic supplies a useful log and workout comparisons, while paid features make it more relevant to runners following a plan. The Android limitation is material if coaching is the reason to subscribe.

Key features

• Tracking and progress: Basic includes activity logging, basic stats, Progress Insights, workout comparisons and prescribed workouts. That is enough to maintain a training record and compare sessions without paying; Go's in-depth reports and goal insights are for users who want more analysis.
• Training and audio: Go adds personalized race training plans, scheduled Running For Exercise workouts and coached audio Guided Workouts in English and Japanese. These features give runners more structure than a log alone. Coaching and target pace are unavailable on Android, so Android users should not choose Go expecting those capabilities.
• Live sharing: Go Live Tracking streams GPS-tracked activity on Runkeeper.com for others to follow in real time. It can serve people who want someone else to follow an outing, but privacy settings deserve attention: users can control who sees activities and maps, and Runkeeper's guidelines recommend restricting map visibility to friends or oneself for safety.
• Connected services: Supported wearables include Apple Watch for iPhone users with Series 3 or later, plus Garmin, Fitbit, Coros, Suunto, Polar and Amazfit. Apple Health can send activities into Runkeeper, and users can separately control syncing from Runkeeper to Apple Health. Connected-app access can be enabled or disabled; apps not on Runkeeper's list need to be connected through the third-party app if supported.
• Privacy and support: Runkeeper says it uses location to track workouts and has security measures to protect information, but does not identify a compliance certification. Help pages direct users to [email protected].

Pricing

Runkeeper is freemium, with a free Basic plan and Runkeeper Go at $11.99 a month.

Basic gives up Go's training plans, deeper insights and Live Tracking, but retains everyday tracking and comparison tools. Go's coaching and target pace are still unavailable on Android. There is no reason to pay for Go if those paid additions do not match a specific need.

Platforms

Runkeeper is available on Android, iOS and the web. The web service holds activity history and progress tools; phone GPS is used to track activities. Android users face the coaching and target-pace restriction, while Apple Watch support is for iPhone users with Series 3 or later.

Who it's for

Runkeeper is a sensible fit for solo runners, walkers and cyclists who want GPS records, an online workout history and a free starting point. It also suits runners who value race plans or audio guidance and can use Go's supported features on their platform. It is a weaker choice for Android users who need coaching or target pace, and for people looking for coach tools rather than individual tracking.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Basic combines GPS activity logs, workout comparisons and progress insights at no cost, making it useful before committing to a subscription.
• Pro: Go adds race plans, scheduled workouts, audio guidance and live sharing for runners who want more than a training history.
• Pro: A broad wearable list and controllable Apple Health syncing give users several ways to connect activity records.
• Con: Android lacks coaching and target pace, weakening the paid training offer on that platform.
• Con: Runkeeper has no coach tools, so it is not a fit for users seeking a coach-facing platform.

Alternatives

TrainingPeaks is worth considering for users comparing freemium training platforms; its Premium athlete monthly plan is $19.95 a month, above Runkeeper Go's $11.99 a month.

Garmin Connect offers a free plan and a Garmin Connect+ Monthly Plan at $6.99 a month; compare it if that pricing and plan structure better suit your choice.

Hevy may suit users focused on routine-based exercise logging: its free plan caps routines at four, custom exercises at seven and graph history at three months, while PRO Monthly is $2.99 a month.

JEFIT is another freemium option, with a free Basic plan that includes custom workout routines, exercise instructions, logging and history.

My PT Hub is another option to compare for a different training setup; its Starter plan is $22.50 a month, billed annually and paid monthly.

MyFitnessPal may suit people prioritizing food and exercise logging, recipes, measurements and partner-app connections in its free plan.

ABC Trainerize is a freemium alternative whose Basic plan includes one coaching client seat.

Alpha Progression is an alternative to consider for workout logging; its free plan includes unlimited logging and 795 exercises with video.

For more options, browse Fitness Workout Tracking Software.

Verdict

Choose ASICS Runkeeper if you want a free GPS activity log with web history, progress tools and a clear upgrade path to race plans and live sharing. Its strongest reason to choose is the combination of useful free tracking and optional runner-focused training. Look elsewhere if you need Android coaching or target pace, or if your priority is coach tools rather than personal activity tracking.