A Beginner’s Guide to Nike Run Club
Welcome to Nike Run Club, the perfect companion for your running journey. If you’re wondering how to use it and what sets it apart from Strava, I’ve got you covered.
The first thing you should know is that Nike Run Club offers a curated experience. Unlike Strava, where you create and track your own runs, Nike’s people create runs for you to enjoy and share. While it may not have the same level of detail in terms of activities around you, it still offers a great way to explore new places and connect with other runners.
Another key difference is the focus of each app. Strava is both a data tracking and social app, while Nike Run Club is primarily about the running itself. Although you can share your runs and interact with your phone contacts, it’s not designed for widespread socializing.
Getting Started with Nike Run Club
Using Nike Run Club is a breeze. Simply download the app on your Android or iOS device. If you prefer, you can also use the iOS version with your Apple Watch for a phone-free experience. Unfortunately, it’s currently not compatible with Android Wear.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, set up an account and provide some basic information like your age, height, and weight. This will help personalize your running experience. After that, you’re ready to hit the ground running!
If you’re new to running, I recommend starting with one of the curated beginner runs. There are two options available: First Run, a guided run with audio prompts lasting 23 minutes, and First Speed Run, which includes 8 x 1 minute intervals along with a moderate pace. These runs are perfect for getting acquainted with the app and building your running foundation.
Training Plans with My Coach
Once you’re comfortable with the beginner runs and have found your rhythm, it’s time to level up with My Coach training plans. The “Get Started” plan is ideal for those looking to run more frequently over a four-week period. It will take you from the “Couch to 5km” and help you develop your running skills.
As you progress, you can choose from distance-specific plans to reach goals like 10k, 15k, half marathons, and even full marathons. The training plans are user-friendly. Just answer a few questions about your current level and goals, and the app will generate a customized plan for you to follow. The app will track your progress and guide you through the entire process.
Benchmark Runs for Continuous Improvement
Similar to Strava’s PRs, Nike Run Club has Benchmark Runs to measure your fitness level. Rather than automatically tracking them within an activity, Nike makes it a dedicated run. This benchmark run lasts 15 minutes and includes a warm-up, a 3-minute maximum effort, and a cooldown, all guided by audio prompts.
These Benchmark Runs provide valuable data that Nike Run Club uses to adjust your pace, time, and distance, helping you improve continuously. It’s like having a personal coach pushing you to achieve your goals.
Nike Challenges: Taking Your Running to the Next Level
By now, you’ve probably used Nike Run Club to go from the couch to completing your first 5k. Maybe you’ve even tried a couple of training plans and a Benchmark run. But what’s next? Well, my friend, it’s time for a Nike Challenge. These challenges are shared on social media and you can join in on the fun. You can even create your own challenge if you’re feeling bold.
Now, these challenges are all about racking up those miles, but the best part is the element of competition. It keeps things exciting because there’s always something new to try. Plus, your results will be shared with other challengers and on your social media, adding that little extra competitive boost. It’s like having a cheering squad right there with you.
Discover Your Nike Achievements: Celebrating Your Running Success
Nike Achievements are a lot like those cool badges you see on Strava. They’re awarded for reaching significant goals. Now, they may not be as diverse as the ones on Strava just yet, but they’re still pretty cool. You can get awards for running for a certain duration or hitting specific milestones. There are even achievements for running on your birthday, during Christmas, or chaining runs on consecutive days. And let’s not forget a few other surprises.
If you’re the type who loves setting goals and achieving them, chasing these achievements or taking on a challenge adds that extra little something to the app. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and a reason to keep pushing yourself.
I have to say, the Nike Run Club app is seriously impressive. They’ve worked hard to make it a top-notch running companion. I mean, I haven’t even explored all the features yet, and there are plenty of them. And let’s not forget about the audio element, like the Spotify Pace Station or the Power Song. These are things that I haven’t even had the chance to try, but they sound pretty awesome. Overall, I highly recommend Nike Run Club to anyone who wants to lace up their shoes and get out there for a run.
