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How do you stand out in a sea full of fitness apps—specifically, running apps?
Nike’s running app has made quite an impression in the market, despite there being rapid growth with the rising popularity of sport, wearable tech, and general health awareness. As a keen runner, logging my runs on Strava has become second nature—after all, does a run even count if it’s not on Strava? But, in search of more training content, I decided to give the Nike Run Club (NRC) app a go.
While many of my running friends turned to the Runna app, its £15.99 monthly cost made me think twice, especially when compared to Nike’s free alternative. NRC is designed to help runners train and track their progress, offering audio-guided runs coached by professional athletes as well as training plans for beginners, half marathoners, and marathoners.
The app includes features such as community challenges, social tools like leaderboards, wellness tips, friend connections and even the ability to receive "cheers" from your community. All of these elements do a great job of enhancing the user experience by providing extra motivation and fostering that sense of connection.
The app can even remind you when it’s time to replace your running shoes through shoe tagging. Like most iOS running apps on the App Store, it includes a good Apple Watch companion app making it easier to check your stats at a glance on a run.
Despite these brilliant features, I originally turned to NRC for its training plans and Guided Runs, and I have not been disappointed. In fact, I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I have liked them. I’ve gone from dreading runs to actually looking forward to them with Coach Bennett’s encouraging guidance and pacing, keeping me motivated and on track toward my goals.
From a design perspective, the app does well to reflect Nike's bold, high-contrast visual style, staying true to one of the most iconic and recognisable brand identities in the world. The Nike Swoosh is prominently featured on the app icon and splash screen, accompanied by the Nike Futura Bold Condensed typeface spelling out "RUN.", which when opening the app, immediately conveys a sense of confidence to users, driven by the strength of the brand's recognition.
But, what really caught my attention was the use of imagery and illustrations throughout the app. NRC incorporates dynamic photography of athletes in action, showcasing strength and determination while proudly celebrating inclusivity with a diverse representation of ethnicities, genders, and body types. These visuals are thoughtfully integrated into card components, which are a key design feature throughout the app, not only enhancing the aesthetic appeal but also reinforcing a message of empowerment and inclusivity as large card components dominate the Home page.
On the Guided Runs page, smaller card components neatly display the app's full range of runs. And this is where the app truly excels. By grouping runs into categories like the "Get Started Collection" or "Short Runs" paired with intuitive swipe actions to explore collections or an "All" button to access the full library, users can easily discover the right run for their needs. The design and structure are scalable, ensuring the interface remains effective and user-friendly even if the library grows significantly.
One area for potential improvement is the placement of certain content within the app. I found it tricky to relocate my Guided Runs during my first few uses. After spending the previous week enjoying browsing and saving runs I wanted to try, I was left confused on run day when I couldn’t immediately find them again.
At first, the Run tab with its prominent START button seemed dedicated solely to signalling the start of a run. So, it was a bit surprising to discover that all the Guided Runs, including my saved ones, were tucked away in that same section. However, after some exploration, I’ve now learned where they are—and it’s safe to say Coach Bennett and I are back on track for our runs!
I haven’t explored much of the iOS Apple Watch app yet, despite relying heavily on my watch during runs. Part of that is due to Strava’s magnetic pull—built on trust and prestige, it’s an app I find hard to resist. Even when using NRC’s training plans, I still run Strava on my watch alongside the NRC app on my phone. That said, I’m curious to see how NRC’s app continues to evolve.
The NRC does a great job at targeting and adjusting to a whole range of runners. From the beginners who are just starting out to the regular runners who like to keep on top of their fitness, you can tell they’ve tried to ensure it’s accessible to as many people as possible. With a sleek interface and no subscription fee, it's an excellent tool for those who want to improve their running without extra costs. Let’s face it, running trainers are expensive enough!
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