Couch to 5K® - Run training

I like listening to audiobooks (or occasionally podcasts) instead of music when I work out. Recently I decided to take up running but I’ve had a lot of trouble finding a running app that works well with audiobooks. I would prefer a running app that will PAUSE my audiobook when giving me instructions, and then resume the audiobook once the instructions are finished. Instead they all speak OVER the audiobook - ie the volume of the audiobook is turned very low and the instructions (“start jogging” “do a brisk walk”) will play over the audiobook. It means I can’t hear the audiobook well while the app is giving me instructions so each time, I have to rewind the audiobook so I didn’t miss what was said. It’s annoying and tedious. I’ve been trying a lot of different running apps to find one that might be compatible with audible but unfortunately this app is the absolute worst one I’ve tried. With other running apps, each time it gives instructions it lowers the volume of the audiobook, but the volume goes back to normal straight away. Not with this one though! At least half the time, the volume stays low even after the coaching instructions are over. I expected a lot better given that I actually paid for this one. I didn’t have this problem with any of the other apps I tried, and they were all free. Very disappointed.

This app will get you moving. The pace builds and if you follow the programme you will be running 5km at the end. And it’s free! No in app purchases or attempts to make you buy the ‘premium’ version

I love it but it keeps crashing during the warm up so I have to start the run again. The other night it did this TWICE when it was chucking down with rain so I had to find a way to fit an extra 10 minutes into my route! Unfortunately you don’t know it’s crashed until the end of the warm up when it doesn’t tell you to jog as the count down still happens but pauses on nil. Other than that I love the app, the trainers are great and I love that it maps your runs and tells you if you’ve managed a PB. I’d give it 5/5 if it was more reliable.

Advertised as compatible with watch, but despite several attempts and restarts all I can get on the watch is a message that says “start workout from iPhone”. Do just that.... yep you guessed it... no change on the watch.

Not worth buying as many other free apps have the same run routine. Though this does more stats and tracking on gps if that’s what you want. I thought I could use it on iwatch without needing my phone but it needs the phone in range to work. The final nail in the coffin for this is that it keeps crashing when opening the app so I’ve moved onto another app instead. Shame!

Disappointed that watch app doesn’t work without phone, what’s the point of having a watch app if you need to carry phone around

It won't let me enter my address correctly due to the US format. I also cannot connect to Spotify for some reason, it tells me to go to the iPod app and create a playlist? Not much use if I can't listen to music when I'm running, wish I could get my money back 😭

This app crashes and freezes and I lose my data. I should be a week in to the program but my app thinks I haven’t started. I’d like my money back!

Increases workload at a sensible pace. Stick to the plan and you’ll be ok.

Attempted to set address hoping this would provide more suitable results. It was insisting on a valid state and refusing to accept a partial address. Clearly designed to be used in the United States only.