13 Best marathon training apps for reaching your peak
Are you thinking of running your first marathon race? Have you equipped yourself with the best training gear? Depending on your fitness, sometimes you may need an extra push or an elaborate plan to get set for success. Luckily, marathon training apps take your performance to the next level, keep you well on track, and make your training more fun.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, read on to see which app has the best potential to get the most out of your miles.
13 Best marathon training apps to help reach your best
Not all running apps are the same. Some focus on health, others pace and race-ready plans, and others are designed for social engagement. Read on to discover how you can utilize smart sports tech to help your marathon training.
Best for hydration and electrolyte tracking
1. Liipoo AbsolutSweat
The Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor is a world-class wearable that redefines hydration management by collecting, analyzing, and transmitting sweat data. It’s widely used by fitness lovers and professional athletes worldwide, like the seven-time Oceania Champion Sawan Serasinghe. Unlike other wearables, this sweat biosensor is firm even when you’re sweating and comfortable to wear.
By tracing the Na+, K+, glucose levels, and water loss from your sweat, this smart sensor can create a replenishment plan that’s fully customized to your gender, age, weight, etc. With it, you can hydrate scientifically before, during, and after your workout to avoid bonking, delay fatigue, and recover faster.
Price: $249.90
Key features
● Sweat data tracking: It monitors water loss, electrolyte loss, sweat rate, hydration levels, and fatigue endurance.
● Real-time reminders: It sends alerts for replenishment when your glucose or electrolyte levels are low, helping prevent injuries.
● Personalized hydration plans: It eliminates guesswork by helping you optimize water and nutrient intake, suggesting when, what and how much to replenish.
● Comfort wear: Liipoo AbsolutSweat uses medical-grade hypoallergenic adhesive to ensure it doesn’t fall easily, vital for health and accuracy with your sweat samples.
● Convenient integrations: This sweat monitor now supports integration with Suunto watches, ensuring you receive timely reminders on your smartwatch.
● On-spot sweat analysis feedback: Athletes and fitness enthusiasts receive real-time assessments of their hydration levels and dehydration endurance during and post-workout to help them recharge faster and perform better.
● Lightweight hydration monitor: Weighing only 72g, it saves you the need from visiting sweat test labs, or using bulky sweat equipment.
Pros
● Accurate sweat data tracking
● Personalized hydration plans
● Performance evaluation on sweat rate, dehydration endurance, etc
● Actionable sweat data
● Scientific metabolite readings
Cons
● You need to download the Liipoo AbsolutSweat app to get the sweat data
2. Gatorade sweat patch
The Gatorade sweat patch is a wearable microfluidic sweat sensor worn by athletes to measure sweat rate, fluid loss, and sodium loss. It’s best optimized for use between 47 and 95F and a workout duration of 20 to 120 minutes. The patch is mounted on your inner left arm. Ensure the skin is dry and sweat-free, lotion or moisture. You can download the Gatorade App(Gx App) from Apple Store or Google Play and scan the patch for detailed results.
Price: $74.99
Key features
● Groundbreaking technology
● Cloud storage
● Certified hypoallergenic adhesive
● Personalized rehydration profiles
Pros
● Mobile application
● Free to download and use
● Minimalistic
● Portable
Cons
● Non-reusable orange dye
● Tested by many athletes as not very accurate
3. Hdroptech
The hDrop is a reusable wearable hydration sensor that analyzes the biomarkers in your sweat to deliver personal results on your body's physiology. Linked with the hDrop app, it helps you craft a personalized plan based on your sweat rate and workout type. It offers a new, sleek design that blends well with your clothing and workflow. It also has green and red LEDs as pre-, during, and post-activity indicators.
Price: $249.99
Key features
● Hydration recovery plans
● Actionable biometric tracking
● Sportswear integration for minimal disruption
● Different operational modes like the Thumb Test
Pros
● Reusable
● One-time investment
● Sweat-proof
● Sustainable and reliable
Cons
● Relatively expensive
Best for personalized training plans
1. Runna
Take your running to the next level with Runna’s personalized running plans. Runna has training plans for 5K, 10K, half-marathon plan, and marathon plan. It has an easy-to-use interface and breaks down training into easy-to-understand sessions. This app also incorporates helpful pointers from coaches regarding running form, nutrition, and injury management. Plus, you can complement your running with strength training and mobility to keep you race-ready.
Price: One-week free trial, then $15.99 per month or $99.99 per year
Key features
● Downloadable workout sessions
● Accurate training plans
● In-app running community events
● Mobility and gear articles
Pros
● Ease of use
● Route mapping
● Different marathon programs
● Strength training
● Free trial
Cons
● Relatively expensive
2. Nike Run Club
As the name suggests, the Nike Run Club is a completely free running app to connect with runners in your local area. From beginner to serial racer, this app offers robust training plans for 5K, 10K, half marathons, and beyond, based on your fitness. The plans integrate audio coaching and guided mindful runs led by Headspace experts. In addition, NRC has a strong social aspect, including regular challenges and Spotify and Apple music integration.
Price: Free
Key features
● Compatible with Apple Watch, TomTom, and Garmin devices
● Guided runs
● Local area runners' connectivity
● Built-in music player
Pros
● Audio cheers
● All-round run tracker
● Pace and distance metrics
● Fun challenges and games
Cons
● Outdated pre-recorded audio coaching
3. TrainAsONE
TrainAsOne is an AI training app that feeds on your data and training goals to provide intelligent training plans. This app is a must-have for runners of all abilities, from 5K to marathon runners. This platform offers seamless compatibility with all major running apps like Fitbit and sports watches. With running plans built specifically for you, TrainAsOne ensures each workout maximizes performance with no worries of overtraining, junk miles, or tapering.
Price: Free and paid plans ($9.99 per month or $99.99 per year)
Key features
● Pace-based workouts
● Sport watches integration
● AI-powered training plans
● Run-based articles
Pros
● Maximizes performance
● Suitable for all-level athletes
● Reduces injury
● Flexible and adaptable
Cons
● Advanced analysis requires a subscription
4. My Asics
A favorite among runners, My Asics offers the best adaptive training program. It offers free plans for marathons, half-marathons, 10K, and 5K distances. This platform features a straightforward interface where you can see the schedule, track your route, and create customized training plans that fit your ability. My Asics is compatible with various devices, including Android Wear and Seiko ASICS smartwatches, and integrates with Racekeeper.
Price: Free
Key features
● Personalized run training plan
● Real-time distance tracking
● Auto-save routes
● Online Community
● Runkeeper integration
Pros
● Free to use
● GPS-based map
● Favorited routes
● Log shoe mileage
● Multilingual
Cons
● Outdated training plans
Best for tracking your training data
1. Strava
Strava is a free running app that offers precise tracking and post-run analysis, such as distance, average pace, and elevation gain. This application syncs with popular fitness trackers and GPS watches, including Apple and Garmin watches. Even a beginner will appreciate Strava’s ease of use and the huge social community that connects you with fellow athletes. It features a Strava beacon that allows your friends or family to track your live location on a run.
Price: Free plan and paid-for membership ($5.00 per month or 59.99 per year)
Key features
● Workout tracking
● Compatible with fitness trackers
● Online competition
● Night heat maps
● Post-run analysis
Pros
● Available on Android and iOS
● Third-party app integration
● Import data
● Strava beacon
Cons
● Some features require a subscription
2. Garmin Connect
If you own a Garmin GPS smartwatch, Garmin Connect is the official fitness and health app for your device. With a 4.5-star rating in ease of use, Garmin Connect offers a personalized view of your resting heart rate, calories burned, sleep, and stress level, among other things, without paying a monthly fee. It’s a fantastic app for running or biking and syncs directly to Strava, ensuring all your data is in one place. Plus, it’s available on iOS and Android.
Price: Free
Key features
● User analytics
● Personalized workout sessions
● Reputed health monitoring
● Stress and hydration tracker
Pros
● Unlockable fitness badges
● Third-party app integration
● In-depth health data
Cons
● Data security concerns
3. MapMyRun
Developed by Under Armour, MapMyRun uses your phone's GPS and sensors to track your running course, speed, time, and distance and set your favorite routes. Out of 10, 8 recommend it for its user experience and seamless sync with fitness trackers, heart rate sensors, and watches. As the name suggests, you can map your run and share it with your friends or online community. Plus, you can log shoe mileage with the new Under Armour shoes that connect with Bluetooth.
Price: Free and Premium subscription($5.99 per month or $29.99 per year)
Key features
● Real-time stats
● Logs shoe mileage
● Full training plan
● Voice coaching
● Real-time route mapping
Pros
● Online storage
● Seamless compatibility
● Routes feature
Cons
● Contains ads
● Subscription plan
4. Peloton
The Peloton app makes treadmill running more exciting. It’s loaded with great on-demand and live classes for running, cycling, strength training, and yoga. The app is a joy to use as you can select the type of workout, the length, the instructor, and the music. Peloton is like a running buddy, thanks to motivational chat by its coaches and a hype man since the music never fails. You can download Peloton on your Android or iOS device.
Price: One-month free trial, then $12.99 per month
Key features
● Expert-level instructors
● Limitless classes
● Specialized programs
● Motivational chat and music
● Treadmill integration
Pros
● Free trial
● World-class trainers
● Outdoor exercises
Cons
● Requires subscription
Best for audio coaching and guided runs
1. Aaptiv
Aaptiv is an AI-powered audio and video fitness app that creates customized training plans to help you crush your fitness goals. It’s super easy to set up your account and enjoy audio training instructions that break down exercise techniques. Aaptiv includes a social feed, challenges, and unlockable badges to keep you motivated. This app is compatible with most wearable devices, including Apple Watch and heart rate monitors.
Price: $14.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly
Key features
● Smart coach
● Heart rate zone training
● Programs and challenges
● Audio and video workouts
Pros
● Motivational music
● iOS and Android compatible
● Interactive user interface
● Coaches guide
Cons
● Requires subscription
● A bit costly
2. Nike Run Club
Nike Run Club offers pre-recorded headspace coach sessions to help you figure out the mental side of running. The audio-guided runs will help you when getting started as a beginner, during speed sessions, and long runs. Plus, you can easily set up monthly challenges to keep you motivated and compare training progress with your friends on the distance leaderboard. In addition to the built-in music, get encouragement from pro athletes like Eliud Kipchoge.
Price: Free
Key features
● Headspace mindful runs
● Regular challenges
● Virtual trainer
● Workout music
Pros
● Free to download and use
● Pro athletes encouragement
● Online Community
● Clean and intuitive user interface
Cons
● Low-quality narrations
3. Studio
Studio is the smart way to work out at home. This marathon training app lets you take audio classes from world-class instructors and listen to workout-boosting playlists. It features thousands of classes for more than 11 workout types, including treadmill, walking, rowing, boxing, strength, and yoga. Studio app features are easily accessible from your Apple Watch, iPhone or Android device. Plus, it’s compatible with heart rate monitors and most training equipment.
Price: $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year
Key features
● Premiere fitness classes
● Top instructors
● Motivational playlists
● Apple Health integration
Pros
● Rewards
● Real-time leaderboard
● Updated classes
● Compatible with cardio equipment
Cons
● Relatively expensive
Conclusion
Notably, most of these apps are free to download and easy to use. But everyone has to start somewhere, and with personalized training plans, your fitness can progress faster, and you’ll learn the beauty of sports. Otherwise, if you want to ensure every bead of sweat counts, try the Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration monitor. This app tracks your sweat and mimics scientific lab tests to give you an accurate reading or hydration status quo, including glucose, Sodium, and electrolyte loss. Plus, it offers hydration replenishment plans and personalized training data, leaving you feeling confident.
FAQs
1. How do I know if I'm ready for a marathon?
As long as there’s discipline, commitment, and motivation, you can be ready for any marathon. It could take a few months, but with the Liipoo AbsolutSweat monitor, you can speed up the process. With this ultimate running app, you can meet your exercise needs by tracking your sweat rate stride by stride and accessing a real-time hydration plan to help you up your energy levels and avoid bonking.
2. What is the best half marathon training app?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all application. However, the Liipoo AbsolutSweat monitor is the best non-invasive application to help fulfill your hydration gaps during half marathon workouts. This futurist fitness app helps with sweat data tracking, easy running lingo, NA+, and K+ loss tracking to help you supplement your body with the right nutrients and get better in training.
3. Is 6 months enough to train for a marathon?
Yes. It’s all about dedication, endurance, and the right training application with unbiased training data. The Liipoo AbsolutSweat monitor can track your water and electrolyte loss, measure your dehydration and fatigue tolerance, and provide you with the best energy supply recommendations to make your workouts smarter and more efficient.
4. What is a good app to track running distance?
Nike Run Club is the best app for tracking running distance. On the other hand, you can use the Liipoo AbsolutSweat monitor to track your sweat rate for a specific distance to hydrate properly, in order to recharge faster. Additionally, it can accurately determine your rehydration time, amount, dehydration tolerance, and sweat composition data.
5. What is the best hydration strategy for a marathon?
Food full of carbohydrates and fruits is the best hydration strategy for any athlete training for a marathon. Besides lots of water, you can use Liipoo’s AbsolutSweat monitor to know the right energy drinks to consume to avoid feeling thirsty even after workouts. The app will also update you with actionable post-workout replenishment plans and personal reminders for an energy boost.
