MapMyRun (Free)
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Once in a while, I will stumble on an app at what seems like the most inopportune time, but it turns out to be highly beneficial anyway. That's how I found MapMyRun from MapMyFitness. I actually happened upon this app when I saw their ad while playing a game in my doctor's waiting room. The company is certainly no stranger to the App Store; since their inception in 2007, MapMyFitness has released several apps dedicated to fostering connected fitness among the public.
MapMyRun is a very detailed app that gives you various options for your workout. You can opt to jog or run and even keep track of other activities like cross country treks and dog walks. You can even track yourself during an event such as a 5K or simply keep track of your treadmill activities. There is a great focus on having an accurate record of everything. The routes you create or use during your workout are recorded via the internal GPS tracker in the app and are accurate right down to the street. This is combined with to-the-second timing of your workout along with distance. There's even a narrator who'll give you split times and will coach you if you select that option. Another great option is the ability to select from your iTunes playlist on your phone for a musical backdrop to the burning of calories—also noted via the app.
MapMyRun helps the user get a comprehensive fix on their fitness. Recently they've added a nutrition counter so that you can keep track of all your meals and their caloric content if you choose. After each workout, you get a summary that can be sent to your email in a weekly update. After using MapMyRun for the past three months, I can say that it has been a really great tool for keeping tabs on my health. There's only one or two cons that have come up. First, I did have an issue when I first started using the app with it locking up for about a week or so during a promotion for upgrading to their MVP service. Not the best way to gain sales or usage of the app, even if you can understand their need to get more customers that way. Thankfully the issue was resolved on their end and the problem hasn't repeated itself. The only other issue might be the lack of a dedicated pedometer within the app. That is available in their online store however. All in all, MapMyRun is possibly one of the better apps out there for keeping yourself fit.
