adidas Running: Run tracker

What it does

The adidas Running app is a comprehensive fitness tracker designed primarily for runners, but it supports a variety of activities. It uses GPS to map routes, track distance, pace, and calories burned. Beyond basic tracking, the app offers personalized training plans, guided audio workouts, and a robust set of community features, including global challenges and leaderboards to keep users motivated.

Where it shines

The app excels at turning a solitary workout into a rich, engaging experience. The in-run interface (03:02) is clean, but the real power is in the integrated audio content. Users can access curated music playlists or start a 'Story Run' (03:54), a guided session often created in partnership with brands like Calm. After the run, the app provides a powerful creative tool (06:16) that lets users design and share a custom summary image of their workout, turning personal data into a shareable social artifact.

UX highlights

The onboarding process uses a clear checklist (01:25) to guide users through a detailed setup, which helps manage expectations and reduces drop-off.
After a workout is saved, a celebratory '1 Week Streak' animation with floating flames appears (06:43), providing positive reinforcement and gamifying consistency.
The app features deep community integration. For example, within a challenge, users can view leaderboards not just for individuals but also for countries (12:47) and groups (12:56).
Users can manually add past activities with a simple form (07:26), ensuring their history is complete even if they forget to track a workout.
The app allows detailed gear tracking, prompting the user to add their running shoes (05:04) to monitor mileage and know when to replace them.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is introduced early. After the initial onboarding and personalization quiz, the user is presented with a paywall for a premium subscription (02:36). The offer is framed as a 1-week free trial leading to an annual plan. The paywall highlights key premium benefits like custom training plans and personal records. The app also uses a 'LIMITED-TIME OFFER' tag on the call-to-action button to create a sense of urgency. The entire experience is geared toward converting users who have just invested time in setting up their profile.

Who it’s for

The app is for runners of all levels, from beginners just starting out to experienced marathoners. The 'Walk to Run' training plans (08:04) cater to newcomers, while detailed stats and goal-setting features appeal to more advanced athletes. Its strong community and social sharing features also make it a great fit for users who are motivated by competition and social connection.

Notes & opportunities

The onboarding flow is thorough but long, requiring account creation and multiple permissions before the user can even see the main app. While the checklist helps, this initial friction could be a point of drop-off for less motivated users. The app asks for a lot of permissions upfront (location, motion, health, notifications, tracking). Spacing these requests out or tying them more directly to when a feature is first used could feel less intrusive. For instance, asking for health data access only when the user first tries to sync a workout.