Couch To 5k App Reviews

I love this app! I’m in week 6 right now and still going...

The GPS, despite using my iPhone’s GPS, does not kick in until over 1/4 of my run. It often fails to give verbal prompts to walk or run, which means I have to constantly watch my phone screen. It will randomly stop playing my music and won’t restart. I tried emailing support from within the app and my email was bounced back as undeliverable. Essentially there is zero support. Unfortunately, before I knew of these problems I talked my wife into buying this app and she has the same problems. Waste of money- try a different app.

App works well and even works while using another running app I like. Only have 4 stars because I’m only 1 week into it and I don’t know if it’s going to get me 5K ready right now but I am enjoying it :)

I love the app while I’m running it’s good motivation and great pace and logging. However it requires notifications to be on in order to work properly. Which is fine while I’m running but it is frustrating that the red dot for notification is always on. I’ve opened every single portion of the app and can’t get the notification dot to go away. So I have to turn off notifications after I’m done using the app every single time

I hated running and the trainer at the gym suggested this app to ease me into it! I’m still not awesome, but I’m working hard! I’ve re-run some exercises and started over after having a baby. This app is perfect for the reluctant runner or just improving cardio endurance! I love it!

App crashes before starting run. May need iOS 12 upgrade.

App keeps freezing up will not let you start a run

It crashes every time I open it. This app is not what it used to be.

I used to love this app but lately it’s been freezing and/or crashing all together...losing all running data for that day’s run. A shame since you pay for the app

Before I bought the app, I was at the beginning of a huge weight loss journey. I’ve always wanted to be a runner but being severely overweight made that difficult. Over the course of the year I shed around 40lbs and bought the app to start. Now at the beginning, I could already run a mile nonstop but it was still a bit difficult. The training program starts off pretty slow but it picks up around week 4-5. I was able to finish the program in the 9 weeks and am currently running 3 5ks a week. The run is honestly one of the highlights of my day. Since using this app, I have lost another 30lbs. If you want to get into running, I recommend this app. Pros: As far as features go, I love that there are different “trainers” you can choose from. Granted they are only really helpful during the beginning of the program. The design of the app is really nice. I like being able to go back and compare my runs to one another and the GPS tracking is very accurate. Cons: I mentioned that the gps was very accurate but have noticed one thing. I also wear a FitBit Charge 2 when I run and use the run tracker alongside the C25K app so I don’t have pull my phone out to see what my distance is. However when I finish my run, my distance ran is always different on the C25K app and the FitBit. So I’m not sure which one is off but they are both close enough to where it isn’t a huge deal ( within .15 of a mile). I had one instance where on a run, my phone paused my run for no apparent reason. When I hit 35 minutes, I looked at my phone and the workout was paused saying I had only ran .08 miles. It’s only happened once though so maybe it was just a misclick on my end. Overall, this is one of the best apps I have ever bought and definitely my favorite as it has gotten me into a new hobby. If you want to get into running or you’re just looking to get into better shape, this app is definitely worth the money. 10/10.

bad knees --> slow workups that help me immensely!!

iPhone 8+, as of iOS12 it crashes instantly on the instructor page

I updated and now every time I try to change my trainer the application crashes! My mom also uses this app and she is having the same issue. Just as the weather was getting nice too

Can’t start a run in iOS 12 — app crashes st the trainer select screen. Get your act together.

The app is more likely to crash than it is to start your workout. Hangs and crashes.

Love this app. Gives avg total pace as well jog and walk pace. It has really helped shave time off my run

App never connect and support doesn’t exist

Not sure what people who have this less than 5 stars were looking for. This app will have you enjoying 3 mile runs in 9 weeks. Will be switching to couch to 10k soon.

I love this app and my girlfriend and I are on our 3rd week and we feel great about running. We tried to use it today and the app froze each time we went to select our trainer. Hopefully this gets fixed so I can give it 5 stars!!

I downloaded this app to use with my running group. The iPhone app is great, I was happy to see there’s an Apple Watch app too. The Apple Watch app doesn’t work! No matter how many times I try to uninstall and reinstall it will not install completely. It just keeps trying to install, and if you open the app on the watch it just tells you to use the iPhone app. Very frustrating I like to leave my phone and not bring it when I run.

I use this app pretty much every year to get myself started after a winter break, or to increase my pace. It’s a great app. My only quibble: the unnecessary, cutesy animation that interferes with starting each session. Having selected a trainer, why do I have to select *again*? I don’t need to have some cartoon wave me on. When I select the session, at most there should be one more tap to start. Now there’s a tap and a wait then another tap. Why?

I really like this app. Works great when trying out new routes and is way better than a using a treadmill. I actually look forward to getting out with my ‘coach’ instead of staying on my couch!

Great app for beginning runners. I’ve been using it for two months and it’s only glitched on me once

I don’t want to take my phone with me running so wish it worked without it.

Bought this through the Apple Watch App Store—based on the description and screenshots, I assumed that I’d be able to run without my iPhone and be Apple Watch only...not so! Started my training by carrying my 7+ with me and syncing to my watch—but soon left the phone and home and just used the intervals from this training app in the Watch’s native exercise app. If you don’t mind running with your phone—this really is a neat app! Be hard to believe there isn’t one better...

Bought the app only to discover it won’t work without phone in hand. Um, so what’s the purpose of a watch app then? It takes me ten minutes to walk to the trail I want to use. I don’t want to tote a phone just to be able to start the app up to then be able to view it on my watch. That’s just ridiculous. There are no instructions. It starts off with a five minute warmup. As a newb runner wannabe, how about explaining to me WHAT a warmup is? Did the developers even run this by anyone before throwing it on the market? Cheeses me off the realize it has a copycat name to the one that was recommended on a fitness forum I frequent, too. Not cool. Be your own kind of brilliant. Don’t glom on to someone else’s. Three bucks wasted. Wish I could get a refund for total uselessness. Something I’ve never said in an app review.

This app doesn’t play well with my music; if I listen to music through the 5k app, it shuffles it— so much for listening to an audiobook while I jog! If I play music in iTunes and have the 5k app open too, it sometimes starts playing a totally random album on my phone. 5k also automatically pauses my music at the end of the workout, which I find unnecessary— I can turn off my own music, thanks. I completed 7 weeks with the app last summer, and am picking it up again this summer, but the app has changed and is making it difficult for me to redo previous workouts. I wanted to start from Week One Day One again, but it kept defaulting to the last workout I did from last summer (Week Seven Day Two). Also, every time I start a workout, I have to pick my trainer AGAIN even though I already picked one. At this point, I wish there was an option for “no trainer” so I wouldn’t have to be introduced to Constance every single time I want to jog. The trouble redoing a workout has gotten so annoying (I’ve now completed Week One Day Two 3 times because the screen keeps sliding when I try to scroll to the workout I want to do) that I finally just deleted ALL previous workout information. So now I can’t compare this year’s data with last year’s and compare my progress. Also, when you complete a workout now, there’s 3-4 “trophies” that you’ve “earned” and you have to close each one separately just to get to the data from your run. They’re kind of infantilizing. I like the idea of this program. I don’t like that such a straightforward idea is so glitchy and annoying in practice.

I highly recommend this app! Best $2.99 I spent in a long time. I don’t have time to get to the gym and put in a good 30 minutes.and when I do ...I hate trying to train myself for a 5k. I hate looking at the clock or my phone to time sprints and walking and warm ups and cool downs. This app takes all the guess work out of it. Now I can get in my grove...set my tempo and just wait for the app to tell me what to do next. This is perfect for the gym but especially for just a quick 30 minutes in my neighborhood before I get my kids!

I don’t want to turn my music up any louder to make the prompts louder. Anyway you can have a separate control for the volume of only the prompts? Otherwise, really like the app.

Great app, love it

The Apple Watch app now closes itself within a VERY short period of time. So now every time I raise my wrist to check the time left in the interval I have to reopen the app and wait for it to connect. There really ought to be a refund for this half-baked attempt at an app.

It got me off the couch which is a feat of its own. I do really like this app. I have a few issues. First I can barely hear the coach overy music so the prompts need to be louder or the app needs to pause the music during the prompts. Secondly I wish the total time of the workout was more visible. I need reading glasses so I can't really see the time. I can see the timer for jog walk but that's it. Sometimes it just nice to know how much more relaxed you have left to go. I just finished week one. So far so good.

Love this!

I have an iPhone XR and the main screen for this app is pushed higher on my phone’s screen - producing a white bar on the bottom and cutting off the top portion and words on the top of the page. I’m continuously having issues saving my profile (still haven’t gotten the profile picture to work) and there ALWAYS seems to be network errors when searching for 5K Events. This is not a free app. I paid for this app. Don’t purchase app until this is resolved. Please fix!

Truly went from sitting on the couch to running a 5K and now interested in a 10K. Love it!

I don’t normally write reviews, but this app is great. I have recently started working out and this app helps keep me at pace, while slowly building up my stamina and endurance. The only thing it doesn’t have is a macro tracker. I love it so much!

This app helped me lose 20lbs and opened up my eyes to what I can do if I push myself! I love the way the runs are structured and how it tracks them.

I HATE running. I HATE exercising. This program has helped me to change both of those attitudes since I finally found a program on my level- truly a beginner. I have quit and picked it back up and it’s truly my go-to program when I am starting over. If you feel you can never exercise or you are too out of shape to even begin, I definitely recommend this program. Even if you can’t jog the 1 min in week one (as I did when I first started), then do what you can and repeat the week until you CAN do it. Stick with it and you WILL be running a 5K by the time you are finished.

This app does the basics just fine. Tracks my run. Gives “encouragement” if you want plus badges when completing goals. Things to be addressed: 1. The music player through the app doesn’t allow me to shuffle my chosen playlist. Therefore, it isn’t useable to me. 2. When it sends notification of the next step (jog,walk, etc.) it should make all other apps drop volume. It does not. Many of my other apps do this. Why can’t this one? 3. Apple Watch app. It seems that every time I go to look at my status on my watch it is reloading or telling me to start a workout on the phone app first. I am in the middle of my run. It is working!!

This is my second trip me through. I love the app the only thing that’s difficult is remembering to turn on my volume.

I promised my son I’d run a 5k with him, ran a practice 5k immediately ~2 months before the race and felt horrible all over. Someone told me about this app and I followed it consistently. I was able to run the 5k with increased speed and no pain! It’s been great, and I highly recommend it.

I like the workout progression a lot, it’s solid. However, I get lost on my route with no mapping feature, and there’s no way to shuffle music with the in app music function, so I need to either premake playlists or listen to the same one every run.

The first day I started the couch to 5K I ran part of it on the treadmill before I realized it wasn’t tracking my distance... understandably I wasn’t going far geographically, but I would have thought they could guesstimate on that. So I started running outside and it was much better! I love how you can have different trainers that are more suited to your personality, and that when you burn a certain amount of calories they tell you it’s equivalent in food to help you conceptualize 2 things: 1. How many calories our favorite foods actually have 2. How much you’re burning in comparison to how much you eat in a day. Love this app!

I like the app when it works. However, I have to walk 20-30 minutes for the GPS to ‘turn green’ otherwise it doesn’t track anything. (But it has no probably staying green all the way back to my doorstep when my run is over.)

I love this app i did all of the 9 weeks! My only problem is the unlimited run. It doesnt keep track of running pace or walking pace anymore and worst part is the time on my run is completely off. One says 80 minutes on running?! Weird right?! I really think they need to work on unlimited running or people will stop using it after the 9 weeks are up

This is a great app and the changes made thus far have been helpful. I love that users can access specific playlists, but it would be awesome if that playlist would have a shuffle option. I currently have to fast forward through my running playlist so I’m not listening to the same songs as the day before. Another improvement is to create a complication for the Apple Watch that allows audio through the watch so I don’t have to have my phone with me to run, I can just use my watch. It would make this app a 5 ⭐️ if you could make these changes.

I love this app, just wish it could track an accurate distance on treadmill. I use my Fitbit to track miles. Good motivation.

I love this app for the log information once you're finished. But, there are a few things that could use updating: 1) You don’t know your intervals prior, it only tells you the the jog/walk total minutes. I have to open another 5k app to find out what my intervals are before my run so I can be prepared. 2) Can’t use the Apple Watch without your phone. 3) No motivations cues; would be nice to have them throughout the run vs. only halfway

I’m not one to write reviews, but if you’re someone who’s always struggled with running like I have then this is the app for you. Can’t say enough positive things about the app. Worth the download. Only thing I would like to see is more engagement from the trainers. I really love the zombie and would like to hear more of him !

I have only been using the app for three days so far, so I guess my review is limited right now. So far the pace is decent (for someone totally out of shape), and hopefully I can keep up as it progresses. I like the different display pages, and how it shows yours your progress a lot. My only complaint is the limited input by the “coach”, and that I barely hear it when it wants me to switch between intervals (not a phone volume issue). I run to music, and when the app wants me to switch between walking and running, it says about 2-4 words that I barely catch over the music. At the beginning the coach sounds good (voice going over the music), but while running it is lacking. I would also like the coach to throw in more words of wisdom and updates to keep me motivated while working out. I definitely plan on using the app through to the 5k, and will try and update as I progress. That’s it for now.

Love this app and it works great on the phone...but the Apple Watch version is useless. Constantly shuts off.

Getting back into 🏃‍♀️. I am careful to use the app with a day of rest between. My knees are in their late 50s, so caution rules!

I would give this app more stars but the distance is not being logged accurately. The distance stops tracking about halfway through the work out. There is no indications since the voice coach and timer are all still working properly. With out the distance I can not see my progress in any field. Since this app was purchased I would expect it to work better than this. This is definitely a pointless app to have. The app is designed to help you reach a goal but how are you supposed to know where you are at and track progress with the distance not being tracked. Very disappointed

This app is amazing! I absolutely love it!

This is such a great app! I’m on my 2nd round of using it now (I can run a 5k personally, but my husband can’t and wanted a training partner), and once I’m through I plan on using the “5k to 10k” app as well. The only reason I’m not rating five stars are the “badges/trophies.” I think they’re fun, but it’s tedious to click through three or so screens at a time, because you got multiple badges. That said, the program absolutely did work for me. Last year, I was basically sedentary (and overweight), and now I run a 5k once a week (still overweight, but much less so), as well as do the program with my husband (who is on week four, so not quite a 5k yet). It can be a bit tough on the knees, but I haven’t felt any pain beyond normal soreness.

I love this app!

So far I really like it! Takes away the guesswork.

For starters, at least one verbal cue per workout doesn’t sound off, so you have to constantly check to make sure you didn’t miss it. Secondly for the first 5 weeks my gps would say connected but nothing would actually record and every workout ended saying I ran 0 miles. On week 6 it started picking a random point and saying that’s where I started so it would be complete inaccurate to what I actually ran. For an app you have to pay for, I see this as an unacceptable number and impactful set of bugs.

I’ve lost a good amount of runs to this thing as it often stops counting time randomly. Also, playing music is difficult if you use different apps, and the app shutting off and interrupting music is annoying. Also, after about week 5 this ceases being a trainer and is just a clock for a bunch of runs I don’t think the training prepares you for. Should be free

I’m using it to start my training for a 10 mile race. At first I noticed that my run/wall times would start over so I was going a lot further than I should have, but I figured out that if you lock the screen in the app with the lock button in the top left corner, you won’t have any issues with times or distance tracking!

Great app to start running or like me, come back from a hiatus. Gets you moving without overdoing it!

Great tool to motivate me to get in shape for a 5k. Great help!

I love the idea of interval training and a voice telling me to run or walk, but it doesn’t always work properly. Today my app closed 20 minutes into a 30 minute workout and all my progress was lost. I also suggest making the phone stay lit up, make the text larger and creating a mode for use with treadmills.

It seems various features are intermittently buggy. Works exactly as intended about 65% of the time.

I assumed I just needed to start the app on the phone then leave the phone at home! Not the case! Waste of money. I wish apple had their own 5k training app for the Apple watch.

I would give this app more stars but the distance is not being logged accurately. The distance stops tracking about halfway through the work out. There is no indications since the voice coach and timer are all still working properly. With out the distance I can not see my progress in any field. Since this app was purchased I would expect it to work better than this.

Super motivating and fun. I used to just enter 5k charity walks. With this app I’ll be doing 5k runs in no time!

I just turned 52. Due to personal drama I found myself 20 kilos over weight. I have never been a runner. This app is easy, helpful and encouraging. It is super h****** my body however I know when the fat starts to melt away I will feel better for it. I also love that I can keep track easily of my progress

Used this app last year to get back into running after a 25 year hiatus. Made it all the way through week eight when I got dumped from my mule and broke two ribs. Today I completed week one and I feel great. For anyone having trouble, just keep the faith, slow down, and you’ll get there! BTW, I’m 77 years old.

This would be so much better, if there were a treadmill setting. Not everyday people are able to got outside and run.

Couch to 5k is an amazing app and really does work. Working out has always been a passion of mine but was never really into running. I wanted to try to get into it more. I didn’t know where to start, but couch to 5k really helped me ease into it and become the runner I am today. Yesterday I ran my first 5K and came in first in my age group for females. I am so thankful for couch to 5K and how it has hanged my life for the better. The program is amazing and truly does work! I am proof!!!

I enjoy this app. I used to run track and cross country in high school. That was 25 pounds ago. I’m far better with my pace now, and I’m about to tackle my first 5k. My only suggestion is improving the Apple Watch compatibility. I usually run at the gym on a treadmill. I’d love it if it logged my heart rate and speed settings on the treadmill. I understand I’d have to do this by hand. I’d just love a spot to log it. I can never seem to remember what settings I go to and my runs vary a little in progress.

I started with this app and LOVED it! Then it just quit on me as I was running. I’ve tried everything to get it to log my runs again. I’ll give it another try before I use a different app for my runs. So, trying again. HPD failed again and it not signal cause I’m sending from trail! At least the run/walk feature works. Would love to have time and distance though!😞

The last 5-6 runs the app has failed to connect with my GPS. At first I thought it was my phone having the issue, but all other apps work fine with my GPS tracking. At the moment, I am unsure how far I’m running since and at what pace.

Program is great. App is not. There needs to be an update that lowers your music when your “trainer” talks to you— they blend in with the music and many times can’t be heard. Apple Watch app is fully nonfunctional— I reached out to support about this and they said they were in the process of fixing it... that was when I started the program, and next week is my last week. No improvement has been made ☹️☹️☹️

While the overall concept (guidance and cues from the “trainers“) is quite good what is sorely missed is breakout distance, times and pace during the walking and running portions of the Intervals, and heart rate monitor capability would be nice. IMO If these features/options could be incorporated into the app it would make this one of (if not the) best beginners 5K training app on the market.

Technically a great app, everything works for me. But its the little things that annoy you that could easily be fixed. Looking at other reviews some ppl feel the same. Such as the ability to turn off animation, turn off warm up/cool down, turn on shuffle, you know choices. I’m sure these features are coming probably in a new in-app monthly price because...capitalism. A personal pet peeve is the running program jumps to quickly one day your running 1:30 and next it’s 3:00. seriously what happened to the 2:00 mins?? Good app if they listen to the users it could be better.

It really is

It does the same workouts as other couch to 5k apps but I was disappointed the map didn’t show me where during my run I walked vs ran. It shows the route only. I like the voice guided workout but when I’m done I like to see visually how much I ran vs walked. (for example nike run club does this)

I paid, TWICE, for this app and it still will not load to my phone!

The animation adds nothing to the app and makes it frustrating to start a 2nd round right after you finish your cool down from a previous run.

This would get 5 stars— i finished the program!— but if you accidentally quit the app during your run, as I so often do (sweaty fingers, switching to Spotify to change a song) it loses your run. It drives me absolutely nuts because it happens nearly every other run. If they ever fix this issue it’d get a solid 5 because it’s wonderful in virtually every other way! It has an attractive interface and presents your statistics beautifully, and it’s been tracking my distance and speed very reliably. However, I’m considering switching to another app because it’s truly not worth only being able to log every other run.

I started with this app and LOVED it! Then it just quit on me as I was running. I’ve tried everything to get it to log my runs again. I’ll give it another try before I use a different app for my runs.

I recently started using the couch to 5 K and love the four characters you can chose to encourage you along the way. I chose the Drill Sarge and took my 12 year old on for a run. Since I’m not a fan of running, the Drill Sarge made it hilarious to run for run 1 minute and 30 seconds seem easy. My 12 year old loves it and we are making it through the entire workouts. Thanks for such creativity on the on the app.

Best app to get me where I need to be.

I’m enjoying this app so far, but its so annoying I still need to carry my iPhone with me during the run. Curious if there any updates coming to allow this to happen??

Weeks 1-3 were pretty easy as the pace increased in light intervals The jump from week 3-4 is too intense for someone who has never run a 5k before Week 3 consisted of 5 minute walk 1.5 min run 1.5 Min wall 3 Min run 3 minute walk 3 minute minute run 3 minute walk 5 minute walk Total running time is 7.5 minutes Week 4 jumps dramatically to 5 Min walk 3 Min run 2.30 Min walk 5 minute run 3 minute walk 3 minute run 1.5 minute walk 5 minute run 5 minute walk 16 minutes of running more than double the previous week. The second 5 min run should be 3 mins.

Helps me pace correctly and keep history!!!

When I started this app I weighed just shy of 300lbs but I excited to say it’s helped me drop 10lbs!!

App needs option to convert to distance after second week like original written program. Was much more successful at maintaining 3 Miles and moving beyond that.

I love the app so far. I am on day 1 week 3 even though this is only my 9th day. My question is can you repeat a week of training if needed? I had 3 min jogs today when I don’t feel like I mastered the 1.5 min! Thanks!

Love, love, love this app! Running has never been my thing, but because of this app I’m running regularly. I now have the confidence to run in 5K’s. This app makes training easy, there is no guess work here. Start the app and go! Thank you ☺️

I used this app a few years ago and I really liked it. I tried using it today with my Apple Watch and found that it requires me to use my iPhone along with it. Would be nice if they made this a native app so I don’t have to have my phone with me.

Why is the app not standalone? Why does it require my iPhone? Why does it need a couple seconds to update every single time I raise my wrist? Why does is crash multiple times during a workout? The iPhone app is fine, but I have a watch for a reason. For the sweet love of god, please fix the watch app.

Whose idea was it to add in the tacky animated coaches? More varied voices would have been much more useful. App was okay before that.

Best way to train for a 5K. I would use this to get back in shape over anything

Great app! Truly test yourself never give up!

Would really love to have my workouts cross into my Apple health app. Then I would give five stars!

This does exactly what I need and good price. I like the community features, as well as, the avatars. The app has a very defined purpose and is focused on features hat support this purpose, which I like. It easy to get into the app and easy to get out of it at the end of the exercise. I have had several friends recommend this app. Some improvements I would like to have: I can’t hear the avatar, when I play music in the app. Maybe my hearing is not as good as it used to be or my music is too hard. Can we get audio adjustment on the avatar in the phone audio or enhance the vibration signals? Apple Watch integration is good. I didn’t know it was sending alert to my watch. I have learned to ignore my Apple Watch. If we could customize watch alert that would be good. Maybe play 1 beep in the watch for walk a 2 beeps for run. Friend connection could have a few more features. I would like set up challenges with friends to complete the exercises or send encouragement alerts. I can’t tell it the data is exportable. I would like to export the data to excel or share it to another app that can export, so I can have this for review with my doctor or whatever. I realize the app is meant to be focused on a particular goal, which is why I like the app and bought it. I wouldn’t mind having a few of these features to enrich the experience. Also. I like the app enough the I would like a reason to continue using it after I complete the challenge. Yes, I know the 10k app is out there. I hope I can transition my 5k data to the 10k app. Thanks for the great application.

I have used for three weeks now and love. Just wish I could have pandora play through the app to hear the coach better..

2018: Since last update the app is stuck in waiting mode on my iPad. I cannot uninstall it and reinstall it; which Apple recommended ... And turning off and on iPad didn't help either. Old review: We just joined a gym that has a small, indoor track. I've been walking a mile for three weeks and knew it was time to step up my game. The cues given keep me on track to reaching my goal of being able to jog a 5K. However, I have to say the voice commands or cues to walk and jog are really low and often difficult to hear... even with my ipod sound up on high. I hope this gets resolved in an update.

Commands need to be louder over the music.

One week into it. I’ve used it before and it’s working again. Will see if it sticks

Good pacing and great motivation. Some of the dialogue gets skipped when my phone locks, which is my only gripe.

This app would be perfect if it had a way for you to use the settings for treadmill use. If it’s not perfect weather outside then of course you’re not going to run outside. Please add the option for using a treadmill

The only reason I’m giving it 2 stars is because the 9 week program is actually really amazing. This app is just total garbage though. I can’t wait to finish the program, partly so that I can run 5k without stopping. But mostly so that I can uninstall this horrible app and never have to use it again. • You have to adjust just about every single setting on your phone so that it will maybe work correctly, which of course it never does. • It doesn’t pause the music to give you your audio cue so you end up walking or running more than you’re supposed to. • They took away the feature to shuffle your music playlist within the app. Who listens to their playlists in the same order every time?! • The companion Apple Watch app is just a joke. That was promptly uninstalled. Don’t even bother. I have 4 weeks to go then I can finally throw this app in the trash where it belongs. Which is a shame because again, the actual C25K program is really great.

Needs support for Apple Watch, sync with Activity app and health data on iPhone. I would rather have these functions than a “virtual trainer”

Love the app, but there are many apps that allows you to enter treadmill workouts, for the days when and outdoor workout is viable.

I love this app but it needs a Fitbit ionic app. Please make one, PLEASE!!!!

Before I used this app I had probably never run even one mile consecutively and by the time I was finished with the program I was up to 5k. I really credit this app for helping me reach my goal by meeting me where I was at and pushing me to go further than ever before.

Won’t accept United States as a country!?

I was so excited to get going again & loved my Couch to 5K app. After updating it on my iPhone( I have version 10) I cannot open it at all. It says it's updated. However, nothing happens when I try and access it. What gives? I cannot locate customer support. I tried but nothing available. Please let me know what recourse I have. This is VERY disappointing!

Other running apps on the Watch allow you to run without carrying your phone, but for some reason this one doesn’t.

I loved this app, it worked perfectly, the program is effective, and the coaches make it fun. But now I am on week 7 and it has stopped accurately measuring my distance and pace. Which is the whole point of the app!! This has happened for two weeks now since the 3D coach update. It’s frustrating to be this far along and not be able to accurately record your pace progress. When I emailed support, I got an email back 4 days later saying it couldn’t be delivered. So if it wasn’t delivered, how could I get a rejected response?? So now I have to write a poor review. It’s a shame

I must say I had very high hopes for this app, but after purchasing, I found out it had no true support for Apple Watch (you need to carry phone to get app to work and receive audio cues), or Health app. The glorified virtual trainer which was its recent update is totally unnecessary, because it added nothing new to its operation. For all of its updates it’s very outdated (IMHO). Two stars given because it is a decent 5K Training app.

Before using this app I was not a good runner and had never tried to be one before. It starts off so easy and builds gradually enough that it worked really well for me. I can now jog without stopping for about 3 miles which amazing! My pace isn’t great yet, but the fact that I can just keep going was my initial goal from the start. My biggest complaint is it’s harder to keep track if you need to go back in time. I took about 5 months off when I was over halfway through with the app because of health reason. When I was able to get back to it, it was not conceivable for me to be able to jog 28 minutes straight again. It was much harder for me to keep up with where I was each time I ran because the app wanted me to jog where I left off 5+ months prior.

This new update with the intrusive trainers is so dumb and junior league. Please let there be an option to disable them. I just wanna run.

Love it for getting me moving but every time I go to my log it crashes. I want to see my progress, please fix this then it would be 5 stars for sure

I’ve used the app for over a year now, on and off. I don’t know what’s going on but it drains my battery! With 75% it uses more power than everything else combined. I only use it three times a week, turned off background refresh etc. have to charge my phone every day. Please fix!

Am on week 3 and all the settings are enable to use location but the app is no longer tracking my runs. I’ve been using the app at the same location for weeks

I would give 5 Star to this app if I don’t need to carry my phone in my pocket when I wearing my Apple Watch 3..... for some reason app does not work alone with cellular ready watch like Nike app

Love the app, but there are many apps that allows you to enter treadmill workouts, for the days when and outdoor workout is viable.

Update - the issues I was having with audio cues seems to be resolved. This is back to being my go to running app. I have used this app for the last year and a half without issue until this past week. The audio and vibrate cues no longer seem to work. I hear the first cue at the start of the workout but after that it is too faint to hear. I followed the support steps in the app and in their forum to no avail. For some people the sound of their feat on the road and heavy breathing is enough but I need my music to run. Update - They seem to have fixed the music volume issue. The new issue is now there is no shuffle option for the playlists. Seems like a pretty pointless “update” to make. Frustrating to see an app continually regress. It was a better app 2 years ago.

I used the app before and it was great! I tried to use this app again and though I absolutely love the concept and it’s helping me lose weight by running every time I go to start the workout I have to beat my phone, hold down on the screen, and whatever else I can do to actually get the workout started. I have an iPhone X so it is NOT my phone that is the problem. I don’t have a problem with any of the other apps on my phone just this one. FIX THIS PLEASE

This app works with the Apple Watch but you still need to carry your phone! What’s the point?

I’ve used this App a ton and used to really love it. However in the recent update the GPs no longer seams to work. I’ve reset the app I’ve deleted the app and added it back, and still the GPS does not work. While I still use it for the trainers telling me when to walk and when to run I hope this problem gets fixed in a new update soon I’m becoming increasingly frustrated and disappointed in this app.

Got this app as a recommendation from a friend. I have a bad back and haven’t done much since I got out of the military with my disability. The pounds have stacked on, the depression and anxiety and low self-esteem have grown to unwhelming levels as well. My wife is a runner and in great shape and I want to be able to enjoy some time with her and stop feeling sorry for myself. I have made it through 2 days so far and the pacing is great for me and doable. The second day is harder since your muscles are hurting so bad from day one but you can’t quit and you can’t get discouraged. Stick with the pacing and do what you can and if you have to walk when it says jog, do it and just jog the next time. I piggy back this app with strava as well in order to let my friends follow me that use that app to get further encouragement. This app works great and I signed up for a 5k at the end of April and can’t wait to do it.

The voice command has become glitchy the last few times I’ve used the app. It will start off telling me to walk but when it comes time to jog or walk again, the voice command only works some of the time within the workout. I can catch the error when I’m using the treadmill because I can see the screen alert to begin jogging/walking, but when I’m outside running I shouldn’t have to continue looking at my phone to see if it’s time to begin jogging/walking again.

I love this app! I had to take a lengthy time off due to illness and this was great to get me back on my running feet, while making sure I don’t over do it!

Enjoy using this app

Love this app, especially the magical runicorn. I also really enjoy how you can repeat workouts to keep them healthy and minimize injury. It’s also great to get reminders to sign up for local races. Couldn’t keep truckin without couch to 5K!

This is the running app that has motivated me and prepared me for running a 5k. The workouts are simple and gradually increase more running time. I am now able to focus more on pacing myself and being able to run longer. I love love love the workouts! The one thing that did b** me out is all of the glitches with the rest of the app. I cannot see anything other than my personal log and have tried to sign in by creating a profile and use my Facebook, but all I get is an error message when trying to access articles, events, and friends.

I used this app before this update last year around this time. It worked so well, and I was even able to finish it and run my first 5K! Well through the year, I started slacking and wanted to get back into running because I love doing it. I knew right where to go to help me start training. This Couch to 5K app! Downloading it and opening up and seeing the beautiful new redesign was a nice surprise, and I was so excited to run. I went to my normal spots where I used to run where I never had an issue tracking my speed, distance, or placement on a map. After my run, I went to check how I did, and I couldn’t see any info. It said I ran/walked a distance of 0.07 miles, when I actually did about 1.75 miles, and it had no information of my speed. It didn’t start tracking me until I was in my cool down. I’ve tried turning my location services on and off, clearing my workout history, going to a different place I used to run, starting a new account, and nothing!! I used to have no problem with it tracking me, and now I don’t really understand what the issue is.

Needs to account for treadmill when weather isn’t good

Wasn’t able to run more than 30 seconds before. It eases you into more running time, and before you know it, you’re running 10, 20+ mins. Never had a problem with this app, until a few mins ago I had finished the main portion and just moved into the cool down... and the app completely crashed. Without saving my progress. That’s some bs. When I clicked App Support, it sent me to a website and I could not find the app support section. So now I’m just letting the daily run go through again without actually running so I can at least move forward next time. Annoying. Hoping it’s a one time thing.

This app is amazing. It has organized and a structure set up that makes it easier for me to steadily increase my jogging time and to prepare me for more long distance running!

Love the app but what would make it 5 stars is being able to see the pace for the running portion.

Keeps freezing at the beginning

I really want to like this App! The problems: 1. I never heard the trainer despite doing all the “things” required. I had to track my own intervals or watch the clock- which is not ideal while trying to run. 2. It would be nice to be able to switch GPS “off” and have it act as a pedometer instead. This is terribly inaccurate on a treadmill. While I wish i didn’t need the treadmill? It’s necessary for some of my training.

No iPhone X support?? Ridiculous.

I like the coaching the app provides as well as the articles. I’ve never been able to reply to a community post though. I always get the error message “Service Problem. Cannot get post details . Please try again later” One other item that would be nice to add in would be the splits (distance per mile) info when I’m on the treadmill (I get the info from my Apple Watch). Lastly, you don’t hear the Coach if your screen locks on your phone. That is the only truly annoying feature.

Of course, YOU have to do the work. The app is an excellent coach.

Easy to use.

This app is great, but it’s long past time it got an upgrade to iOS 11

I liked seeing the training schedule overview before. Now you can only see the workout length (not including warm up and cool down), instead of how many minutes walking and jogging like 1.5 mins walk and 2 mins jog, repeat. Also, music does not integrate well with Spotify. The volume makes my music fade to a low volume after the coach makes an announcement, not fade while talking, and raise the commute again, the volume stays low.

This app provides a good training program. Two annoying problems, the app will get one star back for each one fixed: 1. I did *not* give your app permission to access my music and media. When I start a workout the app advances to the next song in the active playlist running in the background on Apple’s Music app. When the app determines that I have finished my workout by time elapsed it stops the Music app. Couch to 5K is not a music app, it is a workout app. Leave my music and playlists alone! 2. I enabled notifications but denied access to my music and media. Every time the app starts it insists that I enable notifications in order to get background alerts. Stupid, annoying bug.

I used this last year and it worked wonderfully. After an injury, I’m now redoing the program and - whether it is upgraded iOS or the app upgrade, the app just doesn’t work anymore. Keeps crashing. Music won’t play, timer won’t start, etc etc. and then the whole thing freezes. I have to restart my phone to get it to respond. I’ve deleted and reinstalled, and if that doesn’t fix the problem, I will have to find another app. Bummer because I paid for this.

I used this app five years back on an iPhone 3S to start training for a half marathon (5k first). It did exactly what I needed it to do. Please to see that it’s every bit as good these days, as I’m older and fatter and in need of a good training app.

Used it a number of times to get me back in the game! Great job to the team that create this! A life saver!!!

They keep improving it... easier way to select music, and more

Appreciate this app so much. Definitely effective!

It’s awesome!!

I like this App. I like it very much. The interval training helps improve cardiovascular fitness in a rational, manageable approach. If I could change something, I would make the “coaches” more diverse and interesting like, how about a hot “Aussie” guy, complete with hot accent, as a coach. Now, that would be fun to listen to.

This is first exercise program I’ve stayed with - the pacing over the weeks is good. They are quick to fix problems, like the app to music volume.

Apple Watch Series 3 has now been out for 6 months and this app still fails to support watch only operation. The fact that I have to bring my phone with me on a run makes the app useless. Please Active- be the first to market a native app that doesn’t require us to bring our phone with us! It’s a huge hassle!

The app is great, does exactly what is advertised. A lot of times after I close the app, my phone will start saying “Be sure to do your brisk 5-minute warm up every time!” Which kinda gets annoying, especially considering the app is closed.

Used to be a good app now it crashes every time I open it

I’m really happy to have the assistance of an app to get myself back running. It does what it says it does. But I’m really disappointed that the app’s data is self contained. The app doesn’t trigger a workout with the Apple Health app so I miss out on the larger statistical analysis that I could be getting. If there is a setting for this it is well hidden. The watch app is all but useless, though, unless there’s something wrong with my setup. I get notifications on my watch, but if I want to check progress I need to tell the watch to switch to the app, wait for the app to sync with the phone, and then I can see the data. Repeat for any time you want a visual update and you almost immediately just ignore the presence of the watch app.

The last 3 runs I’ve used it on, the time bugs up or freezes altogether...then to get it to do anything you have to get out of the app loosing your entire run. So frustrating! Please fix!

Since I’ve downloaded the last update my app has frozen and erratic. I have purchased the and and had no issues for a couple of years. My phone is an IPhone 6.

See post title....the app killed my battery overnight.

Deleted this app before I even ran my first day. Annoying animations, annoying voices, and repetitive selections. Who wants to pick their “coach” each time they run??? Worst fitness app I’ve downloaded. Deleted!

I have been using this app on my IPhone 5 for a couple of years with no problems. Simple, easy to use and accurate. I just upgraded to iOS 11 and have had nothing but problems since then. I’ve gone on 2 runs and 10 minutes in the timer gets wonky. The seconds get tripped up, move slowly or the timer stops altogether. Yesterday I was in the cool down and the timer stopped. Then the app closed and all my data for that run was lost. Super frustrating. I tried resetting the app and also deleted and reloaded it, to no avail. I even ran the timer against a stopwatch for accuracy and the same problem occurred. I love this app and want to continue to use it, but will have to look elsewhere if they can’t fix this bug. I emailed them today so we’ll see what happens. Like other reviewers, I also have experienced the same issue with the music volume dropping way down after the first voice prompt. Not nearly as big of an issue as inaccurate / buggy timing, but a nuisance just the same. I hope they can fix these issues.

App timer becomes inaccurate after some time causing to you exercise more or less than expected.

Since you updated the app it crashes and won’t open

It keeps crashing when I try to workout. It started after I downloaded the latest update

This app has been AMAZING for the first 5 weeks but now I have done Week 6, Day 1 three times and it crashes at the end and doesn’t record my activity. I’m so frustrated - I had really been happy with it until now. 🙁

Very GlitchyStopped working several times during one work out

Why is this app in the apple watch App Store when i have to activate on my phone to begin a workout? The whole point of my watch is to leave my phone behind. Nike run club and watchOs4.1 workouts work better. Fix this!!

All I was looking for was something to tell me when to walk and when to jog/run and it does that fine, but there are definitely a few issues the app developers need to address, both of which other reviews have also mentioned. The first is that when my music volume goes down for an audio command from the app it doesn’t go back up- just stays at that quiet level and I can’t be messing with my phone while jogging. The other is that the audio commands are helpful but they only work if the app is open- they don’t happen if you have another app open or your phone locks.

Ios11 there’s volume control iSsues where it lowers overall volume of music within the app.

I downloaded this app after it was recommended by several friends that were couch potatoes turned runners. Overall liking so far but it doesn’t vibrate every time I need to switch from running to walking, or the coach will only announce it occasionally. Wish there was a way to turn the voice notifications on for every time. (I thought I did this but it’s still not working.) I just hate having to take my phone out and check my time constantly. Update: this is the second time the app has crashed when I opened other apps and all my data was lost.

Needs to be able to link to Pandora not just iTunes.

I really like the way that this app is set up, the running intervals, and the choice of trainers. I have used it before, and it was the first time I was able to successfully train to run a full 5K. This time around, though, there seem to be issues with the volume. The trainer and my music are both very low despite adjusting the volume.

I truly hate running. However I really want to do it for cardio exercise and weight loss. This app does a great job using into running list walk/run intervals that make it not too painful and he can keep grinding it out. I quit and had to start over many times but I’m never afraid to put my sneakers on and get out there because I know this app will coach me well.

Good app except the sound control—I listen to podcasts and this app still robs volume from external apps, including iOS podcast app. Also, it has no way to understand indoor track distances. Otherwise a good app

I love the app and enjoy the features that come along with it. The constant motivation from Sgt Block and great tracking features make this a must have. I will say since the latest update I have been a bit disappointed in the app as it no longer allows me to preview the run/walk intervals before the event. I’m sure we all would like to know specifically what the days run/walk cycles will entail before we start exercising. Other than that, keep up the good work!

Why would you remove the walk run time from workout descriptions? And the GPS tracking fails for about 80% of workouts.

Like I said, I love this update. It works great on my 6S. The big problem lies in the old version. I’m on week 6 of the program, and in the earlier weeks the app would work...sparingly. Basically, the app would glitch in the last few minutes of my workout and crash. So I would go back into the app and manually enter my distance. But I can’t change the time. I would just skip through quickly, and it would say I went 2.2 miles in one second. It messes with my statistics. I just don’t understand why I can only manually input my distance, and not my time. Other than that, the program works great. I finished it about two years ago and had since fallen out of the habit of running.

So in general I’ve liked this app. Occasionally I got small bugs but they weren’t an issue. The music would change volume after each voice cue from the app which was annoying. I really am mad that the newest update doesn’t allow you to see the intervals anymore. All I see now is 5 min warm up walk, 23 mins of jogging and walking, and 5 minute cool down. I want to be able to see that it’s 3 minute intervals or 5s or 8s etc etc. please fix!

I am really enjoying this app. It’s makes me look forward to running again and it’s helping me develop a good base. The one issue I keep running into is that when I have my music going at the right volume once the voiceover comes on the t lowers the music, but then doesn’t bring it back up to the volume I had it at. If it’s at the maximum volume level, the voicemail ver comes on to tell you the next interval, but the music doesn’t go back to the maximum level. Very frustrating.

Since the most recent update, the app doesn't even work

Use it every winter to get my heart back in shape.

Small price to pay for anyone that doesn’t enjoy running and needs a push! I’m not as consistent as I need to be and have had to start over a few times but it’s worth it and is making me slowly enjoy running.

Great App! I have been using this app for a year or so, and it works well, no glitches. It’s a excellent cardio workout to use. I alternate it with weight training, and it gives me good results. It keeps track of how often you use it, so if it’s been awhile it will offer the option of starting from the beginning. Best of luck! Keep at it, and you will meet your fitness goals!

Thanks for ruining the functionality of a good app. Now I can’t see the details of a workout unless I start the workout. Now I have to fumble through all sorts of c*** to get the one I want. The good idea fairy ruined this one.

When I turn my gps on it will not record the miles correctly. I just did two miles and it told me I did .16 miles. Definitely need to fix this.

App is great aside for one extremely annoying aspect which left me no choice but to delete. During a workout the app will lower the volume of any music app thats not apple (spotify). I believe it does this to allow the trainers voice to speak over the music. The issue is when the trainer is not speaking the music remains extremely low. Even on 100% volume i cant enjoy my muisc during the workout. Please fix!

“designed to look great on your newest devices”? What a joke! There is still no iPhone X support so this looks terrible on my brand new device.

5K, here I come!

Trading for a half marathon as a total beginner and this is a great way to get started!

I've used the app three times so far, each time the timer starts to run down really slow during the cool down phase, then completely stops and the app closes. None of my workout session was saved any of these times. So frustrating. The first time it happened, I uninstalled the app and reinstalled, still experienced the same problem. I really enjoyed the app because it seemed so simple and don't have all the other unnecessary features that a lot of the others do. However, if I'm not able to get through a single workout, it's no use. I will be searching for other options. Please let me know how to get a refund on my purchase.

I’m using this on my iPhone 6+ running iOS 11. It must think I need to exercise more since the seconds are about 4 seconds long! The time goes WAY TOO slow and it starts to skip seconds because it bugs out in the last 10 minutes and stops working. The past two days I’ve had to exit the app because it froze and lost the whole workout. There’s SO MANY reminders to turn on certain things and those bug it out too! I use this on a treadmill where I can watch the clock so I dont need notifications, but every screen change (every time I would hit a button to do something) I’d get the s***** reminder to turn on my notifs. This app is great when it’s not so annoying that I actually get angry at it! Also, if I say I don’t want to sync my workouts, IT MEANS I DONT WANT TO SYNC MY WORKOUTS. This app is actually terrible bug wise. Please fix it! I love this and need it for a fitness class and if it doesn’t work, I can’t do it!

I was very happy with this app but got to week 8 right around the time I upgraded to iOS 11. For some reason I just couldn’t make it through the whole 28 minute run. I thought I’d hit a wall...until I opened the app during one run and saw that the timer had frozen. I locked and unlocked my phone and the timer unfroze for a few seconds then froze again. And then it happened again during that run and again during another attempt and I realized why I couldn’t do a full 28 minute run...I was actually attempting a much longer run due to the timer repeatedly freezing during my run. This is a pretty major issue and severely impacts my ability to use the app. :( other than that, it’s been fantastic.

This is my second time completing the C25k program. First time, worked like a charm. Truly does what it says - takes you from no running endurance to being able to easily run 30+ minutes straight. However, this time I am not pleased with how the app itself works. I’m only on week 2, and I’ve had one workout just stop recording during the cool-down (I opened the app back up and it said “Start Workout” when I had already been running for 20 minutes). Furthermore, three of my workouts have had the GPS glitch so it records the same stats (miles and pace) for each, when I have gone farther and faster each time. Very frustrating. Hopefully this gets fixed before the 9 weeks are up. :/

I used to adore this app. I love how it works once in a while, but the app itself has a HUGE bug. For the last week and a half, at around halfway through the workout, the app crashes, and my phone dies, no matter what percentage I’m at. Then, somehow my phone turns back on, and I’m at 10%. My data is erased. I’ve tried to love this app, but it hasn’t been working for me.

This is only week one, but I think it’s been a help to my cardio progressing.

This app is simple with minimal bells and whistles. For a novice runner it keeps me on task and is not so hard in the beginning like the other apps I have tried. Great build up.

Bought the bundle and am using it to train for a half marathon. Great for beginners. Definitely challenging but worth it. Good user interface. When can we expect an app update to fix the audio issues?

It’s hard to hear the trainer over the music, even with the music on a low volume. Otherwise so far it’s great. I like the slow build to 5K.

Helped me lose 25 pounds. I had a restricted diet too. Great for guidelines and helping me stay on track. I did not connect to Facebook since it does not force you to (thank god).

I keep coming back expecting to find improvements but continue to be disappointed. Apple watch support is horrible and you need your phone with you in your hand to track distance and pace. Hard Pass

Good tracking, good coaching, and for the first two weeks, good pacing. From week 34 and 4-5 the jump in running time is insane. After 3 days of jogging my endurance is supposed to double then double again. It’s so good for the first 3 weeks, but after that it’s better to find another app unfortunately. I would rather it be a 12 week program than 6 or 8 if the pacing was better.

Meets all of my requirements. I wear my phone on a forearm holder, so the large display is awesome for taking quick glances of how much time is left in the rotation.

The app has about 11 bugs that make using it extremely annoying. The most annoying bug is that the voiceover that tells you to start running/walking lowers the music volume when it starts announcing, but doesn’t raise the music volume when it is done announcing. As a result, 25 minutes of your 30 minute workout will be you struggling to hear the music, even on the loudest volume setting. The last announcement (to do the 5 minute cool down) then raises the volume to normal, which is startling and extremely loud because you had the volume set to the loudest setting. The app has had this bug for at least the last 6 months (since about May 2017), so don’t expect it to be fixed any time soon. It’s annoying, to say the least. For those with an Apple Watch, you need to disable your watch mirroring the alerts for the C25K app, otherwise you’ll only get a haptic on your watch and not an announcement in your earbuds. No big deal, but Active doesn’t provide this instruction, so most users don’t know. Edit: 11/28/17 - The developer and I emailed back and forth. They say they can reproduce the problem and will work to fix it. We’ll see.

This app has helped me run my first 5k! It works really well.

The app only tracks distance based on GPS. This doesn't work well for the treadmill at all. Even when holding my phone or wearing it in an armband, it doesn't track distance or steps on the treadmill. It's very frustrating for those of us using this app in the winter with icy roads.

I enjoy almost everything about this app and workout program. It steps up the intensity at a good pace and the variety of motivating voices are fun. The only thing that almost made me leave the app was the sound control. The music and prompt volumes are connected and, until I turned off control of the music through the app, it was a c*** shoot as to whether I could hear them. Sometimes it would be loud, sometimes it would be so soft, I’d have to keep restarting workouts. Since I turned off music control through Couch to 5k, the prompt volume is ok, but it’s still tied to the music volume. Please please fix this. It can’t be that hard to decouple the app volume from the music. Otherwise, great app.

I used this app eons ago, and was surprised to see the update. It’s nice, I don’t mind that. My issue is the music setup. 1. It’s limited: Pick an artist, album, or playlist. Trying to change it mid-run is nearly impossible. I wish it could work with other music apps, like Spotify or SoundCloud. 2. The cueing is inconsistent — I cant hear the coach tell you to Run/Walk. That is REALLY frustrating. 3. Music shuts off as soon as the workout ends. I don’t always stop after the cool down and this can feel very abrupt. I prob just need to de-couple music and this app. I guess I’ll try this next time, but since it’s built in, this is kind of a bummer. I wish there was a way to use your headphones to request new music, like using Siri.

I love the ease of use with this app and the fun different coaches. My fav is Sargent Block!

I’ve downloaded this two different times, both times about 17 minutes into my workout it’ll just reset as if I have not done any workouts. Also the music going up and down is annoying. Don’t waste your money, going to do couch to 5k without an app now.

This app is really quite good, with a variety of workouts to get yourself into shape and ready for a 5K. I like that you can choose the voice of your “coach” - I went with Runicorn because he’s upbeat - but I *don’t* like Runicorn encouraging me with a random voice message several times throughout the day when I don’t have the app open. This is apparently a bug that the developers have known about for months but have chosen to do nothing about. I deleted the app and I’m going with another couch to 5K app instead.

As with many of the other reviews, the music volume is beyond irritating. Nothing like having music you can barely hear to motivate you through the tough parts. Also, the app likes to close out and reset about 50% of the time when you maneuver between other apps, say like to check in on Fitbit or switch up Pandora. Nothing like being 20 minutes into a run to find it lost its data and it wants you to start over. But nevertheless, this app has gotten me started on a small growing love of running. Hope they can fix the glitches before I complete my 9 weeks

Aloha, I’m a 61 year old woman who’d been very sedentary last few years. So much so that couch is a stretch. I’m running my first 5k next month! I can’t always keep up but I keep going! Better than the gym for sure.

The program itself gets a 5/5 from me. This app, however, is the pits. I deleted it because it kept talking while I was at an event (that I was presenting at!), and when I reinstalled and signed in, it had lost some of my workout data. So frustrating and disappointing to have lost a whole week of data. And why does it talk when the app is not open and hasn’t been used in hours/days? Makes no sense. Fix this so the app can be as great as the program.

Lot of bugs, but hey it got me to run - that’ll make up for all the glitches if you ask me

Most helpful and it really really works!!!

If the music would duck consistently I would love the app. Watch app won’t work when screen is locked.

I used this app and LOVED it 4 years ago when I was training for my first 5k. I got out of running, but recently a friend convinced me to run a 10K in November. I thought this would be a great place to start. Eh. The training piece is good as far as during run instruction. But no matter what I try, it won’t track distances. I can’t get splits. It’s awful. I have to use Map my Run to get the info I need.

I started using this app this week and really enjoy it so far! My only complaint is being unable to connect with friends on Facebook. The app is telling me I don’t have friends using Couch to 5K and I know that isn’t true!

I used this app eons ago, and was surprised to see the update. It’s nice, I don’t mind that. My issue is the music setup. 1. It’s limited: Pick an artist, album, or playlist. Trying to change it mid-run is nearly impossible. I wish it could work with other music apps, like Spotify or SoundCloud. 2. The cueing is inconsistent — I cant hear the coach tell you to Run/Walk. That is REALLY frustrating. 3. Music shuts off as soon as the workout ends. I don’t always stop after the cool down and this can feel very abrupt. I prob just need to de-couple music and this app. I guess I’ll try this next time, but since it’s built in, this is kind of a bummer. I wish there was a way to use your headphones to request new music, like using Siri.

The app has about 11 bugs that make using it extremely annoying. The most annoying bug is that the voiceover that tells you to start running/walking lowers the music volume when it starts announcing, but doesn’t raise the music volume when it is done announcing. As a result, 25 minutes of your 30 minute workout will be you struggling to hear the music, even on the loudest volume setting. The last announcement (to do the 5 minute cool down) then raises the volume to normal, which is startling and extremely loud because you had the volume set to the loudest setting. The app has had this bug for at least the last 6 months (since about May 2017), so don’t expect it to be fixed any time soon. It’s annoying, to say the least. For those with an Apple Watch, you need to disable your watch mirroring the alerts for the C25K app, otherwise you’ll only get a haptic on your watch and not an announcement in your earbuds. No big deal, but Active doesn’t provide this instruction, so most users don’t know.

I tried the couch to 5k pgm before on my own and it was really hard to keep track of the times to run and walk and I gave up after a few weeks. This app makes it so easy. I've used it on a treadmill while watching Netflix on my phone and it still prompts me. Also outside while listening to iheartradio. I love it!

This is a great program - I wish there were more support for the occasional bugs that pop up, but so far they’ve been fixed by turning my iPhone on and off. But it’s very annoying that I must carry my iPhone when running, and now that it works with the Apple Watch, I STILL need to carry the phone. I hope this gets fixed - even if I had to sync to upload or download runs, I’d be willing to do that.

I just completed the second workout (woo-hoo) but I did it on a treadmill and it didn’t log the workout. Not sure if it’s because the GPS said I stood still the whole time. I don’t know if anyone else had this issue, and I’ll do the workout again, but wah-wah, I wish it would have logged.

This app makes it easy to build cardio fitness and learn to breathe while running. I found a new love for music I’ve had for years and enjoy peaceful time in the morning, watching the sun come up.

After each voice cue for a speed change my music, played through the music control or through another app, goes down half in volume then returns to original level HALFWAY through the circuit. Irritating. I’ve tried changing up different controls but nothing seems to alter it. ALSO, the app cancels the run and resets itself. I’ve nearly thrown my phone numerous times due to frustrations.

I tried following all the guidance for getting audio to work... and it still didn’t work. So the app is useless. Also wish there was podcast integration.

Bought this app because of the Apple Watch app, was not aware that you still have to run with your phone in order to use the watch app.... so it’s pretty useless. Also, incredibly buggy- every time I look at my watch, it first flashes the “start workout on iPhone” screen before showing my time.

Before using this app I had never run more than 1 mile without stopping. Today, a few days after finishing this app, I ran 5k for the first time! Definitely worth the purchase.

Good for encouraging to get up and go. Little steps at a time.

Like the app but did the latest update and now my music won’t shuffle. Keeps starting with the same song.

Do not waste your money. It periodically just stops recording your distance. Works off of phones GPS so not sure what the problem is. My Fitbit works fine using my phones GPS

I love this app. I’m pretty sure it’s the same regiment as the C25K instructions I printed off the internet and stuck next to my treadmill years before apps were introduced. My rating is missing a star for 2 reasons. 1) it doesn’t sync up with the Health app, so my phone doesn’t pick up on how much exercise I’ve actually done. 2) there is no function to just say that I’m doing the workout on the treadmill. Yes, I can change the distance later, but the app still “tracks” me and I wind up with a messy looking gps route that I didn’t actually run.

I have loved using this app. In the beginning I doubted that I would be able to do this, but this app has helped me lose 20lbs, and I am not even finished with the program. I feel healthier and I have now started looking forward to the workouts. Thanks for a great app.

So I’m a high schooler that’s obsess, and for quite obvious reason I’m not okay with that. So of course I had that “Yay, I’m finally gonna lose the weight!” moment, and not knowing how to go about that I watch YouTube and someone recommends this app. Best. Recommendation. Ever. Not only did I start loosing weight fast, but I genuinely started to really enjoy running. I had tried running countless times in the past and gave up every time. I didn’t know why I got so tired so easily and this brought me to the conclusion that I was just destined to be a bad runner. Little did I know, you have to actually build up your endurance! Duh, past me. This app alone helped me learn to set goals in a incredibly easy and surprisingly fun way. Since I started using this app I’ve been running near every day and it’s one of my favorite things to do (my dog agrees). I would recommend this app to anyone trying to lose weight or wanting to create healthier habits easily. I’m currently 40lbs down and that number just keeps growing. Running the mile in gym used to be my greatest fear, now with the help of this app I realized it’s something I actually enjoy and can do.

It’s really difficult to hear the trainer over the music, no matter how much I adjust the respective volume settings. The app also constantly asks me to enable background app refresh, which is already enabled and always has been. Those two issues make the app incredibly frustrating to use.

Update - the issues I was having with audio cues seems to be resolved. This is back to being my go to running app. I have used this app for the last year and a half without issue until this past week. The audio and vibrate cues no longer seem to work. I hear the first cue at the start of the workout but after that it is too faint to hear. I followed the support steps in the app and in their forum to no avail. For some people the sound of their feat on the road and heavy breathing is enough but I need my music to run.

I have been trying different exercise programs for years to lose weight. I never stuck to them, because they usually felt out of my reach and too hard for a couch potato like me. I’ve stuck to this program, and loved it. It allows you to go at your own speed per gait, but tells you when to walk or jog at intervals that increased slowly, but like I felt that I could do. I feel good about myself, and love how it starts so easy and increases with difficulty. Anyone can do it! The only thing I wish they would add, though, is having the trainer tell when it’s the last jog interval, so I could give it my all. Still, I would definitely recommend this app.

I deleted the app because the s***** red one in the corner of the app wouldn’t go away no matter what I did. I didn’t have any notifications or things I hadn’t opened in the app and I hate that red number telling me I need to do something

I bought this app purely because it said was Apple Watch compatible. However, you can’t use it without carrying your phone with you also. This totally defeats the object. I needed an app that would let me run without having to stick my iPhone down my bra!

I am loving this app so far. Only on week one so we will see.

Great app!

Not good playlist options and can't hear the voice cues

The whole point of an app like this is to track your distance, speed, and progress, which this app is completely unable to do. Today it only captured the last quarter of my route, my last run it showed me running (impossibly) diagonally through city blocks, the run before that it didn’t capture any of my stats at all. I’ve already turned on location settings for this app, turned off my lock screen, and kept the app in the foreground while running, but the glitch is stronger than my accommodations. Its competitors are much better; this is just a $3 stopwatch and my phone already has that capability.

Love how it eases you into a jog.

Would be better if it synced with Apple health app

When I started my weight loss journey. Now I’m on the wagon again and this app is great. Some noticeable improvements overall. A good app for a lazy person like me. 😉

I am only finished with week 2 but the workout part of this program is awesome. I was more of a bed to 5k type person so I had to repeat the week 1 workout twice before I was able to get going but I am not through week 2 and am having no troubles. For that a lone it is worth the purchase. Now for why it lost the two stars. The voice cues and vibration misses are a huge problem especially for beginners that just getting one foot in front of the other is enough of a challenge. I had to purchase a $30 arm band for my 6plus just yo help with the issue. I have learned to just reset that section of the routine to get it back but that is going to be an issue later on. This has to be fixed or reworked. I also just purchase an apple watch hoping that I could get the timers and cues on it. No such luck. I just not everyone has the apple watch so that would be a good in app purchase. I would pay $5 to get that feature. Update: They added Apple Watch support but it is very bad and close to broken. They also do not update activity or any other apple health stats. It is sad because I love the fitness part of the app.

I’d like to see an option where the user can increase the number of repetitions for the interval sets. For example on W3D1 I would’ve like to have the option to do the minimum requirement of 2 interval sets, but would also like to increase it to 4 or 6 interval sets.

Helps me stay motivated 👍

I like the app but it seems VERY glitchy to me. Half the time I can’t get music to start, it freezes up, today I was running and it froze up and kicked me out half way through my work out and took me back to the home screen but was still sending me push notifications when to change paces but when I actually got on the app it just wanted me to “start workout”. Needs some bugs worked out!

I really love this program, but I hate that I cannot have the app work properly while it’s in the background like Map My Run.

I am using this app again after taking a 3-year hiatus. I’m mostly a couch potato but my son’s school is having a spirit run 5k and I signed up. 😂 This app helped me prep 3 yrs ago and it’s helping me again. I love the workouts—keeps me focused and gives me a goal to shoot for each run. I don’t do the social media stuff so I can’t comment there. But the controls and history log are all easy to use. I highly recommend this app!!

I like it and all, but I wish I could add notes to my run.

I did pay for the app but I feel like it’s a great app at a good value.

First day running and am extremely frustrated. Volume of the commands is fine until I actually start running - screen locked, unlocked - doesn't matter. Checked all settings in app and in phone. Missed so many start/stops because the volume is insanely low. I started w music but then it just stopped playing music and wouldn't start again. Rest of run no music and still missed most of the commands. Starting a fitness program is hard enough, having the app I paid for be a complete piece of s*** on BASIC functionality is just unacceptable. I'm reading people with this problem happening a lot. Stupid. Don't pay for this.

I actually switched from a different app to this one because of the map! I love seeing my progress and I love the breakdown. What I don’t like is that it turns down my music for the voiceover but doesn’t turn it back up after it’s done telling me what to do. Not sure how that could be fixed. But besides that no issues! Hoping a half marathon and full marathon training app are in the works!

Unlike Active’s 5 to 10K app, this app doesn’t have a separate control for trainer volume. If you have your music turned up to even a moderate level you won’t be able to hear the trainer cues. Disappointing.

Use this app with my kids and we love it!

Several years ago I joined a C25K group and this was my app to practice in between. I ❤️it then and still do! Of course it’s simple & easy =Fun!

Cons: It doesn't send you the voice commands unless it's always active on the screen, while you run you cannot state at the mobile screen instead you keep it in there pocket. It only sends the text notification if the phone is locked. I bought this because of the Apple watch support, again here the app on the watch doesn't stay on top of you want to check your progress. You would need to manually press the buttons and switch it. You can't just use the Apple watch alone, it doesn't work, you still need to carry your phone while running. Think about you keeping your 7" phone in your pocket during workout. If you don't carry the phone while workout it doesn't record anything then you will have to use some other app like Nike+ (free app) to track and manually log there distance and time, BS right? You cannot start the workout from Apple watch, you should start from phone, carry the phone, keep staring at the screen all the time. I don't know what they meant by saying Apple watch support. Pros: Apple watch sends a vibration for every step. However this also sends vibration when you're halfway this confuses if you don't keep unlocking the Apple watch and check what the text says, which is a tedious task during a workout session. It tracks the GPS, logs the miles, share social but I never let it access my fb though. Conclusion: Doesn't worth for a paid app.

I finally had to swap this out for another app. This app almost never works with my Apple Watch. All I want to do is be able to see how much time I have left in each segment since I carry my phone in a belt when I run. But it just refuses to sync. Last run, it had the second page working with the distance and time but not the actual Home page to the app that you would want to see. I’ve also had other malfunctions with the voice cues. It just got too frustrating and I uninstalled.

It gets you from the couch to running 5k's. I always return to it when I haven't run in a while.

So easy to follow and for the price it’s a great deal! Love Johnny as my personal trainer!!

One of the best c25k apps, but please make the watch app able to function without the phone. With a series 3 watch I am able to use just my watch, but the app still needs the phone.

I used to love this app as it’s helped me get back into shape multiple times after falling out of running for a bit. However, since I started using it again this time it’s been no help at all. I’m just staring week 3, and already 4 times it’s just completely crashed on me. When I go to reopen the app, hoping to have at least an idea where it died, there’s not even anything showing I actually started the workout. This is frustrating for tracking progress I’ve made, which is one reason I really like this app, but it also totally disrupts my workout. When it crashes I’m not always sure how far I am into my workout, as I don’t watch it while I’m running and just listen to cues. It’s also frustrating because I then have to completely stop the run to try and figure out where I was at and get started again, which completely messes up my pace. Like I said, I used to completely love this app and would have gave it 5 stars. But at this point with all the glitching I wish I would have just gone with a different running app.

I’m a super novice runner and I love repeating the weeks until I’m really ready to progress. Wish it let me save them and see how I improve. I also wish a little more coach interaction to help me push but overall I really like it and couldn’t have done my 1.89mi this morning without it.

I liked it much better when I could see the exact intervals I would be running and walking before I started. Please bring those back.

I began using this app in August. The pacing is great. However, the audio cues are crappy. They’ve become worse with every update. Currently, there are faint volume differences in my music. I run my music through the app. My volume is on, not muted, and turned up. I’ve experience this problem with Runicorn & Constance. I run the most current iOS on an iPhone 6.

I really like the app, but it will not let me add friends. This needs to be fixed.

Don’t understand how your app has the ability to turn off my Apple Music completely after a workout? Have not given it access to my Music. Plus it turns sound up and down while the workout is going. Here’s a novel thought...make it an option in the settings before you take it upon yourself to hijack my phone!

I use C25K on my runs as well as Spotify for music. I have found that even with the volume turned all the way up, I don’t hear the run/walk cues unless I run with my phone unlocked and open to the C25K app. I often hold my phone in my hand while I run so having the screen open causes accidental button presses and interferes with my run.

I've run several 5k and even a 10k prior to the app. I was "out of the game" for a while and decided to use this app to get back into it. Building up and focusing on time spent running rather than distance really helped me learn to better pace myself. I like that none of the runs are incredibly long either, the longest toward the end is around 40 mins including warm up/ cool down. I recommend to friends often. However, I'm not giving 5 stars because I've encountered SO many glitches. Several times the app has shut down on me without warning, and when it does that none of the run is recorded (this usually happens to me toward the end of the run). The distance and time recorded in the app also include warm up and cool down, which I hate. I want to know my pace and time spent during the actual workout only. For those two reasons, I always keep a second running app recording on my phone with running to give me better data and reliability.

I’ve used this app for three years. I’ve logged over 1000 miles. Recommended it to friends even. Ever since the last update, the app won’t go past the welcome screen before it crashes.

I loved running, but in 2011 I had surgery that I thought would prevent me from ever running again. I saw this app and decided to give it a try. It really works! I have several 5ks already planned this year. Thanks for a good app that is actually productive

The app runs great and is easy to use but the newest iteration hides each days workouts. Sometimes I want to go back to a certain interval set but now I have to guess which each one is.

I lost all of my stamina after recovering from an injury. I’m using this app to get myself back on track. I’m enjoying it and am making progress towards smashing my goals! You pick your own coach and can listen to your own playlists. I highly recommend this!

The app is great for pacing and keeping my energy going. I’ve been doing it for 3 weeks now and enjoy the workouts. My only issue is that it usually doesn’t log my distance. I have to use my fit bit and input the distance myself. Maybe that’s because I’m usually on a small track in the gym or on a treadmill. Besides that, though, I’m really happy.

iPhone 8, Apple Watch 3 Nike+. The watch app has ZERO functionality. Can’t start the workout, goes back to watch face if you try to glance at your interval time, requires you to have your phone with you during your run- has anyone in your dev team actually used this product on an actual run? The only reason I upgraded my watch was so I could track runs WITHOUT MY PHONE BOUNCING OUT OF MY POCKET!!! So here I am with a heartbeat monitor on my wrist that your app doesn’t use (how hard could it be to base intervals off of heart rate?!?), a GPS enabled watch that can’t track a run independently, and I still have to have my phone in my hand. First world problems? I paid for this app. Fix it.

Love this app! It’s really helped time myself and continue working toward my goals. I wish you could edit more than just miles.

I like the app for the simplicity, have used it for over 3 years it seems, it got me to run my first 5k awhile back and I use it now to help me run again after some injuries and insecurities. On the new updates I can’t find the intervals so I don’t know what to expect on the app. I want to know what’s on the plan for the workout. Also sometimes it misses the audio cues.

Edit: the updates have removed my ability to see what the run actually is (5m walk/5m run/3walk/5run etc. please put this feature back. Or I don’t know how far back to go when I miss a few runs. I’m a super novice runner and I love repeating the weeks until I’m really ready to progress. I also wish a little more coach interaction to help me push but overall I really like it and couldn’t have done my 1.89mi this morning without it.

Was a good app but hasn’t worked for me in a couple of weeks. Every time I try to open it it just displays the active logo then crashes. It was always a bit buggy ( especially the volume of music and trainers voices) but now it’s just an icon on my screen.

I am using it to run my first 5K ever and the pacing on this app is great. I have never been much of a runner, and I don’t feel pushed beyond what I can do. If you follow the directions (making sure your phone isn’t on silent and run the music in the app) the voice is easy to hear. (I use Block, I’m a tad hard of hearing and his voice really stands out).

I’ve used the training program to get back in shape a number of times over the years. The training portion works great if you stick to it. The app itself could use some improvements though. It needs better pairing software for the Apple Watch. Being able to run this app standalone on the watch as a complication would be a huge benefit so you could run without taking your phone. Also, The app does not continue to run in the background when your phone is locked. It’s difficult to keep from pushing buttons while running and could benefit from using push notifications instead of leaving open for the duration of the workout.

The only issue is that I can’t hear the “coach” when I have another app open. Otherwise it’s awesome!

This app keeps me on track

I’ve used this for two runs and most of the time I can’t hear the trainer, even though the music and everything else is operating at a good volume. The only way the app works is if I hold my phone in my hand while I run and constantly look at it to see what I should be doing. Also the GPS is wrong. It says in 30 minutes I have gone .2 miles even though my actual distance was 2.7 miles.

I like this app except that I can barely hear the audio cues even though they are at full volume. Tried stopping and start the music and that does not help. Sometimes I do not hear them at all, sometimes I “hear” them because the volume goes up/down on my music. Would really love this app if I could reliably hear the audio cues instead of having to run with the phone in my hand to be sure I’m getting cues.

When the trainer goes to speak the volume on my music gets lowered and will not go back up I shut off all commands and it still does it every time it’s very frustrating I like to blast my music when I run and when I use this app I cannot I end up trying different ways to get the volume up and not concentrating on my runs

No matter how many times I “close” the app or delete & reinstall it, the coach voice randomly comes on in the background...in a really creepy way as if the phone thinks I’m in the app about to run or currently using it. I’m a technician so I’ve done all the necessary troubleshooting to eliminate other potential issues but this is the only app I have this issue with. Other than that the tracking is great & I love that it’s Apple Watch compatible so I don’t have to worry about not being able to hear the cues when the watch vibrates at each interval.

Ever since the last few updates this app doesn’t work like it’s supposed to. If i press the play button on the bottom where it shows my itunes music it freezes the whole app and starts all over. Just now I was 12 secs away from completing a workout and i accidentally hit the play button and it froze the app and erased my work out. Now i have to repeat the work out i just did to keep track of my stats. If this app doesn't change soon I will move on to a different app.

Many times the watch app stops running. I hate to see the app crash and not save a workout.

I don’t like the recent updates that removed the workout overview. I want to know how many minutes to walk and jog before I start. The volume is off when I use Spotify and this app. I have to pause my music and restart to hear my music.