Simple stats
SmartRunner
Availability: free
OS: Android, Apple iOS, bada, BlackBerry, Palm, WP7
SmartRunner isn't just for runners. It covers 14 sports, from cycling to skiing. Its interface is the most user-friendly on test, with calorie, speed, distance and time data displayed on screen, although it takes a while to get a GPS signal on the Samsung Wave and it is prone to losing it. Once you complete a run you can upload stats to the SmartRunner website. From there you can sync it with Twitter and Facebook. The online options are sparse, with no in-depth analysis and no training programs, but this is an accurate app for casual users.
Love: Intuitive interface, accurate measurement
Hate: Limited analysis
Data bank
Sports Tracker
Availability: free
OS: Symbian
This Symbian app has a list of 12 activities it can track, including rowing and skiing, plus six custom slots for other sports of your choice. GPS is swift to lock on and as you train it tracks the distance you've travelled, as well as measuring your altitude, albeit not with total accuracy. You upload and share your times on the Sports Tracker website or post them on Facebook. Sports Tracker also offers excellent post-run analysis, with graphs detailing your progress. A useful app; shame it's Symbian only.
Love: Excellent website support, post-run analysis
Hate: Limited to Nokia handsets, no pre-set training plans
Personal trainer
Adidas MiCoach
Availability: free
OS: Apple iOS, BlackBerry
Adidas' app is slick, with extensive preset training plans for weight loss and general fitness. Fill in your details – weight, height, age, goals etc – to get personalised regimes. Voice prompts aim to keep your motivation up and your phone's screen displays detailed maps of your running/cycling route, although we had a tendency to lose GPS fix in built-up areas on iPhone. Once your training's over you upload info to the web or sync it with Facebook. MiCoach lacks the social depth of Endomondo and if you take a call your workout won't resume automatically, but this is still a helpful app.
Love: Easy synching, training plans
Hate: Calls end training
Online buddy
Endomondo
Availability: free
OS: Android, Apple iOS, BlacKBerry, Symbian, WP7
The Endomondo app has a huge online community where you can sync stats for over 21 sports with Facebook friends and by Gmail and also take part in organised local events. Type in your postcode to find local routes – we found three running and four cycling routes close to our offices, but you can only download them on BlackBerry handsets. You can't customise fitness plans as you can on MiCoach, but you can view your real-time stats – distance, speed, calories burnt – on the screen. It's a generally strong app.
Love: Community feel. Local routes. OS support
Hate: Map downloads for BlackBerry only
Sport extravaganza
Cardio Trainer
Availability: free
OS: Android
The Cardio Trainer has a cluttered interface and offers a choice of time or distance goals for 42 sports. Calorie Goal, Interval Training and Race Against Yourself modes require an upgrade to the full version, which costs $9.99 (` 460*) – a little steep considering other apps offer this for free. Start running, cycling, swimming, etc, and the on-screen map tracks your route. Note: it tends to overestimate distance travelled. Upload your fitness stats to Facebook or use your unique access code to view graphs and maps on the rather limited website.
Love: 42 different sports, easy to use
Hate: Costly extra features, limited website
This material is translated or reproduced from T3 magazine and is the copyright of or licensed to Future Publishing Limited, a Future plc group company, UK 2011. Used under license. All rights reserved.
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