Reviews for C25K® Couch to 5K: Run Trainer

If you're just looking for some C25K style interval timing, look elsewhere. I used this app for that years ago and it was great. Now you can't even use the app without GPS. I'm sure that's useful for some people but why not make it optional? They've added a bunch of features and the full program is behind a paywall. I just want something to tell me when to start and stop running (the spirit of the program), and I'm not finding it here.

Was thinking about doing the program but upon downloading the app I found that after the first week it's on a subscription base. I would much prefer to just buy the program one time than do a subscription. Apparently there are also ads? Pick a lane, have a subscription or be free with ads. Can't have a cake and eat it too. They keep saying in the replies that it's for the betterment of the users, but it's just more corporate greed. Call me back when you're done with the nonsense.

This app was great when I used it. It's what got me into running consistently and I was able to go from someone without an athletic bone in my body to being able to run 5k in under 30 minutes and dropping today. I used it when it was completely free and paid a one time fee to remove ads and track things. This is getting a low score because Zen Labs "updating to a subscription model to provide the best value for our customers." is a load of bologna. The "value" of free is way higher than paid.

I had to pay for the app after 2 weeks. Then it doesn't work if you don't have service. So because it couldnt find the GPS on an overcast day in Oregon, I just couldn't even use the timers. Then I couldn't get it to load and they recommend uninstalling and reinstalling. So I did. I lost all of my progress. It now shows that I've run a certain number of miles but all the weeks I did show that they haven't been done. This used to be a great app but they got greedy and ruined it.

Now requires GPS location tracking. Older version was just a timer which was great. Attempted to use again and it now requires GPS tracking. I understand the theory behind it, but in this day and age where people are valuing privacy, there should be an option to disable tracking and simply use the timer. Developer notes that they will share your location data with third parties and data cannot be erased. Immediately uninstalled.

I had paid the one time fee for pro and was simply shocked when I tried to go for my first run in a while to find all my progress & routes GONE and days beyond Week 2 Day 1 behind a pay wall. All this with NO notification. I get the model may have changed, but there could have at least been notification & enumeration of the supposed improvements. I believe I might take my money elsewhere. I have had the app and been "pro" so long I wouldn't even know where to look for a receipt.

Just doesn't seem to track consistently. A friend & I both have used this app 2 days (side by side literally) starting routine at the exact same time. The distance is way off from each other (hers showing 1.4 miles, mine 2.25). I also started app on my watch and it is way off as well. Watch showing .1 mile, phone 2.25 (even though both were on my me). The lap counter also laughed behind each device.

When I say I don't want to leave a review, it means I don't want to leave one. It doesn't mean ask me the next time I open the app. There's even an option that says "remind me later" which I don't press, but still it persists. Edit: I'm no longer being prompted to leave a review. I understand reviews are how the devs make money and can appreciate that, and they rolled out a fix relatively quickly, all while helping me get into shape. Changing from 1 ⭐ to 5 ⭐. Thanks for the quick turnaround.

this is not a free app. they trick you with a free download but if you want to continue past week 2 you have to pay $5.99 for 3 months or $14.99 for 12 months. skip downloading it. there are not enough features to justify that price in my opinion. I'd pay a one time fee if it looked useful but having to keep paying to get less than other apps? nope

Just finished the last workout. The app itself works well on my phone, I've never had it glitch or not play. The GPS does not work at all though. For a free app it, it was excellent. The workouts did their job, I went from never running 8 weeks ago to being able to run a 5k today so I am very happy. The first 4 weeks are really easy going and then week 5 and on are a steep increase. The app also expected me to be running 10 minute miles at week 5 and I'm still not doing that after 8 weeks.

I have never been fond of running, but since my health has turned a bit, I decided to start training for a 5K. This app has made it INCREDIBLY easy to build up to running the 3.1 miles of the 5K. I love its alerts, letting you know when to walk and when to run, and the "you have one minute left". It does have its days when it force closes, but they are rare. It also works well with Pandora. Love love love it!!! UPDATE: I heard the issue on 7-1 got fixed!! Yay!

Update: problem is fixed! Tried everything to get my subscription to sync to any of the other apps, and it didn't work. Restored purchases, logged in and out, uninstalled and reinstalled, and even sent an unanswered help request two days ago. When it works, it's great, but I can't rely on it.

This would be 5 stars if there was a way to disable the "One minute left." warning. All of the voice prompts, except for this one, are to change what you are doing (start running, start walking, turn around and head back), so you are conditioned to change from walking to running or vice versa when you get a prompt. The one minute warning adds no value and only serves to throw off your pace at the end of the run. Everything else about the app is stellar.

This app was great. 2 years ago. Now it doesn't work without GPS (no, I don't want it to track my location, it's an app built around timing, it doesn't need that), and more importantly, the settings that are supposed to allow you to turn off its background data collection/cookies can't be turned off. Sure, the option is there, but if you opt out, exit the screen, and then come back, mysteriously all permissions have been granted again. So no. I'm not keeping this app. It's now a leach.

Like many others said, this used to be a fantastic app. I used it about a year ago and it worked quite well. Now you cannot get past workout 4 without the paid pro version. The voice announcements do not work well, they start 10-30 seconds late, they can take up to a minute or more to say their whole spiel (quite delayed between words), and some announcements don't play at all (usually the last part of message or workout end). Add on to those issues the subscription based pro version being 6$us

I'm not really sure what has happened. I'm in the middle of training for another 5K after being off the circuit for about 1 year. This app has helped me beat my personal best in several 5Ks and 1 10K. I was on week 2 day 3, but when I went in today for my scheduled run, I have no runs logged now it only allows for 1 free week then you have to upgrade to a PRO account. Ugh! so disappointing! I have emailed the support team.

finished week 1 and so far the app is great. I didn't hesitate to subscribe as it wasn't expensive. $15 for a year is amazing WITH 2 week trial! one flaw (or maybe something I'm not seeing) is lack of option to connect your watch or any tracker. the distance calculated on the app vs the phone are off typically by a quarter mile or so. I do enjoy it mainly for being simple and intuitive to beginners. hoping to finish the c25k and jump into the bigger runs. Great work!

Worth the price of the subscription just for the DJ curated playlists! I first used the app in 2018 and did get to the point of running a regular 5k distance. I've since fallen off my regular running habit so I just downloaded it again to get back into it. Great program and app! Encouragement for first time runners: it took me about 13 weeks to get through it the first time. Progress at your own pace. You'll get there!

Paid for weeks 3-9 as a one time purchase a while ago. Guess that's money wasted because they've switched to a subscription model and don't respect their past sales and obligations. Purchase means purchase, you don't get to revoke access to something I've paid for just because you aren't making enough money. Edit in light of their response: subscriptions add value to their bottom line, not customers. They saw an opportunity to extract wealth from you, the customer, not to improve their services

My previous rating was 5 stars, it functioned well as a free timer for simple run/walk intervals to help you get back into shape. now you have to pay for a subscription past the first four days. I don't want a subscription with whatever other "upgrades" exist. i was okay with hearing an ad or two in exchange for an easy to follow run schedule. If I wanted to pay for fitness I would have paid to join a gym. I'll be switching to a free running app in the future