Reviews for Couch to 5K®

I have not run in many years, but running consistently the last 6 weeks have made me realise how much I miss running. This would be a really good app if you could figure out the GPS tracking issue. I am in week 6 and for the last 3 weeks it has been more like a Couch to GuessK as I have to guess how far I ran and walked after most of the runs. I know it's not my phone as I can open maps directly after my run and it knows my exact location...that and other people seem to have the same problem. Even if there is a warning signal that can tell you that GPS has stopped working. Anyway, I have no idea how far I ran lately, but I am running in the allotted times and am doing good with that. If this is an issue after I have reached 5km, I will probably just uninstall the app (which I paid for) and use another app to track my running. It really is disappointing not to be able to log progress.

Don't spend $5 on this. It was $1.99 when I bought it a decade ago, and it really hasn't been updated much. The GPS is still broken. The in built music player wasn't even much use in 2013 when I was playing my own mp3s. Now there's a new bug where the only thing it really needs to do and had for 10 years done well enough no longer works. It missed half the slow down and speed up cues.

I do not like running and honestly, I may never like running, so getting to a 5k isn't remotely of interest to me. I DO want to feel healthier though. I'm only a week in (3 determined shuffle-jogs I'm mightly proud of) and super impressed by how well-timed and paced this app is for a couchy like me. Add some Spotify soundtracks, some YouTube tips on how to hold my body, because the wrong position makes it harder... and I'm genuinely enjoying it. Previously, I'd burn out or hurt myself early in and lose motivation. I'm shocked I've been able to make it through the 1/2 hour, sweating and breathing hard, without being exhausted; it's just challenging and rewarding enough that I want to do it again in a day or two, and I haven't overdone so I'm able to. Really impressed with this simple app. Thank you!

If you have never jogged before I'm not sure this will automatically get you to a 5k. It will get you going. The app often closes itself while in the middle of my run and there is no way to retrieve the progress I had already attained for that run. It also wont let you enter anything orher than distance if you run on the treadmill (or if it shuts down mid run). I know its cheap but i still dont think it was worth paying for.

Not a bad app before, but recently, the distance tracker is not working. Says I went 0.3 miles in 30 minutes cause the app did not track my run. And since this app is meant to track running, seems like it is failing at its only job. I have been messing with the settings to see if I can fix it, but nothing has solved this issue. Would be bad enough if it was a free app, but if you pay for it and it is not doing its only job, seems like a waste of money.

So I don't know if there are different programs available within the app, I can't find an option for that, but I would not call this COUCH to 5k. I kept getting horrible shin splints by following this program, taking several weeks off, starting over, repeat. I finally looked into the interval timing, and I would not call the jump into week 4 approachable for those who have never done this type of exercise. I am going to have to create my own program, or find one that's ACTUALLY for newbies.

At its core, it does what I want. Annoyingly, the app contains 'personal trainers' you CANNOT get rid of, though you can mute them they still have noises they play at the beginning and end of your workout, this includes turning their volume to 0% and hitting the 'mute trainer' option. Other than those nuisances, the app seems to track distance pretty accurately and gets calories in the right ballpark for runs (though it feels way too optimistic for walks). I'd say it's solid.

This is a good app for people who are just starting or getting back into running. I mostly use it for treadmill running, however, when I take it outside and enable the GPS function, it's always inaccurate. I run it with my Fitbit GPS and I always end up with significantly different results. If it were more accurate, I'd rate it better.

The GPS is off, often giving me less than half the distance. It really is only guaranteed to work if you run one way in a straight line. When the GPS works, the distance split is often wrong. You get correct paces and total distance but the distance for running/walking is wrong. Which means they messed up the math. They added a bunch of useless junk you can't avoid and the app feels less worth it as a result of the updates. I'll finish the app then move to a general app for running.

very fun, makes me look forward to working out! Edit: I made it to the 9 weeks. I can run for 30 mins nonstop. I'm proud of myself, but frustrated that this app cannot accurately track my distance. it says I'm cutting across the block, makes weird shapes that I definitely didnt run. So I cant tell if I'm actually doing 5k's or not... which is this app's primary function... but none the less, I will not undermine the massive progress I've made. Good app.

Good app but not really worth paying for. I was excited to pick my trainer until I realized that they're really all the same, just different voices saying "walk" and "run". Was expecting some personality and more motivating dialogue I guess. Overall, I'm using it and it works fine but there isn't really anything to it that you can't find in a free version.

The distance tracking doesn't work consistently, sometimes it seems to track the whole run, sometimes it stops almost right away, sometimes it's somewhere in between. This means most of the other stats it provides are useless as well. I do like that all the workouts are pre-programmed and that I can play music and the prompts will still play and are loud enough I don't miss them.

Easy to use app. I like that it tracks the run or you can manually enter mileage if you're using a treadmill. There's no music but I use other apps for that and can still hear the running cues. Sometimes I wish there was more feedback or encouragement during the workout, but overall it's good. There is definitely potential to build on the established characters.

Review from 2019: Great timer with audio cues. Decent Playlist editor so I can have a soundtrack for my run. Update 2023: playlist is non-existent, no longer plays music. My ancient earbuds went into battery saver(?) during my run and the prompts are short enough that by the time the earbuds were back broadcasting sound they missed the "Jog!" etc prompts. I haven't figured out how to integrate with a separate music player.

I am very pleased with this app! I would rate it higher than 5 stars if I could. It has really built my endurance! The best "trainer" is Johnny Dead. His comments are hilarious! The GPS might be off a little, but I like the fact that it does map my route. And you can also play your music along with the app running-that is a plus!

My main complaint is the GPS distance tracking is garbage. if you dont stay exactly on a road (no trails) or if you turn around at all it's ridiculously inaccurate. I expected more from a pay app! Updating as I tried running in a circle on roads assuming the GPS would improve. It did not and cut 1/3 of my run out. All this app does well is keep track of time and chime in on when to walk/run. Waste of money. Go with a free app or find one that works.

I've been using this app (off and on) for years now. I originally purchased the full app for .99 cents and it was worth all 99 pennies. It's simple to use, especially with a music app - the music will lower slightly during run/walk/warm up/cool down prompts and then return. You don't have to keep it open in order for it to track you (just run it in the background) and the coach characters are great. My absolute favorite character is Johnny the Zombie. He's both encouraging and hilarious. A+ app!

Can't believe they charge for this app. It's so glitchy. -App will start workouts over seemingly randomly. Sometimes deletes the data. Sometimes saves it. So disheartening. -Voice doesn't always play, so you might miss instructions to walk or run. From previous review: It's disturbing how the company wants your data! It turned my first and last name into my username and I had to enter a home address to create an account to change my username.

I couldn't be more unhappy that this is now REQUIRING location/ gps all the time. I run on a treadmill, I don't need mapping. This used to be a feature you could turn off. Couple that with having to remain logged out because even after pressing no repeatedly it keeps asking to sync old workouts. I'm going to be looking into other less annoying options.

This app definitely provides what it promises, however, it could do a better job in a couple of ways. 1. too much flashy glitz. really unnecessary when I only look at the screen for 30 seconds each workout. 2. no Android watch integration. maybe a countdown of the time left on your current segment and your overall workout?. 3. on the version I'm using there is no coach countdown. like maybe a vocal prompt each minute? just some thoughts. I've had. A good app but priorities are out of whack.