Running is a great form of exercise, regardless of your fitness level. Getting motivated to run is a different story. Some running apps are designed for run tracking, others offer training, or make exercise a game. Nike+ Run Club blends all three to get you started and keep you moving, from your first run to your thousandth mile, and beyond.

What is Nike+ Run Club?

Nike+ Run Club (often referred to as “NRC”) is one of Nike’s free exercise apps, centered around running. It features an easy-to-understand activity log, and runs guided by professional running coaches and celebrities alike. When paired with an Apple Watch, Nike+ Run Club can track heart rate, distance, and can even offer a daily nudge to lace up and run, all while counting toward closing your rings.

Why it’s great

Nike+ Run Club’s running log is one of the most visually pleasing activity logs to shows routes (for outdoor runs), pace information, and run durations. After each run, users can also save additional data for effort, shoe tracking, and running surface. Based on various runs, you can earn in-app awards that help to encourage your progress.

In addition to run tracking, NRC also features in-app run coaching. Coaching is based on your current abilities, and is tailored to you to help you get the most out of running. Guided runs help to keep you motivated, offering encouragement to keep pushing throughout your run.

Using NRC on the Apple Watch is also a great and intuitive experience. Within the Watch app, you can choose indoor or outdoor runs, get audible distance updates, and track run stats. You can quickly see how your run is progressing without being distracted by your phone screen by using the Nike+ Run Club app on your watch. For GPS-equipped Apple Watch models,  you also get highly accurate distance and location tracking, regardless of where you train.

Additionally, NRC’s friends feed allows for some friendly competition. This is great for members of running clubs to stay motivated between events, or friends to push each other to stay active.

Who it’s for

Nike+ Run Club is great for anyone looking to shed weight or exercise through running. Apple Watch owners will find the companion Apple Watch app extra beneficial for keeping up with their run. Anybody that needs that extra push to stay running will appreciate the nudge that NRC offers with guided runs.

Bottom line: Nike+ Run Club is the best running app

Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey, or you’re an experienced marathoner, the Nike+ Run Club app is a great way to improve at running. Whether you need a personalized plan, mid-run encouragement, or a way to track your daily miles, Nike+ Run Club is arguably the best running app on iPhone and Apple Watch.

Price: Free

Download from: App Store

See more of our 50 Essential iOS Apps

Want more essential iOS app reviews? Check out our ongoing series, 50 Essential iOS Apps.