When we set out to build RunKeeper, we did so with the vision that a virtual system could be created where people all over the world could congregate to help each other achieve their fitness goals and lead healthier lives.
I know from my own experience that it is often easier to achieve big, audacious goals when you are working towards them with others. This is the reason why many charities offer group runs during marathon training. It is the reason why people get better workouts during spin classes than they do riding solo on an exercise bike. And it is the reason why in-person running clubs are popping up all over the world.
At RunKeeper, we don’t believe that this kind of social accountability and motivation needs to be limited to only in-person interactions. We are pleased to be rolling out a new kind of training programs today, that we’re calling FitnessClasses. These FitnessClasses take all of the terrific content that is available in traditional running training programs (5K, 10K, half-marathon, full marathon, etc.), and repurpose them to be delivered in a new, more engaging, highly social way. This is another step towards replicating the powerful social motivation that comes from in-person interactions, virtually, using the RunKeeper platform.
Our first FitnessClasses will start in a couple of weeks, with the initial 4 being powered by content from Olympian Jeff Galloway’s Run-Walk-Run Training Series. Jeff is a world-class athlete who has trained over 200,000 people, at all different levels, from runners to walkers.
These initial four FitnessClasses are for those who have any of the following fitness goals:
· Complete your first 5K (7 weeks)
· Break a 30 minute 5K (8 weeks)
· Complete your first half marathon (24 weeks)
· Break a 2 hour 20 minute half marathon (17 weeks)
You can sign up for upcoming FitnessClasses at RunKeeper.com. Because we are partnering with world-class fitness trainers who are bring years of expertise, FitnessClasses do have a sign-up fee associated with them. Each FitnessClass is priced differently, and subscribers to RunKeeper Elite will get 50% discounts on any FitnessClasses that you participate in. Our content partners have tried to price them at significant discounts to what it would cost to benefit from their expertise in an in-person training session or class.
Once signed up, you’ll be able to follow along with the FitnessClass each day as it guides you through the program on the web, and if you are using one of our smartphone apps, through the mobile device as well. On the FitnessClass page, you’ll find a feed of activities from other FitnessClass participants, and you can help motivate/encourage each person in the FitnessClass by commenting on and ‘liking’ their training activities. You will be grouped with other RunKeeper users training for the same fitness goal at the same time. Don’t be shy, together we can help each other achieve our goals and lead healthier lives!
For more, see Tom’s snazzy video demo below:
We look forward to hearing how things go, and stay tuned for a series of improvements once we see how all of you are using FitnessClasses and get your input on where to take things from here. Also stay tuned for additional exciting FitnessClasses that will be rolling out soon.
Jason