I tried the Joggo running app for the first time — here's what happened (2024)

I tried the Joggo running app for the first time — here's what happened (1)

Whether you’re training for your first 5K, or looking to get in shape and lose weight by running, it can be tricky knowing where to start. With hundreds of running apps available to download at the click of a button, working out which one is right for you can be as tricky as choosing a new pair of running shoes. As a fitness editor and marathon runner, I’ve tried most of the best running apps on the market, so was keen to put Joggo, a running app that creates personalized plans for users, to the test. Read on to find out more.

Joggo was founded in 2021 by Chris Zibutis, a former Ironman competitor. The app aims to help users reach their running and weight loss goals by offering personalized running plans and strength workouts. The app tracks your progress and adjusts every couple of weeks to keep up with your current fitness levels. There’s also nutrition information and meal plans on the app to help you make healthier decisions.

To find out more, I clicked download on the app. The first thing to note is that Joggo doesn’t list its subscription costs on its website — 2-month running plan: $3.80 per week ($33 for the whole 2 months), 4-month running plan: $3.05 per week ($46 for the whole 4 months), 6-month running plan: $2.53 per week ($66 for the whole 6 months). Either way, it's cheaper than hiring a personal trainer and paying for a gym membership.

Here’s what I noticed after running with the app for two weeks:

The app felt personalized to me

One of the things you’re paying for with Joggo, compared to other generic running apps, is a plan designed to fit around you, your current fitness levels, and your overall goals. If you’re just starting, a plan that has you running five days a week might be too much or too tricky to fit into your schedule. When you first download Joggo, you’ll be asked to fill in a survey — this might feel like an extra step, but it’s super important, so be sure to take some time filling it out.

As well as asking you for the basics, including your current running level, height, weight, age, and gender, Joggo will check your preferred workout time, how many days a week you can commit to running, and which days work best for you. I’m a morning runner, and I struggle to fit runs in on days when I have to commute to the Tom’s Guide office, so I was able to tailor my schedule to my diary. It’s also super-easy to reschedule sessions once you have your weekly plan, so your kid’s dance recital doesn’t have to mean you’ve missed your session entirely.

Joggo gives your training plan a level — Level 1 starts with walking, assuming you can walk at a fast pace of 100 steps per minute for 10 minutes. Level 14 is named ‘Pro’ and assumes you can easily run more than 6 miles and are looking to get faster. Each session includes a warm-up and a cool-down, so you can be sure you’re looking after your muscles and avoiding injury.

It was easy to switch between outdoor and indoor sessions

If you’re someone who alternates between running outside and heading to the gym to run on the treadmill, as I do, you’ll be as impressed as I was with the ease with which you can switch your sessions to indoor or outdoor. Regardless of where you’re running, the Joggo app gives you audio prompts during your workout, telling you how long you have left in your segment, and when you’re about to begin a new one. If you’re heading for an easy session and would prefer to get lost in your playlist or audiobook, you can switch these off.

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I tried the Joggo running app for the first time — here's what happened (2)

I enjoyed the strength training element

As a runner, I’m pretty lazy when it comes to strength training, however, I know how important when it comes to avoiding injuries and correcting imbalances. I enjoyed the strength training sessions on my Joggo plan, which were mainly quick bodyweight workouts I didn’t have to head to the gym to complete. There were really simple instructional videos and a written description of each exercise, which is helpful if you’re a complete beginner and want to ensure you’re moving with good form.

The app synced to my Apple Watch seamlessly

If you own one of the best Apple Watches on the market, you’ll be able to seamlessly sync your app to your Apple Watch and follow your runs from your wrist. At the time of writing, Joggo only connects to Apple, so if you’re using a different device, you’ll have to use the app on your phone instead, but I found it handy having the option to view my plan from my wrist.

The meal plan surprised me

You’ve probably heard the expression ‘abs are made in the kitchen’, and sadly, it’s true. While this isn’t to say you can’t have the odd treat if you are serious about your weight-loss goals, you’ll need to ensure that you’re in a calorie deficit — in other words, you’re burning more calories than you consume.

While weight loss isn’t a personal goal for me right now, I was impressed with the meal-planning element of the Joggo app, which helped me make healthier choices throughout the day. I was able to tell the app I follow a gluten-free, vegetarian diet, and I particularly loved the bean and vegetable salad, which had an excellent 26g of protein, and will continue to be an easy lunch staple.

Two weeks later, I had completed all of the workouts on my plan and loved how motivating the app was to follow. If you’re struggling to get started, often a training plan can make all the difference — it takes some of the stress out of planning your workouts and prevents you from doing too much too soon, and burning out or getting injured. Whatever your 2024 running goals are, Joggo is a good place to start.

I tried the Joggo running app for the first time — here's what happened (3)

Jane McGuire

Fitness editor

Jane McGuire is Tom's Guide's Fitness editor, which means she looks after everything fitness related - from running gear to yoga mats. An avid runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fitness products for the past five years, so knows what to look for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets big enough for your smartphone. When she's not pounding the pavements, you'll find Jane striding round the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy.

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    I tried the Joggo running app for the first time — here's what happened (2024)

    FAQs

    I tried the Joggo running app for the first time — here's what happened? ›

    The app felt personalized to me

    Is the Joggo app worth the money? ›

    But compared to other subscription weight loss platforms we've tested, including Weight Watchers and Noom, Joggo offers great value at a relatively low cost because it provides meal guidance and fitness education when others just offer the nutritional component for a similar price (or higher).

    What is Joggo's running plan? ›

    Joggo at a Glance

    Running plan quality: Joggo provides daily workout plans incorporating varied audio-guided running workouts tailored to your current fitness level, including warmups and cool-downs, as well as strength-training tips. Workout plans are updated every two weeks based on your progress.

    How much does Joggo cost per month? ›

    At about $33 per month, Joggo essentially gives you a running coach and a plan to follow at a reasonable price point. Runners who want more variety or a structured routine can utilize Joggo to get more out of their training.

    Does Joggo have guided runs? ›

    Joggo acts as a digital running coach for new runners, providing customized plans to guide your runs. To start, the app has you answer questions about your fitness level and running goals. It uses this information to create a targeted running program for you.

    Does Joggo actually refund? ›

    Any Goods that you wish to return must be in the original packaging and unopened, in a condition fit for resale. If the Goods to be returned do not meet these conditions, we will be unable to offer a refund. If you decide to return the order, you must inform us at hello@joggo.run ;before you return it to our warehouse.

    Is Joggo easy to cancel? ›

    In our experience, Joggo is easy to cancel through your smartphone app settings.

    What is the best free running app for beginners? ›

    The 11 Best Free Running Apps For Beginners In 2022
    1. Strava. An error occurred. ...
    2. NHS Couch to 5k. NHS. ...
    3. Adidas Running by Runtastic. An error occurred. ...
    4. Map My Run by Under Armour. KevTheTrainer. ...
    5. Nike Run Club. An error occurred. ...
    6. Asics Runkeeper. Available on: iOS/Android. ...
    7. Pacer. An error occurred. ...
    8. RunGo. Available on: iOS/Android.
    Mar 8, 2022

    Is Joggo good for a treadmill? ›

    Joggo is a running app for beginners and pros alike – great for both outdoor and treadmill training. With a personalized running program, custom meal plan, and a convenient running tracker, you can reach your fitness and weight loss goals in a way that works for you.

    How do I lose weight by running? ›

    How Can Running Help You Lose Weight? Running is a type of cardiovascular training, which means it gets your heart rate up and keeps it high for a given period of time. Running can burn up to 671 calories in 30 minutes if the right conditions are met.

    What is the best running program for weight loss? ›

    You should run at a submaximal sprint (about 85-90% of your maximum sprint). Fast, but not full gas. This is followed by a recovery phase consisting of 40 seconds of slow walking. Repeat this cycle for 20 minutes, or in other words, a total of 20 intervals.

    Who is the best running app? ›

    There's a reason that Strava is our main pick: Strava isn't just an app for runners, it's an app for athletes. It offers a leaderboard that's populated by marathon winners and Olympians.

    Which running machine is best for weight loss? ›

    An elliptical machine works out both the upper and the lower body, burning around 500 calories an hour. Even so, you can burn more calories if you increase resistance. The best thing about ellipticals is that they allow you to run with minimal impact on your joints.

    How do I cancel my Joggo run? ›

    Subscription purchased via joggo. run
    1. Open the Joggo app.
    2. Navigate to the Me section at the bottom menu.
    3. Click the Settings (gear) icon at the top.
    4. Tap Subscription > Cancel.
    5. Follow the instructions in the app to finalize the cancellation.

    Can I run in one place to lose weight? ›

    Running in place can be a convenient and effective cardio workout. It may not be as effective as standard running,but running in place can burn calories, work your core and lower-body muscles, and strengthen your heart. Beginners can start with 5 to 10 minutes of running in place.

    What is the best free running app for iPhone? ›

    Best Free Running Apps for iOS & Android
    • Runkeeper. One of the first running apps on the scene, Runkeeper is a straight-forward easy to use app that tracks your pace, distance, calories burned, time and more. ...
    • Run with Map My Run. ...
    • Adidas Running App by Runtastic. ...
    • Nike Run Club. ...
    • Strava Running and Cycling. ...
    • Couch to 5K.

    Will going on runs help me lose weight? ›

    Running is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss. It burns a lot of calories, may help you continue to burn calories long after a workout, may help suppress appetite and targets harmful belly fat. What's more, running has many other benefits for your health and is simple to begin.

    What app do most runners use? ›

    Run towards optimal health and fitness with the 6 best running apps
    1. Strava: Best app for detailed tracking and community aspect. ...
    2. MapMyRun: Best app for precise route planning. ...
    3. Nike Run Club: Best app for quality coaching. ...
    4. Garmin Connect: Best app for training your body for efficient running.

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