Web/Mobile App Critique

 Strava App Review

Strava is a popular mobile app designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to track and share their workouts. I personally use Strava to monitor my runs, connect with friends across the world, and stay accountable to my training goals. The app combines fitness tracking with a strong community element, which makes it unique compared to other running and cycling apps. For this review, I will evaluate Strava’s usability, design, and functionality, followed by three recommendations to improve the overall user experience.

Usability
Strava’s usability is one of its strongest features. The app offers an intuitive interface where users can easily start an activity with a single tap. It automatically uses GPS tracking to record pace, distance, elevation, and time, which eliminates the need for additional input during a workout. Post-workout summaries are clear and easy to interpret, with metrics presented in both numerical and graphical formats. The integration with wearable devices such as Garmin watches or Apple Watches further improves usability, allowing athletes to sync data without manual effort. Overall, the app is accessible to beginners while still offering advanced features for seasoned athletes.

Design
The app’s design is clean, modern, and visually engaging. Strava uses bold colors, simple icons, and clear navigation menus to guide users through its features. The home feed resembles a social media timeline where users can view their friends’ activities, give “kudos” (likes), and comment. This design fosters a sense of connection and motivation within the fitness community. Strava also allows for goal-setting and progress-tracking through well-organized graphs and achievement badges. However, the design can sometimes feel cluttered, especially when advertisements for Strava Premium features interrupt the user flow.

Functionality
Functionally, Strava offers a robust set of tools. It tracks running, cycling, swimming, hiking, and many other sports. One of its standout features is the “segments” system, where users can compare their performance against others on specific routes or stretches of a run. This gamifies workouts and creates a sense of friendly competition. Strava also integrates with third-party platforms like Fitbit and Peloton, making it versatile across fitness ecosystems. That said, some of the most useful features such as detailed route planning, advanced analytics, and safety tools are locked behind a subscription, which can be limiting for users who rely only on the free version.

Recommendations for Improvement

1. Reduce Paywall Limitations: Strava should make more advanced metrics such as heart rate analysis or detailed performance trends available to free users. Strava does offer a student discount but still not a fan of pay to use features. This would help beginners access meaningful insights without needing to subscribe right away.

2. Streamline the Home Feed: While the social element is motivating, the feed can become cluttered. Offering filter options, such as viewing only running or cycling posts, would make the experience more personalized.

3. Offline Mode for Rural Areas: Many athletes run or cycle in areas with limited cell coverage. An improved offline mode that automatically syncs once internet access is restored would enhance functionality for outdoor enthusiasts.

Conclusion
Overall, Strava is an excellent app for tracking fitness and engaging with a global community of athletes. Its usability, attractive design, and versatile functionality make it one of the top choices for runners and cyclists. While there are areas for improvement, particularly around accessibility of features and feed organization, Strava remains an invaluable tool in helping users stay accountable and motivated toward their fitness goals.

References

Strava. (2025). Strava: Run, ride, hike. Strava. https://www.strava.com

Strava. (2025). Strava mobile app on Google Play. Google. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strava