Sport Industry Group

Nike challenges adidas with training app launch- 8 Sep 2010 00:00:00

A retail war in the running market is set to break out between adidas and Nike after the latter launched a training app called Nike+ GPS, hot on the heels of the release of the Adidas mi-coach app last month.

Nike has labelled its new product as the first ‘Runners’ App’, engineered to operate seamlessly between GPS and an accelerometer for an accurate, motivating and entertaining runner’s tool.

The new app, which is the latest addition to the Nike+ range initially launched in 2006, allows runners to visually map every run while tracking pace, distance, time and calories burned, and includes instant feedback during and after each run, from athletes such as Paula Radcliffe and Lance Armstrong.

It also connects runners around the world to Nikeplus.com, which is the largest running community in the world, with more than three million members.

The Nike+ GPS App is available on the Apple iTunes App Store, for £1.19. 

The app allows users to map routes, including a breakdown of pace and distance at different points during a run. Runners can tap the screen during a run to see their current location.

The ‘Challenge Me’ feature on the Nike+ GPS App allows runners to challenge themselves to run farther, faster, or longer than a previous run already logged. The app will also track run history in order to personalise challenges.

Runners can wirelessly connect with Nikeplus.com after each run to instantly save the run and share it with friends via the site, Twitter, or Facebook.

In addition, they can view their progress on goals, participate in running challenges, and download coaching programmes.

They will also receive motivating messages from top athletes and celebrities when specific customised goals are achieved, challenges are won, or when a personal best is achieved.

Runners can also tap the iPhone screen to receive in-run feedback.

Since the 2006 launch of Nike+ in partnership with Apple, a variety of Nike+ enabled devices have been introduced to help runners reach their full potential including the Nike+ iPod SportKit for iPod nano and iPod touch for runners who enjoy training with music, the Nike+ SportBand for runners who prefer not to run with music, the Nike+ Heart Rate Monitor, and now the new Nike+ GPS App for use with the iPhone.