The Six Best YouTube Channels for Running Training
About every five to seven months, I get the urge to “test if I like running.” I put on my sweats and best sneakers, hastily attach my apartment keys to the elastic band holding my ponytail, and optimistically set off down Manhattan’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt Drive. After a while, the results of my experiment became clear: I still hate running and remain convinced that anyone who says it gives me a “high” or “relaxes” is a Nike-sponsored liar.
However, some things really do impact my enjoyment of running, like listening to an audio guide. For example, thanks to the Peloton audio guide, I’m more likely to get on the treadmill at the gym (and stay on it), and I’m now much more likely to choose running over cycling as a cardio workout than I was before discovering this section of the Peloton app . Baby steps—or rather, baby steps.
If you share my views on running, then guided runs are the way to go. Peloton and other running apps can be expensive, so I found some great free guided channels on YouTube. The only thing better than a little help is a little free help.
Get Fit Done: For Direct Motivation
Get Fit Done is a small but powerful channel with 12,000 subscribers. Unlike many others I’ve used, it requires virtually no searching for running instructions. GFD has compiled them into a playlist .
They’re about 30 minutes long, use popular songs, and clearly guide you through the entire half hour. The narrator tells you when to speed up and when to slow down, gives a few tips, but then goes quiet so you can hear the music, which I really like. The sound quality isn’t perfect, but it’s audible. This is my favorite video because it’s simple and to-the-point, yet engaging and motivating. Bonus: the channel has other videos, like step-by-step cycling workouts . I love high-quality cycling workouts on YouTube , and these videos are just as good as my other favorites.
müüv: for technical details
If you subscribe to müüv , which has just under 4,000 subscribers, you’ll notice there’s no music or anything else. It’s purely training, which is great if you want to focus solely on running or listening to your own music (though you’ll need two devices for this, so it’s best suited for treadmill workouts).
Certified trainers will guide you through interval walks and runs of varying lengths, as well as cycling and other exercises. The goal of these workouts is not just to immerse yourself in music, but to follow a plan guided by an expert who will help you stay on track to achieve your running goals.
Running Experience: For Landscapes and Guidance
Everyone responds differently to different motivators, so while I’m not one for virtual cardio workouts set against a scenic backdrop, I know many do; scenic rides on Peloton are incredibly popular. You can replicate this experience with running by following The Run Experience , where coaches will guide you through scenic locations, offering tips, advice, and motivation along the way.
With nearly 700,000 subscribers, this is one of the most popular I’ve found. Overall, these videos are probably best watched on an iPad while running on a treadmill to help you focus on what’s happening. But even if you’re running on your phone while running on the pavement, you’ll still benefit from having intervals led by a running coach.
EatMoveRest: For Great Performance
Do you need amazing video results and top-notch sound quality to deliver useful fitness information? No, but the videos are good, which is why I like EatMoveRest . The guided runs are designed for a treadmill, but they can be done outdoors as well. The video and sound are clear, so you can hear and see exactly what you need to do. With 174,000 subscribers, this channel is very versatile. You’ll find a variety of workouts, recipes, and nutrition tips, as well as family vlogs, if that’s your thing.
Virtual Running Videos: For Clean Landscapes
Maybe you don’t need any instructions, words, or music. Maybe you just want to switch off and imagine yourself on a mountainside or jogging by a river, when in reality you’re in a crowded gym. If this sounds like you, I recommend Virtual Running Videos , an aptly named channel with just under 100,000 subscribers.
They typically last between 45 minutes and an hour, but you can do it for as long as you like, as there are no interval guidelines or anything like that. You can exercise at your own pace, which can be ideal if you’re just starting out or planning an active rest day.
IBX Running: For fast strikes
Many of the channels listed above offer 30- or 45-minute runs, but what if you only have a few minutes or just want to warm up before other exercises? IBX Running , with nearly 60,000 subscribers, can help.
This channel has it all: beginner videos, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs, endurance runs, and more, all offered in a variety of lengths. Why not hop on the treadmill and try a 10-minute HIIT run? Longer runs are also available if you want or need them, making it a great choice.