I Tried Out the New Strength Coach Feature on Strava and I’m Excited.
Strava built its reputation on running, cycling, and swimming. However, strength training has always felt like an afterthought in the app. Strava is trying to fill this gap with new guided workouts, and I spent some time with the beginner session to see how effective it is.
Strava’s New Strength Training Feature
The update adds step-by-step workouts to the app. Instead of simply tracking your completed exercises, you’ll perform each exercise with animations and track your sets and reps in real time. Tapping any exercise will provide technique recommendations, tips, and information on the specific muscle groups it targets.
After completing a workout, all data (every exercise, set, and rep) is automatically saved in the training log. The muscle map is then updated to show where your efforts were focused, allowing you to quickly determine whether you missed certain muscle groups.
This feature will be gradually rolling out to subscribers over the next few weeks, and free users will get access to a trial workout so you can try it out before deciding whether to pay for a subscription.
My experience using strength training on Strava.
I started with a beginner workout, and I want to clarify right away who it’s for: true beginners. No equipment is required, so you don’t need dumbbells, resistance bands, or a gym membership. If you’ve been strength training for years, this workout won’t be a challenge—but that’s obviously not the goal. This first workout is designed to lower the barrier to entry.
The interface is clean and easy to use. I especially liked the graphics, which made it easy to follow the action without having to pause and figure out how a particular move should look. Everything ran smoothly, with no glitches, lags, or lost progress.
I only have two real notes:
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Exercise instructions were sometimes cut short. Some written descriptions were truncated, making it impossible to view the full text, so I couldn’t always read the full technique instructions.
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Switching sides isn’t always obvious. In movements that only involve one side at a time, it wasn’t clear exactly when to switch. A simple cue or indication would be very helpful, especially for beginners who are already working through a lot of new information.
What’s next for Strava’s strength training feature?
Strava says it will add new workout series by the end of the year, expanding the feature’s capabilities beyond the first workout for beginners. The company also plans to add new ways to log strength training:
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Upload Screenshots: Take a screenshot of text data about sets and reps from a training plan or notes app and import it instantly.
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Create your own workouts: Create personalized training programs instead of relying solely on Strava workouts.
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More partner integrations: This way, strength data will automatically come from wherever you already train.
These additions could transform this tool from a mere beginner’s tool into something I’ll actually use. The real test will be whether Strava can provide the variety, progression, and range of workouts athletes need to maintain over the long term. In the meantime, if you’re new to strength training or just curious, the free trial workout is an easy way to try it out. I’ll be keeping an eye on Strava’s progress.