How to Use Strava

Last Updated: June 25, 2021

Strava is a fitness app that allows you to record and track your running/cycling progress, join groups, and follow other athletes. You can use Strava to record routes when you go running, walking, hiking, cycling, or engage in a variety of other sports. It tracks your route, distance, time, and pace. You can then share your runs with other athletes. This wikiHow teaches you how to use Strava.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:
Getting Started

1
Download the Strava app. Strava is available from the App Store on iPhone and iPad, or the Google Play Store on Android devices. Use the following steps to download and install Strava:
- Open the App Store (iPhone) or the Google Play Store (Android).
- Tap the Search tab (iPhone and iPad only).
- Type "Strava" in the search bar.
- Tap GET or Install next to Strava.
2
Open Strava. It has an orange icon with an upside-down "V." Tap the Strava icon to open Strava.
3
Tap Sign up with email. This allows you to sign up with your email address.
- Alternatively, you can tap Continue with Facebook, Continue with Google, or Continue with Apple to sign up using your Facebook, Google, or Apple account.
4
Enter a valid email address and a password. This will be the email address and password you use to log in to Strava.
5
Tap Agree and Sign Up. It's the orange button at the bottom. This indicates that you agree to the terms and conditions and signs you up.
6
Enter your first and last name, birth date, gender, and tap Next. Enter your basic information, and then tap Next at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Yes to receive email notifications, or No to decline. If you want to receive monthly emails about your progress and promotional material, tap Yes to agree. Otherwise, tap No to decline.
7
Tap Continue. It's the orange button at the bottom.
8
Tap Start free trial to do a free trial subscription, or tap No Thanks. You don't need a subscription to Strava to use the core features, but it gives you access to planned routes, personalized challenges, a training log, heart rate data, and customized training plans, and more.
9
Tap Let's Go to start. This opens the Record page. You are now ready to record your first run.
10
Tap Yes to allow the Strava app to track your locations. In order for Strava to track your route, you must have Location Services turned on, and you must allow Strava to access your Locations.
11
Tap Allow only while using the app. This allows Strava to have access to your Locations, but only while the app is in use.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:
Recording a Route

1
Open Strava. It has an orange icon with an upside-down "V." Tap the Strava icon to open Strava.
2
Tap Record. It's the tab that has an icon that resembles a circle with a dot in the middle. It's at the bottom of the page in the center.
3
Go to the start of your run. Your location is displayed on the map. Go to the starting location of your route
- To find a pre-planned route, tap the icon that resembles two dots connected by a winding dotted line. This displays a list of saved routes (if any). Tap Routes to view categorized routes from Strava (requires a Strava subscription). Tap Segments to view nearby route segments on the map.
4
Select a sport. To select a sport, tap the icon that resembles a shoe. Then tap the sport you are about to do.
5
Tap Start. It's the orange button at the bottom. The app will start recording your progress.
6
Do the route. As you go about your workout, the app will record the route you take, your distance, time, and your pace.
7
Tap the Stop/Square button to stop. When you are finished with your route, or if you just need to stop for a break, tap the orange square button at the bottom to stop recording your route.
8
Tap Resume to continue. If you want to continue your route, tap Resume at the bottom to resume recording your route.
9
Tap Finish to end your route. This ends your routes and displays your statistics.
10
Add a title for your route. You can name it whatever you want. It can be the date, location, your activity, or anything memorable.
11
Add a photo (optional). If you have a photo from your route, tap Add a photo and then select a photo from your Gallery or Camera Roll.
- If this is your first time using the app, you may be asked to allow Strava to access your photos. Tap Allow to grant access.
12
Add a description of your route (optional). If you want to add a description for your route, type it on the line that says "Description."
13
Rate your level of exertion. Tap one of the orange lines on the bar to rate your exertion. You can rate the route anywhere from "Easy", to "Moderate", to "Max Effort."
14
Select who can see your route. To set the privacy settings for the app, tap Who can see at the bottom. Then you can select "Everyone," "Followers," or "Only you." Then tap the "X" icon in the upper-right corner to close the menu.
15
Tap Save. It's in the upper-right corner. This saves your route. To view your activities, tap your profile icon in the lower-left corner. Then tap the Activities tab at the top.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:
Joining Groups and Challenges

1
Open Strava. It has an orange icon with an upside-down "V." Tap the Strava icon to open Strava.
2
Tap Groups. It's the icon with four dots at the bottom of the screen.
3
Tap the Active or Challenges tab. This displays a list of challenges.
4
Tap a challenge that looks interesting. Challenges display a brief description and a date when active.
5
Tap Join. It's the orange button at the bottom of the screen. A checkmark will appear indicating that you have joined the challenge.
6
Tap the Clubs tab. This displays a list of clubs you can join.
7
Tap a club that looks interesting. This displays the group's information page.
8
Tap Join. It's the orange button below the group banner and title. This adds you to the group.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:
Following and Inviting Friends

1
Open Strava. It has an orange icon with an upside-down "V." Tap the Strava icon to open Strava.
2
Tap the icon that resembles two people. It's in the upper-right corner of the app.
3
Tap Suggested, Facebook, or Contacts. These are the three tabs at the top. They allow you to view suggested friends to follow, Facebook friends you can follow, or people from your Contacts that you can follow.
4
Tap Follow at the bottom. This sends a follow request to your friend. If they accept, you will be following your friend.
5
Tap Invite Friends. It's the orange button at the bottom of the screen. This allows you to send an invitation to other people to join you on Strava.
6
Select a Share method. Tap whichever app you want to send an invitation through. You can send an invitation via text message or email, direct message, or you can post an invitation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Whatsapp, or whatever.
7
Post your message or tap Send. Tap the icon to send the email or text message, or tap Send next to the name of a Facebook/Twitter/Instagram contact to send them a premade invitation with a link to the Strava app.