Strava Acquires Breakaway | Latest Fitness App News

Strava Expands Training Capabilities with Recent Acquisitions

Strava, the prominent social fitness application, has recently completed two acquisitions within the past month. The company announced the purchase of cycling application The Breakaway on Thursday, following its earlier acquisition of Runna last month.

Personalized Training Plans

The Breakaway, which originated from the Y Combinator Summer 2021 program, leverages artificial intelligence to generate individualized training schedules for cyclists aiming to achieve specific performance objectives. Runna, a U.K.-based application supported by JamJar, offers a comparable service, but is specifically designed for runners.

These acquisitions clearly demonstrate Strava’s growing focus on providing training plan tools to its user base.

Strava's Social Fitness Platform

As a leading, high-revenue fitness app, Strava enables users to monitor their workouts and map outdoor running and cycling routes. It distinguishes itself through its social features, allowing users to view the exercise activities of their connections – including location, timing, and performance data.

It’s important to note that Strava is publicly accessible by default, so users should verify their privacy settings to avoid unintentional data sharing.

The Importance of Strava’s API

Strava’s public Application Programming Interface (API) is a crucial resource for dedicated users who wish to customize their interaction with their fitness data. According to Strava CEO Michael Martin, hundreds of different training applications are currently integrated with Strava through this API.

While Runna and The Breakaway were selected for their quality, some users may still favor alternative third-party applications for workout planning. Athletes generally resist disruptions to established routines.

However, the company has provided assurances that it has no intention of discontinuing its open API access.

Integration Plans and Future Outlook

Strava has not yet detailed how, or if, the functionalities of Runna and The Breakaway will be incorporated into the main Strava application. Martin stated that Runna will continue to operate as a separate application, suggesting a similar approach may be adopted for The Breakaway.

“There are numerous possibilities to improve the user experience,” Martin commented following the Runna acquisition. “Consider the process of runners planning routes within Strava, training with Runna, and then sharing their results back to Strava – our goal is to streamline this process.”

Pricing Considerations

The potential impact on pricing for these enhanced services remains uncertain. Currently, an annual Strava subscription is priced around $80. Yearly subscriptions for Runna and The Breakaway are approximately $120 and $70, respectively.

However, Martin indicated last month that there are no immediate plans to alter pricing structures or restrict access to the free versions of these products.