Verdict

If you’re looking to shift a bit of extra baggage that you may have accumulated over the festive period, but are struggling to get motivated, maybe this app for Android and iOS can scare you into doing a bit more exercise.

Zombies, Run! 5K is pretty different to your average training app. Instead of simply setting you targets to hit on a daily or weekly basis, it creates an audio adventure with you as the hero or heroine and setting you the challenge of outrunning zombies across a series of missions. The clever bit is that underlying this adventure is a proper training plan that will get you fit enough to run 5K after eight weeks of training if you follow the adventure all the way through.

The app’s work outs have been developed by the folks at Up and Running and are split over 25 training sessions, while the story has been penned by novelist Naomi Alderman.

As you run the story is played out to you via your headphones with your own music mixed in (you can choose your own playlist before a run). During your workout you’ll find out about different characters in the adventures and collect supplies, such as food and ammo, along your route. Some of the voice acting is a bit hammy in places, but the story is quite involving and certainly takes your mind off some of the slog of training.

The work outs are nicely structured and you’re given very clear guidance on when to walk, jog, run and stretch, so after a few training sessions you should notice your fitness start to improve. The app also integrates with the Zombielink online service where you can check your running stats as well as view and share running maps.

Zombies, Run! 5K is a good bet for those who are new to running or who haven’t been out pounding the pavements in a long while, as it’s quite a gentle introduction in terms of the training regime.  However, if you’re already a fairly decent runner you’d be better off with the standard Zombies, Run! app, which is a bit more expensive, but offers more demanding training routines.

The Zombies, Run! 5K app is currently on sale with 75 per cent off the Android version and 50 per cent off the iOS version, but even at full price the app is pretty good value for money.

Verdict
Zombies, Run! 5K is a lot of fun to play but it also provides a pretty good training program for those who are just starting to get into running. If you’re not a natural fitness junkie, its fun approach should help you stick with the training program, and that alone will make it worth it’s asking price for many people.

Trusted Score