Hello followers! Today, we’re diving into some exciting news about Strava, the popular fitness app, making two bold moves in the world of athletic training.

Strava, well-loved by fitness enthusiasts, recently acquired two training apps in quick succession: The Breakaway, a cycling-focused AI-powered training planner, and last month, Runna, a UK-based running training app backed by JamJar. These acquisitions show Strava’s keen interest in offering personalized workout plans to its users and strengthening its position in the fitness tech space.

Both apps, incubated in Y Combinator’s Summer 2021 batch, utilize AI to craft tailored training routines. While Runna is intended mainly for runners, The Breakaway is geared toward cyclists. Strava is signaling a desire to provide enhanced training tools without changing its open API approach, which allows third-party developers to integrate with its platform.

Strava is more than just a tracking app; it fosters a social community where athletes can share and compare their activities. Its public API has become essential for many third-party fitness apps that customize workout experiences. Despite acquiring these new training apps, Strava reassures users that it will keep its API open, and Runna will continue to operate as a standalone app, with The Breakaway likely following suit.

CEO Michael Martin emphasizes that these acquisitions aim to streamline the training and sharing loop, making it easier for athletes to plan, train, and share their progress seamlessly. Current subscription costs around $80 annually, with premium plans for Runna and The Breakaway priced at $120 and $70 respectively. No plans are currently in place to raise prices or restrict free access.

As Strava continues to grow its ecosystem, it’s clear that their focus is on empowering athletes with advanced, personalized tools, all while maintaining a user-friendly and open platform. The future looks bright for fitness buffs who want smarter training options built right into their favorite app!