With the latest release on Android, BlackBerry 10 and iPhone app, we are offering our users a few new features, which make working out more fun and social. It is now possible to tag friends you’ve done a workout with, add photos and a status message right from the app after the workout is finished. Photos can be chosen from those taken during the workout or taken at the point of adding. There is also an option to share this “enhanced” workout on Facebook, since a lot of Endomondo users like to flash their workouts on this social network. (If you cannot see this screen on your iPhone, access your Workout Settings and enable Social Content).

After you shared this workout on Facebook, it will contain the same tags, photos and status message as added from the Endomondo app. These tags, photos and status message are naturally also visible in the news feed at endomondo.com, as well as in the workout summary in the app. Users can also add social content from the website.

If you have Automatic sharing to Facebook enabled, the workout will be shared when you hit Stop. But in this case, it will not be highlighted on your timeline, but only showed in newsfeed as now, even though you tag friends and add pictures and comments. If you would like your workout to be highlighted on your Facebook Timeline, you have to disable auto-sharing to Facebook and share a workout while adding the social content. We are in a continuous dialogue with Facebook to make the sharing feature work better in the future.

This one goes to you, dear BlackBerry 10 users…we are excited to announce that our Endomondo app is now available for download from BlackBerry World.

The app currently works on BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 and we plan to support future BlackBerry 10 phones as they become available.

The free version of Endomondo contains all the most popular features: real-time GPS tracking for multiple physical activities, a history of workouts, route mapping, ability to deliver peptalks to friends exercising, access to the growing Endomondo social community, challenges and much more. A full BlackBerry 10 feature list is available here.

The app is a ported version and on par with Endomondo for iOS and Android. We know that some of you had hoped for a native BlackBerry 10 app. But as we have spent several years on developing our Android and iPhone apps, we decided to go with a ported Android version for BlackBerry 10 in order to offer you a full Endomondo experience instead of starting just with a basic tracker for BlackBerry 10.

BlackBerry 10 users wishing to access more advanced functionality have the option of upgrading to Endomondo Premium which is a subscription solution based on monthly or yearly payments. Premium offers more than 10 additional features that include: interval training, workout graphs within the mobile app, beat yourself challenges, weather information, and a great deal more. The current Endomondo Premium subscription rate is only $2.99/month or $19.99/yr. Please note that heart rate features are currently not supported by BlackBerry 10 app.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 15, 2013 – In response to millions of clamoring fitness fans all over the world, the very popular Endomondo Sports Tracker mobile app has been made available for download from BlackBerry World to service the BlackBerry 10 operating system.

The free version of Endomondo Sports Tracker contains all the most popular features: real-time GPS tracking for multiple physical activities, a history of workouts, route mapping, ability to deliver pep talks to friends exercising, access to the growing Endomondo social community, and much more.  The app is a ported version and on par with Endomondo for iOS and Android, excluding heart rate monitor integration at this time.

BlackBerry 10 users wishing to access more advanced functionality have the option of upgrading to Endomondo Premium which is a subscription solution based on monthly or yearly payments. Premium offers more than 10 additional features that include: interval training, workout graphs within the mobile app, beat yourself challenges, weather information, and a great deal more. The current Endomondo Premium subscription rate is only $2.99/month or $19.99/yr.

Endomondo Co-Founder Mette Lykke said the decision to make the Endomondo Sports Tracker app available on BlackBerry 10 is a direct result of feedback from users.  She noted that the BlackBerry community has been very, very vocal.

“We’ve seen a growing number of blog posts and emails from our community both pleading and demanding that Endomondo produce an app for the burgeoning BlackBerry 10 audience,” Lykke said.  “We appreciate the feedback and we hope our users will enjoy this first iteration of Endomondo for BlackBerry 10 while we explore options for further app development.” A full BlackBerry 10 feature list is available at http://www.endomondo.com/features.

About Endomondo:

With more than 15 million users joining since launch in 2008, Endomondo remains a highly rated, free mobile app that turns GPS-enabled smartphones into a personal trainer and social motivator capable of tracking workouts, analyzing performance, and can aid in the discovery of new activities and insights into fitness so people become and stay active. Endomondo stands apart from other activity tracking apps in its strong focus on social interaction; and helps users connect with like-minded people and encourages the sharing of experiences and support in achieving collective goals. Users can send friends real-time pep talks while they exercise, compete against friends for fun, challenge co-workers, and share it all on Facebook, Twitter or across the Endomondo social network.

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Media Contacts:

Jim Llewellyn, for Endomondo

JimL@Comunicano.com, 323.810.7685

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 23, 2013 – To learn if people followed through on New Year’s workout resolutions and if exercise continued during colder months, developers of the Endomondo Sports Tracker mobile app and social fitness network looked at user activity from Dec. 2012 through the third week of March 2013. While usage dropped in many countries, the percent decrease was noteworthy, as well as the fact that some regions actually boosted exercise beyond the first half of January.

Countries that showed increased physical activity at the beginning of the year included the United States (+15 percent), Spain (+21 percent), and Norway (+10 percent).  Countries showing decreased exercise included the Netherlands (-22 percent), France (-19 percent), Denmark (-18 percent), Germany (-16 percent), Sweden (-15 percent), and the United Kingdom (-14 percent).  As February began, many countries countered the negative trend with only users in Denmark, Germany, France and the United Kingdom still showing a decrease in physical pursuits.

As a baseline, Endomondo selected the week of Dec. 11, 2012, to begin reviewing workouts tracked.  In December, a traditional uptrend was witnessed that correlates with people receiving mobile devices as holiday gifts and exploring ways to use new gadgets, along with those deploying technology for fitness resolutions.  Unanticipated were results showing a nearly 100 percent activity jump in certain countries.  But to no surprise, apathy set in and usage dropped. However, the decrease was not what was expected, and some countries viewed as lethargic actually continued activity growth.

Mette Lykke, an Endomondo co-founder, found the results interesting.  First, she noted winter weather was not necessarily a determining factor in user activity.  Second, some countries conventionally considered physically vigorous decreased workout activity while others not associated with a fit lifestyle increased exercise.  Knowing that seasonal, social and economic factors could impact results in a myriad of ways, Endomondo is considering partnerships with universities or health/fitness organizations for further study.

“This was the first time Endomondo analyzed usage focusing on New Year’s resolutions,” Lykke said.  “Endomondo will continue similar analysis annually in hopes of finding ways to better support users.”

The Endomondo New Year’s 2013 Statistical Report and additional background can be found at http://blog.endomondo.com/press/.

Facts displayed above can be downloaded here.

About Endomondo:

With nearly 15 million users joining since launch in 2008, Endomondo remains a highly rated, free mobile app turning GPS-enabled smartphones into personal trainers and social motivators capable of tracking workouts and analyzing performance. Endomondo stands apart from other activity tracking apps in its strong focus on social interaction that helps users connect with like-minded people and encourages support in achieving collective goals. Users can send friends real-time pep talks while they exercise, compete against one another, and share it all across social networks.

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Media Contact:

Jim Llewellyn, for Endomondo

JimL@Comunicano.com, 323.810.7685

The National Bike Challenge is back for summer 2013! Join more than 50,000 Americans as we unite to ride more than 20 million miles in communities nationwide. Challenge yourself with this free program to ride more for transportation, fitness and recreation. Ride solo, create a team, or pedal as part of your workplace to get healthier, have fun, and become part of a national online community. Plus, every month you’ll be eligible to win great raffle prizes!

Visit www.nationalbikechallenge.org to join (open to U.S. residents or people who work at companies with US employees). With the buzz of Bike Month and local bicycling advocacy organizations sponsoring local commuter competitions, the Challenge is a great way to get connected to other bike-friendly — and bike-curious — folks in your community and across the country. Log your mileage online and get in the running for great raffle prizes!

Why participate in the Challenge?

Fun: Join a team, ride solo, or compete against different cities and workplaces. Challenge yourself to ride more this summer, and it’ll be a challenge to not have fun doing it!

Health: By riding to work, the grocery store, or just around the block, you’ll be burning calories with a smile on your face.

Savings: By leaving the car at home more often, you can reduce maintenance, fuel and parking expenses. Without the pain at the pump, you’ll have extra money to spend on a nice cold beverage after a summer afternoon ride.

Convenience: Nearly 50 percent of all trips in metropolitan areas are three miles or less and 28 percent are one mile or less — distances easily covered by bicycle! Even if you’re out in the country, biking to school, church, or a friends’ house can be a nice easy trip.

Celebration: Joining the Challenge is a great way to kick off National Bike Month and build relationships within your community. Make a neighborhood team, organize a ride in your town, and log those miles!

Visit www.nationalbikechallenge.org to learn more and sign up today!

All Android users can now test their fitness level with the new release 8.7.0.
The fitness test is available for running and the testing distance is either 3 km or 2 miles, depending on what units you are using.
How does it work?
When you open the workout screen and press on a workout type (basic, follow a route, interval training, etc.), there will be a new type – Running Test 3km. Select it and your choice of a sport will be automatically changed to running. Please note that if you change the sport from running while the Distance Test is selected, the workout type will be changed to Basic.
You need to complete the full distance to get a fitness score and a fitness level. So, who is up for it? Kick it into high gear and test yourself! Our iPhone users can explore this feature in the next release.

We are excited to announce our new integration partnership with EveryMove. You can now start earning points toward great rewards. How? Just by doing what you’ve already been doing – by tracking with Endomondo.

EveryMove celebrates healthy lifestyles by enabling consumers to connect devices and applications that capture their healthy activities and convert that information into rewards from brands, employers, health care providers, and even their gyms.

To get rewarded, you just need to sync your Endomondo account to EveryMove. It takes only a few moments – access your Connect Settings on endomondo.com and press Connect with EveryMove. You will be taken to EveryMove page, where you can sign up (with facebook or email address) if you don’t already have an EveryMove account. The screenshot displays the page you will see after you sign in to EveryMove. You will start earning points after you hit the green Connect button and authorize EveryMove app.

Please note that EveryMove offers only U.S.-based rewards at this time, but they’ll be adding international rewards partners in the next several months.

Check out the picture – this is how Cris Trandafir celebrated that he was able to run more than 1000 miles in a year – by tracking this symbolically shaped workout. He used to be a couch potato and credits the Endomondo community for getting an impulse to become an active person.

In his own words: “I’m so happy that I found this app and it’s working great on my phone! Running is now for me like a drug, my body is asking for more and more Endorphins! Happy to be a part of Endomondo community!”

Thank you, Chris, for sharing with us – we love seeing the power of inspiration in action.

We spotted this Easter bunny running around the office! By the way, a rabbit is a symbol for the fastest lap of your workout at Endomondo…do you have any plans to bring it on and speed it up in the spring season?

We’ve developed Endomondo to make it more fun and engaging to workout, and to help you accomplish your fitness goals. In April we’ll make this even easier for our Premium users with customized Training Plans – more info will follow soon.

Our effort to support you in your training also extends to our blog. Recently we blogged about Interval Training for Newbies, offering good pieces of advice from experts. If there is a fitness topic you would like to know more about, let us know.

When we think about you – our beloved users, we wonder if you are getting the most out of your workouts? To support you in your training, we have included the interval training feature a while back. However, we would like to encourage more of you to incorporate interval training in your workout because it simply brings results. Interval training is available for all Endomondo Premium users and PRO app users on Android and iPhone. It can be intimidating at first, especially if you’ve never done it before, but following lines from Greatist.com should give you some ideas on how to start: 

INTERVAL TRAINING FOR NEWBIES BY

Whoever said slow and steady wins the race didn’t have a full-time job, a slowing metabolism, and an endless to-do list. When it comes to staying in shape on a tight schedule, there’s no fairy tale solution, but there might just be a practical one: interval training.

Research suggests that by alternating bursts of high and low intensity activity, interval training can super-charge fat-burning, boost metabolism, and improve cardiovascular fitness. These dynamic workouts require no fancy equipment and can clock in at just 15 minutes a pop (consider how long we spend hitting the snooze button every morning). Intervals are also ideal for keeping workouts fun and varied and, since speed and resistance can be easily adjusted to meet any skill level, they’re very newbie-friendly.

Sound too good to be true? The Greatist team zipped over to Crunch Fitness — Union Square, where Master Trainer Jennifer Cassetty invited us to test three interval workouts, each tailored to fit our testers’ varying fitness levels. Read on to get some programs, takeaways, and tips on revving things up with intervals.

BEGINNER PROGRAM
[4-minute warm-up]

2-minute walk

2-minute jog

1-minute run

Repeat 3 times through

[5-minute cool-down and stretch]

What our Greatist tester, David, had to say: “I don’t run often (read: almost never), and while I enjoyed the program, I had a bit of trouble adjusting my stride to fit the different paces.” What David recommends: “Start small and work your way up. I felt great even though the runners next to me absolutely smoked my workout. It was an awesome feeling afterwards. I definitely got a good workout.”

INTERMEDIATE PROGRAM
[5-minute warm-up]

30-second walk

1-minute sprint

1-minute incline lunges on the treadmill

Repeat 6 times through

[5-minute cool-down and stretch]

What our Greatist tester, Leah, had to say: “As a distance runner, I usually just set the timer on the treadmill and go. With interval workouts, you need to pay attention to the clock the entire time, especially when the intervals are short.” But the time flew by, Leah said, and she liked being in control of her speed and incline: “It’s a great way to track your progress.”

ADVANCED PROGRAM
[5-minute warm-up]

1-minute sprint, 1-minute jog

2-minute sprint, 1-minute jog

3-minute sprint, 1-minute jog

2-minute sprint, 1-minute jog

1-minute sprint

[5-minute cool-down and stretch]

What our Greatist tester, Derek, had to say: “Interval training is fun because there’s never enough time to give up. There’s always a break coming in just a few seconds, so you can push yourself to the brink knowing there’s an opportunity to breathe (literally) afterwards.” Why keep it up? “At least for me, it’s an effective way to maximize precious gym time. Plus, when I’m done, I always feel like I’ve accomplished something instead of just slogged through it.”

TIPS FROM OUR EXPERT
Ready to give intervals a try? Consider Cassetty’s quick tips for a safe and effective run:

• Foot Action. Most sneakers are built to last up to 500 miles before the shock-absorbent foam breaks down. Keep feet happy and healthy by replacing them as often as needed (usually after about 6 months).
• Stride Right. A stride that’s too short or too long can lead to repetitive stress injury. How to know what’s just right? When running with the proper stride length, the feet should land directly underneath the body. If the body appears to bounce, take that as a sign the stride is too short.
• Mind the Incline. Hills (artificial or not) can add strain to the knees. For those attempting incline lunges, be sure to take a big enough step forward that the knee stays directly over the heel, which will minimize knee strain.
• Balancing Act. For a 5-day-a-week workout schedule, try intervals for 2 of those days and steady state cardio for the remaining 3. A balanced mix keeps the cardiovascular system working efficiently.
• Mix it up. The beauty of intervals is their built-in variety. If the above programs need a little kick, try adding a lateral shuffle (be careful when trying on the treadmill) in order to work different joints and challenge muscle memory with new movement patterns. Tired of the treadmill? Hop on a bike or an elliptical instead.
• Loosen up. High-intensity exercise demands a proper warm-up, cool-down, and post-run stretch session. Be sure to focus on the main muscle groups worked, holding each stretch for 10 to 15 seconds a side, then repeat.
• Think Big. Intervals are all about progression. Aim for a 10 percent increase each week— whether that’s increased speed, resistance, or duration. “The point is to take you out of your comfort zone, so if you don’t feel like you’re challenged, move on,” Cassetty says.
• Be committed. As with any new workout, patience is key. Some interval converts might see results as quickly as 2 weeks in, while others might need 12. Train hard and take pride in keeping track of your progress!

Greatist is the fastest-growing fitness, health and happiness media start-up. Check out more health and fitness news, tips, healthy recipes, expert opinion, and fun times at Greatist.