Runna’s New Feature Adjusts Training Plans for Extreme Weather

Running app Runna released a new feature called Adapt for Heat to help users adjust training plans to local weather conditions and avoid skipping workouts during hot weather, according to reporting by CNET.

How Runna’s Adapt for Heat Feature Works

Runna found that 80% of its members skipped workouts or adjusted runs because of summer heat, prompting the release of the new capability. Launched in 2022, the run-coaching app is available for iOS and Android devices across more than 180 countries. The Adapt for Heat tool uses local weather conditions to provide a color-coded hourly forecast. This display highlights the hottest and coolest parts of the day so runners can select an optimal training window.

Hotter conditions require athletes to scale back their pace, and the assigned Runna coach adjusts target speeds accordingly. The system recalculates workouts based on the feels-like temperature, the specific training session, and its scheduled duration, building on the app’s existing personalization features. A representative for Runna did not immediately respond to a request for more details from CNET.

Managing Outdoor Exercise During Extreme Weather

Climate change brings hotter summers and wildfires, requiring athletes who enjoy running, cycling, hiking, and other outdoor activities to factor environmental changes into their routines for safety reasons. Most athletes know that exercising early in the morning or later in the day is safer during extreme weather. Additional safety measures include extra hydration, electrolytes, and proper fueling, though knowing how to adjust training intensity remains challenging.

Other fitness apps and wearables provide alternative ways to handle weather-related training adjustments. Select Garmin running watches feature heat and altitude acclimation capabilities that account for how heat and elevation affect performance. According to CNET, this Garmin feature adjusts VO2 max estimates—which measure how efficiently the body uses oxygen during intense exercise—when temperatures exceed 72 degrees. It also tracks altitude changes by comparing current conditions with data from past training sessions.

Wearables and Upcoming App Updates

Another device, the Core Body Temperature Sensor, attaches to a heart rate monitor strap to read thermal vitals in real time during training. This data shows how core body temperature responds and adapts to hot weather. Alongside the Adapt for Heat tool, Runna announced additional features scheduled for release in August. Upcoming Plans will let runners create and schedule multiple training plans simultaneously based on races throughout the year. The app is also relaunching Post-Race Recovery Plans to guide runner recovery and prevent overtraining too soon after a race. The Adapt for Heat feature is currently available in the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Runna’s Adapt for Heat feature do?

The feature allows users to adapt their training plans to local weather conditions by providing color-coded hourly forecasts and automatically adjusting target paces for hot weather.

When will Upcoming Plans and Post-Race Recovery Plans be available in Runna?

Runna plans to release the Upcoming Plans and revamped Post-Race Recovery Plans features in August.

How do Garmin watches account for hot weather?

Select Garmin watches use a heat and altitude acclimation feature that adjusts VO2 max estimates when temperatures exceed 72 degrees.