An ode to Strava

From the lawful good of a "kudos" to the chaotic good of the Local Legend, Strava is a favorite for a reason.

My dad, an avid mountain biker, introduced me to Strava in 2016 when I was fresh out of college. I was broke, unmoored, and contending with life sans collegiate running. My dad recommended it to help me stay motivated and train for a race or two. Little did I know, this app would transform my exercise habits and perspective on social fitness.

Back then, Strava prioritized two-wheel pursuits—most of its core users were cyclists. It felt like I was the sole runner using the platform. While the app lacked the interaction of a robust running community, it was accessible, and I used it instead of my old running journal. It was hard transitioning from running with a team to running by myself. Over time, Strava provided a "digital team" to help fill the void.

S/O to my 4 followers, lol.

My experience with Strava reflects its remarkable growth. What began as a niche cyclists' platform has become a global fitness phenomenon. By 2023, Strava had 120 million users, adding two million more each month. But this growth isn't just about numbers—it's about connection.

Strava's "Year In Sport: The Trend Report" shows social connection is the main reason for exercising across generations. For example, 77% of Gen Z athletes feel more connected when they see their community's activities on Strava. The report also reveals interesting generational differences. Gen Z is 29% more likely than Millennials to work out with others, driven not just by health concerns but also by competition and athletic performance goals.

With over 10 billion shared activities, Strava's data offers insights into exercise trends. It shows how factors like pet ownership motivate people and how work demands can prevent staying active.

Of course, with social fitness comes the potential for unhealthy competition and comparison. After years of feeling ashamed for how competitive I can be, I now see competitiveness as healthy play. Competitiveness can be good. Instead of thinking, "I can beat them," I now think, "If they can do it, why can't I?". Comparison often leads to negative feelings and can be challenging on any platform. But it doesn't have to be that way. With a simple shift in perspective, we can reframe comparison as a tool for growth.

My weekly mileage is starting to look like this, ngl.

One of Strava's strengths is its inclusivity. While the app first focused on cycling, it now tracks almost any physical activity, from races to neighborhood walks. You can log your training run one day and your backcountry skiing the next. You can record activities like yoga or doing chores at home. Users can celebrate all kinds of movement without judgment.

At its core, Strava is fun. It's a place where people don't take themselves too seriously. In one place, I can see my old teammates killing their workouts, or I can discover new routes. It provides an engaging way to track my progress and find inspiration to keep lacing up.

Strava has come a long way since I started using it in 2016. It's more than an app—it's a motivational tool, a source of inspiration, and a digital community. As Strava continues to grow and evolve, it's shaping both individual fitness journeys and our collective understanding of an active, connected life.

If you use Strava, what activities do you track? Do you find it helpful or demotivating? And, of course, here is the requisite follow me on Strava. 😎

You can't take Strava too seriously.

1. I'm still thinking about this recent episode from the podcast Vibe Check. As someone who works in higher education, I completely agree with Sam and Saeed’s take on the anti-war protests.

2. FRESH MANGOS are the most refreshing snack, hands down.

3. I finally bit the bullet and bought these flats from Freda Salvador. They were sitting in my bookmarks for WEEKS.

4. I just started the Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas. Fantasy has been my favorite genre since I was a kid, so my inner child is pleased!

Thanks for reading, and see you soon!