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Showing content with the highest reputation since 07/01/2014 in Posts

  1. 245 points

    Welcome to Getting Started!

  2. 148 points

    Forum Guidelines & Rules

  3. 19 points

    Frequently Asked Questions

    This is a short list of our most frequently asked questions. For more information about our apps, or if you need support, please email us at contactus@zenlabsllc.com. Thanks! Q: The voice and beep is set to highest volume on the app. But how come I don't hear any voice cues? A: Here are a couple things to look for and keep in mind: 1) Please make sure that your device is not in vibrate/silent mode, as voice cues will not play when in this mode. Also please make sure all the voice/sound settings are correct (master volume is turned up). On iPhone devices there is a physical switch on the left side of the phone that when flipped, will keep the phone in vibrate mode. For iOS 7 and above devices, you can adjust the alerts sound volume in Settings (on your iOS device, not our app) → Sounds → Ringer and Alerts, which controls the sound when your device is locked. If this is not set properly, you will not hear any audio cues when device is locked. 2) Another thing to keep in mind with the new iOS is that you have to turn on Notifications inside your iOS settings for the app to be able to send you voice cues when your device is locked. Without this turned on, no voice cue will be played. 3) You can also try rebooting your device, or reinstalling the app. Q: The app is not remembering my progress / I lost all my data. Help! A: Please make sure to allow the workouts to be fully completed, meaning all the way to the social sharing screen, so that the app knows the workout is complete. You can also long press (Android) or double press (iOS) workouts to mark them as complete. You will see a check mark to signify a completed workout. Q: Where can I find the Myfitnesspal login on C25K Trainer app? A: The MyFitnessPal login is on the same screen as the Facebook/Twitter login in our C25K app, which is at the end of every workout. Please find the MFP icon there! Q: Ok, I found the Myfitnesspal login, but after pressing “send”, nothing is showing up on my MFP profile. A: Please allow some time for the results to be posted, as sometimes the MyFitnessPal servers could be slowed down due to heavy traffic. Another thing to try would be to refresh the home page of MyFitnessPal, to see if your results show. You can also try logging out and then back into your account through the official MyFitnessPal app. This should resolve most issues. Thanks! Q: How do I get the app to show up on my Apple Watch? A: You’ll need to open the Apple Watch app, and then scroll down until you find our app. Tap on it and you’ll see an option to “Show App on Apple Watch.”. Make sure that is on. Please remember to leave your device unlocked for the Apple Watch integration to work accurately. Navigate to settings and make sure “Always On (Disable Sleep)” is set to “On”. Also as an FYI, the watch is just an extension of the display of the phone. You have to start the app from the phone and can use your watch to check the time. You can pause and start, but can't start the app from the beginning. Q: Can I use the app on Apple Watch without my phone? A: Yes. We have just integrated stand-alone support. This is for the PRO version of our app only. If you upgrade inside the free version of the running apps, this will NOT have stand-alone support. Q: How do I get sound alerts while using Apple Watch? A: This issue appeared because you used your phone with your apple watch, and the problem is that you received the notification on your watch and not on your phone. The notifications can be received only on one device (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204791), and the problem is that when you receive a notification on your watch then the preset sound of the notification is not displayed on the phone. If you want to hear the sound of the notification when you use the app with an apple watch than you need to turn off the notification mirroring in Watch app on your iPhone, but in this case you will not receive the notifications on your Apple Watch. Unfortunately this is the current way Apple integrates the iPhone and the Apple Watch. There is no workaround. Q: What do I do if the app is misbehaving? A: Please try a hard-reset on your iPhone or iPod touch. Restarting frees up memory on your device, which is the cause of a lot of issues that are easily fixed by a simple restart. You can also try uninstalling and re-installing the app on your device. Make sure that you have the most updated version! Q: How to play music within the app / not finding my playlists? A: You need to first create a playlist on your device. Please refer to your device’s user manual on how to this. The playlist has to be created through the native music player app on your device (normally called “Music”), not a 3rd party music app (i.e. Google Play Music). Afterwards, you can access those playlists through the app. Q: How do I check progress such as calories and miles ran? A: During your run, you can tap the circular flip icon to scroll through your stats! After your run, you can scroll back to your workout to see your calories burned as well as total distance ran. As a reminder, the app will only start tracking your stats AFTER you purchase the pro features. For example if you purchased pro features for Wk2 D3 workout, it will show stats for that workout and all workouts after it. But it will not show stats for wk2 d2 and before. Q: How do I listen to music using 3rd party music app such as Pandora or Spotify? A: Please start the Pandora/Spotify app first, and have it run in the background. Then start our app, and the music should still run in the background. FYI our app cannot control music functions for Pandora/Spotify. Q: What is the difference between the pro and free version? A: The pro version has calorie and distance tracking, so our users can view all their stats from their run! It also removes ads from the bottom of the screen. If you subscribe to our Zen Power Playlist, you get all the awesome curated playlists (based on desired BPM - beats per minute) as well as calorie/distance tracker! Q: Is there a community I can join that I can ask questions to? A: YES! There is a wonderful community on our Facebook page that is very active and passionate. You can post your question there, or create an account on our Forums and ask your question to the community there! Q: Can I use the treadmill to train? A: Of course! It is completely up to you on how you want to train. The only thing we advise is if you’re training for an actual race, that you get in some practice runs outdoors, as treadmill running and outdoor running is different from one another. Also as an FYI, the calorie/distance tracker may not work as well while running in place, so please take that into account. Q: Is it ok to repeat days? A: It is perfectly normal to struggle with a workout, and completely fine to have to repeat that workout until you feel comfortable enough to move forward. It’s not a sprint! Take your time to build the stamina and strength you need. But don’t get complacent! You’re stronger than you think! Q: How do I get rid of initial popup screen everytime the app is launched? A: The Motivation screen that appears when first opening the app can be turned off in the settings tab! Many of our users enjoy the words of encouragement from this screen, but if you could do without it, you can easily turn it off. Q: Do I get charged again if I uninstall and re-install the app? A: Apple and Google handle the entire purchasing process, and once you purchase an app from their respective app stores, that info is stored in your profile. The app stores will not charge you again for re-downloading an app. If you believe some mistake was made with a charge, please contact Apple/Google directly. Q: I have the 10k Trainer app, but I can't find a way to sync my progress with Myfitnesspal. A: At this time, our partnership with Myfitnesspal is only with our C25K app. But we are working with MFP to integrate MFP functionality into all our other running apps as well! Feel free to shoot MFP an email and request this feature! We want it too! Q: I just graduated from the 10k app, and now want to start training with half/full marathon app! What week should I start from? A: The Marathon Trainer’s program is significantly different from the C25K/10K Trainer, so there is no direct bridge. Having said that, many of our 10K graduates have found that week 7 of the Marathon Trainer is a good place to start if you are comfortable with your fitness level. Please keep in mind that our half/full Marathon app was designed for true beginner runners, and the end goal is to have our users be able to complete a full 13.1/26.2 mile race, utilizing a walk/run interval. So you are not running the entire race. You are utilizing a “run for 4 mins / walk for 1 min” cycle the entire way. Q: My PEDOMETER app keeps showing zero for steps? Also why is my history blank? A: Here are a couple steps that you can take to address this issue: iOS 1) Go into the app's settings and click on "Show Introduction" 2) Go through the setup process again, making sure to "Grant Access" to Apple Health 3) Restart the app (force close, then reopen). Our app pulls data directly from Apple Health, so if you do not see any data in Apple Health, you won’t see it in our app either. Please make sure you have Apple Health enabled. Android 1) Go into the app’s settings and click on “Show Introduction”. 2) Go through the setup process again, making sure to “Grant Access” to allow the app access to your device location. 3) Please also make sure that you choose a Google Fit account to sync the app with. 4) Restart the app (force close, then reopen). You can also open Google Fit to see if there is any data being saved there, as our app syncs with Google Fit. Q: How can I get the most accurate results for the distance tracker on my running apps or the Pedometer app? A: There are a couple things that you can do to improve the accuracy: For users using the later iOS devices with M8 Motion Coprocessor chip, the app pulls data from the M8 chip, so what you’re seeing is data directly from iOS Healthkit itself. For users on older iOS devices without M8 chip, here are some tips: 1) Turn on GPS, as this helps the app use your coordinates to better calculate your distance. 2) Please also keep in mind where you are placing your device during your run. The ideal place would be in your pant/shorts pocket, or in an armband. The app uses vibrations and motion to estimate steps, so if the device is, for example, in your breast pocket, than the count may not be as accurate due to the relative minimal movement in that location. For Android users: 1) Make sure to enter in your height inside the settings of the app, as this will help determine your stride length and better calculate your distance. 2) Turn on GPS, as this helps the app use your coordinates to better calculate your distance. 3) Please also keep in mind where you are placing your device during your run. The ideal place would be in your pant/shorts pocket, or in an armband. The app uses vibrations and motion to estimate steps, so if the device is, for example, in your breast pocket, than the count may not be as accurate due to the relative minimal movement in that location. 4) Adjust the "Sensitivity" option of the app. If the app is short on distance, then adjust it to be “more” sensitive. If the app is over calculating distance, then lower the sensitivity. Q: What are some good warmup exercises to do before starting any of the Challenge (Pushups/Situps/Pullups/Squats) apps or 7 minute workout? A: Some good warmups in general are jumping jacks or running in place. This is just to get the heart rate going. Some of our users like to stretch the muscles that they are about to exercise (chest, glutes, abs) etc. The following 2 videos are our personal favorites for full body stretches, as they give great instruction and the routine can be done in 5 minutes! Q: I paid to remove ads but still get an ad popup at the end of my workout, why is this (Challenge apps / 7 Minute workout)? A: The popup reward that you see at the end of your workout is provided by our partner Kiip, which gives our users free rewards for working out. If you wish to not see these rewards anymore, you can easily turn them off inside the app settings. You can find the line item "Kiip Rewards" there.
  4. 10 points

    Get your hands off that phone!

    Ok this is my own running tip from my own personal limited experience and novice physical fitness knowledge. If you lend any credability to me, you're gambling. <G> I found at the start that I was struggling. I'd look at my fitbit ( its a watch too ) and check the time constantly. OMG OMG OMG just 2 more minutes and I can walk again. My body knew it was about to get a rest and it fought me hard to convince me it was out of gas. It's not!! Your body will sabotage you every single time it can. You're brain is lazy. You must fool it!!! Stop looking at the time. Run until you're told to walk. Your body doesn't know when it's going to rest and can't poop you out in advance. Just a nice comfortable pace and get lost in the music. It really really works for me. I think you should try it and tell me your fidnings. Keep your body guessing.
  5. 9 points

    Proper running technique!

    Check out the article on our blog with great tips from an expert on proper body form when running. These tips will help reduce the risk of injury, as well as help you get the most out of your workout! http://www.zenlabsfitness.com/learning-proper-running-technique/ Comment here in this post if you have tried these techniques, and what has worked best for you.
  6. 8 points

    C25K success!

  7. 7 points

    breathing techniques

    Hey everyone! Don't forget to check out our blogs for great running tips, from breathing technique, stretching, shin splints and first race tips! Here is the article on breathing techniques to try: http://www.zenlabsfitness.com/perfecting-your-breathing-technique-during-running/ Happy running and namaste! Zen Labs Fitness team
  8. 6 points

    Post your Workout for Today Here!

    I completed W1D1 of C210k. Yay!
  9. 5 points

    Find Your Inspiration Here!

    Check out the Facebook Success Stories album, to read some amazing stories from users like yourself, who overcame all sorts of obstacles to achieve their fitness goals! http://goo.gl/EahJCj Feel free to share your story/photo in this forum. Your inspiration goes a long way! The greatest wealth is health!
  10. 4 points

    Post your Workout for Today Here!

  11. 4 points

    Halfway there and Haven't Quit Yet!

    As I feared, it was raining....me and my running buddy met by the school bus in our running gear and umbrellas and went our separate ways...it did stop raining after a couple of hours so I went out running alone (I was obsessing about running and was getting nothing done anyway). I wasn't sure what to wear, if it would start raining again or not, and decided that if it started raining I would quit - and not hold it against myself. I started running with a shell windbreaker, but shed it half way and stashed it in my car as I ran by (I didn't stop moving my legs - I jogged on the spot while I opened and closed the door so I am not considering that stopping). I was running with my phone in my hand, which I don't usually do, and resisted temptation to look at it for just about the entire way. Around halfway I hit a low, but ran through. It wasn't extremely easy, but it wasn't extremely difficult either. With a minute thirty five to go I peeked to see how much I still had... and was nicely surprised. So - I did it. If I can run twenty minutes flat I can call myself a runner. I AM A RUNNER!!!
  12. 4 points

    craving to run

  13. 4 points

    Week 8 Day 1 Slayed!!!

    Totally! Had a victory dinner of a wonton soup and beer for dinner when I finished....lol! I'm down 36 pounds from when I started. Feeling much different.
  14. 4 points

    'Like This' quota

    Hi Shannon! Thanks for all the positivity and enthusiasm that you bring to the forums! As requested, we have increased the number of "likes" individual members can do. Please feel free to continue to spread the good vibes and karma =). Cheers!
  15. 4 points

    Starting tomorow :)

    Just back found the app brilliant and completed the half an hour plus more so cold & raining out cant wait for tomorow now but 1st a shower haha
  16. 3 points

    Week 5 day 3....done!

    I was absolutely dreading today's run, the dreaded 20 min jump. But I actually found it OK. Not exactly pleasant but after I passed the half way mark I felt pretty good. I've been on the programme a couple of weeks as I started a few weeks in due to already doing a bit of running here and there. I do my runs 3 times a week and also go to the gym and do a few classes on days I don't run. I just honestly feel mega pleased that today worked out like it did after I really worried about it. I felt like I could have kept going but I feel like that's where sometimes I go wrong. Pushing myself too hard, so I want to stick to the programme to build up sensibly. Anyway I just wanted to stir a little bit of positivity into the dreaded week 5 day 3 as I think I felt a bit scared just from reading some Stuff on here. Mind over matter. Focus on the music and try to be mindful of the world around you. That's what helps me. Looking forward to my next challenge
  17. 3 points


    Was nervous but dominated my W2D1 run. Super excited. Can't wait till Wednesday for D2. Can't wait for my first 5k. Drinking a gallon of water a day. Eating healthy. Trying to change my life...good running everyone
  18. 3 points
    Here is a difference between treadmill and the ground: 1) On the treadmill you have only stick out your foot forward and the belt will move this foot under you. On the ground you move your foot forward and then you have also push your body forward. That is why on the treadmill we need to use incline 2-3%. 2) Also incline on the ground is not constant and surface is not that leveled (little bumps and holes) - all that required additional efforts. 4) And we need to (re-)learn to manage the pace when we are running outside... And one more thing: when we are watched by other people we all I have tendency to "show off"
  19. 3 points
    Hello everyone, when I start doing something I know little of, or think I will struggle achieving, it really helps me to find motivation in success stories so here goes one, I hope it gets a few arses off the couches.. I'm going to start telling you that I've never really stuck to anything, I am not very patient and I get demotivated quite quickly, I'm also a very proud person so these all in combination make me a rubbish candidate for success in any resolution I take up. I never liked sports, never mind running, I wouldn't understand why people did it really, I thought it was purely fitness obsession, to look good, I didn't realise anyone could enjoy it. And my kind of joy was in food rather than sports... So back in the summer I met up with a woman probably at least 15 years older than me, she told me about this app, she told me she does 5ks, 10ks.. she told me it was really fun, she assured me "hell yes, you can do it!" When I told her I could not control my breathing when I run, she told me I'd love it, she explained how The app worked (easy peasy), motivated me to try it, I thought "well, if she can do a 10k, really I should be able to do one too" but didn't do anything about that for months, later on in September we adopted a dog, I walk my Lina (Linita&i comes from there) 3x a day, I try for one of the walks to be long, In the mountains (we are surrounded by), I let her free, she loves it, she is a 12mth old German Shepherd (she is full of energy and it makes her the best pet ever when it is drained from her), so during those hour, two hour-walks I thought a lot and I realised I could actually try the app I heard about, wouldn't it be fun to run with my dog in the middle of the mountains? Lose some weight? (That's all I thought, honestly, i am frank when I say I DID NOT FORSEE THE POSSIBILITY OF JOY). I started from step one, the first few weeks were very hard, my breathing was really heavy, my legs were aching all over, shin splints.. The lot! Then I did that 20 minute run in week 5, I think I didn't nail it first time, but second and third and that's when I realised this could actually be achieved, my breathing started to get better by the run, my legs too, I started to get that "high" and feel awesome after running for the rest of the day (I even made better food choices on running day), and I started to understand why people run, It has been actually a very good tool for eliminating stress and frustration (I have two boys 7 and 2, the dog, a four floor house to clean on my own and a husband that works a lot) and at this point I can tell you I feel great, I've done my 10k yesterday with two friends, they had not done it before, I pushed them both to it, we left our kids with the hubbies in the morning and went for a run, the weather was amazing, so was the route so I insisted we run those 10k, we were all so proud of our selfs! But the best part of all of this is that thanks to running I am happy, and honestly no longer caring about losing weight, believe me, it's better to lose the bad mood than a few kilos, which i did as well by the way.. I have signed my two year old baby to go to nursery for three and a half hours per day, I'm looking forward to becoming a better, faster runner when he is there, it's awesome, please try it, please take it up to week 5, even I you don't do it three times a week because you don't have the time, even if you have to repeat sessions as you struggled to get thorough them, it gets better and fun-er as the weeks go by! Kisses and hugs to all you! Start! Believe in yourself! If I did it, anyone will do it!
  20. 3 points

    Back after 3 weeks better then before!!

    Had a knee issue had exrays as a percation and spent 3 weeks not running nervous but started up again scared I had lost all progress and I would wake up with a limp today and still not know what was wrong we'll I did start back with week 6 instead of 8 but couldn't believ I breezed through and knee felt great during and woke up with not an ounce of issue im so happy, now to keep my self in check to keep from geting an overuse injury agian!!! Very hard I love running
  21. 3 points

    Is sixty too late?

    I started with C25K last January, on my 59th birthday. I'll be running a 10 K this January on my 60th birthday. My only goal is to finish the race! Running has made me stronger in every imaginable way.
  22. 3 points

    Let's do this

    Week one day one tomorrow. Taking back control and becoming healthier. Couch to Ultra eventually.
  23. 3 points


    I'd say it depends on your physical condition. If you are a fairly athletic person, you may want to start at week 2. If you are not so much inclined, start at week 1 and just try and run your 5K before it's done. Tell yourself it's ok if you have to walk some of it. Another option is to run every other day and not the same 3 days of the week, then half the weeks you would run 4 times while still having a rest day off between each run. Then you'd finish the whole program in time.
  24. 3 points
    Anne Lang

    the chocolate adict

    had so much fun on my lunch break run! week 3 is down and done tacked on extra min run on that last 3 min strech so 4 min piece o
  25. 3 points

    breathing techniques

    Hi, i uave just stsrted this app this week. My first day was really hard. I only managed 6 minutes. Then i started reading through the forums and realised i probably wasnt breathing right. I took on board whatt leanne said about putting your tongue at the top of your mouth and it worked. Today i managed to complete day 1 week 1. I am not used to running so i found it tough but proud of myself for doing it