Workout Logging for the Serious Athlete: Strava Launches iPhone App

Strava, the ride tracking tool for cyclists, is today releasing its first iPhone app.

Year-old Strava has only 10,000 users, but until now they had to use a dedicated GPS device or separate app to track their rides and then upload the data.

Even so, the existing userbase is extremely passionate about the site–even to the point that a cyclist’s death last year was connected to his efforts to regain a Strava descent record.

There are many fitness-tracking apps for smartphones, with interesting social features for competition and encouragement, but they are mostly aimed at helping users get off the couch. Strava distinguishes itself by catering to avid rather than casual athletes.

Apps like RunKeeper may have more mainstream appeal, but it seems logical that serious athletes might have the most interest in logging their data–and paying to do so. Strava charges $6 per month if users want to track more than five rides.

The free Strava iPhone app’s social features include friending, competitions with other users, and finding others to ride with offline. Users can see in real-time how their performance on hills and sprints compares to those of other users.