Strava has built its reputation on runs, rides, and swims. Strength training, however, has always felt like an afterthought in the app. Strava is trying to close that gap with its new guided strength workouts, and I spent some time with the beginner session to see whether it delivers.
Strava’s new strength coach feature
The update brings guided workouts directly in the app. Instead of just logging that you lifted, you're walked through each exercise with animations, and you track sets and reps live as you go. Tap into any exercise, and you'll find form guidance, tips, and the specific muscles it targets.
When you finish, everything (every exercise, set, and rep) is saved automatically to your activity through the Workout Log. Your muscle map then updates to show where the effort went, which is a neat way to see at a glance whether you've been neglecting certain areas.
The feature is rolling out to subscribers over the next few weeks, and free users get access to a sample workout, so you can try it before deciding whether it's worth paying for.
My experience with Strava's strength workouts
I started with the beginner workout, and I want to be clear about who it's for: true beginners. There's no equipment required, so you don't need dumbbells, bands, or a gym membership. If you've been lifting for years, this isn't going to challenge you—but that's clearly not the point. For this first workout, it's designed to lower the barrier to entry.
The interface is clean and easy to use. I especially liked the graphics, which make it simple to follow along without having to pause and decipher what a movement is supposed to look like. Everything worked smoothly throughout, with no glitches, lag, or lost progress.
I have only two real notes:
Exercise instructions sometimes cut off. A few of the written descriptions were truncated with no way to see the full text, so I couldn't always read the full guidance on form.
Switching sides isn't always clear. For movements that work one side at a time, it wasn't obvious when I was supposed to switch. A simple cue or prompt would go a long way, especially for beginners who are already juggling a lot of new information.
What's coming next to Strava's strength workout feature
Strava says more workout series will arrive before the end of the year, which should give the feature more range beyond that first beginner session. The company is also planning additional ways to log strength work:
Screenshot uploads: Snap a screenshot of text-based sets and reps from a training plan or notes app and import it instantly.
Build-your-own workouts: Create custom sessions instead of relying only on Strava's.
More partner integrations: So strength data can flow in automatically from wherever you already train.
These additions are what could turn this from a nice beginner tool into something I'd actually use. The real test will be whether Strava delivers the variety, progression, and range that lifters need to stick with it over time. For now, if you're new to strength work or curious, the free sample workout is an easy way to try it out. I'll be watching to see where Strava takes it from here.