A survey of 1,000 runners has revealed that many are resorting to extreme measures to boost their stats on fitness apps, including attaching trackers to their dogs. The study, commissioned by Postcode Lottery, found that half of runners feel pressure to make their workouts appear more impressive online.
Nearly two-thirds admit to comparing their performance with others on fitness apps, and a third have jogged on the spot to inflate their step count. More worryingly, 21% have waved their wrist to trick their tracker, and 16% have attached their phone or watch to their dog to log extra steps.
Some have gone even further: 11% have recruited friends or relatives to wear their fitness watch on a run, and 9% have used a car to speed up their run or cover more miles. The findings suggest that for many, running is no longer just about fitness but about maintaining an online image.
Half of respondents enjoy the feeling of having run further than someone else, and one in five get a boost from online likes or comments. The survey was released to promote the Crowns for Causes challenge on Strava, which aims to unlock £5 million for charities including Hospice UK and Mind.
