Strava Expands Social Networking Tools With Posts Feature

Published October 17, 2017 05:47PM

Strava Introduces Posts

Strava, the leading social platform for athletes, announced today a new feature called Posts that reinforces Strava’s position as athletes’ go-to networking tool. Strava users now have the ability to communicate information beyond the run with other users: they can upload photos, questions, comments and tips in the form of posts, which will be visible in a larger posting feed. This networking strategy works similar to that of Facebook in its early days: registered users can communicate freely within their networks, sharing content of their own and responding to that of others.

Our own Kelly Roberts of Run, Selfie, Repeat recently tested Strava’s new posting feature. “Posts have totally changed how I interact on Strava,” Roberts said in an official Strava press release. “Being able to talk about how frustrating a bad run can be and connect with a community that understands you is a reminder you’re not alone in those daily struggles.”

Roberts isn’t the only one who has expressed early approval of the new feature. “Sometimes there is more to a run than the miles and the pace,” said UK-based runner Susie Chan. “I have enjoyed putting some of my activities into context, [telling] a bit of a backstory and [sharing] the inspiration that has made me go and run.”

Before the integration of posting, Strava began as a networking app that enabled athletes to track the distance and time of their runs, providing many with a platform on which they could build their own training log and hold themselves–and their friends–accountable. The base level app that provides these features is free to download; meanwhile, Strava Premium–which includes a safety feature that allows friends and family members to track an athlete’s progress on a run in real time–is subscription-based, priced at $7.99 per month. Since Strava’s launch in 2009, the company has grown significantly and currently welcomes one million new users every 40 days.

“Strava is an active community of people who are passionate about their sports,” CEO James Quarles said in an official press release. “We want to create more ways for the community to share their interests and expertise. Posts and the new feed make Strava the best place to tell a story about someone you met on the trails, ask a question about new gear or to seek kindred spirits to help achieve your goals.”