Spotify has introduced a new running mode in its mobile app that sequences music according to different phases of a run and selects tracks based on user preferences and a chosen tempo.
The feature is available to paying subscribers within the Fitness Hub. Running mode offers 25 presets and lets users pick a workout type — for example interval runs, steady runs, or pyramid sessions. Users can also customize the duration, beats per minute (BPM) and the kind of music they want to hear.
In addition to playing songs, running mode can generate audio cues for different stages of the run; those voice prompts currently work only in English.
Spotify says the new mode builds on AI work it has been testing over the past year as part of its prompted playlists. The company noted that many people use prompted playlists to create fitness- and workout-focused lists, and the running mode was developed based on those usage patterns.
Earlier this year Spotify expanded fitness content through a collaboration with fitness-device maker Peloton. The running mode launch comes a few months after Strava announced that its Record feature would no longer integrate Spotify within the app.
The feature became available starting Wednesday to Premium users on iOS in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.
Why it matters
Tempo-aware and phase-based music selection can help align music with workout intensity, which may improve motivation and pacing for runners. The customization options and built-in audio cues make this a convenient option for users who prefer to manage music and basic run guidance inside the Spotify app.
