Buzz
Though Pokémon Go is great for interval workouts, using it during a long run isn't always easy. The app often underestimates the distance you cover, and at times it can unexpectedly stop working. That said, don’t let it discourage you—you can still hatch eggs and get in a solid workout with a few tweaks.
Running is supposed to be an efficient way to hatch eggs in Pokémon Go. A 2km egg should only take about 15 minutes of light jogging (even less if you're quick). However, during my runs, I kept stopping repeatedly to catch Pokémon and check on my egg's progress. What was meant to be a short run turned into a much longer session. And while intervals are useful, I had actually planned for a steady-paced run that day. Oops!
Learn the Best Way to Play on the Run and Hatch Eggs Efficiently
In addition to hatching eggs, you might also want to catch Pokémon and gather supplies at stops. If you're okay with these activities, here's how to manage them without needing to stop or walk.
Tap a stop while it's still far away and spin it once you're close enough. This way, you won't need to tap and spin back-to-back.
Ignore the bubbles. While the floating bubbles are a cute animation, the items are already in your inventory after spinning the stop, whether you pop the bubbles or not. Just hit the “x” button at the bottom of the screen to move on.
Tap on a Pokémon you want to catch later. It will stay on your screen, allowing you to catch it while you're running or wait until a break. However, you won't be able to catch other Pokémon in the meantime, so choose wisely.
Disable AR (the real-world camera view) if you plan to catch Pokémon while running. With some practice, you can throw Pokéballs while on the move—just be cautious about your surroundings while you're focused on your phone.
The toughest part of playing Pokémon Go while running is resisting the temptation when a creature appears nearby. If you don’t plan to run intervals, try jogging in an area with few Pokémon to avoid distractions, which is the opposite of what you'd typically choose.
Plan Your Pokémon Go Running Strategy
Think about how your Pokémon game plan aligns with your running strategy. Will you take breaks every few kilometers to swap eggs? Do you need to stop at PokéStops, or is it more important to maintain a steady pace without pausing?
After determining how often you're comfortable with stopping, take a look at your egg inventory. How long will it take to hatch what you have? If you're not familiar with thinking in kilometers, here's a useful chart:
2.0 km - 1.2 miles
5.0 km - 3.1 miles
10.0 km - 6.2 miles
If you're using an app like Nike+ or Runkeeper that tracks your distance every mile, try adjusting the settings so that it updates every kilometer. Also, remember to account for a buffer: eggs may take longer to hatch than expected because Pokémon Go doesn’t track distance as accurately as fitness apps do.
Learn How Pokémon Go Tracks Distance
You might find yourself running significantly farther than two kilometers to hatch a two-kilometer egg. This happens because the app doesn’t use step counters and doesn’t constantly query GPS satellites. Instead, players have noticed that the servers calculate your distance at intervals by drawing a straight line between your current and last locations. If you move too quickly, the game assumes you're in a car and won’t count the distance.
Because your distance is calculated in straight lines, it will align best with your real-world movements when you travel in straight paths. For instance, if you’re running laps on a track, the app might register you in nearly the same spot multiple times, not recognizing that you've actually completed several laps in between. We've mentioned that small movements might count towards distance, but this theory doesn't seem to hold true.
To ensure the app tracks your miles accurately, follow these steps:
Run in a straight line rather than following a zigzag or circular route.
Engage with the app whenever you change direction, encouraging it to update your location. A simple way to do this is by tapping on a PokéStop or gym (even if it’s far away), prompting the app to check if you’re within range.
Even if you apply these tips, the app might still not measure your distance perfectly. So, if you're trying to hatch a five-kilometer egg, keep in mind that your run might need to be closer to six kilometers.
Keep the App Running While You Do
Pokémon Go only tracks the distance you travel while the app is actively open on your phone. You can't start the app and then turn off your screen while going for a run—you need to keep the app open for it to register your movement.
This means you must be cautious not to press the screen by accident. Using an armband to carry your phone could be the best solution to prevent your body or headphone cord from unintentionally closing the app. Alternatively, Pokémon Go Extender for Android addresses this by utilizing the phone’s proximity sensor, which detects when the phone is in a pocket, disabling any screen presses. The app itself is free, but this feature requires a $1.49 in-app purchase.
I've found it difficult to dedicate a run to both playing the game and focusing on my fitness—one has to take priority. Some days, I play the game first, with the run being a bonus. On other days, I prioritize the workout, placing a five-kilometer egg in an incubator, slipping the phone into my pocket, and concentrating on completing a challenging workout.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
