See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy KRISTINA WEMYSS, GENERAL NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:23 BST, 4 June 2026 | Updated: 18:23 BST, 4 June 2026
BRITONS are trying to trump their friends on fitness apps by strapping trackers to their dogs and jogging on the spot, polling shows.Almost half of runners feel they need to make their workouts look impressive online, while two-thirds compare their own activity to that of the people they follow.And under pressure, many are willing to bend the rules. A third of those polled said they have jogged on the spot to boost their step count.Meanwhile, 16 per cent have tried to clock up activity by attaching their device to a dog. Almost half of runners feel they need to make their workouts look impressive online, while two-thirds compare their own activity to that of the people they followLazy Britons also admitted to tricking the tech into logging extra steps by moving their wrist (21 per cent), hopping in a car to increase their speed (8 per cent), and getting family or friends to wear their tracker (14 per cent).The same percentage have also posed on Instagram in their running gear before immediately taking off their trainers and calling it a day.However, a third of those polled by the Postcode Lottery said that being able to see how far, and how fast, others run provides them with good motivation.The figures were released as part of Crowns for Causes, a new challenge on the Strava app through which runners can raise money for charity.Broadcaster Davina McCall said: ‘I've always believed that getting active should feel good, not like a chore. Lace up, get out there, and let's make every mile count for something more.’
