Caught in the Strava-Garmin Crossfire? There's a Better Way
The 2025 lawsuit has Garmin users worried about losing Strava integration. Motion gives you the best of both worlds - works perfectly with your Garmin, adds social features and gamification, zero corporate battles.
What's Happening Between Strava and Garmin?
The September 2025 Lawsuit
On September 30, 2025, Strava sued Garmin in federal court, claiming patent infringement over Segments and heatmap features. But it gets worse:
- Strava is demanding Garmin stop selling devices that use the allegedly infringing technology
- API access is threatened - Garmin announced new requirements forcing apps like Strava to display Garmin logos "on every single activity post, screen, graph, image, sharing card, etc" by November 1, 2025
- Your data sync could break - While both companies promise user data won't be affected, the reality is nobody knows what happens if this escalates
Why Garmin Users Are Worried
You bought a $500+ Garmin watch. You've invested years in Strava segments, routes, and community. Now you're caught in the middle of a corporate battle neither company seems willing to de-escalate.
Common questions flooding forums:
- "Will my Garmin stop syncing to Strava?"
- "Should I switch to a different ecosystem now?"
- "What if Garmin loses and has to pull features?"
- "Is it time to find a Strava alternative that actually works with Garmin?"
There's a Drama-Free Alternative
Motion was built specifically to work seamlessly with Garmin devices while providing the social motivation and gamification that makes fitness apps fun. No lawsuits. No forced rebranding. No corporate drama affecting your workouts.
Why Garmin Users Love Motion
Perfect Integration, Zero Drama
Motion syncs automatically with your Garmin device through Apple Health, Google Fit, or direct Garmin Connect integration. Every activity - running, cycling, swimming, hiking, strength training - flows seamlessly into Motion.
Unlike the Strava-Garmin situation, there's no conflict of interest. Motion isn't trying to compete with Garmin's hardware or sue them over features. We're simply making your existing Garmin data more fun and motivating.
What Motion Adds to Your Garmin Experience
Fair Competition Through Effort-Based Goals Strava's segment leaderboards favor the fastest athletes. Motion uses effort-based goals so your 5k run at 105% of your personal goal beats someone else's 10k at 95% of theirs. Finally, competition that's actually fair.
Games That Make Fitness Fun Your Garmin tracks the data. Motion turns it into Fit Bingo boards, seasonal quests, and daily challenges. Complete patterns, unlock rewards, and make every workout feel like progress toward something bigger.
Virtual Pet Motivation Adopt a digital fitness pet that grows with your activity. Every Garmin workout feeds, levels up, and cares for your Motmot. Surprisingly effective motivation that Strava segments never provided.
Supportive Community Without Toxicity Strava's culture can feel competitive and intimidating. Motion's community celebrates all fitness levels. Beginner runners and ultra-marathoners compete fairly and support each other.
Other Alternatives to Consider
The Honest Comparison
Motion isn't the only option for Garmin users looking beyond Strava. Here's what else exists:
Keep Garmin Connect Only Garmin's native app has improved significantly. Training plans, performance metrics, and basic social features now exist without third-party apps. If you primarily care about data and don't need gamification, this might be enough.
Add Motion to Garmin Connect Many Garmin users run both. Garmin Connect for detailed analytics and training plans, Motion for social challenges and daily motivation. They complement each other perfectly since Motion pulls data from Garmin automatically.
Try Nike Run Club (Runners Only) Great audio-guided runs and supportive community. But it's heavily running-focused, so if you cycle, swim, or do triathlons, you'll still need another app. Works with Garmin through Apple Health/Google Fit.
Explore TrainingPeaks (Serious Athletes) If you're training for races and need structured plans with coach integration, TrainingPeaks works well with Garmin. Premium-focused, not free like Motion or Strava.
Consider Komoot (Navigation Focus) Excellent for route planning and navigation, especially bikepacking and hiking. Integrates with Garmin devices for turn-by-turn directions. Lighter on social features than Strava or Motion.
Should You Switch from Strava Now?
The Realistic Assessment
Don't panic and delete Strava immediately. Despite the lawsuit, both companies have stated they want to maintain user data access. Your workouts will likely keep syncing for now.
But do explore alternatives while you can. If the lawsuit escalates or either company decides to restrict integrations, you'll want a backup plan already in place.
The Smart Approach
- Add Motion to your existing setup - It syncs with Garmin automatically, so you're building history in a second platform while Strava figures itself out
- Keep using what works - If Strava segments motivate you and everything still syncs, keep using them alongside Motion
- Have an exit strategy - Motion already has your Garmin data flowing in, so if Strava integration breaks, you won't lose momentum
- Diversify your fitness motivation - Not relying on a single app means corporate drama can't derail your fitness journey
Want to understand your walking and step data better? Check out our walking calculator to see how your steps translate to distance, time, and calories.
What You Get With Motion + Garmin
Effort-based weekly battles
Challenge Garmin-wearing friends where everyone can win based on personal effort, not absolute performance.
Fit Bingo and quests
Turn your Garmin workouts into games. Complete boards, finish quests, unlock rewards.
Digital fitness pet
Every Garmin activity helps your Motmot grow. Surprisingly effective motivation.
Works with all Garmin devices
Fenix, Forerunner, Venu, Vivoactive - Motion syncs with every Garmin watch automatically.
No toxic competition
A fitness community that celebrates all levels. Beginners and pros support each other.
AI-powered goal setting
Goals that adapt to your life. Busy week? Your goal adjusts. Feeling strong? It challenges you more.
Frequently asked questions
If you have anything else you want to ask, reach out to us.
Will the lawsuit affect my Garmin-Strava sync?
Both companies say no, but the reality is uncertain. Strava is demanding Garmin stop selling devices, and Garmin is requiring intrusive logo placement from apps using its API. While your data likely won't break immediately, it's smart to have an alternative like Motion already set up and syncing your Garmin workouts.
Does Motion work with all Garmin devices?
Yes. Motion syncs with Garmin Fenix, Forerunner, Venu, Vivoactive, Instinct, and all other Garmin watches through Apple Health, Google Fit, or direct Garmin Connect integration. If your Garmin tracks it, Motion counts it.
Can I use Motion and Strava together?
Absolutely. Many Garmin users run both apps simultaneously. Your Garmin syncs to both, so you can enjoy Strava segments while also participating in Motion's games and fair competitions. It's actually a smart strategy given the current uncertainty.
Is Motion free for Garmin users?
Yes. Motion is free to use with full functionality. Premium features exist (like additional pet accessories and special events), but the core experience - challenges, goals, games, community - is completely free.
What if I already have years of Strava data?
Start fresh with Motion while keeping your Strava history. Motion syncs your Garmin workouts going forward, building new data and community. Many users find the fresh start motivating - no baggage from old comparisons, just forward progress.
How is Motion different from Garmin Connect's social features?
Garmin Connect has improved, but it's still primarily analytics-focused. Motion adds gamification (Fit Bingo, quests, virtual pets), effort-based competitions that are actually fair, and a supportive community culture. Think of Garmin Connect as your data hub, Motion as your motivation layer.
Your Fitness Journey Starts Here
Download Motion free and discover why this is the fitness app you'll actually keep using. Your future self (and your Motmot) will thank you.
