Casually strolling through your neighbourhood. Logging the same 5k route you run every morning. Checking in at your favourite gym or Pilates class. For many of us, fitness tracking apps like Strava, Garmin, Apple Health and Fitbit have become part of the routine.

They track progress, celebrate milestones and connect us with a community that cheers us on. But after that satisfying workout, when the kudos start rolling in, you should be asking yourself: who else can see that information?

Oh, hey there, @stranger411. Thanks for the like! If your settings are set to public, that random “like” could mean a complete stranger now knows your street, your pace and what time you’ll be back tomorrow.

Many fitness platforms collect and share more data than most users realise. Routes can reveal home addresses, public activity feeds can expose daily routines and profile information can travel further than intended. The apps themselves are designed to be motivating and social, which often means visibility is often set to public by default.

None of this means you should ditch your favourite training app. It simply means being a little more intentional about how you use it.

To understand the potential risks and how to protect your information, WH spoke to Rianette Leibowitz, cyber wellness and online safety expert and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety. Her advice is simple: with a few smart settings and mindful habits, you can enjoy the motivation of fitness tracking apps while keeping your personal data private.

Meet the expert: Rianette Leibowitz, cyber wellness and online safety expert and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety.

The Hidden Dangers Of Your Digital Routine

“It is easy to underestimate how much personal data these apps collect,” says Leibowitz. “The focus is usually on the benefits of the apps and how they help us build habits, guide our fitness routines and track our progress.”

And yes, while she admits those benefits are real, Leibowitz emphasises that understanding the risks is important. It allows you to manage your settings so you can choose the level of digital protection you deem necessary.

1. Why Your Running Route Might Reveal Your Home Address

Many apps log precise running routes, gym visits or outdoor workout locations. “The data is usually secure and primarily intended for your personal record keeping,” says Leibowitz. “However, if that information is visible publicly, it can reveal details like your home address or the places you visit regularly.”

WH Tip: Check your app settings for a “Privacy Zone” or “Hide Start/End Point” feature to create a blackout radius around your home.

2. How Public Activity Feeds Expose Your Daily Routine

Posting workouts at the same time every day can unintentionally create a visible pattern. “It is exciting to share your progress and attach an image of the route you ran or the distance you covered,” she explains. “But the image might contain personal information, so make sure you blur or crop anything that shows street names, landmarks or gym locations.”

Connecting with other users can be motivating, but Leibowitz recommends only accepting requests from people you actually know and trust.

READ MORE: How To Have A Healthier Relationship With Fitness Apps, Without Quitting Exercise

3. Is Your Fitness Data Being Shared With Marketing Partners?

Some fitness apps share anonymised data with marketing partners. “The information is not necessarily linked directly to your name or ID number,” she says. “It is usually part of a larger data set that companies analyse to improve their marketing campaigns or product offerings.”

4. The Security Risks Of Stored Payment Information

Many apps offer premium subscriptions. “It is often safer to use paid versions of apps because they may include stronger security and support,” says Leibowitz. “However, whenever banking details are stored on a system, there is always a small risk if the database is compromised.”

Her advice is to monitor bank statements carefully for unusual transactions, even small ones.

5. Why Weak Passwords Are Open Doors For Hackers

“Make sure you use strong passwords for both your phone and the apps you install,” she says. “If the platform allows it, activate two-factor authentication.”

This helps protect your information if your phone, smartwatch or connected device is ever lost or stolen.

READ MORE: Here’s How To Actually Do A Digital Detox, According To Experts

6. Why “Social” Community Features Can Lead To Unwanted Contact

Fitness apps often include social feeds, leaderboards and messaging. “You might meet your next training partner,” says Leibowitz. “But there is also the possibility of unwanted contact. Always check who can connect with you through the platform.”

The Simple Rule For Safely Sharing Your Workouts

With so many factors to consider, Leibowitz recommends remembering one guideline: “Share the achievement, not the details.” Celebrate your progress online but avoid posting exact routes, times or personal identifiers.

“If you would not announce it over a loudspeaker at your gym,” she says, “it is probably not something you should post online.”

READ MORE: I Used AI To Create An Eating Plan For Weight Loss – Here’s What Happened

To connect with Rianette, go to @CyberWellness_with_Rianette or visit www.rianette.com.