Let me guess—you’re tired of manually logging your workouts. You’re tracking everything in Strava but want a seamless way to transfer your data into Notion. Maybe you’re spending more time fiddling with spreadsheets than actually focusing on your fitness goals. Sound familiar?
Good news: integrating Strava with Notion and automating the whole workout logging process is easier than you think. Whether you’re a beginner who doesn’t want to touch a line of code or a power user looking for custom workflows, tools like Make.com (formerly Integromat) and Zapier can help you set up an automated system in just a few clicks.
Stick with me, and I’ll show you exactly how to automate your Strava workouts into a polished Notion database. By the end of this, you’ll have a system that not only saves you hours but also keeps your workout tracking on autopilot. Let’s dive in.
Why Automate Strava Workouts to Notion?
Before we jump into the how, let’s talk about the why. Why should you even care about syncing your Strava activities into Notion?
First, there’s the time factor. Manually recording workouts is a task nobody enjoys. You’re already putting effort into exercising—why add another chore to your plate?
Second, automation cuts down on errors. Let’s be honest: How often do you skip a logging session or misreport your mileage? By connecting Strava to Notion, your data syncs automatically, with no Room for human error.
Lastly, it’s all about data visibility. Notion is perfect for analyzing your progress since you can customize dashboards, charts, and trackers to your heart’s content. Pair that with Strava’s detailed route tracking, and you’ve got yourself a tech-powered fitness journal that actually works.
Step 1: What Do You Need?
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- A Strava account (obviously).
- A Notion workspace where you want the data to live.
- An automation platform—Zapier and Make.com both work great. We’ll primarily focus on Make.com since it offers more flexibility.
- Ideas of how you want to organize the data (e.g., a Notion database split by workout type, summaries, or weekly goals).
Got those checked off? Cool, let’s keep rolling.
Step 2: Setting Up Strava to Notion Integration
This is where the magic happens. Using Make.com, you can connect your Strava account to Notion with a little setup:
1. Create an Account on Make.com
Hop over to Make.com and sign up. It’s free to start, so there’s no commitment upfront. Once you’re in, create a new scenario—a fancy word for a workflow.
2. Authenticate Strava and Notion
Now you’ll need to connect both accounts:
- For Strava: Log in through Make.com, and grant permissions to access your activity data.
- For Notion: Generate an API token under Notion’s settings, then copy-paste that token into Make.com’s Notion module setup.
3. Build Your Workflow
The typical flow looks like this:
- Trigger: A new activity is logged in Strava (e.g., a run, cycling route, or swim).
- Action: Create a new database item or page in Notion. This could include details like distance, duration, type of activity, and even a map image of your route.
Make sure to test the scenario to see if the data gets properly logged into Notion. Adjust fields or tags as needed.
4. Customize to Your Needs
The beauty of this system is you can tailor it however you like. Want separate Notion databases for running and cycling? Easy. Need weekly summaries of your workouts? You can automate that, too. Play around until everything feels just right.
Common Automation Workflows for Fitness Enthusiasts
Let’s talk use cases. Here are a few ways you can get creative with your integration:
- Log New Workouts: Automatically create a new page in Notion for every activity you complete in Strava.
- Build Weekly Summaries: Summarize your workouts in a clean table or Kanban board in Notion.
- Analyze Trends: Sync data over time to see trends in average speed, distance, or calories burned.
- Set Fitness Goals: Automate goal tracking by pulling in metrics from Strava and comparing them against your targets in Notion.
Benefits of Automating Strava Fitness Tracking
Why go through the effort of setting all this up? Because once it’s running, you’ll realize it’s one of those “why didn’t I do this earlier” moments. Here’s what you’re looking at:
- Save time: No more tedious copy-pasting between apps.
- Stay accurate: Let’s be real; machines make fewer mistakes than we do.
- Feel motivated: Seeing your progress beautifully displayed in Notion can push you to keep going.
- Gain insights: With all your data in Notion, it’s easier to spot trends, stay consistent, and improve over time.
Plus, platforms like Make.com notify you if there’s a hiccup in the sync, so you’re always in the loop.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
What if I Don’t Have a Make.com Account?
No problem. Alternatives like Zapier work similarly and are just as beginner-friendly. You’ll just miss out on some advanced customizations that Make.com is known for.
How Much Does This Cost?
Both Make.com and Zapier offer free plans, but the number of automation runs is limited. If you’re logging more than a few workouts a week, you may want to upgrade to a paid plan (typically starting around $8-$20 monthly).
Can I Export Other Data to Notion?
Absolutely. Along with workout data, you can use Make.com to sync things like step count from wearables or sleep stats from fitness trackers into Notion.
What Happens If There’s an Error?
If something goes wrong—for example, a workout isn’t logged in Notion—both platforms provide error notifications and troubleshooting steps. Typically, it’s just a small hiccup in the settings.
Can I Sync Strava to Google Sheets Instead?
Yes! If you’re looking for a simpler, spreadsheet-based system, you can use Make.com to send your workout data straight to Google Sheets. It’s perfect for those who love Excel-style tracking.
Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Harder
It’s time to stop wasting hours on manual updates and outdated systems. With tools like Make.com, Strava workout logging has never been so seamless. Plus, the customizability of a Notion database means you’re set up for success, no matter what your fitness goals look like.
So go ahead—try it yourself. Automate your workflow, sync your Strava activities to Notion, and watch as your fitness tracking system runs on autopilot. And who knows? Maybe this automation hack is the nudge you need to hit your next PR.
Your workouts deserve better. Why not give it to them?
