Becoming a runner is something that I’ve always wanted to do, you just throw on your shoes and can work out anywhere. But let’s face it, running is hard and boring, if you’re not traveling, it’s just one foot in front of the other. I keep trying to be a runner and I have started to included regularly into my fitness routine. Here are the gadgets that will help you with the 5k, 10k or half marathon you might have just signed up for!
Is technology useful when it comes to running?
Advances in technology means you can monitor, record and track your improvement as you start to log those miles. Through smart watches, shoe attachments or wearable devices, you can keep on top of your stats, review and analyse to achieve your fitness goals.
Safety First.
AfterShokz Aeropex
Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
You need good headphones when you’re running and unlike traditional headphones theses sit just behind and in front of your ear, leaving your ear open so you still hear the world around you. This means a run, bike ride or walk. They use bone conduction to deliver sound so you still get to clearly hear your music, and it sounds good! It’s just not as immersive as traditional headphones. They are also sweat, dust and moisture resistance and are comfortable to wear.
Zwift RunPod
Kick-start your running career with the Zwift RunPod that is an ideal, compact tracker for beginners. Attach it to your trainers to get all the stats of your run. It monitors speed, cadence and can be paired with your devices to create an avatar and complete challenges. It doesn’t scale up as well as the STRYND if you become a serious runner, but you can cross that bridge when you come to it.
HISOME LED Foot Light
In the trend of attaching things to your running shoes, these LEDs clip on to the backs of your shoes to make sure you’re visible when it’s dark out. Road safety is key!
Garmin HRM-Run Heart Rate Monitor Strap
This monitor from Garmin provides real-time information to track not only heart rate but also number of steps, bounce, stride length and contact time. It is small, lightweight, easily adjustable and comfortable.
Whoop Strap 3.0
This 24-hour-a-day fitness tracker measures everything you’re doing when you’re not running, monitoring your heart rate and movement all day and night. That data lets the app calculate how much strain your body has absorbed and generates a recovery score that’s easy to understand. Most crucially, it’ll let you know whether you’re really ready for that hard workout or if you should take one more rest day.
The strap is free with membership which is 25EUR a month
GARMIN FOOT POD
Get intimate with the details of your runs with the Garmin Foot Pod and transcend to the next level. You can monitor various statistics, such as your distance and cadence, when you use this pod indoors on a treadmill or a track at your local gym. It provides you with 98% accuracy on important metrics like stride-length and tempo, and it lasts for a solid year of training with a replaceable watch battery.
Tickr Fit Heart Rate Armband
For any runner who wants a realiable heart-rate tracker, but not in chest-strap form factor, there’s the Tickr Fit. It wraps around your arm, rather than your chest, and can track heart rate and calorie burn. And the best thing is that it’s compatible with a host of third-party apps, bike computers and smartwatches.
I might be partial to tech that goes on to your shoe, but to me having to remember to pick up another thing while leaving the house is annoying. However, the heart rate monitor is a good one if you’re really looking to understand your fitness level!
I hope you found at least one gadget on here that you think works for you!
Runners are tough people to buy gifts for, they’re picky which makes them very hard to shop for.
