Technology to motivate runners has been existence for quite a while. Watches have always been a great way to keep track of time and distance. Watches are not the only tech out there that can help. We will discuss some of the tech out there that might be a new way to motivate a run.
Using Technology to Motivate Runners
When I was growing up, my dad had a J-50 Casio running watch that created an audible sound based on the pace you wanted to run. It basically was a metronome on the watch with a digital running figure that would run at the pace you entered. Watches have come a long way since then. GPS watches are much easier to get at almost any budget and do a great job of keeping track of your goals. I talk about the one I run with here.
There is more tech out there that can be used to motivate you to achieve your goals. Here are a few interesting ways tech is being used:
- Wearable Pods – Garmin makes a Running dynamics pod that you can wear on your torso. It measures six different running metrics that can help you learn more about your running form. This can help you learn more about your running technique and trends.
- Wearable recovery – One of the many features of the Oura ring is to balance movement and recovery. For movement, you can keep track of activities and set goals. More interesting is the amount of time it takes after a run for recovery. A wearable that can help you learn more about recovery can be a powerful tool for planning your routine.
- RFID wearables – If you’ve run a race recently, there was probably a chip in your bib to keep track when you crossed the finish line. Also, you can purchase RFID bracelets for training purposes or drills. This allows you to keep track of individual runners performance with speed training.
What’s next?
With the recent explosion of AI, there will be more opportunities for technology to motivate runners. The advantage will be combining hardware and software to provide a complete solution. There’s a product called Stryd that has a pod that connects to the laces of your shoes with a application on your phone. It can improve the way you run and give you the data to help you achieve that goal. The membership gives you access to personalized content that can help you work towards a goal, stay motivated, and give you more in-depth data.
In addition, there is a solution to measure your metabolic health to improve nutrition, exercise, and sleep called Lumen. You breathe into a device, which will tell you more about your current metabolism. With this data, you can alter how and what you eat to be more energized and feel better. This example of combining hardware and software provides a very unique experience to keep track of your nutrition.
When it comes to runners, no two runners are alike. Ultimately, the form, speed, pace, goals, motivation are all different. A customized solution can be a big advantage for motivation. It can improve the quality of running and motivation when you start to see progress against your goals. Try out some tech and see how it motivates you!