ThisNext Blog

I just might be the most disorganized runner ever: I don’t keep track of my time or distance, I’m really bad about pacing myself, and it never occurs to me to monitor my heart rate. But perusing the product picks of ThisNext’s speediest shopcasters, I’m feeling slightly inspired to regain that motivation and meticulousness I once had as a member of the high school track team.

The runners of ThisNext have the most fun workout toys, such as the Nike + iPod kit recommended by Kelli J (“the greatest invention to running since Nike put the waffles on the bottom of shoes,” she declares). Probably the running gadget I’m coveting the hardest, the Nike + iPod features a sensor that attaches to your shoe and a receiver that attaches to your iPod, explains Laura from Starling Fitness. Your iPod screen will then display your distance, time, and pace while you run, but Laura’s favorite feature is the Nike.com software that keeps track of all your workouts online. Such record-keeping may end up revolutionizing your running life, according to Laura:

“The Nike.com website really understands how to make running like a video game. Beating my high score can keep me playing a video game far past my bedtime. Beating my best time or longest distance is a way for running to become more like play and less about drudgery. I’m excited to see how this affects my running over the next few months.”

Another mega-popular running gadget, the Garmin Forerunner, also tracks your mileage and speed and downloads that data to your computer (“It is fantastic for any runner to be able to track the most important aspects of their run,” says shopcaster Johna N. of the GPS-based watch). Blogger Jenny Hadfield breaks down the Forerunner’s biggest benefits:

“The Garmin Forerunner links to the satellites and measures your speed and distance from above. No more driving in the car and measuring how far you went. No more pacing problems. The Forerunner gives you your pace while you run so there is no way to run too fast…There is also a feature that is allows you to train against a ‘buddy.’ You set the pace for the buddy and keep up to it while you run. A great way to motivate yourself on those grueling gray days.”

Both Charles R. and Andrea Vincent prefer the Polar S625x Heart Rate Monitor, which Andrea says is “like having a performance lab with you on every workout.” And for those not convinced that a heart rate monitor is necessary for workout success, Charles offers this argument:

“A heart rate monitor will give you a better workout everytime you exercise. A heart rate monitor gives you instant feedback about how hard you are really working and makes sure that you are exercising at the optimum level to burn calories and fat.”

Tania Fisher also knows the value of monitoring your heart rate mid-run, but she opts for the Nike Women’s Imara Heart Rate Monitor Watch (“I love the big display on this puppy! I can read it even when I glance down quickly while running,” says Tania). Available in pretty pink, the first heart rate monitor designed specifically for women times your workout, tracks calories burned, and assists you in interval training by helping you to alternate between hard and easy paces.