Foot Pod Technology

If you're a runner or walker, sometimes you want to measure not only how long you exercise but also how far you have gone. Foot pod technology does just that. Manufacturers such as Polar and Garmin make foot pods that will help consumers manage their workouts by measuring distance and pace.

  1. Features

    • The accelerometer is the technology behind foot pods. Foot pods use this technology to estimate how far the foot has traveled by measuring the time it takes for the foot to strike the ground. Some foot pods also take other variables such as terrain and fatigue into consideration.

    Benefits

    • According to the Running Warehouse, foot pods can be up to 97 percent accurate. Unlike GPS units that use satellites to measure distance, foot pod technology work in areas without a clear sky view, areas like indoor gyms and wooded trails. Foot pods are also less expensive than GPS units are.

    Considerations

    • For maximum accuracy, foot pod technology must be calibrated for each user. Because this technology measures foot strikes, foot pods may be less accurate for people who have abnormal foot-strike patterns.