SHFT Running Power Meter
Start HERE. You will see quickly why this device is very different from the others on the market. I have had it since Christmas. I can answer questions. I typed a pretty nice review, but it got lost, so I will just start small. I see a lot of people "gathering data." I haven't seen this tool discussed.
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As you can see there are two pods. One for the chest and one for the right foot. I see this as a potential advantage. Which is more accurate in measuring forward lean and rotational forces: chest or foot sensors? A disadvantage is that there is an extra battery to keep charged and pod to pair. Another disadvantage is that you must run with an iPhone or Android phone and headphones. (No Apple watch app either.) That is how you will be coached. SHFT gathers data the first run and begins coaching with the second run. The first thing it wanted me to work on is ground contact time. Mine was about 360ms (which seems high). SHFT set my goal to average 358 to 338ms GCT. Each SHFT workout is the same. 5 minute warmup then 3 x 6' (2') working on technique. After 30 minutes you are free to continue. After about 9 days of GCT we moved on to cadence and then foot plant. I'm not sure what is next. Pods are rechargeable and don't seem to need charged often. Pod firmware is updated from the iPhone app. Bluetooth signal does drop rarely, but it hasn't interfered with my workout. The last app update allows SHFT to work with just one pod. There are several other features I like. At the end of every SHFT workout you get a Coach Report. SHFT updates you on your progress and running efficiency. You can also watch a representation of the foot pods path with each stride. (Neat to watch once or twice.) SHFT also recommended drills to improve metrics like A-Skips and Sprint Kicks to help GCT. The app has a library of videos to teach the drills. I can't see a triathlete racing with SHFT. It is a training tool. Retail is $300. Available on Amazon and TriSports. Easily found for $200. Less if you are creative.
I am curious to see how my metrics change with different footwear.
My next workout is a retest. How do I know? It told me after it gave me a summary after my last workout. So I can give you an update then. Has it improved my running? I will tell you my hamstrings were really sore when I was working on decreasing ground contact time and cadence. My foot plant is a little too forefoot, so I was coached to land more midfoot. Honestly, if you have read Vance's Triathlon 2.0 a run with SHFT reminds me of what he call an Envelope Run without the guessing about your efficiency. Running improvement takes a lot of work and it is not going to come fast, as a matter of fact I may be slower for a while. On the other hand I have never had this level of feedback.
If you already own a device that gives you advanced run metrics, why not start paying attention to them? Pick a metric and try to improve it. (You won't have to listen to SHFT remind you that elite runners have a GCT of 180ms and you don't.)
http://www.kinetic-revolution.com/ - good articles on run form
Hey! The new forum saved a draft of the post I thought I lost. That's pretty helpful. Forgive me if this is redundant, but there is info I wanted to convey here.
I recently began using the SHFT running powermeter. It is very different. It is billed as the world's first digital running coach. As the video implies it is not simply a tool to collect data. It takes the data and asks the runner to improve their form in real time. My first run it analyzed my form. The next few runs focused on my ground contact time. In all the time I ran with the Garmin Run HRM strap I never once used GCT. I found my GCT was pretty long. It was not easy to get it to budge. My hamstrings still aren't used to it. As I ran it coached me and encouraged me. Next up was cadence. I am a little better at this, but I began to realize that SHFT was not just for recovery days. I have to be on my game. Next was footstrike. I am a natural heel striker. I began working on footplant in high school, now I find out I am a forefoot striker and I waste 10-12 watts in deceleration. I am not sure what form cue is next. In summary I am pretty pleased.
PROS
CONS
Summary: Right now SHFT is a training tool. I don't see it as a tool to be used while racing. On the fly coaching is really pretty cool. I've never had this before. SHFT is from Denmark I believe and is pretty new to the States. If they expand the utility it has really great potential, but it is already the leader in my opinion. I will try to answer questions.
SHFT: Run Right
I attempted to use it today but apparently didn't hit the 'Go' button just right on my phone.
Since I have both tools, it will be interesting to compare the two and learn.
I'll try again on my next run.
Was curious how you are using on the interval runs since we change speeds and then recover.....