Running and walking are perhaps the most convenient forms of exercise there are. They can be done anywhere and the only required equipment is a pair of shoes. It can also be very frustrating trying to stay motivated, especially if you are by yourself when you exercise. The Nike + iPod Sport Kit can help you stay motivated as well as help you stay entertained as the miles pass.
The Experience
A lot of athletes are already using an iPod while they run or walk to help pass the time listening to music, a book or a podcast. With the Nike + iPod Sport Kit, your iPod or iPhone can also tell you your time, distance, pace and the number of calories you have burned while you are running. According to the Nike + iPod page of the Apple website, you can also set one of several different goals for your workout and have your iPod tell you when you have reached the goal.
The Power Song and Playlists
Another motivational tool, according to Apple, is the power song feature. You select your favorite, most motivating song as your power song. When you feel ready to quit or are in need of some instant motivation, you can instantly play this song. You can also work out to your favorite playlist or even create one specifically for working out.
Nike + Online
For some, motivation comes in the form of seeing the statistics from their workouts or by setting goals. Nike + online allows you to store all of the data from your workouts. This data is uploaded by syncing your iPod with iTunes. According to Nike Running, you can set goals, join different challenges and view your progress. You can also tag workouts so you can see how your performance varies in different weather conditions, or at different times of the day.
The Sensor
This is all made possible by a sensor that is slipped into a opening under the sock liner of a Nike+ shoe, or tied to your laces in a pouch of any brand of shoe. The sensor and receiver communicate using radio waves and the sensor detects every step that a runner takes. This is broadcast to the iPod through the receiver. According to Discovery Health, this happens through the use of a piezoelectric accelerometer. Piezoelectric sensors produce electricity when their shape is changed, as happens every time you step down on the sensor that is in your shoe. These electrical impulses are transmitted to the receiver. Due to the gait differences between running and walking, a processor can then determine your running speeds.
The Receiver
The final piece of this system is the receiver. The receiver is plugged into the iPod via the multi-pin connector. According to the Runner Plus website, the sensor transmits a unique code that links the sensor to the receiver. This keeps data separate for very runner using this system, even if they are running side by side. This code is set up the first time the sensor and the receiver are used together. The data transmitted from the sensor through the receiver is then available for the software on the iPod to work its magic.
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