These Could Revolutionize Your Cardio Workout

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What Is The Best Shoe For Serious Runners?

When it comes to cardio, what you strap on your feet can make or break your workouts in the long run by ensuring the proper distribution of pressure in order to avoid injury. With 3D printed shoes, shoes integrated with sensors that track performance and even ones designed with special "blades" to help provide support and balance, the shoe industry and modern day technology are constantly teaming up to create innovating new ways to enhance the running experience.

So with all the hype, what shoes are the best? To answer this question we turn to the age old adage, "you can't improve something you can't measure". When performing cardio, in order to get the maximum benefit you should be tracking your distance, speed and heart rate at the minimum.

While there are step tracking apps that you can install on your phone or smart watch, the best information is usually extracted from the source (IE your feet). This is why the products below all have built in sensors that either transmit the information or use it to adjust to ensure you get the maximum experience. 

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What Do High-Tech Shoes Track?

Shoes with built in technology have the ability to provide you with real life statistics while you are running. Being able to track your results will empower you to make important decisions concerning how hard and how long you train depending on your personal health goals. 

Here is some of the information smart shoes can provide you in real time:

• Steps taken
• Heart rate
• Calories burned
• Speed
• Stride
• ​Pressure Areas​

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Who Are High-Tech Shoes Best Fit For?

In all honesty, anyone who takes their training seriously can benefit from the information that wearable tech can provide. Unfortunately, in the case of high-tech shoes, while they may be potentially more accurate, the price tag does not make them as economical a choice as say, an app on your phone or smartwatch.

With that being said, for those who are entrenched in the cardio lifestyle deep enough, incorporating technology that automatically transmits the information you need in order to improve makes sense.

​Your power to obtain the results that you desire rests on your ability to track and improve multiple factors such as heart rate, distance ran, and calories burned. By being able to have this information recorded without a second thought, your free to focus completely on your workout.

Another great reason to switch to wearable-tech is to avoid injury. Whether the shoe has been 3D printed in order to provide more support or has sensors build in to tell you which part of your feet are receiving the most pressure, these shoes have the potential to extend your running years a long time.

On a final note, because of the durability of these shoes, there is a good chance you may only have to make the investment one time. (At least until some new innovation is introduced)

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What Are The Top Three High-Tech Shoes?

Now that you know the benefits that can be gained when technology and shoes combine forces, lets take a look at some of the top brands that have made this leap. These top three have been given this honor based on multiple reviews as well as its aesthetic quality (no point having awesome shoes that don't look awesome).

​Nike Adapt BB

The Nike Adapt BB is the latest shoe to be brought forth by this shoe giant. This shoe is actually being marketed for those who play basketball and the technology that has been integrated allows for the shoe to automatically sense the wearers foot and adjust the fit to ensure maximum support.

​Whats even better, by utilizing the Bluetooth app that comes with the phone you can adjust the shoe to fit your preference EXACTLY. Making it the ultimate fit for both basketball players and runners alike. 

The Nike Adapt BB is currently $350.00, however those who have tried and reviewed this shoe say it is worth every penny and we are inclined to agree. 

WORD OF CAUTION: Although these shoes are in the top spot, a recent update has rendered some of them unable to connect to the app. Nike states it is actively working to fix this issue but we have yet to receive any concrete answers.

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Under Armour HOVR Sonic

The HOVR Sonic shoes by Under Armour connect to their app which tracks to Under Armour digital tracker which gives you the statistics needed to ensure you are performing at your max. With the built in technology coupled with the replacement of traditional EVA foam with  Olefin which is stronger and rebounds with more energy.

As far as aesthetics go, the HOVR Sonic is one of the most pleasing which is actually somewhat rare among the smart shoe industry right now (some of them are downright ugly). With the many popular apps Under Armour provides (my personal favorite being myfitness pal) chances are you may already have one of their programs on your phone so integrating the app for the shoe should be no issue.

The HOVR Sonic runs about $110 dollars on Amazon and about $140 for the newest versions available on the Under Armour website. Given the technology that is put into these shoes, and the fact there is a good chance you may not need to purchase another pair for a long time, this price isn't too steep.

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Altra Torin IQ

The Altra Torin IQ debuted in 2017 and has been revolutionizing the way people run ever since. This running shoe has a built in sensors that track everything, from the pressure your food exerts each footfall to your cadence which is fed into a coaching app that is designed to improve your running form. 

This type of information is serious news for serious runners. I can tell you from personal experience that running injuries are NO FUN and any technology designed to help lessen the possibility of injury is absolutely essential. 

The Altra Torin IQ is intended for pavement use,  however they have also created an off road version called the Altra Timp IQ. Both pairs will run you in the range of $200 making them one of the most competitively priced smart shoes on the market.

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