Measuring running cadence via Garmin footpod

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi kids -

My coach wants me to start working on running cadence and get it up to 90/minute. I’m kinda a dork about losing track of counting steps, especially while watching a clock. I lose track of how many pool laps I’ve done let alone trying to watch a clock and count my strides at the same time.

How is the cadence sensor on the Garmin footpod? I have a Garmin 410 but it has been discontinued and I’m not even sure it works with the footpod. I’m getting conflicting info on their website.

Anyone have a 410 and know if it works with the footpod?
How accurate is the footpod in general, on any model?

Thanks!

2

I have it on my Garmin FR60 and it works well.

It should work with your 410 too.

3

I use it my garmin 910. It works fine for cadence. I think it is slightly off from the gps distance for each step and I haven’t dialed it in for that but I think you can. but for the cadence its accurate.

4

Anyone have a 410 and know if it works with the footpod?

Yes, and yes.

5

Hi kids -

My coach wants me to start working on running cadence and get it up to 90/minute. I’m kinda a dork about losing track of counting steps, especially while watching a clock. I lose track of how many pool laps I’ve done let alone trying to watch a clock and count my strides at the same time.

How is the cadence sensor on the Garmin footpod? I have a Garmin 410 but it has been discontinued and I’m not even sure it works with the footpod. I’m getting conflicting info on their website.

Anyone have a 410 and know if it works with the footpod?
How accurate is the footpod in general, on any model?

Thanks!

Accuracy count wise should be spot on, distance wise - well that’s questionable - but I don’t really use mine for distance.

6

Another alternative is download some Podrunner tracks mixed to 180BPM. Run to those & just train your body to know what a 90 cadence feels like.

I particularly like the ones with the military calls - hard not to do what you’re told & keep moving!

7

Interesting because there is no mention of the footpod in the guide or on the 410 page on the website.

Thanks. I’d only use it for cadence and use GPS for distance outside.

8

Interesting because there is no mention of the footpod in the guide or on the 410 page on the website.

IIRC, I checked the footpod specs for model compatibility and then verified it on dcrainmaker.

I’d only use it for cadence and use GPS for distance outside.

If you have calibrated the footpod then it might be desirable to turn off the GPS to reduce power consumption on long runs.

9

Another alternative is download some Podrunner tracks mixed to 180BPM. Run to those & just train your body to know what a 90 cadence feels like.

I particularly like the ones with the military calls - hard not to do what you’re told & keep moving!

Where do you get these? This would help me…I can’t get to 90. iTunes?

10

Another alternative is download some Podrunner tracks mixed to 180BPM. Run to those & just train your body to know what a 90 cadence feels like.

I particularly like the ones with the military calls - hard not to do what you’re told & keep moving!

Where do you get these? This would help me…I can’t get to 90. iTunes?

Go here and go crazy: http://www.djsteveboy.com/podrunner.html or search for podrunner in itunes & you should find them.

I found them really useful to work myself up to a higher cadence - just kept upping the BPM until I got there.

11

the garmin footpod when calibrated is as accurate as the GPS or better. I personaly prefer the footpod as it s a lot quicker than the gps to show the change in pace. the gps simply cant compete with the performance of the footpod on that side.

but people are scare of using footpod…everyone wants GPS. I m still running with my FR70 and love it! And i work for garmin…

.

12

I ordered one today. I’m assuming the battery life is better on the watch itself if GPS is turned off and I’m using the footpod. When I get back into my long running that might get useful.

How accurate is it on trails? I was thinking it predicted distance by typical stride length but on a trail that can get kinda random.

(I tried to get it via my favorite LBS but it would be over a week before I got it so I went online.)

13

who’s your favorite bike shop??? a week? in bc, speed theory, pacific multisports, forerunners, etc…would all have it within 24h…

the pod use accelerometer in 3 direction to know what stride lenght you did. so when in covered area on twisty trail…the footpod mesure the right amount of distance while the gps make straight line between sample points…

so that you run fast…or slow…or in a weird way…the pod will know and adjuste accordingly…

14

Excellent thanks.

I don’t want to rat out my LBS :slight_smile: I ordered my 410 from them and it took a week. They wouldn’t have ordered this until tomorrow and said it would get in next week. If I’m not in a hurry I order from them but I got my orders from my coach last night to work on cadence and when a coach speaks, you listen!

15

You can even use the footpod/watch on the treadmill if youd like. It works really well! I wrote about my experience below. Have fun and good luck with it!! You can also buy a Finis Tempo trainer and listen to the beeps and match your cadence. I use both.

http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2013/02/how-to-stay-connected-on-a-treadmill-pro-triathlete-lauren-goss.html

16

It’s not a pedometer just counting steps, it’s actually an accelerometer measuring your stride length. This being said, it still has to be calibrated and has some difficulties with steep inclines/declines and stairs, at least in my experience. But the cadence is spot on.

Also, it says the Forerunner 410 is compatible with the footpod on Garmin’s website: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=83274 → Specs → Features and Benefits