I go back and forth with listening to music while training these days. I was never a huge music connoisseur to begin with and, as I get older, I enjoy the sound of silence more and more. But, the power of music to help push though a hard run or training session, cannot be denied! I mean, I do have a waterproof iPod! I’ve also talked many times about how much I love just the right song at just the right time and, lamented how 50 Cent may never know how much he has influenced my athletic career. *sigh*
What I don’t love is spending time and money making playlists, especially when I need to fill more then an hour of running time. At a $1.29 per song, with 20 songs per hour, that’s over $25! For one playlist.
Recently, I was given an opportunity to try out a new and different music solution, made and marketed especially for runners.
Let’s discuss…
SPRING MOVES
Touted as a “rhythm fueled music service and exercise tracker,” Spring Moves does quite a few things – it’s detects your running cadence, creates a playlist to match it and also tracks your run distance and pace! The music is selected by professional DJs and runners…and some professional running DJ’s.
The Set-Up
The set-up is incredibly easy and the only way I will use something since ‘aint nobody got time for dat! You simply create a login account, chose the music genres you enjoy most (which you can update at anytime), select the activity you will be doing for the day (run, walk, dance, cycle, twerk) and then begin. You need to hold your phone for the first few steps so the device can detect your cadence or, you can choose it prior to beginning, if you happen to know that sort of thing. After that, you can store your phone and run to the music as it rhythmically guides you along.
If you’re running outside, you can activate the GPS by allowing it to locate you, and then get pace and distance updates while you run and a summary when you are finished.
What I Love About Spring Moves
The Music!
Obviously this needs to be at the top of the list. I tend to be kind of picky when it comes to my running tunes so my bar was set pretty low in terms of expectations. Well, I was super surprised to find out that not only was the music GREAT but I actually heard some new stuff that I loved!
My original playlist for a short, easy run. Loved it!
The other mind-blowing thing? You can email a real human at Spring Moves and ask to have music added to the library and, if they can, they will.
During your run or walk if you hate the song, just skip to the next. Afterward, you can rate each song and choose to keep it in rotation. As you can see in the above picture, you can also chose to share some of the data.
The People!
Spring Moves is an adorable start-up in a way that I feel Apple once was. The people there could not be nicer, more knowledgeable or helpful when it comes to thier product and services (see music requests above). I’m 100% certain that if I ever have an issue, they will be happy to resolve it and, probably compensate me in some way for my trouble.
“Spring Moves is the world’s first musical energy company. We believe that music and technology can improve lives. We make people live better by working out better. Our mission is to realize human potential through the power of music and technology. Our first product – the Spring app (iOS) – is a rhythm fueled music service and exercise tracker. Think Pandora meets Fitbit. The Spring app launched in October 2014 and has been downloaded by 300,000 walkers, runners and bikers. It has been featured by Apple, LA Times, Elle Magazine, Women’s Health, Runner’s World and others.”
Did I mention this headphones?
If you select the yearly subscription (after your 30 day free trial of course!) you get these headphones along with your $39.99 payment. #streetcred
How about a one-month free trial by clicking HERE?
What I Don’t Love As Much
You know I’m always incredibly honest, sometimes to a fault, so here it is:
- You have to use Spring Moves with your phone so that means you need to take your phone with you on your runs. #NotAFan
- I can pair my watch with my phone to control the music but, if you don’t have that capability, you need to have access to your phone so you can skip a song if you don’t like it.
- When they say a playlist is explicit, they mean it. You know I don’t shy away from good shit talk and, let’s face it, heavy swearing is a part of a lot of great songs, however some of the rap music had my jaw dropping, which is not easy to do so, maybe this should be in the “what I love” category? #YouHaveBeenWarned
The Power of Cadence
First of all, cadence refers to how many times your feet strike the ground in one-minute. Your height, weight, leg and stride length will determine what your target cadence should be but, everyday runners generally fall between 160-170 with elites clocking in at 180 or higher. You can find out yours by your smart watch data (check again it’s probably there) or by simply counting how many times your right foot hits the ground in one minute, then multiply it by two.
Why is it important? You want to get your feet off the ground as quickly as possible. The faster your cadence the less injury you incur, the faster you become and the better you will feel.
These are also great articles about cadence, why it’s important and how you can improve it. They all have one thing in common – – they talk about how you should either get a metronome app (OMG boring!) or download music to fit the pace you need to attain:
3 Ways to Increase Running Cadence | Comeptitor.com
Efficient Running Cadence | womensrunning.com
How to Boost Your Cadence | Runner’s World
The Price
This is most important right? How much is this going to cost and is it worth it? Well, first of all you have a 30 day free trial to determine both, second of all, it’s pretty inexpensive and comes with swag:
Don’t forget to download your first free month HERE and then send thank you gift cards and baskets to my home address.
[Tweet “Never make another #playlist but rock your #runs with @springmoves one month FREE #rockyourrun “]
What do you listen to when you workout?
Will you try this? Why or why not?
This is interesting. I do listen to music most runs (I just like it). I’ve never even heard of Spring but I might have to look into it. Pandora is getting kind of boring lately.
I’ve heard that about Pandora and, I always make my own playlists so, when Spring Moves reached out I thought it would be fun…and it is!!
If I’m running outside, I usually listen to the sounds around me. Or me singing in my head! But when I’m on the treadmill or on the trainer, I’m usually listening to Pandora. I like the variety although sometimes they repeat A LOT. Spring sounds cool if you listen to music a lot.
I heard that about Pandora! And yes, I definitely “need” music more when I’m inside on the bike or treadmill. I like that I’m hearing songs I would otherwise have never known about. It keeps me tuned into the music 🙂
This is an amazing app!! I never knew the power of running by cadence until I tried Spotify running but their issue is that the same songs repeat a LOT! does this app have that issue? $40 bucks for the year is completely manageable and worth it. I think I might love that explicit section too hahahaha. So excited to try this!
I have only been using it for about 3 weeks but I have NOT noticed that at all – how awful!!
Let me know if you try it and yep, you’re gonna love the explicit songs 🙂
I do listen to music every time I run on my own….. I’m keeping this post in my email to come back this weekend and read the articles on cadence, because I’ve never tried to figure out what mine is…… I did after watching your year in review youtube video, put “You better work bitch” on my playlist…. and every time it comes on during my run (happened on wednesday again), I think of you and pick up my speed:)
That just made my day!!! Work Bitch!! 🙂 LOL
Have a great weekend my friend and let me know your thoughts if you try this.
I may have to check this out – I’m creeping up on needing music territory in my long runs and I’m always looking for new music! I love that it comes with headphones for the yearly package – that is a good deal. And like Paria, I’m going to come back to read the cadence articles! Sometimes when I’m getting tired in my run I’ll just focus on moving my feet a little faster and that helps my pace without making me feel exhausted.
I actually thought of you because once you get into the meat of marathon training it’s hard to fill your ears for all.that.mileage! And yes, that is the thing with cadence – move those feet a little quicker and it makes a big difference. You should start tracking it so you know if it’s improving over your training…
I am going to have to look into this a bit more! I have been using an app called Fit Radio which has playlists based on cadence or workout type that I have been loving. It is a pay per month after the first 90 minutes you listen to it but so far I am enjoying it. And I NEED my music.
Interesting! I have never heard of them but sounds very similar. Whatever keeps you moving, right? Have a great weekend!
Meh!!!!!!!!.
I had a feeling in the back of my mind though, that I’ve listened to music training b4 and REAL loud. It was swim team at CSUN in the early 80s. I love my Rock, Led Zep, Aerosmith, ZZTop, Nirvana, etc.
UNDERWATER SPEAKERS rocked the entire team to a frenzy. But then, when you’re swimming 10,000 yard sessions, it makes you go!
I also loved it at Gold’s gym, but it was also hard core Rock (an extension of the original Gold’s in Santa Monica where Arnold trained), again in the 8os.
In those instances, it’s like the theme song to ‘Rocky Balboa’, it really pumps you up, like a shark feeding frenzy.
Running though, it’s just too much interference, I feel handicapped. I tried it once because a girl I was training said I would like it. Naw, not even!!!!!!!!!
When I run, I want the least stuff on me, the least distraction, the most concentration on biofeedback. Besides, it’s a safety issue with all the cars and other unpredictable stuff around (I once had a Van try to run me down- On the sidewalk- He drove the entire block on the sidewalk!, not to mention attacked by dogs).
There are just too many crazies around not to be 100% dialed into your environment!
I hear you. I don’t listen for every outdoor run but I absolutely do on the treadmill. I also never listen to music on my bike since it’s pretty dangerous and I like to stay on high alert. As for running – where I live there are far more cows then people and cars so it’s much safer…
You are indeed lucky:)
I don’t listen to music on my runs, but if I did I would love this – I need variety in music! $40 is a steal compared to iTunes!
It IS a steal! I’m always curious how some runners never listen to music!! Good for you. Have a great weekend…
This sounds really really cool, especially for runners! I hear you on not wanting to take your phone with you but I love the idea that real people are on the other end. I can’t tell you how annoyed I’ve become with companies lately who the face is someone I really like and their mission is cool but when you contact them you get some idiot who is totally rude to you. I like the headphones!
Exactly! I was so pleasantly surprised when I had my first call with them. As you know, it’s the people that make you want to work with a brand and these people are great.
Thanks Britt and have a great weekend in the SUN!
I’m super picky with my music–in fact, I just added new songs to my playlist (I use Spotify) and I was listening to it in the car on the way to work. I’ll road test it, but I”m thinking a few may have to go…
I’m shopping for a new car and my husband asked about features I want–I told him #1 is premium sound system. He just rolled his eyes.
That is too funny but hey, whatever works to keep you motivated is what you need to do! More power to you woman!
I’ve been so curious about this. I heard about spring moves a while ago and have wanted to try it out. I’m getting a little sick of my playlists (and who has time to put together a new playlist?!) and love that it matches your cadence.
Exactly! I either forget or run out of time. Making playlists is on my to do list near getting a manicure and pedicure…which happens almost never!! If you try it, let me know how you like it!
It seems very reasonably priced actually! But the phone requirement is a killer for me. I don’t like to use apps on my phone when I’m running, it drains the battery too quick. If it worked with an ipod, then yes! I’d be all over that!
I just don’t like the bulk of my phone so I’m all for an iPod hook up too!! Hopefully that will come next!