Nike + iPod Sport Kit – A Review
June 6, 2008
Update: Check out my latest post on the Nike+ and other devises I use when I run.
I’m going to hold off on my journal entry tonight. I’m just not in the mood BUT I had to share my experience with the Apple Nike + iPod Thingamajig
I’ll start by saying, IT IS AWESOME! For a stat girl like me I can’t wait to start charting all my runs and tracking them. The great thing, is it requires no work on your part besides plugging the iPod in. I was amazed.
Here’s how it works.
First, you need aan older ipod nano, like these
If you have the right nano you plug in a small device into the iPod. Then you put the little Nike chip in or on your shoe. I don’t actually have Nike shoes so I used this shoe pouch
That’s it! Now go run!
When you get back, plug the iPod in to sync, it will ask you if you want to save the data and then viola you get a visual of your run, like this…
How COOL is that?!?
Now, I added the blue text to point a couple of things out like the ability to name and describe the run. I also loved the fact I could see where I walked for a few seconds. I just think this is really neat.
I don’t know about you, but I find this very motivating. I just want to run so I can get a new little graph! (I’m such a geek)
I know some of you out there have used it, anyone want to share their opinion? Anyone not think it’s the coolest gadget ever? Just curious. Honestly, I was quite shocked it was only $29. It seems like a pretty fair price to me considering the ease of use and cool tracking stats.
OK, gotta run, it’s too late, I shouldn’t be up. Throwing a party tomorrow, I’ll tell you all about it this weekend. :~)
Update: Check out my latest post on the Nike+ and other devises I use when I run.
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On June 6th, 2008 at 11:12 pm Anonymous said:
I have a new ipod and it works on that too – I think it works on any nano you can buy. Yeah, I love it – and I love the shoe pouch too! I wish I could figure out what songs I’m listening to or what hills I’m climbing when I’m looking at my graph later to see how that affects my run – I’m a stat geek too! :)
On June 6th, 2008 at 11:24 pm Roni said:
Really?!? I was under the impression is only worked on the 3G and below, not the newer short fat ones. My Bad! (saying that always makes me laugh). LOL
On June 6th, 2008 at 11:52 pm Anonymous said:
i also have the newest nano and it works on it. there is also a way to import a run when you forget to use the nike +. just google it and you’ll find very detailed instructions. thought you might like to know, since i used to get annoyed when i forgot my nike + on my runs. oh, don’t forget to calibrate the thing. it really makes a difference.
On June 7th, 2008 at 12:02 am weelittleme said:
I use mine with my 3rd gen 8 gig nano no worries there.
Did you calibrate yours. I have short legs and so I think it thinks each step is a lot longer than mine really are. I need to find a measured 400m track to the calibration on before I can use the distance thing accurately but I still like it.
On June 7th, 2008 at 3:16 am sherijung said:
I love love LOVE mine! I’ve been training pretty hard lately and I just love to see my average pace go down as I upload new runs.
And it is super cool when Lance Armstrong or Tiger Woods or Joan Benoit congratulates me for some new milestone like going faster or longer than before.
It definitely works on all nanos.
On June 7th, 2008 at 3:51 am Melissa said:
The newest Nano (the short fat design with video) is the 3G Nano. I also have the Nike+ and it works just fine with my 3G Nano. The only reason I don’t use it as much anymore is because I upgraded and got myself a Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS unit since I can use it with my bike as well.
On June 7th, 2008 at 7:16 am Tanya said:
Love the Nike+ sports kit too. SOmetimes I’m motivated by just thinking that my runs will be tracked. I also have a 3Gen iPod and it works great.
On June 7th, 2008 at 9:55 am Anonymous said:
I love my Nike +…I just crossed my 500 mile mark yesterday with the help of some of my online running buddies. I run in “races” with people from all over the world that are called challenges…and I create my own for some of us on the blog. You are really going to like it…well until it eats a run of course. Keep Running Roni!!
~ronji
On June 7th, 2008 at 11:02 am The Flying Monkeys said:
Hey Roni, I did yoga in the AM and PM this week, meditation and stretching, and lost 2 pounds! Supposibly yoga is supposed to make you feel like youi dont wanna snack. Plus I still drink a big glass in the morning and pm so I dont snack.
On June 7th, 2008 at 12:03 pm D.Wah said:
I love the idea of it but for all of us regular ipod users its useless. I bought it and wanted to use it but realized that wasn’t compatible. Now its still in its box
On June 7th, 2008 at 12:45 pm IzzyBeth said:
I had never heard of these, this is cool!!!
On June 7th, 2008 at 1:58 pm Anonymous said:
The Nike+ is the best thing that ever happened to my ipod and waistline! It is easy, inexpensive (if you own a nano) and motivating. Plus you can run for time or distance, get audio and visual feedback at any point (press the center button) choose a’power song” for when you need an extra push, and keep track of everything…mileage, calories, distance, pace all in a nifty graph. Hows that for a run-on sentence? And hearing Lance tell you you’ve run your longest, or Paula say you’ve ran your fastest is fantastic! Get one, you won’t be sorry.
On June 7th, 2008 at 11:55 pm Laura Brandon said:
this won’t work with my ipod classic :( but they make a nike+ with an armband, that doesn’t even need your ipod to work! i’m not sure how you put the info on your computer, but it makes the same type of graph. i really want one!
On June 8th, 2008 at 9:07 am casmommy said:
thanks for reviewing this! i’ve been thinking about getting one for awhile so its helpful to hear reviews :)
On June 8th, 2008 at 11:07 am RooBabs said:
I recently bought the Nike+ and I am totally obsessed with it. It is so addicting to be able to see your distance increase and/or your pace go down. I never used to like running outside because I couldn’t tell how much progress I was making (vs. a treadmill where I could see all the numbers in front of me, pushing me). But now there’s no excuse.
BTW, thanks to the poster who added the comment about importing a run. I’ll definitely have to look that up, because I had a situation just this last week where I forgot my receiver (I posted about it on my blog, even).
Roni, I love your blog! You are so inspirational and your “style” is totally me. Keep up the great work.
On June 8th, 2008 at 12:35 pm Jules Jordon said:
This sounds like a great little gadget. I’ve just started in the gym on the tredmill and static bike. Might come in handy for my tredmill work.
Great blog, thanks
On June 8th, 2008 at 3:37 pm Holly said:
I’ve been thinking about getting one of these. The only negative feedback I have heard on them is that you can’t replace the battery. Once it goes, the whole system is useless. I’m not sure how long the battery lasts, however, but still, at $29, it seems worth it.
On June 8th, 2008 at 7:20 pm SaucyWench said:
Hey Roni!
How’d you get the image of your run? It’s not letting me grab it to put it on my page.
Just curious!
–Saucy
On June 8th, 2008 at 8:10 pm Roni said:
Saucy – I took a screen shot…
http://tinyurl.com/6qvpmm
On June 9th, 2008 at 8:24 am Arin said:
What a coincidence that you wrote this; I was on eBay yesterday looking for one!!! I think that this is an amazing gadget provided to us by Nike. After reading your review I will for sure buy one. Thank you :)
On June 9th, 2008 at 8:25 am Arin said:
Oh, I forgot to add: thank you for posting the shoe pouch, that was the only thing that was really holding me back from buying one. I did not want to buy the ’special’ Nike shoes that go with the kit.
On June 9th, 2008 at 8:17 pm Melissa said:
Here’s another option for holding the sensor if you don’t want to purchase the Nike+ shoes:
http://lacelid.com/
Nike shoes don’t fit my feet as well as some other brands, so I was thrilled when I found a way to still use the Nike+. I purchased a multi-pack since I had a couple of different pairs of running shoes. It made it a snap to just switch the sensor between my shoes without have to move the holder around, too.
On June 10th, 2008 at 7:36 am Maria said:
Roni,
So how easy is it to use an iPod? I don’t have one but I love the idea of the Nike+.
Should I make the investment?
Thanks
On June 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm RooBabs said:
To Maria (and anyone else with the same question)- you can actually purchase the Nike+ Sportband if you don’t have an iPod Nano. It goes on your wrist, and it has a little part that clips off and has a USB attachment that plugs right into your computer. It’s $59 (vs. $29 for the iPod version), but still cheaper than buying an iPod.
That said, I would totally recommend one of the newer iPod Nanos (3rd Gen)- I got mine for christmas (the 8-gig) and it has been awesome. I have about 1250 songs on it, and still over 2-gig free space. Plus, even though I’m not that gadget-savvy it’s pretty easy to use.
On June 16th, 2008 at 2:13 pm Roni said:
Maria – I find it easy but I’m a gadget whore. LOL You can download and play with iTunes if that is intuitive to you then you’ll be fine.
Hope that helps!
-Roni
On July 5th, 2008 at 1:10 pm Thanks Lance! | Roni’s Weigh said:
[...] stay away! Last night Lance congratulated me on my longest run ever (since tracking on the Nike+iPod). I clocked a 2.29 mile run at the beach in just under 23 minutes! I even increased my pace to 9:59 [...]
On July 5th, 2008 at 1:20 pm Fighting the Funk | Roni’s Weigh said:
[...] So I took it nice and easy and stayed close to home, getting a mile and half in. Of course I used my new favorite gadget! Here’s the [...]
On July 19th, 2008 at 11:41 pm Post Vacation Post | Roni’s Weigh said:
[...] everywhere! 5 of the 7 days we where there I got run/walks in before hitting the beach. I used my Nike+ and clocked 8 miles! And that’s not including a barefoot beach run and all the family strolls. [...]
On July 21st, 2008 at 1:41 pm runjess said:
Hey that looks like a fun little toy. I’m also shocked at the price. And I have a Nano. Hmm…
On August 23rd, 2008 at 6:35 am 6 weeks to 6 Miles | Roni’s Weigh said:
[...] mile run (didn’t have the Nike+ :~( – Ab workout,and weights (upper body – chest, shoulders biceps, triceps, back) AND and long [...]
On August 24th, 2008 at 12:26 am First Training Run with a New Mix | Roni’s Weigh said:
[...] at myself for actually stopping. But it was getting late and it was dark and I was home thanks to the Nike+. I turned around right after it told me I was at the halfway, 17.5 minute mark and viola home in 35 [...]
On August 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pm Medic Facility blog on health » Blog Archive » First Training Run with a New Mix said:
[...] at myself for actually stopping. But it was getting late and it was dark and I was home thanks to the Nike+. I turned around right after it told me I was at the halfway, 17.5 minute mark and viola home in 35 [...]
On December 29th, 2008 at 4:06 pm Laurie said:
I have the 8G nano – the short squaty one – 3rd generation – does anyone know if the iSport works with this?
On December 30th, 2008 at 5:19 pm roni said:
Yup! It does.
On March 21st, 2009 at 5:11 pm My Running Partner - The iPod/Nike+ said:
[...] back when (holy crap it’s been almost a year) I wrote a review about little device called Nike+ iPod Sport Kit. At that time I was only running for a few weeks and recently finished my first 5K. I immediately [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 12:21 am Open Systems Journal » Blog Archive » The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 12:46 am The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics | Design Website said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 12:57 am The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics | JustAnotherincome said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 1:20 am The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics | Design Website Easy said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 1:31 am The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics | said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 1:40 am The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics | dv8-designs said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 am The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 11:13 am Tuesday « my year of change said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics | Frustration Factor News and Articles said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 23rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm The Far Edge » Blog Archive » The Nike Experiment: How the Shoe Giant Unleashed the Power of Personal Metrics said:
[...] out the door. She pressed start on her iPod and began keeping track of every step she took. It wasn’t a long run—just 1.67 miles in 18 minutes and 36 seconds, but it was the start of something very big for [...]
On June 24th, 2009 at 8:26 pm Ipod Touch Accessories said:
I will pay you $500 for your personal cell# and 1hr. You rock at what you do! hats off!
On June 28th, 2009 at 11:12 am Nike + Apple = Analitycs Mkt | Dr Jay said:
[...] ipod y luego a la web. Una blogger americana llamada Rony esta contando su experiencia en su blog. Link La salud y el running vuelve a ser tema de investigación del marketing. Esperemos que no solo sea [...]
On July 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm donna torrie said:
Hi roni
i just got a nike+ and i love it….am wondering how you make comments on your run (do you do this on the nike.com screen or do you do it after you do your screen shot. Thanks!
donna
On July 4th, 2009 at 3:18 pm roni said:
Donna – Do you mean the blue words? I added those in photoshop. However you can change the “name” of the run under options on the top right.
Hope that helps!
-Roni
On July 4th, 2009 at 5:07 pm W David Stephenson said:
Hi. I’m completing a book called “Democratizing Data to transform government, business and daily life,” and am very interested in talking to some of you who have used the Nike+ and have felt it has had a significant impact on your life, especially your health. I suspect this is one of the first examples of how “personal metrics,” especially when combined with real-time feedback can improve our lives, especially regarding actions to improve our health and deal with issues such as global warming.
Please contact me @ D.StephensonATstephensonstrategiesDOTcom if you’re willing to talk to me about your experience.
On January 9th, 2010 at 7:13 am 9 Weight Loss Bloggers' Favorite Fitness Gadget | My Weight Loss Blog said:
[...] from Roni's Weigh: "This is SO EASY! It has to be this… Nike + iPod Sport Kit – A Review. The Nike plus has totally motivated me to run. But not just to run, to run longer and faster! It [...]