Lumo Run Sensor Review

Disclaimer: I received this sensor for free as a part of the Lumo Ambassador program, however the opinions in this blog post are mine and mine alone and have not been controlled or affected by anyone else…

I talk a lot about run form.  Specifically that mine sucks.  Hey, the first step to getting better is admitting the problem. I’ve seen and continue to see numerous doctors, specialists and alternative medicine practitioners about my injuries and they all tell me what I’m doing wrong but outside of rest and time off running, there is never a solution to fix the root of the problems, only patches to put on the symptoms.  So when a company call Lumo Bodytech reached out to me about a product that was supposedly going to help me identify and correct those issues to see if I wanted to test it, I was curious and honestly, a little skeptical. 

Lumo Bodytech is a company that has created products designed to give your body a voice.  They currently have a sensor product called Lumo Lift designed to teach you how to improve your posture.  Lumo Run, to be released August 1, is also a sensor that you wear clipped on your waistband and run with that mimics a hands-on running coach.  They both use bluetooth technology and the data from your run synchs to the Lumo app on your smart phone immediately post run.

Let me start by telling you what Lumo Run says it does:

• Analyzes your running form
• Real time audio & actionable insights
• Run phone-free

It measures: Cadence – steps per minute, Bounce – vertical oscillation, Braking – change in forward velocity, Pelvic Rotation – side to side rotation of pelvis, Pelvic Drop – Side to side vertical movement of pelvis.

Here is the video they sent that “sold” me:

So, I took it out for a test run yesterday morning and wore my Garmin to compare data. I synched it up with my headphones and took my phone with me because that’s what I usually do.  Remember, although I was hopeful I was skeptical.  I did a 10 minute test run so Lumo could gauge my running dynamics and then continued on to finish my run.

Here are my thoughts.

Pros:

• Cadence matched up with Garmin identically
• Time for run was very close to Garmin (Averaged 8:33/mile on Lumo; Averaged 8:29/mile with Garmin).  That’s likely because Garmin has more accurate GPS signal.
• Following run, I got to see my measurements – cadence, bounce, braking, pelvic drop and pelvic rotation.
• Lumo picked one of my areas of concern and suggested an exercise to help me get better at improving that (like a coach).
• Not only did I see my measurements, but if I clicked on the arrows to the right of mine, I got to see what the “goal” range was. (Being in the green is good, being in the red is bad).
• 24 hours after the activity I got a “reminder” on my phone and a suggestion for a different exercise to help me.
• After your initial test run, on runs thereafter, Lumo Run will periodically give you an update on whether or not your are meeting your goal for the metric you are working on (for me this was Cadence). If you’re hitting the mark, you will hear chimes and something like “Great job, keep up the good work.” If you’re not meeting your goal, you will hear audio tips to help you increase your steps per minute. You can adjust the frequency of these tips and chimes in the app settings.

Cons:

• Analyzing the data is great but just like real life coaching, implementation and making changes to that data to actually improve is the only way you will benefit from this.  Otherwise, it’s just another run analyzer like VO2 data, HR zones, etc.

I plan to keep using it and see if I can make some forward progress with my form.  (Do you see all my red zones)? I definitely recommend this to people who can’t afford a coach or who can’t afford physical therapy and know they suffer with running form issues. Or for the run gear tech lover, the runner analyzing their run data post run for 15 minutes.  Those runners will love this and likely fulfill the improved running form, improved running result promise Lumo puts on the outside of their box.  If you already have a lot of run gear that collects dust in a drawer though, don’t bother. Lumo can’t help you if you don’t allow it to.

If you are interested in purchasing a Lumo Run Sensor, they have a pre-order sale going on until August 1 and you can buy it here for $79.99 for the weekend only.  On Monday, August 1, it will go up to $99.99.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions about this product (or any others) – I am always super willing to give my honest opinion. I also don’t always say yes to companies when they reach out to me. I deny many offers to work with people because that’s not what I’m about but if a product is something I use or would use, I have no problem trying it. The best ways to get a hold of me are to comment below or on Instagram (@jessrunsblessed) or this contact form.

Thank you for stopping by and reading this LUMO RUN Review.

XOXO,

Jess

*** UPDATE*** 7/31/2016 I’ve since used the Lumo Run Sensor during my race yesterday (an additional time since this post) and I wanted to write that after the initial run, on subsequent runs, it will talk to you during your run. My goal was to work on cadence so it chimed and buzzed when I was and wasn’t hitting my cadence and the lady on audio periodically gave me tips like, “try to move your legs faster with quicker turnover,” “only lightly tap your feet,” “envision that you are like a bird barely touching the ground” (or some graceful animal, I can’t remember which one), nevertheless, her advice was super helpful in having me get my form in check during my 5K race yesterday and correct it a bit so that I was able to speed up in mile 3! Just wanted to let you all know!!!