Trackstaa takes a look at the latest gadget in wearable technology, the MYMO device.
As ever with our product reviews, we are not being paid to test out this product or to only say the good things. We were provided with a MYMO device to test out and review and what follows is our honest impression and opinion of this innovative and unique training device.
What is it?
The MYMO device is a new device launched in October 2020 with its mission, according to CEO Craig Downs, to “guide runners to find the right running shoes”. You can watch the full video explaining how MYMO came to market, here.
When you open the box, you’ll first see a small oval shaped sensor that looks a bit like the centre of a heart-rate monitor strap. After a 1-minute test run with the device on each foot, you can access real-time, real-world data that’s completely personal to you and MYMO boasts an accuracy rate of 96.4% with regards to shoe recommendations.
How to use it
Once you’ve opened the box and you’ve had a play with the sensor device and the sock, slide the device into the sock that’s provided and then put the sock over your right and left foot alternately. In order to get the most natural gait analysis, MYMO recommends that you complete the test run barefoot or, with a pair of running socks on.
Once I had downloaded the free app, that is available on both iOS and Android, it was easy to pair the device with my phone via Bluetooth and I was ready to give it a try.
With the MYMO sock on and the app open, you hit ‘start my test’, wait for the device to calibrate for around 10 seconds (there’s a countdown on the app screen) and then I ran for 1 minute, before switching up and completing the same process on the other foot.
Once you’ve completed both feet, you can select the ‘my test results’ button in the app and you’re then provided with a swathe of gait data including whether you’re a neutral runner, overpronator, or supinator. It gives you detail on whereabouts on the foot you strike the ground in other words whether you’re a forefoot, midfoot or heel striker. You can see the degree to which each foot is balanced and the relevant ground contact time between the two amongst other pieces of key gait information.
Finally, the device, through the app, gives you a list of all the latest running shoes on the market from racers, to mileage shoes that are suitable for your gait in order to help you avoid injury and optimise performance.
Our opinion
We’re asked to test and review a lot of products; some of the things we like about the MYMO is that for a snip of the price of a more traditional version of gait analysis, you still get the full suite of running data necessary to help you purchase your next shoes. You can do it anywhere, at any time and as often as you like and this enables you to track your gait more frequently, keep an eye out for any changes or trends that might be emerging and this can assist you in identifying bio mechanical issues that are leading to regular injuries.
The fact that it is so simple to use means that it’s a device that will help runners of any ability, whether you’re looking into buying your first pair or whether you’re thinking twice about reaching for that same pair you’ve been running in for years.
The range of recommendations confirm that the device is completely independent and impartial and is only attempting to pair you with the correct shoes irrespective of brands and reputations. I think this is a great feature, too often we rely on the ‘bigger’ brands, despite injury and lack of comfort. MYMO will help us all to widen our running shoe horizon and to find the one that works for us.
At first, I was slightly concerned that the MYMO would not be as comprehensive as the traditional gait analysis particularly but I cannot stress enough how wrong I was. For this reason, perhaps the biggest benefit of MYMO is the price, it’s incredibly good value for money at a mere £39.99, around a third of the price of the average pair of running shoes and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
When doing these reviews, I try to give some negatives, if there are any. The only one I can think of is that by needing to use it barefoot and having to run for up to 2 minutes, you will need to find a suitable place to test it. I would recommend using it on a track and to avoid hard-surfaces, particularly if you’re not used to running barefoot.
I would also just add that no device or data is as important as what feels comfortable. If you’ve had a pair of shoes that you rely on, are comfortable and keep you injury free, no gait analysis MYMO or otherwise should sway you to another brand against your wishes.
Final verdict
Our final verdict is that this is a brilliant device which can be useful to any runner and alongside your smart-watch and heart-rate monitor will be a useful addition to your running technology inventory.
If you want to purchase yours, click here.