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These in-ear headphones have sensors that claim to correct your running form

These in-ear headphones have sensors that claim to correct your running form

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A tiny coach in your ear

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SOUL Electronics Run Free Bio Pro headphones
Image: Soul Electronics

Soul Electronics has debuted two new in-ear headphones at CES with gait analysis that are built specifically for runners. The Run Free Pro Bio and Blade both come with built-in sensors and an accompanying app that will tell you on the fly if your running form is off and how to correct it, says the company.

While you are running, the headphones’ sensors track a host of different parameters integral to good form and preventing injury: cadence (steps per minute), step length, step width, vertical oscillation (the up and down bounce of your body), head tilt angle, stance / flight time, shock, maximum leg force, balance, and consistency. If any of these fall outside an optimal range, the app’s digital trainer will tell you in the headphones what to adjust in order to correct your form. Ideally, this should help people who have to be mindful of existing injuries and really, prevent injuries from happening to begin with.

Soul Electronics had someone run in place for me to demo the headphones registering all these different movements, and sure enough, I watched the system recognize when the runner took higher steps, intentionally stomped harder for a harsher impact, and when his head tilted downward. Of course, on top of all these complex insights, the app also tells you basic measurements you would expect, like calories burned, the time and distance you ran, and it tracks your performance and progress.

SOUL Electronics gait analysis app
Image: Soul Electronics

The Run Free Pro Bio, shown up top, support Bluetooth 4.0, are sweat-proof, have interchangeable ear locks, and have up to eight hours of playback time on one charge. The Blade headphones below have smart touch pads that control everything from music playback to making calls, support Bluetooth 5.0, and are also sweat-proof.

SOUL Electronics Blade headphones
Image: Soul Electronics

Soul Electronics’ Run Free Pro Bio headphones will be available in the spring and retail for $149.99, while the Blade headphones will be released this fall and retail for $249.99.