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Top FAQs About the Garmin Running Dynamics Pod
Select a topic below for more information on your Garmin® Running Dynamics Pod:
Using a Running Dynamics Pod with a Heart Rate Strap During an Activity
What Happens When I Use a Running Dynamics Pod with a Foot Pod When Recording an Activity?
Running Dynamics Pod: Vertical Oscillation and Vertical Ratio Accuracy
Using a Running Dynamics Pod with a Heart Rate Strap During an Activity
When a watch is paired to both a Running Dynamics Pod and an HRM strap that supports running dynamics, the watch will display and store the running dynamics values from the Running Dynamics Pod.
What Happens When I Use a Running Dynamics Pod with a Foot Pod When Recording an Activity?
When a watch is paired to both a Running Dynamics Pod sensor and a Foot Pod sensor, the watch will display and store the cadence and stride length values from the Running Dynamics Pod.
Running Dynamics Pod: Ground Contact Time Balance
For some runners, ground contact time balance (GCT balance) data from the Running Dynamics Pod sensor (RD Pod) may not match the same data recorded with an HRM 600, HRM-Fit™, HRM-Pro™, HRM-Pro™ Plus, HRM-Run™ or HRM-Tri™ monitor. This is related to different mounting locations. The greater variability in waist mounting, and the fact that ground impact signals are different on the waist compared to the chest, can lead to minor discrepancies. Garmin's testing, over hundreds of runs, has shown that GCT balance from the RD Pod responds as expected with deliberate gait changes, shows good run-to-run repeatability, and performs as expected to speed work, fatigue, and other stressors. As such, GCT balance from the RD Pod is useful to many runners for monitoring balance trends over time, and better understanding their running form.
Running Dynamics Pod: Vertical Oscillation and Vertical Ratio Accuracy
The Running Dynamics Pod (RD Pod) measures vertical motion at the waist, which can be slightly different from the vertical motion at the chest as measured by an advanced heart rate monitor strap. This is the result of biomechanics and the amount of difference in vertical oscillation (VO) and vertical ratio (VR) depends somewhat on the runner.
The color zones seen on the watch and in your Garmin Connect™ account for VO and VR are customized for the sensor location.
For best results with the RD Pod, it should move with your body. If your waistband is too loose there can be excessive motion of the pod relative to your body. This can affect the accuracy of VO and VR. Similarly, a water bottle pouch or mobile phone carrier that is bouncing up and down on the RD Pod will also affect the accuracy. These items should be worn such that they do not touch the RD Pod or cause it to move relative to the body.
Troubleshooting Running Dynamics Pod Connections
If you are experiencing an issue with pairing a Garmin Running Dynamics Pod sensor, follow the troubleshooting steps below.
Specific information regarding the pairing of a sensor to your device can be found in your owner's manual.
Activate the sensor within the main menu of the paired device. Refer to your owner's manual for instructions.
Change the battery in the pod. Refer to your owner's manual for instructions.
Check and install any available software updates for your watch using Garmin Express.
Restart scan for the sensor.
Move away from other runners who may be using a similar device or sensor.
If the issue persists, the radio frequency (RF) the sensor outputs to the device may be getting blocked by either your body or other RF signals. The RF reception is best when either walking briskly or running. Restart a scan for the sensor and then attempt to pair the sensor while quickly walking or running.
Running Dynamics Pod Not Providing Data During Activities
There are a number of possible issues that could cause a Running Dynamics Pod (RD Pod) sensor to not display information on a Garmin watch. Review the following if running dynamics are not being recorded:
Check that the RD Pod is awake and connected to the watch.
To wake the RD Pod, shake it vertically up and down for a few seconds, or put it on and wear it for several steps while running or walking. Then bring the watch out of Low Power Mode and the RD Pod very close to it, the two should pair and connect. On the watch, an oval-shaped icon with a "running man" icon inside indicates a connection to the RD Pod.
Ensure that you are using one of the running activity apps (Walk and Hike apps will not display running dynamics).
Make sure that you are wearing the RD Pod properly (see How Do I Wear the Running Dynamics Pod?)
Make sure that the RD Pod is oriented properly in the clip (the icon of the runner should be visible and upright).
Make sure your watch supports the RD Pod (see Running Pod Compatibility).
Remove Running Dynamics Pod Reminder
After completing an activity while using the Running Dynamics Pod (RD Pod) compatible devices will provide a reminder alert to remove the RD Pod from the clothing. This message can be acknowledged each time or you have the option to chose Do No Show Again.
Once this message is dismissed to not show again, the only way for this alert to be visible is for the device to be restored to default settings. Choosing to restore the device to its default settings will erase all settings from the device and require you to go through the setup process again. For details on how to perform this reset refer to your Owner's Manual.