Moov review: how the Moov actually made me want to go running

I hate running. I try to work out pretty regularly, doing things like lifting weights and training in martial arts, but running has just never stuck for me. It may be a great way to burn calories quickly, but it’s also unpleasant and boring. Sorry, runners, but running sucks.

Or at least it did. I recently got the chance to test out Moov, the fitness tracker and companion app suite from the startup of the same name. And I must admit, it has done the unthinkable. It has made me want to go running.

Hardware

The Moov comes in a slick box reminiscent of a nice watch, and most of the space inside it is consumed by accessories: two wrist/ankle bands with Moov mounts, a charging mount, and a USB mounting cord. The sensor itself is about the size and thickness of a watch face, though it’s built with plastic and thus lighter than most watches.

The sensors feel nice – not heavy but also not flimsy – and they snap nicely into their charging mounts. There’s a ring of light around the outside of each sensor that can change color, but otherwise they’re not much to look at. You just snap them into place and forget about them.

The wrist/ankle bands come in two different sizes, and should fit humans of just about every possible shape. They’re made of a rubber-like flexible plastic that easily fits snugly around your wrist or ankle and remains comfortable even when you’re getting sweaty. It does feel like the kind of material that might get worn down over time, though I had no issues with it during my time with Moov. If that does happen, it could be an issue, as Moov doesn’t currently sell any replacement accessories separately. If anything breaks or gets lost, you’ll have to buy a whole new Moov to replace it.

My only real complaint about the hardware is the sensor mounts on the ankle and wrist bands. The sensors don’t snap in or out all that easily, so switching them between different bands can be a bit of a pain if you’re switching exercises a lot. It also seems like it would be possible to think you’ve snapped a sensor in properly, go for a run, and then have it fall off halfway, because the sensors can be wedged pretty far into the mount without actually snapping into place.

All in all, the Moov’s hardware is pretty good, especially given that it’s quite affordable compared to lots of other fitness bands. The issues with the mount shouldn’t be enough to keep you from buying a Moov, but I do hope it’s something the company addresses in future generations of the device.

Software

Mooving forward