Under Armour Launches a Running Shoe with A Real-Time Form Coach

Whether racing for a spot at the trials, to qualify for a marathon, or to shave a few seconds off their 5k best, runners are always looking for that extra edge. Often, runners are forced to choose a high-cushion running shoe for longer distance races, or a lightweight racing shoe for faster running. Under Armour sought to solve this problem and find the perfect balance so runners don’t have to sacrifice either. The UA HOVR Machina mixes the speed of a racing shoe with the comfort of a long-distance trainer. Combine these with real-time Form Coaching, and runners have the shoes they need to reach their goals in 2020.

All of the footwear in Under Armour’s 2020 run suite, including the UA HOVR Machina, come digitally connected, allowing runners not only to track and analyze their runs, but also to gain unprecedented insight into their running form. Under Armour is taking connected running to the next level with the introduction of real-time Form Coaching. This personalized feature helps every runner ensure that their form doesn’t break down in the middle of a run by providing real-time, personalized guidance, helping runners better manage their risk of injury, and improve their performance.

Runners can also measure their foot stride angle and ground contact time, offered in a post-run analysis, to give them deeper insights into their form. This is especially useful on longer runs where the form may tend to break down due to fatigue. All of these features are available with a seamless, easy-to-use connection to MapMyRun.

By making sure that every detail serves a purpose, Under Armour found ways to keep the UA HOVR Machina light and responsive. What gives the UA HOVR Machina its fast-feeling speed is its propulsion plate, designed to keep the pace quick no matter the distance. The 2-pronged carbon-filled Pebax® spring plate helps runners get up on their toes to keep their turnover quick and their transition snappy. The UA HOVR Machina also features a new uncaged UA HOVR midsole—all the benefits of soft HOVR cushioning without any extra weight. UA developed a precise geometry that doesn’t require as much cage surrounding the UA HOVR midsole. The cage supports UA HOVR underneath the midsole, while the sides are now uncaged, reducing weight while still providing a responsive cushion.

Under Armour ambassador Gretchen Ho shares what she loves most about the new HOVR MACHINA shoe “The HOVR line is really good for running, but this one has extra power that is good for performance. So this is for those who want to level up their run. So ako, I’ve been wearing the HOVR line for years, and I’ve always loved it. I felt like I could go faster, so this one provides that. That’s my competitive self, talking because I always want to do better.”