In focus Wearable Fitness Devices
The world of wearable technology is forever growing and that’s particularly noticeable when you look at just how many different trackers Fitbit alone offers. Fitbit is one of the most well known names in the fitness tracking world, which is why its products seem so tempting. However, with six different tracking devices available - the Zip, One, Flex, Charge, Charge HR, and Surge - it can be tough to know just which one is the ideal solution for you.
Here, we take a look at a few of these products in order to decipher that conundrum.
Given Fitbit’s original purpose, it makes sense that each device offers pedometer-based features. Each tracker will record your steps taken, calories burned, and distance covered. Each also makes it simple to sync wirelessly and automatically with a PC, Mac, most iOS devices and some Android phones.
Theses ties into the ability to track your progress through a customizable dashboard, as well as challenging your friends. Fitbit’s strength here is in its ability to easily provide you with personalized weekly goals in order to keep you constantly motivated to do better next time. The interface is clear enough for technophobes, with a smartphone app also available that tracks your routes as well as motivates you with voice cues.
For the casual user who just wants to dip their toe into the world of fitness tracking, the Fitbit Zip is an easy recommendation. It’s not a wristband like some of the others. Instead, you attach it to your clothes like a regular pedometer. It’s not very stylish, but it does its job well. You can wear it all day, looking down at it and checking how much you’ve achieved so far before syncing it with your computer to get more details. As it attaches to your clothing, you can leave it as obvious or as discreet as you like.
You won’t have to worry about battery life often either as the Zip comes with a replaceable watch battery ensuring it lasts up to six months. It might lack many of the features of the other, more advanced models, such as sleep tracking, but it’s a good starting point that’s different from traditional pedometers. The Zip is also ideal for those not able to wear something on their wrist all day.
The One and the Flex. The One is a pedometer-style device, much like the Zip, clipping onto your clothing, while the Flex is a wristband. Visually, the Flex is much more stylish, offering plenty of varied colour choices, as well as a minimalistic way of viewing progress. It uses a series of flashing dots to show how your day is progressing, with each light representing 20% of your goal. It’s not as informative as the other Fitbits with the bulk of the data only available through the app, but it looks a lot cooler. Michael.okeke@thisdaylive. com