Another year and another new series of fitness trackers on the horizon waiting to be released. Smarter algorithms to make sense of your activity levels, optical heart rate sensors and even devices that track your pool workouts. We’ve come a long way since Fitbit Ultra.
Here are a few fitness tracker I personally thought are worth a mention in the current wave of wearables. For now. I’ll update this page periodically so drop by once in a while to see what’s the next big thing in the fitness tracker scene.
Moov Now
The Moov now is the successor to the original Moov tracker. The wrist worn fitness tracker monitors metrics from running, swimming, cycling, boxing, sleeping and walking. You can expect to see data about landing impact, swim strokes and even cadence. There’s also 7 minute workouts, voice guided coaching and connection to 3rd party heart rate monitors.
I’ve had the original Moov tracker and I can attest that it’s an amazing piece of hardware that does a great job with the running metrics and boxing activity.
List of features:
- 6 months battery life and water resistant
- Tracks running, walking, cycling, swimming, boxing, sleep, plus many more
- Measure landing impact during run, swim stroke, cadence and many more.
- Connection to 3rd party heart rate monitors
- Voice guided coaching
The company is preparing to ship the new Moov Now tracker in the fall of 2015. You can start to pre-order at a very attractive $59.99 per unit, a significant discount off the recommended retail price of $99 per unit. Read more here.
Garmin Forerunner 230, 235 and 630
Garmin’s trio of GPS watches was announced together leaving consumers spoilt for choice. While the FR 630 is more geared towards the exacting athlete who requires both physiological and running metrics, the FR 230 and FR 235 should be more than adequate for the everyday athlete in the making, with the FR 235 offering wrist based heart rate monitoring functions with Garmin’s in house “Elevate” technology.
List of features:
- 24/7 activity tracker. Tracks steps, distance, calories, sleep
- 24/7 Wrist based heart rate readings with “Garmin Elevate” technology (FR235 only)
- VO2 max estimates, predict race prediction, training effect and recovery duration analysed by Firstbeat
- Smart notifications with audio prompts
- Garmin Connect IQ compatible
- Water resistant to 50m
- Coloured sunlight-readable display
- Touch display and vibration enabled (FR 630 only)
- Battery life of 5 weeks in watch mode, 16 hrs in training mode (FR 230)
- Battery life of 9 days and 11hrs in training mode (FR 235)
- Battery life of 4 weeks in watch mode, 16 hrs in training mode (FR 630)
All 3 GPS watches will ship in Q4, just in time to trim up for the holiday seasons.
Microsoft Band 2
The new Microsoft Band 2 looks sleeker than its predecessor and packs the same if not a meaner punch. Equipped with 11 sensors, the Microsoft Band 2 tracks everything from steps, altitude to skin temperature, GPS, ambient light and even estimation of VO2 max with the on board optical heart rate sensors.
If you’re into golf, then the Microsoft Band 2 will appeal to you more. Microsoft has partnered with TaylorMade to allow golfers to focus on their game with features such as range finder and automatic shot detection. Together with gym guided workouts, smart notifications and Cortana voice activated assistant, Microsoft looks set to make their mark in the wearable tech scene in Q4.
List of features:
- Tracks steps, distance, calories, sleep
- On board GPS and optical heart rate sensor that reads continuous HR 24/7
- 11 sensors including UV, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, galvanic skin response and more
- Vibration motor for smart alerts and alarms
- Smart notification displays texts, emails and calls
- Works with compatible iOS, Android and Windows devices.
- 48 hours battery life
- Cortana voice activated assistant on Windows 8.1 phones or later
You can pre-order the new Microsoft Band at most major online retail stores including Amazon.com and Microsoft’s own web store at the recommended retail price of $249.99. Ships 31st October
Misfit Shine 2
By adding vibration alerts and limited forms of smart notifications, Misfit Wearables upgraded their flagship Misfit Shine to keep pace with the current generation of activity trackers. The Misfit Shine 2 still runs up to 6 months on a single coin cell battery and displays time on the device face in the form of 12 LEDs; signature of Misfit Wearable trackers.
The Misfit Shine 2 will also connect to the Misfit Link app to be used as a remote to play music, take a selfie or interact with a variety of internet services and smart devices.
List of features:
- 24/7 activity tracker. Tracks steps, distance, calories burned, sleep, cycling and swimming
- Smart notifications (calls and messages only)
- Vibration enabled for silent alarm, idle alert and phone notifications
- Connects with the Misfit Link app to use Shine 2 as a remote
- Tells time, progress and battey levels
- Capacitive touch sensor
- Battery life of up to 6 months
- Waterproof to 50m
The Misfit Shine 2 is officially available from November onwards though limited units are available for sale at Misfit.com. It is available in Carbon Black and Rose Gold at the RRP of $99.99. Use code “BEAMISFIT” to get $10 off your purchase.
Polar A360
Polar enters the wrist based heart rate monitoring scene with the Polar A360, an activity tracker promises industry leading heart rate measurement based on Polar’s in house algorithms and hardware design. The increased presence of wrist based heart rate monitoring in the wearable tech scene is a clear indication that consumers favour convenience and comfort over lab-grade accuracy.
Just 2 days after Polar announced the A360, Garmin followed up with the Forerunner 235 with their own wrist based heart rate monitoring technology called Garmin “Elevate.”
List of features:
- Wrist based heart rate tracking
- Tracks daily activity, steps, calories, workouts, and sleep
- Wide-viewing angle full color TFT display with capacitive touchscreen
- Smart notifications (iOS, Android support promised in end November 2015)
- Vibration enabled
- Waterproof
- Up to 2 weeks battery
- Changeable straps (Available in 2016)
- Multiple Sports profiles
- Polar Club compatible
The Polar A360 (RRP $199.95) will be available in Charcoal Black (size: M, L) and Powder White (size: S) in November in retail stores and online globally for $199.95 / €199.90. Additional colors such as Sorbet Pink (S, M) and Navy Blue (M) will be available soon after launch. Changeable wristbands in Powder White, Charcoal Black, Sorbet Pink, Navy Blue and Neon Green will be available in a variety of sizes and sold separately early next year.