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Health and Fitness

Are Fitbit Badges the encouragement you need to smash your fitness goals in 2021

Fitbit Badges

Fitbit Badges – How many of us have set fitness goals for the New Year and lost motivation within a few weeks? Many of us buy a smartwatch or fitness tracker with the idea that we will start to live a healthier lifestyle, but when the novelty wears off, it can be hard to stick to the healthy habits that you have started to form. To boost your motivation, Fitbit offers a badge reward system in which you earn more badges the more you do.

We took a closer look at the Fitbit Badges system so that you can understand what it could do for your motivation. Read on to find out more.

Daily Steps Fitbit Badges

Fitbit Badges

Every step you take is calculated with your Fitbit, and the more you do, the more badges you can achieve. The first steps badge is awarded when you walk for 5000 steps in one day. They then go up in increments of five thousand until you hit 80,000, and then they go up in ten thousand up until the final 100,000 badge has been achieved.

Lifetime Distance Fitbit Badges

Fitbit Badges

Unlike the daily steps, the lifetime distance badge calculates all the steps you have ever done and adds them up, earning you badges along the way. The first badge is achieved when you have walked the equivalent of a marathon and then continues to rise in miles until it reaches the final badge, which is awarded after 12,430 miles!

Daily Floors Fitbit Badges

Fitbit Badges

Climbing up and down the stairs does not go unnoticed, and with the daily floors awards, you can set yourself a new challenge every day to hit as many steps as possible. Your first badge will be issued when you manage to climb up to ten floors over the space of twenty-four hours. If you want to achieve the toughest badge in this category, you will need to climb a whopping 700 floors in just one day!

Lifetime Floors Fitbit Badges

Fitbit Badges

As with the lifetime distance, this badge accumulates the number of floors you climb and rewards you first when you hit the 500 mark. It is a well-known fact that ditching the elevator and escalator in favour of steps means you are more likely to get fitter quicker! The last badge in this category is awarded after you have completed a mammoth 35,000 floors!

Weight Goal Fitbit Badges

Fitbit Badges

If you are on a weight-loss mission, then you can use your Fitbit to help you monitor your progress. You will get a badge as soon as you set yourself a weight goal, and another one, when you achieve your goal plus you, will also get a new badge every time you lose 5 pounds. With badges available all the way up to 200 pounds, there is no weight goal too big for your Fitbit to help you achieve.

Challenge Badges

As well as all the badges for your exercise and weight loss, there are lots of badges you can achieve by completing Fitbit challenges. These challenges include exercise, steps, and competitions and help you reach your fitness goals in a fun and exciting way. Decide which challenge you want to work on, set the start date, and then get to it!

How Can I See My Fitbit Badges?

If you are keen to check out the badges you have earned, you head over to the Fitbit app on your phone and click on your profile. In the profile area, there are the options to select badges, and by pressing on this, you will be taken to your full collection. The badge will be displayed along with the number of times you have achieved it, and when you click on an individual badge, it will tell you what you got it for and when you achieved it.

Can I share my Fitbit Badges?

Some badges will make you feel especially proud of your efforts, and so you will be pleased to know that you can share them with your loved ones so that they can see the progress you are making. To share your badges, click on the badge you want, and a share button will be available at the bottom of the screen. You can add a message or a status update, and then you need to choose where to share it. You may opt to share it within the Fitbit community, or you can even text, email, or add it to your social media for everyone to see. The choice is yours, and you will soon be enjoying the attention it brings you.

Can I Earn Badges If I Forget To Put My Fitbit On?

If you forget to put your Fitbit on, you will be pleased to know that you can add in any exercise or steps to the app so that your efforts do not go unnoticed. Unfortunately, not all the data you add can be used towards badges as the makers wanted to ensure that each step is accurately and fairly recorded. We know this is a bit annoying when you accidentally forget your tracker. Still, when you consider that most of the Fitbit devices don’t need daily charging, then you can be sure that you will be able to get the majority of your exercise loaded without any issue ready for those badges to come rolling in!

Why Are Fitbit Badges Good?

Now you have the lowdown on Fitbit badges, and how to earn and share them, you can start your collecting mission. We think that these badges are not just a fun way to track your progress but an easy way to get some motivation to improve on your own performance. Each badge has its own unique design, and you are sure to love the moment it pops up on your phone to tell you that you have achieved it. Like the sound of Fitbit badges? Why not treat yourself to a new Fitbit and start collecting yours today!

If this has encouraged you to make your next smartwatch purchase a Fitbit, check out our Fitbit Model Comparison.


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Emma Morris

Emma is an experienced Virtual Assistant and is our Copy and Visual Editor and Social Media Manager. When not working, Emma enjoys life with her little girl, partner and Jack Russell Terrier in the lovely countryside of the South West UK.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Brands, Fitness & Sports Watches, Health and Fitness Tagged With: Fitbit, fitbit badges, fitbit watches, health and fitness

Why It Is Important To Track Your Blood Pressure

As technology improves, we all expect a lot more from our smartwatches. Furthermore, when it comes to our health, we like to know that our data is held and analyzed in one place. This allows us to understand our health better and can prompt us to make changes. When it comes to blood pressure and our heart, there are several options available to us.

What Is Blood Pressure and What Does It Tell Us?

We have all heard of blood pressure. But do you understand what blood pressure is, why it is important to track your blood pressure and what it tells you?

Blood pressure is the measurement of the amount of force that it takes your heart to pump blood around your body. You can see from that explanation that a higher blood pressure means there is more pressure being put on your heart as it needs more force to pump your blood.

Blood pressure has two measurements; systolic pressure that measures the pressure when your heart pumps the blood out. And diastolic pressure that measures the pressure in between heartbeats. When these measures are read together, your blood pressure can indicate how healthy your heart is. Blood pressure can be too high, too low, or ideal. Consequently, it is important to track your blood pressure.

Which Smartwatches Monitor Blood Pressure?

If you are looking for a smartwatch to monitor your blood pressure, there are a few to choose from. Find out more below:

Apple

Since the first Apple Watch, it is clear that the brand has had a focus on health. They have introduced many USPs that have focused on the wearer’s health. When it comes to the heart, Apple first introduced a heart monitor that would measure and track a person’s heart rate. Following on from the success of this, Apple introduced an ECG function. It is clear this doesn’t replace medical care or visiting a doctor. However, it does give the wearer an indication of whether there are issues with their heart.

To go a step further, blood pressure monitoring is available on Apple Watch. However, not as part of their suite of health apps. It is possible to download apps such as Qardio through the App Store. These can link with a smart blood pressure monitor, or fitness apps such as MyFitnessPal that allow you to manually record your blood pressure. 

Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) - Silver Aluminum Case with White Sport Band (Renewed)
Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) - Silver Aluminum Case with White Sport Band (Renewed)
  • LEAVE YOUR PHONE AT HOME: Apple Watch Series 6 GPS + Cellular LTE Model lets you call, text, and get...
  • ALWAYS-ON RETINA DISPLAY: You no longer need to raise your wrist or touch the screen to see the time...
  • ECG ON YOUR WRIST: With the ECG app, Apple Watch Series 6 is capable of generating an ECG similar to...
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Garmin

Garmin is another brand associated with fitness trackers. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they also have heart rate options. Previously, Garmin smartwatch users had to wear a paired heart rate chest strap to get an accurate reading. However, as the tech developed, the heart rate monitor was incorporated into the watch itself.

There are many ways that Garmin uses heart rate data to help you understand your health and fitness and how to make your workouts more effective. Blood pressure measuring is not a feature on the Garmin smartwatches yet. However, it is possible to download apps to keep track of your blood pressure digitally so that you can monitor any changes along with your heart rate data.

Garmin fenix 6S Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, Smaller-Sized, Features Mapping, Music, Grade-Adjusted...
Garmin fenix 6S Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, Smaller-Sized, Features Mapping, Music, Grade-Adjusted...
  • Fit for performance with rugged, sophisticated design that features an always-on 1.2Inches...
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Fitbit

Fitbit is another brand of smartwatch with a focus on fitness. The range of Fitbit watches available cater to most fitness requirements. So it seems quite natural that heart monitoring comes as standard on most of the newer offerings. Heart rate tracking is accompanied by an ECG monitor like the Apple Watch if you opt for the Fitbit Sense.

As with the others, blood pressure monitoring is not included in the watch itself, but third-party apps are available, which allow you to record and monitor your blood pressure.

Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch with Tools for Heart Health, Stress Management & Skin Temperature Trends,...
Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch with Tools for Heart Health, Stress Management & Skin Temperature Trends,...
  • EDA Scan app detects electrodermal activity which may indicate your body's response to stress and a...
  • Assess your heart for atrial fibrillation –a heart rhythm irregularity- and easily share results...
  • An on-wrist skin temperature sensor tracks yours each night so you can see how it varies. You can...
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Omron HeartGuide

If you want more than just monitoring from your smartwatch, the only option is the Omron HeartGuide. This watch can accurately record your blood pressure throughout the day with the unique inflatable wrist strap that allows the watch to take accurate readings.

What you won’t find with this watch is many of the features that you might expect from a smartwatch. Tracking your blood pressure, activities, and sleep comes as standard, and you can receive notifications that you have a new text, call, or email. However, if you want to do more, you will have to pick up your phone.

Which Device Is the Best Choice?

This depends on what you want from your smartwatch. If you want accurate measuring of your blood pressure, then the Omron is the device for you. However, if you want a watch with more functionality, are happy to monitor your blood pressure through an app that you input manually, or you have a smart blood pressure monitor, then you may be better suited to one of the big brands.

Apple has the best range of features with the inbuilt heart rate monitoring and ECG function, as well as the ability to use third-party apps to monitor blood pressure.

Garmin offers a fantastic analysis of heart rate data and allows you to download apps that can monitor your blood pressure for you. However, ECG functionality has not yet been brought to Garmin watches.

Fitbit watches also offer great heart rate monitoring, and the Fitbit Sense has ECG functionality. However, Fitbit is limited in the wider functionality expected of a smartwatch and is limited in the apps available to download and use to monitor your blood pressure.

Should I Buy a Smartwatch That Monitors Blood Pressure?

Understanding your blood pressure is one of the keys to a healthy heart and will give you instant feedback on how well your heart is coping when you are in different situations.

Opting for a smartwatch that provides you with blood pressure monitoring and recording capabilities makes it easy to stay on top of your health and keep an eye on potential hypertension. In short, any accurate information that your smartwatch can store regarding your blood pressure should be welcomed and used to effectively to monitor your health.


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Emma Morris

Emma is an experienced Virtual Assistant and is our Copy and Visual Editor and Social Media Manager. When not working, Emma enjoys life with her little girl, partner and Jack Russell Terrier in the lovely countryside of the South West UK.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Health and Fitness, Buying Guides Tagged With: Apple, blood pressure smartwatches, Fitbit, Garmin, health and fitness, Omron, omron heartguide, smartwatches

How Blood Pressure and Heart Monitor Smartwatch Sensors Work

blood pressure sensors

Smartwatches have been increasing in their ability to monitor various aspects of our health, including blood pressure, for many years. When it comes to the heart, the technology contained within the devices we wear on our wrists is powerful in terms of recording and analyzing how healthy we are.

Many of the big-name brands of smartwatch have included heart monitoring as a core function for some time now. There was some distrust in the accuracy of the monitoring at first. However, brands such as Apple, Garmin, and Fitbit have proven that their watches can detect heart rates, blood oxygen levels, and conduct ECGs to an accurate standard.

What Is a Heart Monitor Sensor?

Many smartwatches come with the required sensors to carry out health monitoring as standard. The sensors are found on the underside of the watch face. They always sit against the skin of your wrist. Most watches will come with instructions on where you need to position the watch on your wrist to ensure you receive the most accurate data. The sensors emit light that penetrates the skin and allows your watch to detect the blood flow. This can then be used to analyze how fast your heart is beating.

Some smartwatches have advanced features such as ECG functionality. The sensors for this do not sit under the watch face. Instead, they are accessible so that a finger can be placed on them. When a finger is placed on the sensor, the technology measures electrical signals. This indicates whether your heart has irregular or regular heart rate rhythms.

How Do Blood Pressure Monitors Work?

Blood pressure sensors work in a different way to heart rate monitoring. To accurately measure blood pressure, it is necessary to briefly stop the circulation of blood. This allows for the force required by the heart to pump blood around the body to be recorded at the time of pumping (the systolic pressure) and in between pumps (the diastolic pressure). For this to be achieved, a wrist strap that can inflate, similar to the cuff of an automatic blood pressure monitor, is required. 

Which Devices Utilise Blood Pressure and Heart Monitor Sensors?

Many of the well-known smartwatch brands come complete with heart rate monitoring sensors. When it comes to Apple, any Apple Watch can measure your heart rate. However, if you want ECG functionality, you can achieve this by opting for Apple Watch Series 4 or later. A new generation of smartwatches in the market also start having the ability to measure and estimate blood pressure using optical sensors.

Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular, 44MM) - Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (Renewed)
Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular, 44MM) - Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (Renewed)
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Garmin

Garmin also has a long history of including heart rate monitoring in its devices. Since the release of Forerunner 225, heart rate monitoring has become standard in many versions. Furthermore, the tech to analyze the results has improved. Garmin has yet to introduce ECG functionality to any of its watches, and it is necessary to check the model to be sure that it can read your heart rate. As of now, Garmin does not track or measure blood pressure.

Garmin 010-01746-00 Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)
Garmin 010-01746-00 Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)
  • Premium GPS running/triathlon watch with wrist based heart rate;Strap material : silicone ;...
  • Offers advanced running and multisport Features in a comfortable watch you can wear all day, and it...
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Fitbit

Fitbit took a slightly different route. They didn’t make heart rate monitoring standard in its watches but released updated or enhanced versions with HR in the title to indicate that it could read your heart rate. It is always worth checking the model to ensure heart rate monitoring is included. At the moment, Fitbit does not track or measure blood pressure.

Fitbit Alta HR, Fuchsia, Small (US Version)
Fitbit Alta HR, Fuchsia, Small (US Version)
  • Get the power of continuous heart rate in Fitbit's slimmest design yet-all day, during workouts and...
  • With heart rate, you can better measure calorie burn, and use zones (Fat Burn, Cardio, and Peak) to...
  • With sleep stages powered by PurePulse heart rate, automatically track your time spent in light,...
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When it comes to blood pressure, beware of watches that could make inaccurate claims. It really depends on the quality of sensors and the related technology to get it right.

In the past and still today, smartwatches can accurately record blood pressure results. Most require the use of third-party apps. These allow you to manually enter your blood pressure results that you have obtained from a blood pressure monitor. Others will allow you to download an app that will link to a smart blood pressure monitor and receive the readings via Bluetooth.

A new generation of smartwatches have sprung this year. These new devices use pulse oximetry which is a light sensor that can estimate your blood pressure. The accuracy of these devices is not yet proven and differs quite widely between different watch models and different sensor quality. However, as this technology evloves and matures there will be more and more uses for it and accuracy will be improved.

The Omron HeartGuide

When it comes to a watch that can read your blood pressure, there is currently only one on the market that has been approved to deliver accurate readings. The Omron HeartGuide. This smartwatch that has been designed for people who need to take their blood pressure regularly throughout the day and don’t want to have to carry a blood pressure monitor with them. The Samsun Galaxy Watch 3 is potentially the next in line to be approved by the FCA and we are yet to see other smartwatches in this category.

Which Smartwatch Should I Choose?

When it comes to measuring blood pressure, there is no choice. The Omron HeartGuide is the only watch available that have been approved by the FDA to measure blood pressure.

However, when it comes to heart rate sensors, there is a range of options to choose from. Apple is an obvious choice. Their watches come with a range of functionality to monitor your heart, including heart rate and ECGs. However, other than changing watch straps, there is little variety available.

Garmin and Fitbit both have a whole range of different watches to suit different styles. Many of these watches come with the ability to monitor heart rate. If you want to be able to carry out an ECG, then there is no need to look at the range of Garmin watches, and if you want the flexibility to download a wide range of apps, then Fitbit won’t offer you the watch that you want.

When looking for a smartwatch with your heart in mind, it is beneficial to understand what type of analysis you want. If you enjoy sports or working out and want your watch to help you be more effective, Garmin or Fitbit will probably have the edge as fitness is their focus. If all-round health is what you’re after, then Apple incorporates your heart monitoring into a whole suite of health apps. 

New Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) - (PRODUCT)RED - Aluminum Case with (PRODUCT)RED - Sport...
New Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) - (PRODUCT)RED - Aluminum Case with (PRODUCT)RED - Sport...
  • GPS + Cellular model lets you call, text, and get directions without your phone
  • Measure your blood oxygen with an all-new sensor and app
  • Check your heart rhythm with the ECG app
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Should I Buy a Smartwatch That Has a Blood Pressure Sensor?

Currently, the Omron HeartGuide is only really designed for people who prioritize taking their blood pressure readings above other smartwatch functionality. The watch is chunky to be able to house the inflatable strap, and other than track activity and sleep, it doesn’t do much else.

For anyone who wants to monitor their blood pressure but is content with taking readings with a blood pressure monitor, opting for an Apple, Garmin or Fitbit is likely to bring much more flexibility and enjoyment to your wrist.


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Emma is an experienced Virtual Assistant and is our Copy and Visual Editor and Social Media Manager. When not working, Emma enjoys life with her little girl, partner and Jack Russell Terrier in the lovely countryside of the South West UK.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Health and Fitness, Fitness & Sports Watches Tagged With: Apple, blood pressure, Fitbit, Garmin, health and fitness, Omron

Apple Family Sharing Functions and Benefits

smartwatch gift

Family Sharing from Apple lets you enjoy all the things you like with the ones you love.

Family Sharing is available for up to five family members to share access across Apple services such as Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple News+ and the Apple Arcade.

Your group can share content like App Store purchases, Apple Books and iTunes. Even create a shared family album for photos. You can store them together under the same iCloud storage plan. If you lose a device, don’t worry, your family members can help you find it. Set up is easy and you can create your own family-specific digital ecosystem. You can do all this without scarifying safety, privacy and allowing for parental control.

Functions and benefits

Organiser

  • One adult organiser sets up the group
  • Invite new members or set up an account for any under 13s
  • Family Sharing is automatically set up on everyone’s devices, ready to go
  • Select which features and services you want to share

Benefits

  • Create a family of up to five members including kids
  • Select which services and features you want to share and enjoy together
  • Set up accounts for under 13s

Entertainment

  • Share your favourite TV and films, music, games or even news
  • Enjoy shared subscriptions
  • Members of the family have access to the selected services from their Apple devices
  • Total privacy – Individual members see only their own preferences, recommendations and content

Benefits

  • Share the content you love – Films, TV, music, games and news
  • Share subscriptions with members – save doubling up
  • You only see your own activity – content history isn’t shared between members

Shared iCloud Storage

  • The whole family’s combined content, packed into one storage plan

Benefits

  • Convenient storage – See exactly what you’re using
  • Easy to upgrade if you need more space
  • Total privacy of your own photos, videos, documents and files

Purchase Sharing

  • Purchase sharing allows your family members to have access to films, TV shows, songs, books and apps (with permission)
  • Find them in the Purchases section
  • Browse by family member
  • Share your purchases with other members 
  • Keep purchases private by hiding individual items

Benefits

  • Stop multiple purchases of the same content
  • Share the content you love
  • Privacy when you want it

Set Limits

  • Convenient limit setting for purchases 
  • The Organiser’s account is billed when using Family Sharing, but they have control
  • Limit purchases made by children by utilising notifications
  • Review the purchase and approve or decline it
  • Free downloads can also be reviewed

Benefits

  • Kids need permission before spending on your account
  • Review content to ensure it’s age-appropriate
  • Reply from your Apple device, from anywhere
  • Quick process for approval or decline

Screen Time

  • Learn how your kids are using their time on websites and apps
  • Learn how many hours they’re using their devices
  • See activity reports
  • Set limits on certain apps from your Apple device
  • Name other members as a parent or guardian

Benefits

  • Gain useful insight into what your children are using their devices for and how long
  • Maintain control and balance, stay happy

Find My

  • Keep track of family members
  • Convenient for meeting up or ensuring the kids are home safe from school
  • Send an invite to the family member to share their location 
  • Use this feature to find any lost devices, even when offline

Benefits

  • Peace of mind knowing your children are safe
  • Useful for elderly relatives 
  • Never lose a device, even if it’s offline
  • Keep track of family members you’re meeting with if they’re lost or late

Photos

  • Enjoy a shared family photo album
  • Automatically created for you in your Photos app on all family devices
  • All members can add videos or photos
  • Comment on content
  • Get notified of new items being added

Benefits

  • Share and keep beautiful memories with family members 
  • Share in real-time with notifications for family members
  • Make the most of comments and enjoy videos and photos together

Calendar 

  • Utilise a shared family calendar 
  • All members can add, view or edit events
  • Get notifications about changes
  • Set reminders using the Reminders app to share time and location

Benefits

  • Never miss an important event
  • Stay on top of the kids’ clubs, activities and parties
  • Let your device do the remembering
  • Let others amend and event when needed

Hope you found this article useful. To share or download a visual presentation of the family sharing benefits – click here.

Related Articles:

  • Apple Watch 6 – Everything you need to know
  • Apple Watches for Kids
  • The new Apple Watch SE – Review
  • Apple Family Sharing Functions and Benefits
  • The Control and Safety Benefits of Apple Family Set Up
  • Apple Watch Comparison
New Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 44mm) - Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band
New Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 44mm) - Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band
  • GPS model lets you take calls and reply to texts from your wrist
  • Measure your blood oxygen with an all-new sensor and app
  • Check your heart rhythm with the ECG app
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Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Health and Fitness, News Tagged With: Apple, Apple Family Sharing, apple watch, apple watches

COVID-19 .. Will your fitness tracker or smartwatch help identify if you have it?

Covid

Smartwatches could be proving valuable in the fight against COVID-19. Some countries including the States and the UK are experiencing a shortage in diagnostic testing. Wearable fitness and health trackers are providing a surprise solution to early detection of COVID-19 symptoms before the virus itself becomes present. 

At the end of June, the Senior Director of Research at Global Data said that wearable health and fitness trackers with heart rate monitors and other sensors might be a game-changer in detecting COVID-19.

Given that the virus is so highly-contagious, being able to detect it early is critical in reducing the rate of infection. Especially so as economies around the world are being opened up again.

Issues

The problem people are having is severe delays in getting their test results back. This makes it all the more critical that we pick up on the earlier signs. Data collected by our wearable fitness and health trackers are showing promise for detecting the virus.

Your fitness tracker or smartwatch might have the capability to monitor your health stats like your heart rate, sleep quality, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, temperature and more. 

Currently, there are ongoing studies that are harnessing the data from wearable devices, including a huge selection of Fitbit users, to detect early signs of COVID-19. Results from these studies are looking promising, too. There’s a pressure on companies to address pricing as the benefits of their devices are so clear, but not necessarily accessible to all. 

Detecting covid symptoms

Fitness trackers and smartwatches with health sensors are an existing tool for getting an idea of your general health. Studies have been ongoing since before the current pandemic. Fitbit user data has been used to identify influenza in the past. Looking at symptoms like elevated heart rate during daily activities versus rest periods as a sign of infection. The new Apple Watch 6 is a fine example of a smartwatch that cares about your health.

Fitbit fitness trackers

Fitbit devices monitor both your heart rate and sleep quality. An elevated heart rate is a common sign of potential infection. Most Fitbit devices carry a heart rate monitor as standard. As they’re monitoring your heart rate around the clock, even when you sleep, any abnormal changes can be swiftly identified. 

Of course, your fitness tracker or smartwatch is not going to send you a notification with an official diagnosis. But what you can use your wearable for is to pick up any sudden changes to your normal functioning. In the case of COVID-19, you’re able to use common sense to decide if these symptoms mean it would be best to isolate.

Body temperature

We know by now that a high temperature and persistent cough are the two most occurring COVID-9 symptoms. This means sales in thermometers has rocketed. 

Temperature sensors aren’t yet commonplace in smartwatches and fitness trackers. The newly-released Fitbit Sense is one such device, though. The fact you don’t see temperature sensors often is due to the fact that it is a complicated process to get an accurate reading from your skin. The temperature of your skin varies wildly depending on environmental factors and it’s easier to raise or lower that temperature. Your sweat and stress levels also play an influential role in this. Because of this, the contact the sensor will have with your skin isn’t always optimal for an accurate reading.

Again, a high temperature alone isn’t a diagnosis, but it’s possible to look at a combination of factors that your wearable will monitor for you and you can make a better informed decision based on the data.

Sweat and tears

Ongoing development of sensors in wearable devices is expanding the possibility of using these devices for more diagnostic purposes. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on this development and, safe to say, has also accelerated it.

It’s been suggested that a sweat sensor be incorporated into devices. This would pick up on sweat levels on the skin. This could potentially tell us vast amounts of information about the user’s health. Including, alcohol and glucose content, sodium ion levels and pH. 

Did you know your tears are useful indicators, too? Technology is so advanced that there’s research into smart contact lenses.

Covid Research

Virus detection

As we’ve said, no smartwatch or fitness tracker can tell you if you’ve got COVID-19. To do this, they’d need to detect a specific kind of virus-specific acid known as RNA. 

Detecting RNA involves many complicated steps in the process. There have been developments in reducing the amount of equipment needed, but the road to having this technology in something you wear on your wrist is a long way off.

So, whilst the tech isn’t in a wearable format yet, the direction is clear. Virus-detecting wearables will eventually become a reality. The continuous monitoring of a person’s health will be connected to tech that will indicate if they’ve been in contact with the virus, which enables that person to seek medical treatment and encourage isolation.

Any airborne virus will require some truly sophisticated sensor to collect and analyse air samples. We’re starting to talk about some real space-age sci-fi stuff, now. Whilst the technology does exist to do this, there’s no sign yet of being able to condense it into such a micro format that you’d be able to embed it into a wearable.

Wearable and accessible

It’s a bold claim that your existing smartwatch or fitness tracker could help you to diagnose if you have COVID-19 (or not), but it’s not impossible. Unfortunately, like traditional testing, not everyone has access to a wearable device. They can be expensive and, largely, the market is aimed at English-speaking territories. Vulnerable people such as the elderly may also be resistant to smart tech and being monitored.

Research and development continue. Our wearable technology is becoming more and more focused on our health and fitness. Brands have a duty to make this accessible to as many people as possible because the benefits to society are undeniable. 


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Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Health and Fitness, News Tagged With: Apple, corona, corona virus, covid, covid-19, Fitbit, fitness, fitness trackers, health, smartwatches, superwatches

The New Fitbit Sense Smartwatch

gym machine

The Fitbit Sense – The Watch That Claims It Will Help You To Manage Stress

Introduction

Are you still worried about COVID? Maybe lockdown has been a contributing factor to piling on some extra weight? Fitbit is about to release a new smartwatch called Sense that claims to help manage stress. Revealed on September 1 along with two newer models of the Fitbit Versa and Inspire.

The Fitbit Sense has multiple sensors to track your heart rate, temperature, breathing and even skin reactions. It analyses the data and calculates how your body actually responds to stress. It will provide you with a chance to relax through meditation and breathing exercises. 

All three releases will automatically record your temperature during the night so gives you a baseline and highlight any trends. This can prove useful for spotting potential illness or, if you’re trying to conceive, mark your ovulation.

Should I buy the Fitbit Sense?

Similar to the Apple Watch and Samsung Watch, the Sense will keep an electrocardiogram chronicle of the electrical activity of your heart. (Currently, FDA approval pending, but the tech is in place to be switched on).

Fitbit claim the Sense blows rivals out the water with a brand new feature. The Sense can measure your EDA, electrodermal activity, which is changes in how your skin responds to electrical activity. So, it’ll pick up on stress-induced sweat or heart rate variations. 

Your Fitbit Sense will use all this data to calculate a stress management score, displayed within the Fitbit app. Here, you’ll find helpful tips on how to manage it.

The Fitbit Sense comes in either white or dark grey and costs $329.95. You can pre-order it now and you’ll get delivery at the end of September.

Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch with Tools for Heart Health, Stress Management & Skin Temperature Trends,...
Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch with Tools for Heart Health, Stress Management & Skin Temperature Trends,...
  • EDA Scan app detects electrodermal activity which may indicate your body's response to stress and a...
  • Assess your heart for atrial fibrillation –a heart rhythm irregularity- and easily share results...
  • An on-wrist skin temperature sensor tracks yours each night so you can see how it varies. You can...
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Fitbit Sense Features

To keep you going, let’s have a look at the features in better detail:

EDA Scanning

Monitoring your electrodermal activity means your Sense can determine how your body responds to stress. Knowing this can aid your efforts to manage it.

The Fitbit app comes loaded on the device. Place your palm over the display. This triggers the Sense to detect tiny electrical changes in your sweat levels. The reading will be presented with a guided mindfulness activity within the mobile app and you’ll get some feedback on how your body then responds to the relaxation or meditation.

EKG

Your Sense will monitor the electrical activity of your heart. The app will pick up on atrial fibrillation symptoms. Meaning, an irregular heartbeat might indicate a heart condition and your Sense will tell you this. Again, this requires FDA approval before it can be activated.

Heart health

The Sense has a brand new sensor that will notify you if your heart rate drops or spikes beyond a level that is considered normal. This data can all be found in the Fitbit app and might come in handy during a visit to the doctor.

Temperature

Your device will log your temperature during the night.

Stress management score

Utilising your heart rate and data about your activity levels, the Sense will provide a score between 1 – 100. The higher the number, the less stress.

Six months free Fitbit Premium

You get a free trial when you buy the Sense. Otherwise, the subscription will cost $10 per month. For this, you get a more in-depth breakdown of your biometric inputs. 

The insights and the following advice is personalised based on your data. Also, you get access to a library of workouts, relaxation and meditation tools, activities to encourage better sleep quality and even fitness sessions and games. Around half a million people in the US currently subscribe to Fitbit Premium. Can’t be bad!

The Fitbit Sense – A new watch with advanced tools

Finally, there is no need to be tied to your phone when you’re tracking a workout. This is a first for Fitbit. The Sense has GPS built-in. What’s more, it boasts around 6 days battery life. You can also connect it to Hey Google or Alexa for voice control of your smart devices (note, the Versa 2 only offers compatibility with Alexa).

So there you have it. What do you think? Can the Fitbit Sense rub shoulders with Apple or Samsung?

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Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Brands, Buying Guides, Fitness & Sports Watches, Health and Fitness, Reviews Tagged With: Fitbit, fitbit reviews, fitbit sense, fitbit watches, fitness tracker reviews, New smartwatches, smartwatches, stress management

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