The sports industry boasts many devices and devices that are aimed at interacting with a person. A real revolution in the manufacture of sports accessories was made by fitness bracelets with a heart rate monitor. These devices greatly facilitate sports activities due to the fact that the built-in functionality takes into account the number of calories consumed and the heart rate.
Development history
For the first time, the military began to analyze data on a person’s physical condition in the fifties of the twentieth century. But then this could only be done using a large number of sensors connected to the subject's body. A little later, these technologies spread to athletes.
At the dawn of the 21st century, functions for measuring heart rate and calculating the amount of calories burned were built into exercise bikes. And closer to our period, it became possible to conduct analyzes on the state of the athlete’s body in real time right during sports, just putting on the device in the form of an accessory. It happened in 2011, and fitness bracelets with a heart rate monitor became popular in a matter of days.
The pioneer in this area was Jawbone, which released a fitness bracelet with a rubberized case and vibration function, which was aimed at a wide audience - Jawbone UP. This tracker has given rise to an entire Health Oriented industry.
Description and for whom are intended
The latest development, which combined the achievements of technological progress and the fashion for health, was a fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor and a smart alarm clock. This accessory is a small product that just fits over your wrist. It has many different design solutions and a variety of colors.
The device works thanks to built-in sensors and special software installed on a phone, tablet or computer. Using these devices, the results of classes, indicators and dynamics of the body systems are monitored.
The main advantage that a smart fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor has is its multifunctionality. He can measure heart rate, temperature, pressure, sweating, and also calculates calories burned, so you can develop weight loss programs. The indicators of the heart rate monitor can warn about overload in time and reduce the load on the body.
Recently in the market of sports gadgets there is a trend when one manufacturer offers for sale not only watches and bracelets of his brand, but also mobile devices. This is done so that all these devices can be easily synchronized with each other.
Device manufacturers
The market for sports devices is represented by a large number of manufacturers.
Fitness bracelets with a heart rate monitor are not only made by companies that produce mobile applications and operating systems, such as Sony, Siemens, LG, Microsoft, Xiaomi, Samsung, which are the largest in their niche and have established themselves as trusted manufacturers.
Purely sports brands such as Nike also work in this area. Their close productive cooperation with manufacturers of mobile devices has made it possible to create a product that, along with a sporty style, is a great helper for a person.
Advantages and disadvantages of gadgets
Many people think about how fitness bracelets with a heart rate monitor differ from a smart watch. And their advantages and differences are as follows:
- There is a function for maintaining statistics on the owner’s active behavior.
- The built-in alarm clock allows you to normalize your sleep time.
- The device can transmit the collected data to a mobile device for further processing to schedule classes.
- Lacking a powerful processor and a large monitor, the gadgets do without recharging for quite a while, working offline.
- Since the watch is more focused on functionality, a fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor (reviews confirm this) looks much more modern and more stylish.
- Bracelets allow you to quickly and accurately track any changes in heart rate to adjust the intensity of movement.
- Observing how much calories are burned, people get effective motivation for further activities.
Moving every day, the majority believes that he moves a lot during the working day and probably goes through the ten thousand steps. But such a device as a smart bracelet, as an independent expert, is able to dispel these misconceptions with the readings on the display.
Types of smart bracelets
In the form of a device, a function that measures the pulse is built into the fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor and a smart alarm clock, thanks to which you can reliably determine and then record the rhythm of the contraction of the heart muscle during the action of physical activity. The rhythm of heart contractions shows the degree of both short-term and long-term physical activity, giving them the opportunity to choose the intensity of the training, the frequency and duration of breaks between sets.
Therefore, it is important, depending on the exercises, that the device does not cause inconvenience and is located most comfortable for the owner. In general, the heart rate sensor may be structurally located on the chest or wrist. In the first case, heart rate information is extracted using the chest belt, and in the second case, readings are taken from the wrist or finger. The first method is considered more reliable, but not very convenient. The second is more comfortable, to measure the readings of the pulse, a finger is applied to the touch screen. The latter method is taken as a basis and is installed in a fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor (and pressure).
Smart device features
The main task of the device is to collect data that can then be analyzed. The capabilities and functions of various models of fitness bracelets are as follows:
- Heart rate monitor - tracking heart rate readings both during cardio loads and during periods of rest. Melting of body fat begins at loads of seventy percent of the maximum.
- Fitness bracelet "Pulsometer-pedometer" makes it possible to count the number of steps taken for a certain time period. It is very convenient to use for runners and losing weight. To maintain physical fitness, a person must go through at least six thousand steps daily, and for weight loss - not less than ten thousand, which is approximately five kilometers.
- Awakening - this function analyzes the phases of sleep and will be the owner of the bracelet at the most suitable time for this. Also, the gadget can tell when it is better to go to bed in the morning to feel awake and sleepy. After all, it has long been known that of the six to eight hours of a healthy night's sleep, sixty percent is a deep phase, and it is advisable to wake up in the fast phase, which the device monitors.
- Most devices of this type are protected against splashes and jets of water during showering, but are not protected from prolonged exposure to the aquatic environment. The exception is a fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor for swimming.
- Calorie calculation - based on the entered data on weight, height, gender, duration and type of training.
- Personal nutritionist - reminds you when and what calories food should be taken. Compares the amount of energy spent and replenished (data on types of food products are entered manually).
Which fitness bracelet with heart rate monitor to choose
When choosing this device, you need to consider a number of features:
- compact smart bracelets come with and without a display;
- when buying such a device, it is desirable to have a smartphone with a new operating system and the corresponding application installed;
- when choosing, it is important to pay attention to the size, since it will be impossible to change this parameter, and wider than necessary, can give incorrect and inaccurate results;
- the bracelets have a diverse design and rich color scheme, and since you have to wear them all day, you need to choose the most suitable one so that you don’t get tired and do not look different from your clothes;
- when buying, you need to consider that in this case the price-quality ratio matters: cheap models are usually less durable and aesthetic;
- it is better to purchase devices from certified sellers so as not to buy an expensive fake;
- To check the originality of the goods, the code on the back of the package is entered on the manufacturer's website
- such indicators as long work and fast recharging of the battery should be present;
- the presence of the vibration alert function is required;
- good moisture protection;
- synchronization with the largest number of mobile operating systems and platforms.
Do I need to purchase a smart bracelet?
Many people think about whether to buy fitness bracelets with a heart rate monitor. Comparing them with other devices and reviews about them can be heard quite different: someone is completely satisfied with the operation of the device, and someone regrets the acquisition. This is explained by the individuality of each person.
In addition, scientific studies proving the effective effect of bracelets in losing weight have not been carried out, which not everyone knows about.
But all these facts do not detract from the certain benefits of sports bracelets. They create and maintain motivation for classes, remove important indicators, helping to protect the body from excessive loads.
Most sports analysts are sure that the popularity of bracelets will only grow over time. According to forecasts, in a few years they will occupy a confident and lasting place in the life of every person, which computers and smartphones now occupy. Development is carried out further, so over time, fitness bracelets will be able to perform more complex calculations.
Fitness bracelet with heart rate monitor: overview
The most common sports accessories on the market are the following devices:
- Xiaomi MiBand is an inexpensive Chinese fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor. Stylish unisex, works for a month without recharging, has all the possible functions. The price is around $ 20.
- Jawbone UP24 - a model from a pioneer of the industry. It is multifunctional, it can work for about seven days without recharging, the average price category (about $ 100).
- Mio Link S / M Electric is a lightweight, stylish, fairly wide gadget. It focuses on the accounting of heart rhythms, can work in five modes of cardiomonitoring. Reliable, stable, suitable for swimming at a depth of up to thirty meters.
- Fitbit Flex - five days without recharging, there is no accounting for the phases of sleep, analytical graphs are not fully developed. Included in the middle price category.
- Garmin Vivofit is a device from the world famous manufacturer with a small display and unique technology that allows the gadget to work autonomously for a year, then the battery is replaced. There is an addition in the form of a chest belt that transmits data to the bracelet. Withstands depths of up to fifty meters, no backlight. The price is $ 145.
- Huawei Talkband B1 is an expensive image bracelet (about $ 170). It has a large slightly protruding display, protection against dust and moisture.
- Samsung Gear Fit is a device from a well-known brand, it is called a smartphone with bracelet functions. Clear control, comfortable fit on the arm, removable screen, outstanding technical specifications, wide functionality. It works only with phones of the same name. The cost is about $ 150.
- Polar Loop is a device from a Finnish company. It is distinguished by accuracy and style, black, the length of the strap can be cut to the size of the wrist, completely waterproof. The price is around $ 145.
- LG Lifeband Touch - the bracelet is beautiful, equipped with headphones, through which you can listen to not only music, but also the rhythm of your heart during training. Incorporated all the possible functions, including GPRS navigation.
- Nike + FuelBand SE - simple, stylish, works only with iPhone, sold in different sizes, is included in the middle price category.
- Sony SmartBand SWR10 is a mid-priced device with a simple design, equipped with a player, the charge lasts about five days.
- Misfit Shine is an inexpensive gadget from Misfit Wearables. Stylish, made in the form of a flat tablet on a strap, can be used without the latter. It can work for about four months without recharging.
Conclusion
Fitness bracelet is not only a stylish accessory, but also a rather useful device. It will equally help both experienced athletes and beginners who try to diversify their sedentary life with sports activities. This is facilitated by many functions that have been endowed with gadgets by their manufacturers. Studies show that these devices, which are also called smart bracelets or trackers, daily gain new fans. Soon they can be seen in the hands of most people, checking the rhythm of their lives on the gadget.