Get Fit with Tech
January 3 2013
We'll help you stay in shape using technology. There are lot of options out there, so we took a look at a whole bunch so you can find the right tech tool for the job.
Wearable Gadgets
Fitbit: There are two models available now. The Fitbit Zip, $59. Fitbit One, $99. They both tracks steps and flights of stairs. Additionally there is a web component where you can compete with friends.
The newest model is the "Fitbit One" with a clip housing and it also wirelessly syncs to BT 4.0 phones and computers. It tracks steps taken, stairs climbed, the amount of hours slept, your quality of sleep, and calories burned.
Nike+ FuelBand: This device shows you steps taken, calories burned, Nike's "Fuel points," but does not track sleep. Fuel points is Nike's metric to show your activity. It also syncs wirelessly via Bluetooth. The FuelBand is water resistant, but not waterproof. Its built in display gives you read outs of the time and your Fuel points.
Jawbone UP: The first model was a disaster, but there's a new one out. The company says the new one is waterproof and is much tougher than the old one.
The device tracks your steps and sleep. The Jawbone UP works with in conjunciton with an iOS app that lets you track food intake by taking photos of what you eat or scan a bar code of packaged foods with the app (app is mobile only, and there is no web component). Unfortunately, syncing is NOT wireless - the device syncs using your headphone jack. There is no dispaly on the UP either.
Other Gadgets
Withings Scale: People think of this as the tweeting scale, but that feature can be turned off. The scale tracks up to 8 multiple users. There is a web interface so you can see metrics about your weight, BMI, and body mass composition. Withings also offers apps for iOS and Android.
There are no subscription payments necessary and the Withings Scale can connect with a number of devices and services like the Fitbit, BodyMedia FIT, and RunKeeper.
FitBit Aria: The Aria does similar things as the Withings Scale. you can include a food log. This scale also tracks up to eight users. There is a web component that allows you to compete with your friends. Additionally there are iOS and Android apps. The scale works with a number of services like MyFitnessPal and Microsoft HealthVault.
Websites
Fitocracy: Fitocracy is a free online community dedicated to fitness. It lets you log all your activities in a lot of detail. You can break down your workouts to their core components, logging every little thing.
You also have the ability to see other people's activities and find other workouts if you're looking for a routine. There's also all kinds of gamification here - so if you like achievements, you'll like Fitocracy.
Joe's Goals: Iyaz's personal favorite. It's a simple chain calendar that lets you simply keep track of things. You can define your goals and keep logs. It doesn't have a group function, but you can share your data using a badge which is just a piece of embeddable HTML for your website.
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