WEARABLE TECH - ITS MORE THAN A TREND
Where once, a blind dedication to blood, sweat, tears, and “rubbing some dirt on it” were considered best practice in the field of physical fitness and training, today brings with it a wave of wearable fitness technology designed to give you precise readings on the state of your body, its needs, and how you can best achieve peak health.
Ranked in the top five of ACSM’s 2020 fitness trends are personal training and wearable technology. As training professionals have become more accessible via online, in health clubs, in the home, and in worksites, consumers are provided with one-on-one services that help them to clearly identify their goals and work towards them. The percentage of wearable technology users between the ages of 25 and 39 years old rose from 24 percent to 38 percent between 2015 and 2019-- increasing 14 percent. The percentage of wearable fitness users in this age range is expected to nearly double by 2026.
Here are the most popular of wearable tech solutions:
UA SpeedForm® Gemini 3 Record-Equipped
As is always the case with running shoes, personal preference for fit and feel take precedence. If you’re looking for something new to test out, however, the Under Armour SpeedForm Gemini 3 Record-Equipped running shoe is an interesting option.
As indicated by its name, the shoe is equipped to track fitness data, including:
Mileage
Steps
Cadence
GPS Info
What sets the Gemini 3 apart from other “smart shoes” is its ability to track fatigue. Before beginning a run, you’ll be asked to do a “Jump Test,” which will measure muscle fatigue. The app connected to the chip in the shoe will then let you know how much you should be pushing yourself that day. This will help in injury prevention. It can also give you some extra protection in addition to your personal trainer insurance policy.
fitbit alta hr
FitBit was one of the first companies to the wearable fitness technology game, and they continue to impress. The newer version brings all of the standard features including a counter for steps, calories, and distance. Its SmartTrack Auto Exercise Recognition system is included as well.
Here’s what sets the FitBit Alta HR apart from the pack:
Auto sleep tracking with alarms based on sleep stages
Call and text capability
Move reminders
Results-based analytics
Up to 7-day battery life
Moov now
Moov Now can be worn around the ankle or wrist, and was designed to accompany users in nearly any situation. Be it biking, hiking, boxing, or even swimming, Moov Now works. It tracks movement, including gait, speed, climbing altitude, range of motion, and even the g-force of steps.
Personal trainers can help clients with guided workouts, advanced analytics, and injury prevention, by notifying the user if it detects that they’re getting too fatigued or have bad form. And if you thought the seven-day battery on the FitBit Alpha was impressive, you’ll love the six-month battery life on the Moov Now.
For fitness enthusiasts looking for a more modestly priced technology, Moov Now is on the market at $59.99.
myzone mz-3
The MyZone MZ-3 can actually tell you and your trainer if it’s possible to push your workouts harder. Worn around the chest, the MyZone MZ-3 monitors heart rate, calories, and effort. Based on the data it gathers, the MZ-3 will tell your trainer how much effort you’re putting forth. This tool rewards users with “Effort Points” during workouts and can be connected with friends over the app for added support and a challenge.
Personal trainers can use the MZ-3 to design training programs for clients, show them their limits, and help them try to extend their limits.
