I’m not a gadget guy. For me, the simpler the better. I actually prefer bodyweight training to any other type and need only a few select things for my personal workout routine.
I’m not a huge fan of fitness apps either, although there are a handful that are pretty useful, but most are clunky and pretty useless. I like to listen to music when I exercise and use an iPod, but anything more than that is usually just a hindrance.
However, there is one piece of equipment that has recently piqued my interest and a few of my clients swear by it; a FitBit. More specifically, the FitBit Charge HR, which seems to be the best one in their lineup of tracking products.
For those of you that are not familiar with what this is, it’s basically an activity tracker that does the following:
1) Acts as a pedometer and counts steps and distance walked/run
While it’s not imperative that you track your miles logged, it can serve to keep you moving more and constantly striving to walk/run a little further. More movement=more calories burned.
2) Tracks heart rate 24/7
This is a handy feature because your HR is gauged during any and all activities. I’m really don’t buy into the “fat burning zone” but believe that knowing your heart rate is helpful because you can gauge your intensity, which is very important!
3) Counts your calories burned
Counting calories is a pain in the ass. I have never enjoyed doing it because it takes time and I’m a pretty impatient guy. But it works. If you don’t know how many calories you’re eating, how will you ever know if you’re in a deficit?
4) Tracks your sleep cycles
This is helpful if you are interested in knowing the quality of sleep you’re getting because we all know that getting the right amount of rest is critical for muscle repair and recovery, not to mention all the other areas of your health it affects.
It actually does a whole bunch of other cool shit too and you should check it out for yourself. Here’s an excellent review of it.
Like I said, I don’t necessarily advocate the use of the latest fitness gadgets, but the FitBit Charge HR is a legit product that can help you along your fitness journey.
My FitBit Giveaway
So I’ve decided to give one of these bad boys away in hopes of helping one lucky dude.
Starting on Tuesday 4/7 at 10 am EST, I will be running a 14 day free giveaway. An email address gets you one entry. A share gets you five.
I will be donating one FitBit Charge HR activity tracker via a random drawing in hopes of helping someone reach their fitness goals (hopefully quicker).
The best chance to win will be by sharing the giveaway with your friends because you’ll get those additional entries each time you do. I’ll be posting more about this on Facebook and Instagram over the next week, so keep your eyed peeled.
This would be great to have and so helpful
You never know, Shawn…you just might win!
What I would be knowing more about is how you use your iPod when working out. I used to run with an iPod. Or several iPods. Several now-deceased iPods. iPods, it turns out, are extremely sensitive to moisture, particularly sweat. I guess I sweat too much, because I’ve killed three or four iPods, mostly Nanos, both click-wheel and touch-screen versions. That got so expensive I stopped using the iPod while jogging — and I really miss listening to podcasts while pounding the pavement. I’ve tried skins and cases, but none of them are water resistant; in fact, some covers serve to retain the moisture and destroy the device even faster. I ultimately resorted to a simple Ziploc bag, but even that didn’t work for long. I don’t know how the people I see on the bike path jogging with their iPhones do it without wrecking their phones.
It’s cool that you’re running this promotion! Good luck to all the entrants!
That’s interesting David because I’ve never had any issues at all. I don’t train in the rain nor is it nearly as humid here as it is in Hawaii. I just use a cheap black case to cover it, tuck in into my waistband under my short and have no problems…
Ive used apps on my phone for years with success (and some moments not so successful) but have been intrigued by all the “wrist” options on the rise lately. One thing that has held me back is my need for music while working out…that being said a wrist option does “free” you up for just the tasks at hand…
This is true, Bruce. Can you imagine what fitness technology will look like in 20 years??
it would be amazing to have one of these to track everything.
Would like to win a Fit bit tracker as I joined a weightloss program to get fit and would love to track my steps.
You’re a few years late to the challenge, sorry..