If you're looking to get fit in 2014, buying the best
fitness tracker can give you a real head-start. Fitness bands went global in
2013, with top offerings such as the Nike Fuelband SE, Fitbit Flex and Jawbone
Up taking the market by storm, turning your wrist into a mobile fitness data
centre.
Strap one of these fitness trackers to your wrist and you
can find out how many steps you take daily, the calories you burn and even
during which hours you're getting the best sleep.
From Jawbone's iconic UP, to Nike's juiced up Fuelband, all
these devices have a myriad of sensors nestled underneath there svelte frames,
taking care of all the heavy lifting. They also connect to apps for your
Android and iOS smartphone, so you can see a streamlined view of all your daily
activity. Obviously with a product like this, the prices can range quite
drastically - from around £50 to nearing £200, but it really depends on what
you want out the device.
"Fitness tracking is leading the way when it comes to
wearable tech we actually want. Responding to the growing obsession for
analysing our every step, you can now get accessories that do everything from
monitoring how much you move to how fast your heart beats on your 10km run.
"So how to pick the right product for you? Be honest
with yourself. If you’re sofa dweller who needs to be more active then the
wristbands are the place to start. Swimmers should strap on the Misfit Shine
and the sleep-obsessed should snuggle down with a Fitbit. How and where you
want to see your stats is also a big consideration.
"All the devices here have web tools, but if you prefer
to check your fitness data on the move, check compatibility – the Nike+ Fuel
Band SE only works on iOS devices, for instance."
1. Jawbone UP / Jawbone UP 24
Sequel to the original UP, the 24 adds in our most requested
feature – Bluetooth connectivity. Now there’s no need to plug the device into
the headphone port, instead it just easily sends data to the app throughout the
day. Other changes are less obvious, it keeps that instantly recognisable, durable
and weather resistant design and you’ll get around seven days of battery life.
There’s no UK release date or price for the UP 24 yet,
though if you’re not so fussed
on Bluetooth, you still grab the regular UP.
£TBA / $149 (Previous gen UP £99) | Jawbone
2. Fitbit Flex
Along with the original Nike Fuelband and the Jawbone UP,
the Flex is one of the most recognisable and popular sport bands on the market.
Its soft colour palette, slightly protruding lip and durable design, along the
well designed app that connects via Bluetooth really make it a great buy. As
with most of these products, it tracks your steps, distance travelled and can
monitor your sleeping patterns.
£79.99 | Fitbit
3. Misfit Shine
A hit in the US, this penny-sized chunk of intelligent
brushed aluminium is now available in the UK. Waterproof to 50m it’s ideal for
tracking swims or particularly soggy jogs. Set daily goals and track progress
with the free app. It weighs in at just 10g, can be worn in a host of ways and
certainly looks a lot more stylish than most trackers on the market. It’s now
also compatible with both Android and iOS
£99.95 | MisFit Wearables | John Lewis (for UK availability)
4. Larklife
A personal coach attached to your wrist, available in bright
colours and designed to make you a healthier person. Keep a track of sleep,
steps and even get dedicated tips on how to increase your productivity. With
one tap you can log your meals and it’ll work out your calorie stats. Sadly,
the companion app is only available of iOS, which is a bit of a shame for
people who use Android.
$150 | Larklife
5. Nike Fuelband SE
The next-generation SE has been updated to Bluetooth 4.0 for
speedier syncing and concentrates more on teamwork. You can now earn your fuel
points in groups, pooling them via the iPhone-only app. Don’t be the weak link,
now…
£129.99 | Nike
6. Basis B1
Ditching the common band look and going for more akin to a
classic digital watch, the killer feature is the analysis tech which helps you
turn around some of the your bad habits. You can customise the experience;
prefer to watch your sleep over your steps? No problem. Making up the internals
of the B1 is a whole load of clever sensors, from a 3-axis accelerometer, a
perspiration monitor and one for keeping a track of your heart rate. Connection
with the app is simple, plus it looks great and displays all the info you need
in an easy to read manner.
$169 | My Basis
7. Technogym Mywellness Key
This fitness band monitors movement via an internal
accelerometer and beams the data to the cloud. Kit your home gym out with
Technogym’s treadmills, rowing machines and other kit, though, and it gets even
smarter, recording the detailed info from them, too.
£120 | Technogym
8. Withings Pulse
At less than five centimetres long, the portable Pulse gives
you a wide range of feedback on your daily activity – including distance
travelled and calories burned – from the comfort of your pocket. Touch the
device for a few seconds for your heart rate and swipe for 10 days worth of
data. It syncs automatically to Android and Apple devices.
£90 | Withings
9. Fitbug Orb
The cheapest device on our list, but that doesn’t mean it’s
not worth a look – especially if you’re not sure you want to go full force into
the fitness tracker market. Even though it’s just the size of a button, the Orb
can keep a track o your steps taken and calories burned for 14 days. It also
doesn’t require charging, which is always a bonus.
£45 | FitBug
10. Bowflex Boost
Driven by the goals you set yourself, the Boost tracks all
your activities including steps, distance and sleep to give you a comprehensive
view of your daily activities. Bluetooth directly connect the band the
companion app on your smartphone, so no need to plug it in to transfer your
stats. A clever light based display keeps you up to date with goals, shining
green when you’ve hit the target.
It may not be the sleekest band on our list, and the app
isn’t overly well designed, but it’s still a good choice if you’re looking to
save some cash.
$49.95 | Bowflex
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