How to choose a fitness bracelet - useful and useless functions

How to choose a fitness bracelet - useful and useless functions

Fitness bracelet is made in the form of a wristwatch and is designed to track physical states of the body. The list of its features includes pulse measurement, a kilocalorie counter, a pedometer, an alarm clock that tracks sleep phases, and notification of incoming messages to your smartphone.

Useful functions in the fitness bracelet

1. Watch .
2. Pedometer . Counts the number of steps taken in 24 hours and compares them with those that you have planned. To maintain a normal physical condition, you need to do at least 10,000 steps daily.
3. The counter of kilometers . You can not only measure how many kilometers you have traveled in a day, but also set the distance from point A to point B.
4. Pulsometer . The function is intended for people involved in sports, for those suffering from heart disease and for pregnant women. With a heart rate monitor, you can control the rhythm of the heart and avoid seizures.
5. Bluetooth . You can connect the bracelet to the phone. The most useful function is the vibration of the bracelet when messages or calls are received on the phone. There is a function for controlling the audio player, signaling of reduced activity and motion counters when climbing stairs, running and swimming.
6. Alarm clock . Waking up with such an alarm clock is easier, since it counts the phases of sleep and wakes you up between them. Awakening from vibration on the hand is more effective than from ringing a standard alarm clock or a melody on the phone.
7. Calorie counter . An irreplaceable function for people who are watching weight. The counter shows the amount of calories spent or missing.

Useless functions in the fitness bracelet

1. The number of calories eaten . You will have to repeatedly enter manually all the food that you consume. It takes a lot of time.
2. Dictaphone . Writes in the format "arm", gives an arbitrary name of the record and can save only one record. If you want to make a new record, it will overwrite the old one. Poor recording quality.
3. Massage . When you select a function, the bracelet starts vibrating constantly. For massage, it should be leant against the place you want to massage.
4. Sending messages . Since the bracelet is uncomfortable to send messages because of the small size.
5. Function "H-Free". The Free Hands feature helps you answer phone calls. To hear the speaker, you must put your hand to your ear and turn it, and to answer - bring it to your mouth.

The best fitness bracelets

To choose a fitness bracelet with an optimal price-quality ratio, consider several of them in different price categories.

from 600 to 3000 rubles

1. Xiaomi Mi Band S1 . Stylish design and standard list of functions - pedometer, pulse meter, smart alarm clock, clock, bluetooth. It runs for about 2 weeks from one battery charge.
2. Samsung Smart Charm . Can be worn on the arm and around the neck. Stylish accessory. Available in 3 colors - white, black and pink. Of the functional, only a pedometer and bluetooth are available.
3. Xiaomi Mi Band 2 . To the functionality of the previous version was added a black and white screen with a touch surface. The bracelet received an award in the competition Red Dot Design 2017.

 from 3000 to 10 000 rubles

1. Sony SmartBand 2 . Status gadget. Has a heart rate counter. The model can be attributed to the monitor of the heart rhythm than to the fitness bracelet, but it contains all the functions of the fitness bracelet. There is protection from moisture and dust and a self-fastening strap.
2. Garmin Vivofit HRM . A distinctive feature - an autonomous work during the year from two battery-tablets. The heart rate sensor works around the clock, it records the activity of a person during the day. If you sit at the computer for a long time, the bracelet will give you a signal that it's time to charge. It tracks sleep quality and is waterproof.
3. Samsung Gear Fit 2 . Has a curved screen of 1.5 inches. Available in 3 colors: black, blue and red. Has a built-in audio player and 4 GB of memory.

from 10 000 rubles and more

1. Garmin Vivosmart HR + Regular Purple . Has a touch screen and all the existing functions. Waterproof, works off-line for 7 days.
2. Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro . Plastic curved body with a large touch screen of 1.5 inches. Has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, heart rate monitor, accelerometer, barometer and gyroscope. Works on one charge 2-3 days.
3. Polar V800 HR . Has a GPS-sensor with the function of saving battery power, the mode of multisport, the index of running, receiving and rejecting incoming calls, viewing messages, monitoring sleep, the ability to make online training programs, chest sensor Bluetooth Smart and GymLink.

Tips for choosing

1. When choosing a fitness bracelet, you need to decide what functions in it you would like to see and approximate cost.
2. If you are active or doing sports, think about the spare strap. The original strap is softer than the original one.
3. After six months of active use of the bracelet, you will see scratches and scrapes on the screen. Directly buy a protective film.
4. Do not regret money and buy a waterproof model. With it, do not be afraid to get in the rain or forget to remove the bracelet in the shower.
5. When buying a bracelet, look at the battery capacity. The model of the average cost keeps the charge about 1-2 weeks, and fully charges about 2 hours.
6. If accuracy of the heart rate monitor is important to you, pay attention to the fixation of the indicator on the strap. The more densely it touches the skin, the more accurate the indicators will be.

Smart watch or fitness bracelet

If you can not choose between a fitness bracelet and a smart watch, let's take a closer look at a smart watch.

Smart watch:

• have the same functions as a fitness bracelet;
• Look at the hand more representative, but weigh more;
• do not have protection from moisture. The maximum that they can withstand is the rain. Expensive waterproof models withstand scuba diving.
• can be a substitute for a smartphone. From them you can go online, send messages or watch videos;
• keep the charge 2-3 days;
• can be used as a GPS-navigator;
• can be equipped with a photo camera, a video camera and a voice recorder;
• have a voice recording system, translated into text, with which you can send SMS messages.

The watch is suitable for those who:

• cares about health;
• leads an active lifestyle;
• often travels;
• a lot and often communicates.

Smart clocks are suitable for business people. They will not let you miss an important call or message, remind you of a meeting or point to a forgotten smartphone. You will be able to tell the clock all the important things that need to be done during the day, and at the right time they will notify you about them.