Walking on sunshine
MANILA, Philippines - It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that we can’t live without modern technology. We’ve all seen Inspector Gadget and The Jetsons; surely I’m not the only one who’s still wondering when we’ll get hoverboards that actually hover. But it might take some time for us to get there, so we make do with what we have. A lot of people jumped on the hoverboard bandwagon and suffered the consequences (i.e., serious injuries and laziness). I guess that’s what we get for relying on technology too much.
The best type of technology, it seems, is the kind that helps us become better rather than just teaching us shortcuts.
Fitbit has been changing the game when it comes to wearable technology. It started in 2007 when Eric Park and James Friedman found an opportunity to create memorable fitness and health experiences through advanced wireless technology. Fast-forward to 2016: now they have a Fitbit perfect for every consumer out there.
The first step to choosing your own Fitbit is to be honest with yourself. How active are you, really? (Ask yourself at least thrice, for maximum honesty.) Fitbit offers a range of products in three categories: Everyday, Active and Performance. If you live a more sedentary lifestyle (read: you Netflix and chill more than you “Netflix and chill”), the Everyday fitness range is recommended. The Fitbit Zip, One, Flex and Charge measure the steps you take and your sleeping patterns. For more active users, the Fitbit Charge HR, the updated version of the Fitbit Charge, is worth checking out. It tracks your heart rate with the PurePulse feature and with SmartTrack, it automatically detects when you’re working out. It also has a handy caller ID feature so you can stay connected even when you’re on a run or doing deadlifts. Under the Performance category is the Fitbit Surge. It has all the features the Fitbit Charge HR has but with this, you can control music in your display and the SmartTrack feature is upgraded so that it detects what kind of workout you’re doing.
Fitbit released two new products to join the fitness party: Fitbit Alta (P6,479) and Fitbit Blaze (P9,999). The Alta falls under the Everyday category while the Blaze fall under the Active category. The Alta has a thick rubber wrist strap and a small screen where you can view the number of steps you took, the distance, calories burned, the time and the date. One of the cutest features is the flower icon. The more steps you take to reach your daily goal of 10,000 (the recommended number according to American Heart Association), the faster it grows. Just like some of the earlier Fitbit releases, it also has a caller ID. It’s like a beeper (millennials, remember this?), but so much sleeker.
The Fitbit Alta’s band is also interchangeable. The classic band can be replaced with a leather strap or metal bangle. They’re coming out with a gold version soon if you want to take it up a notch. The same customization option is also available for the Fitbit Blaze.
At first glance, the Blaze looks a lot like a regular smart watch. But for health buffs, it’s the perfect workout partner. It has all the features that the Fitbit Alta has but all “glo-ed up.” It’s also equipped with PurePulse and SmartTrack so you can track and record your heart rate and workouts without any effort. For a quick exercise fix, the built-in 7-minute workout guide by FitStar is a must-do. The Fitbit Blaze can also sync to the GPS on your phone so you don’t have to worry about getting lost while jogging around the neighborhood.It also has a built-in GPS and seven-minute workout by FitStar so you don’t have to worry about bringing your phone while jogging around the neighborhood. It’s like a best friend, but this one doesn’t ditch you when you ask them to work out at 5 a.m.
Fitbit offers a full range of hardware for any fitness enthusiast but what makes the products stand out is the software that comes with it. All the data that your Fitbit gathers will sync to the app automatically. You can track your daily progress without breaking a sweat (no pun intended). It also allows you to add friends so you can hold mini competitions among your circle. Think of it as a real-life video game, only you’re the character and you won’t gain weight the more you get addicted to it.
During the Asia Pacific release in Singapore this month, we took the Fitbit Alta for a test run. It’s quite easy to reach the daily goal in a city where pedestrians are actually respected. Steve Morley, Fitbit’s Asia-Pacific VP and general manager, said that he lost almost 10 kilos since moving to Singapore late last year. Considering that he didn’t change his diet that much, that’s quite an achievement for just being more consciously active. But then again, in Singapore, pedestrians have a place to walk. How about us Manileños?
“I have limited choices. I can’t run even on smooth Singaporean streets because my knees are unstable. It’s all about little choices. People would be amazed that making small discipline choices will add up to your overall wellness,” Steve says. Just by the simple decision of taking the stairs instead of the escalators, he was able to dominate his friends in their Fitbit leaderboards and live a healthier lifestyle.
Our streets may not be pedestrian-friendly, but we love our malls, so there’s really no excuse for us to not walk. If the motivation to stay fit isn’t enough, then let your competitive side dominate. After all, winners don’t just hover to the top. They climb.
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Fitbit Alta and Blaze are available at all Digital Walker and Beyond the Box stores and in select Toby’s Sports outlets nationwide.
