This year fitness, more than any other gadgetry, has been impacted by wearable technology. Fitness trackers, wellbeing monitors and everything else in-between has been adopted by discerning gents in a big way as we strive for PBs (personal bests) or simply find out how many steps we take going back and forth from the train station to our homes. Whatever your level of fitness, the data and insights these wearable fitness devices can provide will prove useful – if you know how to decipher it correctly.
One device catching the eye of Elysium Magazine this year is the Fitbit Surge. Whilst the Fitbit brand should be familiar with the majority of discerning gents, the Surge is perhaps the lesser-known of the fitness bands Fitbit makes – although it shouldn’t be. This is the top-of-range fitness tracker from the brand that provides a multitude of features that will cater for every type of fitness fanatic at every level.
Features amongst the fitness tracker pack are much the same – pedometer, heart rate monitor etc. These are a standard consideration when picking a device so Elysium Magazine will focus on the features that prove the most useful. First off, the auto-exercise sync is very useful. What this means is that you simply wear the device and it’ll automatically work out the type of activity you’re doing and for how long, such as running, cycling or using the elliptical cross trainer. It shifts seamlessly between exercises meaning the only thing to remember is to wear it. Those keen to track distance will be glad to know the Surge has a GPS feature, quickly finding a signal within a couple of swipes so you’re on your way.
The Surge captures all the data and syncs with your iOS/Android smartphone via an app to download your daily insights – providing a useful dashboard visual to quickly stat check your day at-a-glance or tap into specific metrics to get a detailed look. If the Surge is worn during sleep, it’ll also capture your sleeping patterns too – what time you went to bed, how long you slept for, whether you were restless/awake at any point in-between and for how long these periods were.
Battery life is impressive on the Surge too – a common downfall of many a wearable device. The Surge will easily give you five days of fitness tracking between charges – although use of GPS does drain the battery much faster. The Surge will update you via email when it needs charging though – a useful reminder, along with the other updates it provides if you smash (or are behind on) weekly activity quotas. Further to this point, those opting to join the Fitbit community can share achievements, challenge each other and work towards group goals.
The Bluetooth connectivity is useful for those wanting to sync up calls/emails to the Surge too. Read text messages or get alerts to incoming calls via the Surge touchscreen – essentially doubling up as a smartwatch – albeit one that is solely focused on fitness tracking rather than additional apps or uses.
Is it worth effort? In a word, yes. The Fitbit Surge is the most technically accomplished tracker in the Fitbit range – aimed at the amateur-to-pro athlete but mere mortals can benefit from the device too. It’s what Steve Jobs would call out as “it just works” – and that’s exactly what the discerning gent wants from a fitness tracker. It goes beyond the device though as, ultimately, it’s the data it captures that’s most valuable to anyone wanting to track, benchmark and develop their fitness.
Available from Fitbit, RRP £199.99