HEALTH and fitness tracking used to be the purview of those who exercised actively, but Covid-19 has changed all that.
Along with the disease came an understanding that numbers matter to everyone.
From body temperature to oxygen saturation level (SpO2), the public is consistently advised to be aware of these parameters and get help immediately if the situation worsens.
And as lockdown and isolation raise concerns about mental health, some tap into stress measurement tools, and the breathing and relaxation mode in their smart watches or phones to keep them calm.
Late last year, health wearable brand Fitbit released Charge 5, which the company says is "its most advanced health and fitness tracker yet" to give consumers a holistic device that covers well-being and fitness.
STRESS, HEART AND SLEEP
The slim watch is made to track and manage stress, heart health and sleep. There's even an electrodermal activity scan to detect stress (and help you manage it).
There is an electrocardiogram app for atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), high and low heart rate notification and sleep insights.
While this is not a medical device, the statistics can help you adopt a better lifestyle.
If your sleep quality isn't good, you can try a few things before bed, including quitting the screen 30 minutes before, taking a warm shower or doing breathing exercises, and see if those steps help you achieve a restful slumber.
Likewise, a high heart rate notification can remind you to relax, and breathe and if this happens often, it's best to see your doctor.
WORK OUT SMART
For avid exercisers, the machine delivers a "Daily Readiness Score" — available to premium members in the Fitbit app. This score uses insights from your body and reveals if you are ready for a workout, or if you should prioritise recovery.
Recovery is part of making the body strong too, because you cannot exercise effectively with a tired body.
The Charge 5 is made for various types of exercises. Hikers and runners will appreciate the GPS for real-time pace and distance. Those who are into high intensity interval training can often check the Active Zone Minutes feature to make sure that they reach their optimal intensity.
Users can also check the workout intensity map in the Fitbit app so they can see their pace and heart rate zones in outdoor runs, hikes and rides.
A lightweight and low-profile design with a vibrant colour touchscreen that is slimmer and brighter than its predecessor, the Charge 4, Fitbit says its new device "pushes the boundaries of what's possible in a tracker by offering the most advanced combinations of sensors in a tracker".
Priced at RM878, it includes a six-month premium membership and is available at fitbit.com, and select online and offline retailers.
Claim extra discounts wheTrack your heart rate using an affordable tracking tool by applying Lazada Discount Code.
