How it works: How fitness trackers measure steps. A watch with a pedometer and a calorie counter - how to use a fitness bracelet correctly? What are the functions of smart bracelets

1. Force a sharp change in lifestyle to a healthy and more mobile one

The work of fitness bracelets, and especially their applications, is based on game mechanics that should motivate their users to move more. But the bracelet is not a living trainer with a stick who will not leave you until you do right exercise. Moreover, the gadget cannot replace your own desire and motivation to improve your health.

“The bracelet will definitely not work for lazy and fat people who want to suddenly change. This is self-deception, marketing and making money. I believe that a bracelet should be bought by a person who is already involved in sports, has already put himself in order. The bracelet is needed only to support yourself, and as a nice accessory. Useful thing, but initial stage when there is no willpower, this thing does not work, ”says an advanced user of fitness bracelets (used four models of different brands) Alexey Shost.

Many other fans of fitness bracelets agree with him. Almost everyone who finds the gadget useful began to monitor their health and mobility even before buying it.

“In my opinion, this should not be the start of some mighty fitness journey: it is much better to buy it when you have already started doing something, and then there was a need for tracking results - even if it’s just Saturday walks, not super difficult workout. And if you start by buying a bracelet without even realizing what you like, there is a great chance that the whole idea will fail - as with any desire to “start from Monday”. The bracelet helps to think about your lifestyle and your health - this is the most important plus. But if there is no internal need for this, again, it is unlikely that something will come of it, ”says Anna Rogacheva, FitBit and Xiaomi Mi Band user.

The bracelet does not give a complete solution, but it shows the problem itself: how little a person moves, how badly he sleeps. That is, it makes you think about your health, but does not automatically improve it.

“Many are disappointed in fitness bracelets because they hope that they will make them run in the morning, do an hour of exercises, do abs without stopping, etc. The bracelet helps you see how little you move, how badly you sleep, and think “ Isn't it time to change your lifestyle and go to bed early? All hope in any case for personal consciousness. There are hyperactive people who leave the house at night looking to “get out” of the daily norm of steps, but they are usually only enough for the first month, ”says Ekaterina Borodina, owner of Jawbone.

2. Help to sleep in a short time

Many people buy fitness bracelets primarily because of the presence of a "smart alarm clock" that should wake up its "master" during REM sleep. Users hope this feature will help them not feel overwhelmed even if they only get a few hours of sleep. But in fact, it only works if a person sleeps at least 6-7 hours. And most young people can get enough sleep during this time without a “smart alarm clock”.

“Jawbone will wake you up if you sleep at least 6-7 hours. If you sleep a little, less than 6 hours, and if you go to bed after one in the morning, the likelihood that he will wake you up is low, ”says Alexey.

Also, not all bracelets accurately monitor sleep.

“100% accurate sleep tracking is technically impossible for such a small thing. It is rather self-hypnosis that someone managed to get up magically. Technically, there are very large errors,” says Daniel, owner of Misfit Flash.

Many users of fitness bracelets speak about the lack of “magic”:

“I didn’t feel magic, no“ easy awakening in the right phase ”did not happen if I slept less than 7 hours. So I wouldn’t really hope for that,” says Anna.

3. Monitor any physical activity

Fitness bracelets are suitable for monitoring but only certain types of activities. First of all, it's walking. According to Aleksey, the accuracy of this function for all bracelets is quite high, 80–85 percent. Many also use fitness bracelets when running, but, according to Alexey, a heart rate monitor is needed for his more accurate tracking.

“They are both on the bracelet, Jawbone 30, Garmin, and external. For example, this is on the Under Armor bracelet, from the largest American manufacturer of professional clothing for athletes. It is best to use a chest heart rate monitor, in the region of the heart, which is located in the solar plexus region, and then the pulse is read with maximum accuracy. Due to the software, again, all this is combined and more accurate information is shown about how many calories you have burned, based on the pulse and activity, ”explains Alexey.

According to Elina Freidina, who used FitBit, fitness bracelets do not count steps on stairs, activity when cycling, and are also useless when swimming. Most wristbands are not waterproof, not only can you not swim or shower in them, but it's also best not to wash your hands. She herself had to abandon the bracelet due to an allergy to its coating.

The cheaper Xiaomi bracelet does not record cycling trips. FitBit can do this, but it requires you to manually switch your activity type. And while practicing power loads you need not only to mark the type of activity in the application, but also indicate the degree of load at your discretion, from minimal to heavy. Most users are too lazy to do this, so advanced users are not advised to buy a fitness bracelet for the purpose of tracking strength activity.

In addition, not all bracelets perfectly determine the steps. Some confuse them with swaying in the subway or car.

“It’s not very convenient, probably, if you spend an hour a day on the subway or other transport e. FitBit didn’t have this, but it’s several times more expensive, and if you don’t need pharmacy accuracy, then you can probably make a choice in favor of developing Xiaomi,” says Anna.

4. Automatically count calories

The Russian company HealBe promised to release a GoBe bracelet that would measure calories by itself. This is done on the basis of bioimpedance - an analysis of changes in tissue resistance. Most scientists and doctors in the world consider the promises of HealBe to be quackery, as researchers have been trying for many years to find non-invasive ways to determine blood sugar levels, and no one has yet succeeded. However, HealBe claims that their bracelet detects incoming calories with an accuracy of 85 percent. But most of the users who have tested claim lower rates.

The rest of the bracelets offer to manually enter the names and volume of foods eaten, and only then automatically count the number of calories according to their data.

“You can also enter your parameters - weight, height, age, gender, and he says how many calories with these parameters you need to lose weight, maintain or gain weight,” says Alexey.

But most of these features are not used.

“There it was possible to score what / when / in what quantities you ate, but me on this extra work not enough. So it's past," says Larisa, former owner of Jawbone.

5. Do not break for a long time

It is important not to forget to charge the bracelets on time, because many of them break after being completely discharged. Nike wristbands also need to be synchronized with a computer every few days. If this is not done, his memory becomes clogged, the bracelet fails, then it will need to be completely erased and re-configured.

Jawbones often break due to physical damage. It is easy to bend, after which it may stop working.

“When it stopped turning on a couple of months after purchase, a full reboot helped. Their customer support is very good, by the way. After a year of wearing, my bracelet broke completely when I took it off my hand. The Jawbone has only one button, and this button is attached to the softest part of the bracelet, which is flexible. Here it was bent for a year, and then it broke inside. This hard reset will not fix it, ”says Larisa.

Also, the bracelet may stop working due to moisture.

“I would advise you to take Chinese bracelets without a screen, they are dust and moisture resistant, they are not afraid of any such effects from the outside,” recommends Aleksey.

Judging by the reviews, it is Jawbone that breaks most often:

“The main glitch is that over the past year, 90 percent of my “fellow-friends” have broken their bracelet,” says Ekaterina.

What can a fitness bracelet:

1. Motivate to continue to engage in physical activities

Many note that the main thing is not the fitness bracelet itself, but its application, which shows data not only about your activity, but also the success of other friends. The competitive spirit motivates you to keep practicing and do it more and more.

“In general, I have a rather positive history of using bracelets: since the purchase of the first FitBit, I have lost 7-8 kilograms, but before that, for about a year I tried to walk a lot (really a lot) and used the Endomondo application, competed there with friends, who started slowly move on to bracelets. In general, the competition is the coolest feature for me, as it turned out. When you see daily and weekly results, but not healthy lifestyle stars, but ordinary people like you, who also need to find time for physical activity and who still succeed, you just can’t help but think: “well, that means and I can do that, and maybe even more!“” says Anna.

In this regard, some advise choosing the same bracelet that most of your friends use.

“It will be great if you already have several friends registered in the application, and you will fall into the already established small community. And it will be a shame if 10 of your friends are in FitBit, and you suddenly buy Jawbone and sit there alone, ”says Anna.

For PR manager Veronika Kandaurova, the Jawbone app has also become the main motivator to walk more:

“Fitness bracelet for me was an incentive to get more sleep or walk, because it's nice to realize at the end of the working day that you're doing great and all so athletic. Jawbon, for example, is a real social network in which you can see the results of both people you know, and in general, get information that today you are among the thousand most active women from 21 to 25.

But, at the same time, the question arises, why use a bracelet, if you can monitor your own and others' physical activity without it in ordinary mobile health applications.

“Now I'm not sure that bracelets are as popular as, say, two years ago. So many programs have appeared in the iPhone that do not oblige you to wear something, connect it, ”says Veronika.

2. Wake up

Although the "smart alarm" function in fitness bracelets is not perfect, waking up with it is still more convenient than with a regular alarm clock. First, because it only wakes the wearer of the bracelet. Secondly, because he does not stop vibrating until he gets his way.

“The alarm clock is convenient in that it does not wake anyone but you - if it is relevant to someone, and also in that it will not stop vibrating until it feels that you are up. This, of course, is more effective than just pressing the “postpone” button, ”says Anna.

In addition, according to users, waking up from a light vibration is more pleasant than from loud music.

“The bracelet starts to vibrate about 5-10 minutes before (allegedly calculating a comfortable sleep phase). It's easier to wake up from this vibration on your wrist than from songs on your phone. However, I did not fully trust the bracelet and set an alarm on my phone too - just for a later time, as a fallback. It came in handy several times,” says Larisa.

3. Help plan your lifestyle

Many say that with the help of the bracelet they determined their optimal sleep time and the required number of steps per day.

“It was great to look at the sleep charts he gave me, but I didn’t attach much importance to them, because I’m not sure how truthfully he fixes the phases of REM and deep sleep. But I kept track of how long I generally slept. He probably helped me adjust to a normal eight-hour sleep schedule and find out what time it is better for me to go to bed, ”says Larisa. - With a bracelet, I began to walk at least 10 thousand steps a day (they write that this is a healthy norm). From the first days, I quickly found out that before purchasing the bracelet, I walked much less.”

But over time, many begin to monitor their body on their own, without the help of a gadget.

“After the breakdown, I didn’t buy anything to replace it. Now I have the Moves app on my phone that counts the steps, and that's enough for me. I have already figured out sleep, ”says Larisa.

4. Attract attention

For many, a fitness bracelet is primarily a stylish accessory. He motivates someone to change clothes to more comfortable ones, and someone helps to make new acquaintances.

“With fitness bracelets, I personally had two main difficulties: remembering to turn it on and off, and how to wear it with an evening dress. But all this perfectly trains your memory and makes you reconsider your wardrobe, ”says Veronica.

“Firstly, the bracelet is an opportunity to keep track of yourself and your activity, and secondly, it is a stylish and noticeable accessory. I met many times and got to know me simply because we are “from one big Jawbone team,” says Ekaterina.

A wide variety of gadgets have long been an integral part of our lives. Modern man is surrounded by many devices designed to perform certain functions. But technological progress does not stand still. Almost every day we learn about new inventions that make our lives more comfortable. One of them is a fitness bracelet. What is this gadget for and for whom is it intended?

This technical know-how is worth talking about in more detail, because many probably know practically nothing about devices that have many names - smart bracelets, smart bracelets, fitness bracelets, etc. But be that as it may, such a gadget is very easy to use, lightweight and has almost limitless possibilities.

History of appearance

The first prototypes of such gadgets were heart rate monitors. A little later, manufacturers added the functions of measuring calories burned and the number of steps taken to these devices. However, it became possible to call such devices full-fledged fitness bracelets only after the appearance of their full integration with PCs and mobile operating systems.

Who needs them?

Based on the name, these devices are intended for those people who lead an active lifestyle. After all, at first glance it seems that such a gadget is unlikely to be needed by someone who sits at the monitor all day. However smart fitness bracelet has a number of functions that will be useful to any category of user in their Everyday life. At the same time, it is quite possible that they will be a kind of incentive for the laziest, motivating them to play sports or at least move more.

Of course, many are wondering, “Why do I need a fitness bracelet, if the modern market is saturated with a huge variety of smart watch models that have most of the functions of a smart gadget?” The fact is that the advantages of the described invention are much greater. This applies, for example, to battery life. For fitness bracelets, it is increased several times. This was made possible by the device's lack of a powerful processor or large display.

These gadgets also win in comparison with the phone. Among the advantages of fitness bracelets are:

1. Ability to save data without downloading additional program. The phone will have to work with several applications, which is very inconvenient.

2. To obtain accurate data, the phone will have to be constantly carried in the hand. It will not be possible to do this in the pool or in the gym. It is problematic to constantly carry the phone even in a normal office. Concerning smart fitness bracelet, then it will always be on the hand, imperceptibly fixing the necessary data.

3. When using the phone, you will need to keep several applications constantly turned on at once. This is, for example, mobile Internet or GPS. As for smart gadgets, they do not need to be constantly connected to a smartphone. Their synchronization can be carried out only once during the day, and sometimes, depending on the model, even less often.

4. Many applications on a smartphone only work when the device is connected to the Internet. A fitness bracelet does fine without it.

5. A smart gadget is able to receive and analyze health indicators for a long time. The smartphone program can go astray, and then all data will be lost.

6. Sometimes mobile applications do not open from a laptop or a personal computer. The program for a fitness bracelet is capable of this, because manufacturing companies spend a lot of money on its development and further optimization.

Today, many manufacturers of popular brands of phones produce both a watch and a bracelet, which allows you to connect them with each other. Thus, the device becomes an indispensable assistant to a person, designed to maintain his health, as well as organize the process physical activity and rest.

purpose

At the very beginning of its appearance on the market, smart bracelets were not known to many. This was taken advantage of by scammers who presented these devices as miraculous devices with truly “magic” properties. Those who decided to cash in on the ignorance and gullibility of people advertised fitness bracelets as devices that normalize blood pressure, get rid of diseases, and even allow you to lose weight. excess weight without physical activity. However, such fakes have nothing to do with fitness bracelets. After all, these multifunctional technical devices are sensors and organizers. They measure the pulse, track sleep phases, human activity during the daytime and record other statistical data.

What is a fitness bracelet? This is a small device that is necessary for those people who take care of their health, but cannot go in for sports due to a limited amount of free time. A smart gadget will allow you to evaluate the quality of sleep, as well as tell you how many steps were taken during the day. In addition, the program for the fitness bracelet can be configured in a certain way. This will allow the device to wake up its owner exactly in the phase of sleep when it will be easiest for him to get up, and such an awakening will make him feel better throughout the day.

Main functions

What is a fitness bracelet? This is a complex device with so many different functions that it is rather difficult to list them. That is why you should first consider basic characteristics similar devices. They are common to all such gadgets, regardless of brand and price.

First of all, these characteristics are:

Pulse control;
- step meter;
- summation of calories burned;
- "smart" alarm clock;
- sleep monitoring.

In order to fully understand the significance of this small device in the life of a modern person, you need to consider some of its main functions in more detail.

Heart rate tracking

Why do you need such a gadget function? A fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor allows you to maximize the effectiveness of any type of physical activity. It is known that control over the beats of the heart muscle is able to trace the response of a person to the load. In addition, this function helps to properly organize training process. So, if a fitness bracelet with a heart rate monitor is put on a person’s hand, the purpose of whose morning run is to eliminate extra pounds, then he will need to keep his heart rate at 130 beats per minute. With larger or smaller values ​​of this indicator, fats will be burned more slowly. This will lead to the fact that the training will simply go to waste.

Sleep control

This is one of the most important functions of a fitness bracelet. There doesn't seem to be anything special about her. However, the gadget is able to collect information not only about the time of rest, but also about its quality. So, the owner of a fitness bracelet can track the phases of his sleep in order to take advantage of new opportunities in the future. For example, to eliminate the lack or excess of rest time. In addition, a person may begin to wake up at optimal moments for this. All this is the merit of such a function as a "smart alarm clock". Unlike conventional devices, it will interrupt its owner's sleep not at a predetermined time, but will choose it in such a way that the body receives the maximum benefit. Using this function will allow you to control the duration and quality of sleep individually for each user.

Counting Calories Burned

This is the third most important function of the device, which sometimes comes first. Indeed, many people pay great attention to their figure, and not only because of health, but in order to have a spectacular appearance.

What is a fitness bracelet? This is a device that will allow its owner not to give up their favorite dishes, but to see the specific number of calories consumed during the day. Such data will make it possible to carry out a simple calculation that will reveal an individual norm, adhering to which, you can always be in shape. The reliability of such information, due to the fact that the bracelet is constantly on the arm, approaches one hundred percent.

A smart bracelet can become a kind of personal nutritionist. He will prompt best time for food intake, as well as its quantity, which will allow you not to gain overweight and even get rid of them. The gadget is able to compare the indicators of the replenished and spent energy, while supplying necessary advice. What he does not know how to do is to analyze information about the food eaten. This is only possible with manual data entry.

Step counting

This function also applies to the basic and is present in all varieties of fitness bracelets. It allows the owner of the gadget to set their own daily activity rate. This will certainly become a great motivation to move more, tracking your achievements. Individual models smart bracelets able to keep track of other activities, such as running or cycling. For this, they provide a separate calculation.

Additional functions

The best fitness bracelets are more practical. In addition to the standard functions described above, they also have a number of additional ones. Among them:

Controlling the balance of water in the body;
- tracking the time of taking medications;
- the presence of hours;
- the ability to set a reminder;
- carrying out remote control over the health of relatives;
- sending data about the state of the body to a doctor or trainer;
- goal setting and further monitoring of their achievement.

What is a fitness bracelet? This is a gadget whose popularity is constantly growing. In this regard, manufacturers are releasing more and more new, more functional models of such devices. For example, it is already possible to purchase sports devices that not only measure the pulse, but are also equipped with a tonometer. A fitness bracelet with pressure, that is, with its measurement, determines its performance during training, which allows you to trace the rationality of the loads.

Sometimes in new models of such gadgets you can find functions that allow you to determine:

blood sugar level;
- the amount of fluid in the tissues;
- breathing rhythm;
- proportion of adipose tissue.

The best fitness bracelets for swimming enthusiasts are waterproof models. They are able to work at depth, as well as when taking a shower. However, for such purposes, you should not buy an inexpensive fitness bracelet. Models with higher prices tend to be more reliable. A cheap fitness bracelet, the instructions for which speak of its waterproof qualities, is able to maintain its tightness only under a light rain.

Modern models of such gadgets are often equipped with a screen. Today, many manufacturers produce smart devices with an OLED display that allows you to use the watch at the same time. How to connect a fitness bracelet in this case? Its display becomes active when you raise your hand up. The screen of such devices displays information about the following:

calorie consumption;
- the number of steps taken and the distance;
- heart rate and other indicators.

In the event that the owner of the gadget is in one place for a long time, the device sends him a signal calling for a little warm-up. Also, the smart bracelet will send a notification of incoming messages and calls, and will also allow you to set an alarm. Screen glass is usually very durable. It is protected from impacts and scratches. All this allows you to use the device even in the most extreme conditions.

In other words, this gadget, small in size, is able, if not completely, but almost by 180 degrees, to turn the life of any person. After all, wearing a smart bracelet on his hand, he will certainly feel the desire to be more active and move more. Consider a small rating of fitness bracelets.

Xiaomi MiBand

This fitness bracelet is in the first position due to its extensive features and reasonable price. Xiaomi, being a world famous smartphone manufacturer, decided to expand its product range. She started producing smart bracelets.

These gadgets look quite stylish. The Xiaomi fitness bracelet is made in a universal black color. It is perfect for both men and women. However, the company offers its customers other colors.

What are the advantages of the Xiaomi fitness bracelet? The main one is the ability to work for at least thirty days on a single charge. At the same time, the number of steps taken, as well as the calories eaten and burned, will be displayed on the smartphone in real time.

In addition, the smart bracelet is protected from moisture, but only in the form of a shower and rain. Diving and swimming with him in the pool is not recommended.

The fitness bracelet is equipped with a wake-up function that allows you to monitor the phases of sleep and starts vibration at right moment. The developers claim that in this case, the owner of the bracelet will feel satisfied and sleepy. By the way, the vibration on the bracelet is possible not only at the time of the alarm. Thus, the gadget signals its owner about incoming SMS or calls, and also reminds of a meeting or other upcoming issues.

Xiaomi MiBand works with any smartphone. However, it is preferable to connect it to the "native" phone released by the company.

Jawbone UP24

This model continues the rating of fitness bracelets. A new generation smart gadget delights consumers with its design and minimalism. It is offered in a variety of colors, from which each consumer can choose the right one for himself. And this gadget does not look like a bracelet at all. Rather, it looks like a piece of jewelry, perfect for business or casual style.

Works fitness bracelet paired with the phone. Only on its applications you can view all the features and settings of a smart gadget, namely the data:

About training;
- about food;
- about calories.

The built-in fairly understandable application allows you to set the alarm clock. The charge of such a bracelet lasts for a week, and thanks to the ability to switch modes, the device consumes much less energy during the wearer's sleep.

According to user reviews, the gadget of this model is a good and reliable assistant. However, some owners of the bracelet complain about the lack of a heart rate monitor and a tonometer in it.

Garmin Vivofit

This model is produced by the world-famous manufacturer of GPS-devices, the company Garmin. Thanks to the use of unique technology, this fitness bracelet is able to work without recharging for one year. After that, the batteries are easily changed to new ones.

Separately from the gadget, a device can be purchased that can calculate the heart rate. It is put on the chest, and then all the necessary indicators are received on the bracelet display.

The fitness bracelet is dressed in a sealed case that allows it to withstand depths of up to 50 meters. Among the complaints of users, one can note the lack of backlighting, which makes it impossible to read the necessary information in dark time days. By the way, all the figures issued by the gadget about the number of calories burned, distance traveled, etc. are quite accurate, since preliminary information about the height, weight, age and gender of its owner is entered into the bracelet.

(3 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)

A good half of my friends wear smart bracelets. I also thought about buying, but first I decided to investigate why a fitness bracelet is needed in everyday life, what it is, how this thing works, why the gadget is so good.

Huawei TalkBand B2

General information

Gathering information began with a definition. Smartband, fitness bracelet, heart rate monitor, fitness tracker - this is an incomplete list of names that we managed to find. This is the name of the device with which it is convenient to track physical activity and general condition body (quality of sleep, pulse,).

They help novice athletes and people leading an active life to establish the optimal load regimen, the alternation of sleep and wakefulness. In shape, it is a rounded capsule or clip, which is worn around the neck, waist belt, sports shoes, but most often as a bracelet on the arm.

Work principles

At the next stage, I got acquainted with the principle of operation of the device. A step counter, or simply a pedometer, allows you to track physical activity. Steps are counted according to the accelerometer principle. The sensor fixes the time of the beginning and end of the movement, its intensity. If a permissible value exceeded, the step is counted.

The same algorithm is used when tracking sleep phases. Only the sensor reacts to smaller movements and records data. To understand how an accelerometer works, you need to imagine a weight on a spring. On the one hand, it is attached to a fixed base, on the other hand, there is a damper to dampen vibrations. When shaking occurs, the mass falls by inertia, stretching the spring.

A special sensor records the amount of displacement of the weight. The data is converted into an electrical signal and sent for processing. The program calculates changes in the location of the object. In a smartphone, the accelerometer is replaced by a tiny chip with an inert mass inside.

User Tip: Consider which features mean the most to you. After all, the less functionality of the device, the less often it needs to be charged. Some fitness bracelets are enough to charge once every six months. There are devices that, like watches, run on batteries.

Features of fitness bracelets

Garmin Vivoactive HR

There are a lot of variations of devices, each manufacturer chooses its priorities for a smart gadget. I tried to figure out as much as possible what he does.

Smart alarm function

The bracelet, worn on the arm at night, controls the phases of sleep. The signal does not work exactly at 6-35, but when sleep is the least strong, it can be 6-22 or 6-40. A person rises cheerful, ready for morning chores and worries. After that, in the application, you can analyze the graphs of sleep phases, to understand whether you are resting enough. Another nice device is a silent vibrating alert.

Heart rate sensor

To measure the heart rate most accurately, the device must fit as closely as possible to the skin. It must be remembered that a fitness bracelet is not a medical device, there is an error in the calculations.

Step control

The smart bracelet counts the distance the wearer walked during the day, remembers the intervals of activity, distinguishes between the phases of running and walking.

Message notification

The bracelet will inform you about a phone call with a slight vibration. You will also receive notifications from social networks if you first confirm the permission.

Calculation of calories burned

Based on daily activity information, the application makes calculations of calories burned. Very important for weight watchers .

Additional options

Or this option: the ability to make calls and answer calls without taking the phone out of your bag or pocket. Designed for advanced youth.

Manufacturers do not cease to amaze, winding interesting novelties into gadgets. For example, a GPS module and an altimeter (altimeter). Useful information for fans of extreme tourism and travelers.

In the process of collecting information, I came across a series of tips for novice users.

  1. Always wear the bracelet on the same hand. Right-handers on the left, left-handers on the right. Dominant hand does a lot of work, load data may vary and may not be accurate
  2. Drive into the memory of the device individual data: height, weight, age and gender. If necessary, the bracelet will calculate the average step length, the maximum allowable heart rate.
  3. Be sure to synchronize the device with your smartphone, update the information at least once a week. Usually the memory is reset after 12 days.

Information on the display

Most sports bracelets there is no screen, it is replaced by a small display. At the same time, charging lasts for a longer period of time, usually a week. In addition, the larger and more informative the screen, the more expensive the device.

The main figures are displayed on the display: time, pulse, number of steps, calories burned. The rest of the information is tracked in mobile application. It is clearly visible in the dark and in bright light, which shows the color screen, but then the battery runs out faster, after 3-4 days recharging is required.

Applications for a fitness bracelet

I also collected information about applications that provide processed data to the user in a convenient format. First, a reminder: the smartphone must be running Android 4.4 or higher, iOS7 with Bluetooth 4.0 is also suitable.

Tip: if you are looking for good app for a fitness bracelet, then pay attention to Mi Fit. Perfectly synchronizes with Chinese Xiaomi gadgets. Compatible with Instagram, Facebook and other social networks. The smartphone screen displays detailed statistics of activity and sleep time during the day, notifications about events and calls. Minus - in the latest versions there is no "smart alarm clock" function.

Program features are constantly updated. With the smart alarm function, there are excellent Russian-language products XSmart Alarm, Mi Band Control, Gadgetbridge. The last application is compatible not only with Mi Band bracelets, but also with smart watches from Pebble, HPlus, and Makibes.

In recent years, the number of various accessories for smartphones has been increasing, and many manufacturers have already introduced new fitness bracelets to the general public. Xiaomi is no exception - for all the time they have released two hits - Xiaomi Mi Band 1S Pulse and Xiaomi Mi Band 2. The advantages of each of the above bracelets are practicality, nice appearance, maximum functionality with many settings and a very affordable competitive price. Customize the gadget to your taste and use it with maximum comfort, because in addition to the clock, there are many other cool features that you will definitely include in your use!

Traditionally, Xiaomi is very responsible for its bracelets, and especially for their delivery set. Upon purchase, you get a neat gray cardboard box, after opening which you will see a "capsule" - the core of the device. Under the bracelet itself there is a rubber strap made of high-quality material, a USB cable for charging the bracelet (there is no cube included) and instructions for the fitness tracker. It is in this kit that the Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelet is supplied.

How to turn on Mi Band 1S

When you first start the Xiaomi Mi Band 1S bracelet, we recommend that you recharge it, since most often the device comes to the buyer completely discharged, and only then fully start it. To do this, remove the bracelet capsule and insert it into the charger with two shiny contacts inside. After that, connect the charger to the outlet through the “cube” from the smartphone or connect it to the laptop / PC - if everything is turned on correctly, the diodes on the bracelet will start flashing. In the future, it will be enough to turn on the charging of the gadget approximately once a month - this is quite enough, because it can be turned on for quite a long time.

In the meantime, your mi band bracelet is charging, download and install the application for Android Mi Fit on your smartphone (if you need Russian, download and install) or for iOS (iPhone, iPad) https://itunes.apple.com/en/app /mi-fit/id938688461?mt=8 - through it you will further interact with your fitness tracker. The user manual that was in the box will not be useful to you - configure the bracelet through this manual.

Registration

An important point in setting up Mi Band is - if you have not set up Mi-accounts before, then you can do this through a browser or mobile application. In the first case, go to the official website and fill out the questionnaires there, indicating your email address, date of birth and your country. And we recommend that you uncheck the box for sending messages from Mi Store. Plus, some instructions say that you can use your mobile number instead of an e-mail address - to do this, click on a special item at the bottom of the page. After all the above steps are completed, you will be prompted to enter the password twice, as well as enter the verification code. You can log into the system through the settings using your username and password.

But when launching the application and registering through it, it is better to use an e-mail address, not a phone number - for users from the CIS countries, registration through a mobile number has not yet been configured properly.

Xiaomi Mi Band: setting up

And yet, the main question for users who have just bought a brand new xiaomi accessory is the question “how to set up a fitness bracelet”. Setting it up is very simple:

  1. We activate the application using the registered login and password. The app will ask you to enter your gender, nickname, weight, height, date of birth and desired minimum number of steps per day. You can change your personal information later if you wish.
  2. We connect the bracelet. Everything is very simple here - you need to connect and configure via Bluetooth wireless technology (turn it on on your smartphone), you just need to follow the recommendations prescribed in the application. First select the type of device, after that the application will ask you to press the bracelet - tap lightly on it, this will be enough. If this manipulation correctly configured the bracelet and everything was done correctly, an inscription will appear on the screen stating that the device has been successfully paired.
  3. After successful connection, the bracelet firmware will be updated, and for this operation to go smoothly, keep the tracker near your smartphone. When the firmware update is completed, you will see the open interface of the application on the phone display - now you can delve into the settings and activate the most interesting features.

Mi Band Gestures

In the Mi Fit app itself, you can see three tabs called "Profile", "Activity" and "Notifications". In statistics, you can view:

  • The number of steps taken and activity per day;
  • Statistics for any past period;
  • Grouping information by different time periods (day, week, month) and for the entire course of training;
  • Information about the sleep of the owner of the bracelet: phases, duration of deep sleep, REM sleep, when there was an awakening and much more;
  • The dynamics of changes in weight and the difference in weight for different periods;
  • Body mass index, physique.

You can create multiple accounts, run them at different times, and view data from multiple users. In the achievement bar, you can see the indicator of the steps taken per day and whether the goal that was originally set was achieved. Sort information by date, share achievements in in social networks or send them via messengers.

Function "Run" in Mi Bend, you can activate it when you turn on the GPS - wait until the icon for the number of active satellites turns green and start your activity. While you are running, Mi Fit will show basic information about your workout - if this function is enabled, you will see the speed, average pace and distance covered, calories burned, as well as the running trajectory. You can stop the countdown by long pressing "Pause".

In addition to viewing statistics through a smartphone, you can find out the statistics you are interested in with a special movement - as if looking at a wristwatch. This gesture will make the indicators flicker - if two of the three diodes are blinking, then you have already completed 2/3 of daily allowance, one - more than 30% have been completed, the bracelet does not glow at all - you have not yet completed even a third of the number of steps planned for the day.

When the set target is reached, the vibration will turn on, and the bracelet will flash at this time. When you check the distance traveled with a gesture "watch time view" and two extreme diodes are lit, it means that you have reached the goal, and if all three are blinking, the goal has been exceeded.

Other features

  • The included incoming call notification function is very convenient;
  • Alarm clock (switching on occurs even when the phone is discharged);
  • Notifications about notifications in applications on a smartphone or about SMS messages - even the most ignorant user easily activates the function in the settings;
  • Dust- and partially waterproof (you can shower with a wristband or briefly dive with it to a depth of one meter);
  • Pulse measurement.

The first version of the bracelet became famous for the poor quality of the strap, but for more modern models the most durable alloy is now used, and this significantly increases the wear resistance of the device.

Thanks to the development of technology, a large number of different gadgets have appeared that significantly improve the quality of life. Some devices are still considered an unnecessary luxury, while others have become a must.

One of the very useful gadgets, without which it is really difficult to do, is a fitness bracelet. It can also be called a smart watch, depending on the functionality and capabilities. The device acts as an indispensable assistant, which is designed to maintain human health and organize not only physical activity, but also recreation.

Not so long ago, many people became victims of scammers who sold miraculous wrist bracelets, citing the fact that everyone famous people have been using their "magic" properties for a long time. According to them, they normalized blood pressure, treated diseases, and even helped to lose weight without physical activity. It is important to understand that these bracelets are completely different devices, so you should not compare them. If in the first case we are talking about an ordinary fake, which is attributed to various properties, then the fitness bracelet has completely different features.

This is a multifunctional technical device, which is not only a sensor, but also an organizer. Its capabilities allow you to measure your heart rate, track different phases of sleep, daily activity and other statistical data.

When it comes to such a complex device, it is extremely difficult to list all its functions. Moreover, some models differ additional features”, so initially you need to consider only the basic characteristics. They are typical for all devices, regardless of price and brand. First of all, it is worth noting the following functions of bracelets:

  • Step meter
  • Heart rate control
  • "Smart" alarm clock
  • Counting Calories Burned
  • Sleep monitoring

To understand how such a small device can improve the quality of life, you need to take a closer look at each of its features. The first prototypes of such gadgets appeared in the form of heart rate monitors. Further, the function of measuring steps and calories burned was added to them. However, it became possible to call them full-fledged fitness trackers only when they had full integration with mobile operating systems and PCs.

Why is it important to monitor your heart rate? First of all, it allows you to make any kind of physical activity more effective. It is no secret that the control of the so-called pulse zones can significantly improve the response of the body to the load. For example, if the goal morning runs is weight loss, then the pulse must be kept in the region of 130 beats per minute. A faster or slower heart rate will significantly slow down the fat burning process, because such work will be done in vain. If you do not control your heart rate, then the benefits and effectiveness of jogging can be significantly reduced, nullifying all efforts.

The most important function of the bracelet is sleep control. At first glance, this is nothing special, but the device allows you to collect statistics not only about the time, but also about the quality of rest. You can track sleep phases, which opens up completely new possibilities. For example, you can avoid oversleeping or not getting enough sleep, as well as waking up exactly when it is optimal in time. This is the merit of the "smart" alarm clock, which is in all fitness trackers. Unlike a conventional device, it will not wake up at the specified time, but based on the maximum benefit for the body. Such a function allows you to control not only the duration, but also the quality of sleep, and do it individually for each person.

The third most important function, which for many people comes out in the first place, is the control of calories burned. It is worth recognizing that most people try to keep their figure, not only for health, but also for the sake of a spectacular appearance. In order not to shake over every candy eaten, it is important to know the total number of calories that a person spent throughout the day. These data allow you to make a simple calculation and determine the norm that will always allow you to stay in shape. Moreover, the bracelet constantly remains on the arm, therefore the reliability of the information is close to 100%.

Otherwise, this indispensable gadget can track everything related to health, from the number of steps taken to the quality of sleep, and thanks to "smart" software and integration with a PC or mobile OS, you can not only receive invaluable data, but also compare them with others. .

Types and features of fitness bracelets

Although in most cases the functions of the bracelets are almost identical, there are still many various options, the price of which can vary dramatically. Of course, we should not exclude the commercial side, which makes many brands compete with each other, trying to capture the market as much as possible. In order not to become a victim of marketing, you need to be able to distinguish the necessary functions from those that are added to the characteristics of the device “for show”. For example, many popular brands of such smart bracelets focus on the fact that you can not only control the amount of calories spent, but also the calories consumed.

This is certainly not a useless feature, but in reality it almost never works. The whole point is that in order to track, you must independently enter everything that you ate during the day. If a barcode scanner helps add calories from a candy or cookie eaten, then what about cereals, meats and other products? Moreover, even if you enter all the data manually, it will take a huge amount of time, because this function is rarely used to its full extent and can only impress those who want their first bracelet to be as functional as possible.

Another important advantage, which is often found in more expensive models, is PC compatibility. As a rule, cheap models, such as Xiaomi, allow you to display data only on android or iOS devices, while Polar, Nike and others can also be synced with a computer. At first glance, this is not such an important feature, but many users note that Windows hardware is more stable, and also has the largest number of functions (analysis, comparison of statistics, etc.).

Design also plays an important role. It is important to understand that the device must be worn around the clock, because the way the bracelet looks is an important criterion when buying. Some manufacturers often manage to combine a bracelet with a watch. Such devices look quite attractive, but the main disadvantage is that the time is displayed vertically. This feature can cause certain difficulties, but after a while you can get used to such a display on the display. Also, some bracelets have many additional features that are not always mandatory. With their help, you can control the player, add notifications and use as an organizer. But all these properties do not affect the main functions of the bracelet in any way and are just a nice addition, for which you will have to pay a fair amount.

Most Popular Models

It is worth considering the most popular models in different price segments. Perhaps this will help right choice and avoid unnecessary spending where they are completely unnecessary.

Xiaomi Mi Band

The Xiaomi brand has almost burst into the market of electronic devices and has carved its niche by offering great products at a fairly low price. Despite the fact that the manufacturer is China, it is still worth noting that fitness bracelets from this manufacturer are almost no different from the rest, and the only thing that can repel you when buying is a simple design. Also, the devices do not have PC integration, which in some cases can be a minus, but if you are not ready to overpay for unnecessary features, then Xiaomi will be a great option.

Xiaomi Mi Band 2

Fitness- bracelet XIAOMI Mi Band 2 is the best assistant for fans of regular productive workouts. This modern device is equipped with a bright informative OLED display, a convenient touch panel. Just one touch of your finger allows you to get a lot of useful information:

  • The number of kilometers traveled;
  • Time spent on training;
  • Heart rate (pulse);
  • Body temperature and other data.

Unlike its predecessor Mi Band, the "fresh" version of the fitness bracelet is based on an innovative hardware platform. Now your every step is displayed on the display of the device - thanks to this, you can easily track, vary the functional load from day to day.

Your XIAOMI Mi Band 2 is always completely safe, as its case is waterproof and dustproof. No sweat, moisture, oil will penetrate the device and cause it to malfunction.

Technical features of the bracelet:

  • Made of durable aluminum alloy combined with polycarbonate;
  • Works on Android 4.3+, iOS 7.0;
  • Equipped with 45mAh lithium battery;
  • The weight of the device is 13.5 g.

XIAOMI Mi Band 2 is synchronized with the phone using the Bluetooth system (data is received in real time). The fitness bracelet can work without recharging for as long as 30 days at temperatures from -20 to +70 degrees. This means that you can use the device all year round.

Additional features of XIAOMI Mi Band 2:

  • Vibrating alarm clock taking into account the individual characteristics of the body of the owner of the bracelet - your assistant decides when it is better to start training and how long it should last;
  • Making calls and sending SMS messages;
  • "Reminder" option;
  • Can work in power saving mode.

Thus, the XIAOMI Mi Band 2 fitness bracelet is an affordable multifunctional portable device that will make your regular workouts as comfortable and productive as possible!

Samsung Gear Fit

Unlike the previous model, the Samsung device has a touch screen and looks more like a watch than a simple bracelet. The company positions this line more like a smart watch with fitness tracker capabilities, which only adds to its advantages. It is worth noting the main drawback of this model, and most of the bracelets in general, is a frankly weak heart rate monitor. If at rest it is able to accurately display the pulse, then during activity the values ​​​​are completely distorted, due to which this function tends to zero.

Sony Smart Band SWR10

The model from Sony has a lot of advantages, which are primarily aimed at functionality. As in many models, there is no display in the bracelet, and all data can be received on any device with Android or iOS operating systems. Additional advantages include water resistance and high wear resistance. One of the downsides is that it is only compatible with new android devices with an OS version of at least 4.4. However, the low cost and reliability of this model make it one of the best in terms of price / quality ratio.

Garmin Vivofit

For those who are interested in sports gadgets, this brand will be familiar. The device turned out to be of really high quality, both in terms of functionality and durability of the case and the bracelet itself. Vivofit stands out due to the most accurate data transmission, the error of which does not go beyond 5%. Also, the most important difference is that the model is equipped with a separate heart rate monitor, which is attached to the chest. It allows you to transfer data with maximum accuracy, so the bracelet will be an excellent solution for people who lead an active lifestyle and are engaged in different types sports (fitness, running, cycling, swimming, etc.).

The SMART BAND H5S pedometer bracelet is a stylish, fashionable, advanced accessory made of high-strength materials. The main feature of the bracelet is its versatility, because it is not just a modern decoration, but a real mini-smartphone. Despite the modernity of the gadget, it is relatively inexpensive, but it has a number of undeniable advantages compared to more expensive counterparts:

  • The presence of a convenient touch display with LED backlight and a clear interface;
  • Built-in sleep analyzer, time of day display;
  • Elastic rubber strap;
  • 3D pedometer and the ability to measure ambient temperature;
  • Variety of colors (purple, blue, black).

A modern accessory and gadget will allow its owner to continuously monitor the heart rate, monitor the volume of walking, etc. It is enough to set the time for determining the heartbeat in a special mobile application, shake your hand, and the small wrist assistant will begin its work. The device is compatible with smartphones and PCs, which allows you to quickly set a fixed frequency for measuring heart rhythms.

Do you use fitness bracelets?