An important challenge for marketers of wearable technology is that the repurposing of everyday products makes it difficult to differentiate and position these devices. Wearables that serve mainly one purpose, such as an activity tracking device, have different design and positioning needs than those that offer multiple functions, like a smartwatch. Does a Tory Burch Fitbit Flex belong in the activity trackers section of a store or website, or should it be nestled among other attractive bracelets in the jewelry department? Merchandisers haven't quite figured that out yet.
Sports bras make sense as fitness-tracking devices
For earlier versions of this guide, we interviewed such industry experts as Jill Duffy of PCMag and Ray Maker of the website DC Rainmaker. Later, we spoke with cardiologist Dr. Matthew Martinez, director of Atlantic Health System Sports Cardiology at Morristown Medical Center, about heart-based biometrics and calorie calculations. We also checked in again with Clinton Brawner, PhD, a clinical exercise physiologist at Henry Ford Medical Center in Detroit, to continue our yearslong dialogue about heart-rate monitoring during workouts. We touched base with Dr. Susheel Patil, clinical director of the sleep medicine program at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, to ask some questions regarding sleep tracking, and we chatted with Andrew Jagim, PhD, director of sports medicine research at Mayo Clinic Health System, about tracker accuracy in general. We also spoke with physiologist Don Dengel, PhD, professor of kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, about heart-rate monitoring and exercise, and reached out to Dr. C. William Hanson III, professor of anesthesiology and critical care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, with some questions on device sensors.
The simple answer is: Yes, football players wear vests during training and games to track and measure their performance on the field. They are wearing a GPS vest that just happens to look like a sports bra. The vest is designed to hold a pod between the shoulder blades that contains a 10Hz GPS, an accelerometer and a magnetometer. These GPS devices are able to capture over 1250 data points per second to measure how much and how hard the players are working, and players and coaches are able to analyze data such as total distance, top speed, number of sprints, sprint distance, power, load, intensity, and more.
Whoop has a number Whoop Body garments at launch, including ones for both workout and the rest of the day. These include workout shorts, compression leggings, compression tops, sports bras, and armbands. On the 247 side, they include boxer-briefs and bralettes.
The WHOOP 4.0 builds on its predecessor with a lighter, more compact design and more enhanced tracking capabilities. One of the most innovative changes is the addition of Any-Wear Technology. While the WHOOP tracker is designed with a wearable wristband, the sensor can be detached from the band and used with different garments such as sports bras, compression tops, leggings, athletic boxers, and intimates. Each of these items features a small pocket to secure the sensor while you work out or sleep.
The most common way to do this is through wearable devices such as heart rate monitors, GPS trackers, accelerometers, and sports watches. The specific types of data collected by these devices will depend on the nature of the particular sport.
This type of virtual reality training can be programmed to control the intensity of the simulation, enabling athletes to train with the same level of intensity and pressure as a real game. This can be particularly helpful for team sports, where team members must be able to communicate effectively and make quick decisions.
Technology is also changing the field of sports medicine. For example, wearable devices that track data about an athlete's health can be used to prevent injuries. These devices can be worn during training sessions and games to monitor heart rate, respiration, and body temperature data.
As you can see, technology is changing athletic training in various ways. From GPS tracking devices to therapeutic lasers, these innovations make it easier for trainers to keep their athletes healthy and perform at their best.
"This means that Fitbit trackers and Garmin devices usually offer a better experience with more reliable and interesting insights. However, they cost more because you're paying for the research and development of the software, as well as the hardware. If you want to make changes to your lifestyle, a compelling app is a great motivator.
The app also rates your shoulder mobility, shoulder stability, trunk stability, hip stability, lower-body mobility, and lower-body stability. Of these, I scored highest on my shoulder stability (86%) and lowest on my hip mobility (60%). It makes sense that I scored fairly low on hip mobility. During the assessment, I knew I crushed it on the single leg balance, forward lunge, and overhead reach, but I didn't go as low on my squats as the instructor.
The Oura Ring 3 and the Whoop 4.0 band are sleep and health trackers with unique form factors that make them stand out among traditional smartwatches and fitness trackers. One is a ring you wear on your finger, and the other can be worn as a wrist strap or in a sports bra, boxer short, or arm sleeve.
They launched their first SmartWear products at the start of this year: T-shirts and vests for men, and sports bras for women. He shows me some samples. They're well-made and understated and there's no visible sign of the sensor and electrodes inside.
With this in mind, equipping yourself with fitness technology that helps you fight back and adopt healthier behaviours makes a lot of sense to me. A strained NHS and a rising retirement age make it increasingly important to avoid ill-health when possible. If we can help ourselves do that just by getting dressed each day, who's going to say no?
Use your fitness tracker for about a week to get a sense of your patterns. Then take it off and make adjustments to your lifestyle. Don it again to get revised benchmarks, then use the device to monitor your progress as desired.
For a bra that makes a statement on sustainability and style, look to this great option. Made with a combination of recycled polyester and nylon, the seamless sports bra is high-performing, ensuring our testers felt well supported for low to medium impact workouts.
Low impact but high quality, this sports bra has a lot to offer. The lightly padded pull-on bra has crossed straps at the back, which are adjustable too, taking the support available up a notch and making it stand out from other low-impact bras on the market.
The best sports bras can cost an arm and a leg but for under 30, this underwired bra from the experts at Pour Moi proves that doesn't have to be the case. It's supremely comfy (no digging in, chafing or poking was reported on test), easy to get on and off, plus it looks good, too. Our panel couldn't get enough of the racerback style and soft form-fitting material.
The rhetoric around fitness has changed quite a bit over the past few years (as made clear by Every Fashion Brand Ever releasing a line of matching leggings and sports bras). We can thank the self-care revolution for this one. Actively monitoring your fitness progression isn't just for athletes or people training for their hometown's 5K. It's a building block of wellness that people are baking into their daily groove, just like keeping up with a skincare routine or eating your vegetables.
Currently, only 8 percent of employee-sponsored wellness plans provide fitness-tracking bands for employees, but healthcare wearables are still an integral part of many corporate health initiatives. In December 2017, Glassdoor estimated that 13 million wearable activity-tracking devices will be integrated into Workplace Wellness Programs in 2018, a dramatic increase from 200,000 just a few years ago.
Samsung's family tree of trackers and watches is a confusing one, but we'll make it easy: The Galaxy Watch 4 is the brand's smartest wearable yet. Released in August 2021, it aims for a better user experience with a new Samsung-focused OS (for easier integration with other Samsung devices). It also takes your fitness game up a notch with a new body composition tracking feature and upgrades to the blood oxygen readings, sleep tracking, and more.
The Polar H10 has a sleek new look from its predecessor, the H7. It sits flat against your chest with less of a discernable bulge. Practically speaking, this makes it fit a little better under sports bra bands. Compared to the Wahoo Tickr X, the H10 is smaller overall and slightly less thick.
Bravissimo are experts when it comes to underwear, so it makes total sense that their sports bras are just as well designed. With compression support, your melons won't be moving an inch in this cute design.
Here we\u2019ll take you through the different types of heart-rate monitors on offer from traditional chest straps to watch and arm strap alternatives, look at why you\u2019d want to train using heart rate and share what our most highly recommended heart rate monitors are.\nChoosing a heart-rate monitor\nFirst you need to determine if you want to use a a smartwatch, cycling computer or a smartphone app to view and record your heart-rate data. From there, you can get into the specifics of each type of compatible monitors.\nThe vast majority of systems require an elasticated strap with sensors, either fitted to your chest, arm or wrist, using a transmitter that sends signals via either ANT+ (to most fitness watches and cycling computers) or Bluetooth (to newer smartphones and progressive cycling computers), or even both (AKA dual band).\n\n Wahoo\u2019s Tickr Fit arm strap measures and broadcasts heart-rate data on ANT+ and Bluetooth. Immediate Media\nCheaper chest straps usually have a plastic front strap that runs the width of your chest, while nicer options have a soft fabric band with a small, snap-on transmitter.\nWhat\u2019s the difference between ECG and optical heart-rate sensors?\n\n A chest strap with an ECG sensor is perhaps the most popular option. Tim de Waele \/ Getty Images\nECG heart rate sensors measure the electrical impulses that cause the contractions of the heart muscle to determine heart rate (similar to an electrocardiogram in a hospital), and you\u2019ll find these sensors in the popular chest strap options.\nOn the other hand, optical sensors use LED lights to shine through the skin and measure the variance in blood flow. These are found on wrist-based monitors like smartwatches and some arm straps like the Wahoo Tickr.\n\n Smart watches have built-in optical heart rate using LED lights to measure blood flow variance. BikeRadar\nEven though optical sensors have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, ECG-style monitors are still widely regarded as the most reliable. Check out more about wrist-based heart rate monitors vs chest-based heart rate straps.\nData transfer: ANT+, Bluetooth or dual band\nThanks to advances in heart rate monitor technology, most monitors are now dual band, meaning they can use both ANT+ and Bluetooth functionality to transfer data to a smartphone, cycling computer or laptop.\nTypically you\u2019ll need ANT+ to sync with a cycling computer, and Bluetooth to sync with a mobile phone or laptop.\nBoth ANT+ and Bluetooth straps are not brand-specific, and will pair with any watch, cycling computer or smartphone that uses the same signal.\nThere is one notable exception here: Polar uses it own wireless protocol, so any Polar cycling computer or fitness watch can only be used with a Polar heart-rate strap.\nThree types of heart-rate monitors: Watch, cycling computer and smartphone\nWrist-based heart-rate monitors: smart watches\n\n There are a number of different fitness watches that can measure heart-rate. BikeRadar\nAs runners were early adopters of heart-rate-based training, many fitness watches feature heart-rate monitors.\nThe upsides here are the convenience of a watch, plus the obvious cross-training potential should you want to run with it.\nWhile the optical measurement of heart-rate isn\u2019t as accurate as a chest-based ECG system, wearing it around the clock means you can access interesting information such as your resting heart rate, and you can also learn about other trends such as your sleep quality with some models.\n\n There\u2019s a range of smart watches on offer featuring optical sensors for heart-rate monitoring.\nLook closely at the watch models to determine how much cycling-specific functionality they have. While some can sync with cadence sensors, powermeters and more to give you a comparable array of data recording as a cycling computer, others are more limited in their data displays and recording.\nSome budget fitness watches do not feature downloadable data, so you won\u2019t be able to sync with apps like Strava and your ride analysis will be quite limited.\nThe latest crop of smart fitness watches like the Garmin Forerunner 945 and Polar Vantage V2 boast plentiful cycling-specific features to help you on the ride, as well as handy multi-sports options.\nCycling computers\n\n Cycling computers are a popular choice for viewing and recording heart-rate data. Luc Claessen \/ Getty Images\nCycling computers that come with heart-rate straps start at about US$100 \/ \u00a360. With these, you can have a dedicated device on your handlebars that also gives you a good range of bike-specific data like distance, speed, time and more. As with the watches, the cheaper options aren\u2019t downloadable, but most of the mid-range and up models are.\nCycling computers that come with heart-rate straps usually have a range of heart-rate features, such as adjustable heart-rate zones, LED zone indicators, alarms for going out of target zone, a cumulative tracker for time in various zones and more.\nSome of the more advanced units will allow you to program or download heart-rate-based workouts into the computer, making it easier than ever for you to follow during the ride.\nSmartphones\n\n Strava has reintroduced support for Bluetooth heart-rate monitors. Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media\nFinally, there is your smartphone. Besides the Bluetooth strap, you will also need an app to record your ride and corresponding heart-rate data.\nCheck out our pick of the Best iPhone and Android Apps for Cycling. Strava, Wahoo Fitness and Cyclemeter are a few good options.\nBest heart-rate monitors in 2021\n\n \nBest heart-rate monitors in 2021\nGarmin Forerunner 945: \u00a3500 \/ \u20ac649.99 \/ $599.99 \/ AU$999.99\nWahoo Tickr Fit: \u00a364.99 \/ \u20ac79.99 \/ $79.99 \/ AU$129.95\nPolar Vantage V2: \u00a3449 \/ \u20ac499 \/ $499.95 \/ AU$699\nCoros Pace 2: \u00a3180 \/ \u20ac199.99 \/ $249\n\n\n \n Garmin Forerunner 945\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5.0 out of 5 star rating\n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n (function () \n var s = document.createElement('script');\n s.type = 'text\/javascript';\n s.async = true;\n s.src = \"\/\/bikeradar.com\/pricecomparison\/widget\/intext\/app.bundle.js\";\n s.onload = function () \n new inText(\n domain: \"bikeradar.com\/pricecomparison\",\n shopId: 608,\n geolocation: true,\n );\n ;\n var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];\n x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x);\n\n \/\/trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space.....\n [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) \n textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim();\n );\n )();\n\n The great thing about the 945 is that, no matter how deep you go, it\u2019s still intuitive to operate. Immediate Media\nMany, many features\nExcecllent battery life\n\u00a3500 \/ \u20ac649.99 \/\u00a0$599.99 \/ AU$999.99 as tested\nBoasting the same features as the top-end Garmin Fenix 6, the Forerunner 945 retains its easy to use interface, despite the impressive raft of metrics on offer.\nThe Forerunner 945 plays nicely with other devices and apps, syncing automatically and wirelessly at the end of each session so you can prioritise your recovery.\nCrucially, the raft of cutting-edge features is backed up with a generous 36 hour battery life on GPS mode, and good GPS signal too.\nRead the full Garmin Forerunner 945 review\n\n Latest deals\n \n \n\nWahoo Tickr Fit\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4.0 out of 5 star rating\n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n (function () \n var s = document.createElement('script');\n s.type = 'text\/javascript';\n s.async = true;\n s.src = \"\/\/bikeradar.com\/pricecomparison\/widget\/intext\/app.bundle.js\";\n s.onload = function () \n new inText(\n domain: \"bikeradar.com\/pricecomparison\",\n shopId: 608,\n geolocation: true,\n );\n ;\n var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];\n x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x);\n\n \/\/trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space.....\n [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) \n textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim();\n );\n )();\n\n Would you opt of for an arm-mounted monitor rather than a chest strap? Wahoo\nGood alternative to chest straps\nHandy for indoor training, but can look odd or become incompatible with layering for riding outdoors\n\u00a364.99 \/ \u20ac79.99 \/ $79.99 \/ AU$129.95 as tested\n\nHate the feeling of wearing a chest strap or find it doesn\u2019t mix well with a sports bra? Wahoo\u2019s Tickr Fit offers an alternative band placement for the arm, this time using optic measurement rather than ECG.\nWe have to admit that it\u2019s a look, but that\u2019s not such a problem for indoor riding and virtual training. Perhaps a less sweaty area means you\u2019ll need to wash the strap less often, causing less wear.\nUsing both ANT+ and Bluetooth, you can sync the strap easily with a phone, cycling computer or laptop.\nRead the full Wahoo Tickr Fit review\n\n Latest deals\n \n \n\n\u00a0\nPolar Vantage V2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4.0 out of 5 star rating\n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n (function () \n var s = document.createElement('script');\n s.type = 'text\/javascript';\n s.async = true;\n s.src = \"\/\/bikeradar.com\/pricecomparison\/widget\/intext\/app.bundle.js\";\n s.onload = function () \n new inText(\n domain: \"bikeradar.com\/pricecomparison\",\n shopId: 608,\n geolocation: true,\n );\n ;\n var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];\n x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x);\n\n \/\/trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space.....\n [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) \n textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim();\n );\n )();\n\n The cycling test measures your FTP so you can calculate your training zones. Immediate Media\nGreat array of cycling tests\nRegular fuelling reminders\n\u00a3449 \/ \u20ac499 \/ $499.95 \/ AU$699 as tested\nAs a multi-sport watch, there are a few features on the Polar Vantage V2 that\u2019ll be unnecessary for any die-hard roadies, but the level of data analysis and fitness tests available can\u2019t fail to impress.\nYou can use this data to set your heart rate zones, and use the fuelling reminders to help you consume the right level of carbs for your ride duration and intensity.\nThe watch is compatible with Komoot navigation, although visually this isn\u2019t the easiest to follow on the small screen, and with Strava for Live Segments.\nRead the full Polar Vantage 2 review\n\n Latest deals\n \n \n\nCoros Pace 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4.0 out of 5 star rating\n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n (function () \n var s = document.createElement('script');\n s.type = 'text\/javascript';\n s.async = true;\n s.src = \"\/\/bikeradar.com\/pricecomparison\/widget\/intext\/app.bundle.js\";\n s.onload = function () \n new inText(\n domain: \"bikeradar.com\/pricecomparison\",\n shopId: 608,\n geolocation: true,\n );\n ;\n var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];\n x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x);\n\n \/\/trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space.....\n [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) \n textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim();\n );\n )();\n\n The Pace is very light at 36g, thanks to its slimline design, and the face measures 42mm. Immediate Medie\nIncredibly lightweight\nFantastic battery life\n\u00a3180 \/ \u20ac199.99 \/ $249 as tested\nThe lightest smartwatch around at launch, the slight 36g Coros Pace 2 proves that smartwatches needn\u2019t be heavy or bulky.\nFeaturing both ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity, you\u2019ll be able to sync up easily to whatever computer, powermeter, cadence sensor, smartphone or laptop you\u2019re using.\nWith many training features, you get a lot of bang for your buck, but unfortunately this doesn\u2019t extend to mapping and navigation.\nAt the price, it\u2019s a hard smartwatch to beat if you don\u2019t need navigation, and doubles up well for other sports too.\nRead the full Coros Pace 2 review\n\n Latest deals\n \n \n\nWhy should I train with a heart-rate monitor?\n\n Strap or watch, here\u2019s why measuring and using your heart-rate data can be beneficial for your training. Wiggle\nUsing a heart-rate monitor will not only allow you to find your resting and maximum heart rate, but more crucially set your heart-rate zones to allow you to train with them.\nJust like training with different power zones, riding within these different ranges of intensity allows you to build different areas of fitness, whether that\u2019s aerobic endurance or upping your sprint\u2019s maximum power.\nWith a comprehensive training plan, you can use these training zones (measured using heart-rate, power or even feel, known as \u2018perceived exertion\u2019) to set targets for your rides, intervals or workouts, depending on what you want to achieve.\nLearning to ride within these zones as part of an effective plan will not only help you to pace your efforts well, but also reduce the likelihood of you overtraining or riding too hard on your recovery rides. You might think this sounds a little counterintuitive, but it\u2019s a more common problem than you might think.\nUnlike setting a plan based on average speed or duration, the numbers behind your training zones are specific to you, based on your physiology and level of fitness. Read up on how you can use training zones to fast track your fitness gains with our comprehensive guide.\nHeart rate vs power \u2013 which is best for training?\n\n Although power data is more accurate, there are certainly drawbacks compared to using heart rate data. Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media\nWhile heart rate monitors tend to be much more affordable than power meters, there are some drawbacks. Your heart rate is also influenced by factors such as sleep, altitude, level of fatigue and caffeine intake, and there is a short lag between you increasing or decreasing your level of effort and your heart rate responding and changing accordingly.\nOn the other hand, power data is much more accurate and specific to your effort, responding simultaneously with any change in intensity. Learning how to train with power can be a little more daunting: there are certainly more data to get your head around. Analysis software such as Training Peaks can help you make sense of the numbers.\nUnlike using a power meter, you can use your heart-rate monitor on different bikes easily without having to change out any equipment or go to any eye-watering expense, and similarly you can track your progress across different sport types too.\nFor example, with a modern digital sports watch, you can track your heart-rate for cycling, running, swimming and in the gym, plus even monitor your sleep quality. This helps you gain a much fuller insight to your training and recovery potential.\nFor the full low-down, check out our guide to\u00a0training with heart rate vs training with power.\nHow should I care for my heart-rate monitor?\n\n You\u2019ll need to clean your heart-rate monitor routinely to avoid bacterial build-up. Wahoo\nYou should clean your heart-rate monitor regularly in line with the manufacturers instructions.\nChest straps with detachable sensors are the easiest to clean, while cheaper chest straps with integrated sensors may require more careful cleaning. Some are even machine-washable.\nIf you train using a heart-rate strap very regularly, you might want to consider using a couple of different straps with the same sensor, so you can always have one ready to use even if the other is being cleaned.\nFailure to clean your heart-rate chest strap regularly enough can cause skin irritation, not to mention the smell.\nSmartwatches require careful and regular cleaning. Again, consult the manufacturer\u2019s guidance for the safest way to clean your device.","image":"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/09\/GettyImages-1303626789-76f2547.jpg?quality=45&resize=768,574","width":768,"height":574,"headline":"How to choose a heart-rate monitor: chest straps, watches and more","author":["@type":"Person","name":"Ben Delaney"],"publisher":"@type":"Organization","name":"BikeRadar","url":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com","logo":"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/03\/cropped-White-Orange-da60b0b-04d8ff9.png?quality=90&resize=265,53","width":182,"height":60,"speakable":"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","xpath":["\/html\/head\/title","\/html\/head\/meta[@name='description']\/@content"],"url":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/how-to-choose-a-heart-rate-monitor\/","datePublished":"2014-05-23T13:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2021-12-13T10:46:56+00:00"}] How to choose a heart-rate monitor: chest straps, watches and more Smart watches, chest straps and cycling computers: what's best for you? 2ff7e9595c
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