STACK #240 October 2024

TECH FEATURE

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As good as health and fitness trackers are individually, when they team up they can really elevate your wellness journey. Here’s how you can combine and analyse data from your smartwatch, smartphone, heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors and more. Words Michael Irving Phone home HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS

The best part of these fitness tracker ecosystems is that they’re completely customisable. Whatever your routines, goals, skill level, lifestyle and favourite exercises, you can pick and mix devices to suit. Many even let you share and compare stats with friends, to inspire each other to new heights. Customise it!

A general-purpose smartwatch, like those from Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel, is a good start. Beyond basic fitness functions, these also show the time (of course!), weather, notifications, reminders, and other things. More fitness-focused brands like Garmin, Fitbit and Polar – as well as more advanced models from Samsung and Google – provide a deeper insight into your health metrics. This can include calories burned, skin temperature, and stress, as well as details on specific sports or activities, like your golf swing,

Your smartphone is your hub, gathering data from all your Bluetooth connected devices. Using your choice of app, you can record your steps, sleep, workouts and other info, and track your progress over time. The more data sources you add, the deeper you can dig. Watch this

those in medical ECGs – far more sensitive than LEDs in smartwatches (see page 10). Likewise, dedicated blood pressure monitors use inflatable cuffs for more precise readings (see page 12). Smart scales provide detailed information about not just your weight, but BMI, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, and other factors. The Withings Body Scan Scale not only measures

swimming laps, or running pace. Close to your heart Smartwatches are great for a general overview, but devices dedicated to certain biometrics can be more accurate.* For example, specialised heart rate monitors strap around your chest rather than your wrist, so the sensors are closer to your actual heart. These sensors are also usually electrodes like

your weight but also your standing heart rate, nerve health, and more. Combining all of this together gives a much more complete picture of your overall health. *While health and fitness devices provide accurate readings, they are not intended to replace professional advice from a GP.

Smartwatches are versatile fitness trackers, whether you’re casually trying to get a bit healthier or starting a serious exercise regime.

Perfect match

Polar Pacer GPS Running Watch + Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor

specifically to give modern runners all the essential info they need. Built-in GPS tracks every stride with precision, allowing you to monitor your time, pace, distance, laps, and more during every session. Afterwards, sleep and

with Polar Precision Prime, an advanced heart rate monitoring technology that uses coloured LEDs to see deeper under your skin, and more of them to counteract interference from hand movements. The end result is far more accurate heart rate readings than other wrist-based sensors. For next-level accuracy, pair the Pacer with the Polar H10 heart rate sensor. High

If your workout of choice is running, then this pair of Polar devices will empower you to reach new PBs. The Polar Pacer is a sporty and stylish smartwatch designed

quality electrodes monitor your heart rate precisely without interference, even in water. It can connect to up to two other fitness devices at once, and when that includes the watch it unlocks an orthostatic test for heart rate variability.

recovery apps help you prepare for the next run. It’s equipped

16 OCTOBER 2024

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