7 gadgets to help you get back in shape

Updated on 16-Jun-2014
HIGHLIGHTS

From wearable devices to smart weighing scales, these great devices will help you take better care of yourself. Starting now.

We aren’t mentioning the usual suspects that everyone, and even your granny knows about – stuff like the Fitbit Fuelband, Google Glasses, Galaxy Gear, and a zillion other smartwatches. If you’re looking to hop back on the wagon and try and regain control of your health and fitness, look no further than these devices mentioned below. It’s time to huff and puff your way to a more improved you.

1) Garmin VivoFit

This smart wristband is unanimously regarded as the best in the business of tracking your fitness, with its ease of use, abundant features and above-average performance. It can count your steps, calories expended, sets goals and track heart rate; it’s waterproof and lasts for a year on a single battery charge. It syncs data to the cloud wirelessly without interfacing through a PC. If you only want to buy one device – and one device only – to set your misshaped health life in order, just close your eyes and purchase the VivoFit.

2) Qardio

This startup helps you track your blood pressure and heart, with two specialized devices. Qardio Arm is about the size of a spectacles box, which can be tucked away in a suit. More importantly it’s Apple-esque design makes the device accessible and easy to use – just strap it on and monitor your BP on an iOS device. Similarly, the Qardio Core is a strap-on that goes around your chest and promises to give medical-grade cardiovascular monitoring technology, with remote monitoring features.

3) Withings Smart Body Analyzer

In the digital age, a traditional weighing scale just wouldn’t cut it. Weight watchers, behold what’s popularly being dubbed as the best smart digital scale ever. This not only tracks your weight, but also heart rate, body fat and general well being, helping you stay on track of your fitness goals (indirectly). Combine all that with an improved app that’s easy to consume and handy, and the Smart Body Analyzer becomes the unbeatable choice of more advanced data metrics to help you lose weight.

4) Basis B1

Recently acquired by Intel, Basis’ B1 is a wristband that is a little bit different from all the rest. If you love data, and lots of it, you’re gonna love this device. Not only does it track and measure your Heart Beat, Steps, and Calories but also Skin Temperature, Perspiration level, Sleep Quality and Sleep Time. Data never lies, so this helps to ring in positive lifestyle.

5) Valencell Performtek iriverON

This company essentially has a truckload of patents in sensor technology geared towards monitoring fitness and accurately tracking real-time health parameters, and it claims to be the best in the business. It’s iriverON headset is one of a kind tapping into the unique physiology of the ear, retrieving more accurate health and fitness metrics with earbuds than with other devices, especially when moving around and/or engaging in physical activity. Sensor data can be viewed live through applications on their iPhone, Android phones, or other smartphone devices.

6) Interaxon Muse Headband

This product here is hard to believe isn’t sci-fi. This brain sensing headband from Interaxon, Muse promises to truly unlock the power of your thought and mind and use it for the better. It detects your brain’s activity at every moment and you can track it through a smartphone or tablet device. Where a lot of wearable devices are focusing heavily towards keeping the body in shape, this one keeps the mind healthy as well.

7) Sensoria Fitness Sock

A combination of e-textile, a snap-on anklet and mobile apps to track your workout, the Sensoria Fitness Sock analyzes your foot to keep you fit as a fiddle. Filled with sensors, Sock can tell you if you’ve been sitting idle for too long and prompt you to go for a walk and also offers some advanced features like stride gauge, foot landing analyzer, etc. 

Jayesh Shinde

Executive Editor at Digit. Technology journalist since Jan 2008, with stints at Indiatimes.com and PCWorld.in. Enthusiastic dad, reluctant traveler, weekend gamer, LOTR nerd, pseudo bon vivant.

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