Latest news with #Fitbits
Tom's Guide
13 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
No smart watch could make me switch from Oura — here's why
I have tracked fitness metrics for years and have used my fair share of the best fitness trackers from Apple Watches, Fitbits and now the Oura Ring. I went in skeptical when I first got the ring six months ago because I just didn't know what to expect. But I can say with absolute certainty this is the best purchase I have made. Smartwatches, of course, have their place and are great for some people. For example, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is suitable for intense training, while the Apple Watch Series 10 is ideal for everyday wear. But what about the distractions and comfort? I often feel like, although they are smart (duh), smartwatches are trying to do too much. But with the Oura Ring, there is an element of calm. It knows what it is, what it's for, and does it well with impressive accuracy. I use the Oura Ring 3 Heritage version. This iteration of the ring features a flat edge on the top side, which I believe enhances its sleek appearance. I use it to track workout metrics, sleep, and recovery. It does everything you could need and more for a fraction of the price of the Oura Ring 4. I'm sure most people will agree with me here when I say that one of my pet peeves is being in a conversation with someone and they can't look away from their phone. They pick it up after every notification, or scroll whilst nodding along with what you're saying.... only to lift their head and ask "sorry, what was that?" Perhaps I'm being cynical, but it's the one thing that gets under my skin. But now it's not the phone causing the distraction — it's the smartwatch. Now I can be in a conversation with someone, and their stare is fixed to their wrist as their finger swipes and types across the screen. Somehow it seems less overtly rude than being sat with an electronic brick in your hands, but it's still annoying. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Okay, so rant over. But do we really need a screen strapped to our wrists? My answer is no. This is where my love of the Oura Ring comes in. As far as fitness trackers go, it is pretty discreet. I have the Oura Ring 3 in the Heritage design, and I find it goes well with the rest of the jewelry I wear on a daily basis. I choose to wear the ring on my index finger, and it never gets in the way of what I am doing. The only time I take the ring off is when I'm cooking. It is equipped to deal with every situation, and being waterproof, I can wear it in the shower, in the pool (to track swimming sessions), or while washing the dishes. It is so comfortable I don't even realise I'm wearing it anymore. I love that even though, yes, I wear it 24/7 (with a 40-minute break once a week for it to charge), I am not tethered to a screen. I write about tech for a living, so of course, I love getting to know all of the new advances, but I cannot stand when tech takes over. I am a firm believer that tech should enhance your experience and not distract. That's exactly what the Oura Ring does. The Oura Ring 4 is the newest model of the fitness tracker. In this version, the sensors on the inside of the ring are flat and do not cause indentations in the finger. The ring connects to the Oura app to deliver personalized feedback and daily metrics. I used to push myself far too hard. Between working out, working, and other life stuff, I wouldn't give myself enough time to rest and recover. While I knew this was the case, I didn't realise how bad it was until I started using the Oura Ring. Oura forces you to prioritize recovery. This is how you get your scores to be the best they can be. But how does the ring know when you are run down? It takes your temperature while you sleep using the sensors. This is how the cycle tracking is able to be so accurate. But It also lets me know when I need to take a step back because I'm about to get sick. When I got the flu, before any symptoms set in, the ring was a reminder to tell me that there were signs of strain on my body and to take it easy. This meant I was able to shake it off far quicker than usual and avoid any unnecessary strain. Okay, so the elephant in the room. Yes, a smart watch can do more. It can store music, be used for payments, receive texts and calls — the list goes on. But my argument is, why do we need that when we have our phones? I understand that on workouts, it's easier to tap your wrist to start and stop, but daily, I much prefer what Oura can offer. And that offering is silence and zero distraction.
The Age
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Age
Your step count is boring me to tears (and probably everyone else too)
Once upon a time, in the distant year of 2005, when it was inconceivable that statement belts would ever be unfashionable, Special K launched a wildly exciting promotion: buy an enormous box of cereal and a pedometer might just appear inside! My memory of the specifics is a little hazy (2005, to me, will always be the era of Going Out Tops and little else), but I'm pretty sure it was a one-in-every-three-box-wins-a-pedometer situation. Fuelled by the twin desires to get our hands on this technology and to do so in the cheapest possible way, my housemate and I went off to the supermarket. We weighed a bunch of Special K boxes and emerged victorious with our very own pedometers. I wore mine to university a few times, then quickly grew discouraged that my purely incidental exercise wasn't quite hitting the mythical 10,000 steps a day goal. So I stopped wearing it, then I lost it altogether, and never gave it another thought until, well, now. If this rather tedious tale were to unfold in a contemporary setting, things would be quite different. For one, almost everyone has some form of step-measuring device in their watch, Fitbit or smartphone now, so there would be no need for cereal boxes. But also, since the heady days of boho chic and Kim Beazley's last dance (not together), the world has changed. We in the West have evolved into body data narcissists. Thanks to our smartphones, smartwatches and Fitbits, we have become obsessed not just with compiling but aggressively sharing operational information about our bodies with the world at large. Step counting is the most profoundly stupid example of this. Did you know the idea of walking 10,000 steps a day isn't rooted in modern science at all? It originated from a Japanese clock company that created a pedometer for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. They chose 10,000 steps because it was a nice, round, memorable number. The notion that this is an achievable, desirable and genuinely beneficial health goal is about as meaningful as feeling 'so special' after a bowl of cereal. While, of course, physical movement has proven benefits, the core objective of modern fitness is just part of a convenient marketing ploy. All right, so we've established that the whole premise of step counting is flawed. And that would be fine if it were just one of those we things knew but nobody talked about (like Maroon 5 having three Grammys). But these days, it's apparently a crucial part of the step-counting process to just blah blah blah about it. Loading If my Special K story happened today, I'd wear the step counter constantly. I'd talk endlessly about it, doing annoying things like announcing to the office, 'All right, I'm going for a walk to get my steps up!' or 'I'll get the photocopying, my steps are way down today.' I'd even proclaim, 'Hey everyone, did you know that I WALK?' And I'd never lose interest or stop wearing that pedometer. In fact, when I died, I'd request in my will that someone else put on my Apple Watch, so my steps could continue for time immemorial. This is because the incessant monitoring of step counts (along with sleep scores and exercise loads) has become intricately linked to our identity. Talking about your daily steps tells everyone that you have a health regimen and the emotional, mental, and financial capacity to indulge in this particular brand of self-analysis. It's showing off. A stupid flex, like carrying a huge water bottle or constantly eating fruit. Yes, I get it, you're healthy; now, please leave me alone with my idleness and my tablespoon of butter dipped in the communal sugar.
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Your step count is boring me to tears (and probably everyone else too)
Once upon a time, in the distant year of 2005, when it was inconceivable that statement belts would ever be unfashionable, Special K launched a wildly exciting promotion: buy an enormous box of cereal and a pedometer might just appear inside! My memory of the specifics is a little hazy (2005, to me, will always be the era of Going Out Tops and little else), but I'm pretty sure it was a one-in-every-three-box-wins-a-pedometer situation. Fuelled by the twin desires to get our hands on this technology and to do so in the cheapest possible way, my housemate and I went off to the supermarket. We weighed a bunch of Special K boxes and emerged victorious with our very own pedometers. I wore mine to university a few times, then quickly grew discouraged that my purely incidental exercise wasn't quite hitting the mythical 10,000 steps a day goal. So I stopped wearing it, then I lost it altogether, and never gave it another thought until, well, now. If this rather tedious tale were to unfold in a contemporary setting, things would be quite different. For one, almost everyone has some form of step-measuring device in their watch, Fitbit or smartphone now, so there would be no need for cereal boxes. But also, since the heady days of boho chic and Kim Beazley's last dance (not together), the world has changed. We in the West have evolved into body data narcissists. Thanks to our smartphones, smartwatches and Fitbits, we have become obsessed not just with compiling but aggressively sharing operational information about our bodies with the world at large. Step counting is the most profoundly stupid example of this. Did you know the idea of walking 10,000 steps a day isn't rooted in modern science at all? It originated from a Japanese clock company that created a pedometer for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. They chose 10,000 steps because it was a nice, round, memorable number. The notion that this is an achievable, desirable and genuinely beneficial health goal is about as meaningful as feeling 'so special' after a bowl of cereal. While, of course, physical movement has proven benefits, the core objective of modern fitness is just part of a convenient marketing ploy. All right, so we've established that the whole premise of step counting is flawed. And that would be fine if it were just one of those we things knew but nobody talked about (like Maroon 5 having three Grammys). But these days, it's apparently a crucial part of the step-counting process to just blah blah blah about it. Loading If my Special K story happened today, I'd wear the step counter constantly. I'd talk endlessly about it, doing annoying things like announcing to the office, 'All right, I'm going for a walk to get my steps up!' or 'I'll get the photocopying, my steps are way down today.' I'd even proclaim, 'Hey everyone, did you know that I WALK?' And I'd never lose interest or stop wearing that pedometer. In fact, when I died, I'd request in my will that someone else put on my Apple Watch, so my steps could continue for time immemorial. This is because the incessant monitoring of step counts (along with sleep scores and exercise loads) has become intricately linked to our identity. Talking about your daily steps tells everyone that you have a health regimen and the emotional, mental, and financial capacity to indulge in this particular brand of self-analysis. It's showing off. A stupid flex, like carrying a huge water bottle or constantly eating fruit. Yes, I get it, you're healthy; now, please leave me alone with my idleness and my tablespoon of butter dipped in the communal sugar.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
6 Luxuries To Give Up This Summer If Tariffs Are Wrecking Your Budget
While it has been challenging to keep up with which tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump are in effect on what trading partner and when, the undeniable result is that many companies have raised prices on everything from food and clothing to hotels and other leisure related goods. Find Out: Read Next: If your budget is suddenly tighter as a result and you're looking at your summer plans and purchases with a more critical eye, here are some suggestions for some summer luxuries to pare back on if these tariffs are wreaking budget havoc. (Hint: If the word 'imported' or 'designer' is involved, scale back.) Who doesn't love a charcuterie board for a summer meal — you don't have to cook and you can bring it to an event looking like you worked all day in the kitchen. Unfortunately, some of the fruits and cheeses that look best on such a board are going to be facing price hikes right now. Instead, look for local deals from farmer's markets. Learn More: A lot of people have been learning the hard way that their favorite designer brands are often having their merchandise made in China, keeping it somewhat affordable. As a result, if you love a good pair of designer sunglasses, this is not the summer to get a new pair. Make good with the ones you have or pick up a less fancy pair for a better price. Apparel is one of the consumer areas hit hardest by the tariffs, since the vast majority of what Americans wear on their bodies and feet is made overseas. So slow your roll on a fashion-forward bathing suit that comes from a cute little boutique and look to the places that can still cut deals, like TJ Maxx or Ross Dress for Less. If summer is a time when you pad yourself with the accoutrements of fitness since you can spend more time outdoors, you might want to rethink that, too. Smartwatches and Fitbits may be more expensive than usual. Look into refurbished, secondhand or stick with what you've got until prices level off. You don't have to stop drinking wine or spirits, but you might find it's a lot pricier to buy your favorites if they're coming from overseas. Scotch whisky, French or Italian wine, even spirits made in Canada and Mexico may now cost you a lot more than you were hoping to spend. Alternately, it's a great time to indulge more in nonalcoholic treats. If you're traveling this summer and love to pick up souvenirs wherever you go, you might want to think twice about carrying home armloads to your friends and family. A single memento to help you commemorate the trip might be enough, or perhaps your photos and memories will suffice. More From GOBankingRates Are You Rich or Middle Class? 8 Ways To Tell That Go Beyond Your Paycheck This article originally appeared on 6 Luxuries To Give Up This Summer If Tariffs Are Wrecking Your Budget Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Mayor
08-05-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
Fitbit rival launches two new trackers – just don't look at the prices
If your Fitbit is getting a little long in the tooth and you fancy upgrading to a newer fitness tracker from a different company, you might want to consider two new wearables from Whoop. The US firm has just launched the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG, sequels to the cult favourite Whoop 4.0, a screenless device that clips into a strap and is designed to be worn on the wrist 24/7. Unlike Fitbits and other trackers that prefer steps and calories, Whoop focuses on collecting health data to inform you about strain and recovery, two metrics that you will rely on if you work out frequently and want to know if you should rest that day or go for it at the gym. Without a screen, the Whoop 4.0 proved less distracting to buyers compared to an Apple Watch, and the band's popularity was helped thanks to marketing campaigns featuring Rory McIlroy, Virgil Van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is an investor in the company. The new Whoop 5.0 is seven percent smaller than the 4.0 and is designed in the same way as a small plastic nub with sensors that sit against your skin. Whoops sells many different straps that you can use to switch up your look, and the small device can also be worn in Whoop's apparel such as bras and shorts, as well as bicep straps. The 5.0 keeps all the current features from the 4.0 but boosts battery life to 14 days, a marked improvement over the four to five on the old model, and adds a new Healthspan tool in the app for iPhone or Android that Whoop says offers 'insights and guidance on how your daily habits impact your long-term health', and is a 'new way to quantify your physiological age and slow your Pace of Aging'. The Whoop MG is identical to the Whoop 5.0 but adds an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor – the 'MG' stands for 'medical grade' – so you can check your heart health on demand and even share the data with your doctor. This has been cleared for use in the UK, as is required. 'The Heart Screener detects signs of Atrial Fibrillation (Afib), a leading cause of stroke, and provides Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications (IHRN) for greater peace of mind,' said Whoop. Other new features that both bands have, and a Whoop spokesperson confirmed to will also work on the older Whoop 4.0, are blood pressure insights, women's hormonal insights, an update to improve sleep tracking, access to optional features not yet released via Whoop Advanced Labs, as well as improved fitness tracking. No Whoop bands have built-in GPS, so they are not the best option if you want to track your run routes. Instead, the device builds up a view of your strain and maps out data related to your heart rate variability, skin temperature and other metrics. I've used Whoop 4.0 for about two years and have found the insights genuinely useful. The app is more accurate at telling me if I am ready to exercise compared to Fitbit's Daily Readiness score, and I like that it is not a distracting piece of tech. No screen equals no notifications. The big catch for Whoop is the price. You can't buy just the tracker, instead having to opt for an annual subscription. With the new release, Whoop has split these subscriptions into three pricing tiers, as described by the firm below: Read More Amazon to sell Hyundai vehicles online starting in 2024 WHOOP One: Professional-grade fitness insights at our best price at £169 per year WHOOP Peak: Advanced health, fitness and longevity insights designed to help you perform at your peak, longer. Priced at £229 per year WHOOP Life: The most powerful WHOOP ever, delivering medical-grade health and performance insights. Priced at £349 per year You can only buy the Whoop MG on the pricey Life tier. £349 per year is a heck of a subscription fee. You could just buy an Apple Watch instead for that price, with no ongoing fees. It makes the Whoop 5.0 and MG very interesting devices as they offer a very different approach to most wearables. You just have to really enjoy the data and insights to commit to those subscription prices. Current Whoop 4.0 customers can pay £49 to upgrade to the Whoop 5.0 hardware, or £79 to get the MG, plus any difference in annual billing. You can purchase a Whoop device and subscription from Whoop's website. READ SOURCE
