Race Around YosemiteĬheck out the Challenges section of the Fitbit app and you can sign up to race against your friends over two virtual courses set in Yosemite National Park. Add them in the Friends section of the app and you can compete to see who is the most active – it’s great motivation to stay moving. One of Fitbit’s great strengths is its massive user base, and the chances are a few of your friends and family will also be getting a Fitbit this Christmas to join the many others who already have one. While you’re at it, turn vibrations up to strong in the settings menu, because if you’re doing Tabata properly and going all-out you might miss a milder buzz telling you to rest. To avoid disappointment in the gym when your phone’s in your locker, we recommend you set it to the Tabata protocol: 20 seconds of work followed by ten seconds of rest, repeated eight times. You can’t do this on the device itself, though – only through the Fitbit app on your phone. The Interval sports mode is fit for any kind of activity (running, cycling, jumping jacks): just set the times you work and rest for and the device will buzz at you to keep you on track during the session. You can see which Fitbit devices are compatible with each app in the App Gallery, found in the profile section of the Fitbit app. Some great options include the C25K Trainer app, which will help new runners build up to running 5K without stopping, and the Spotify Control app. Download Some Appsįitbit’s third-party app market is not especially well developed (yet), but it’s getting better. When you sleep your Fitbit will also track your blood oxygen saturation levels for you to look at in the morning. The former will check that you have a normal heart rate rhythm, while EDA is a good indicator of your stress levels. Take Some Measurementsįitbit’s devices keep getting smarter: if you have a Sense 2 or Charge 5 it can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement from your wrist, as well as tracking your electrodermal activity (EDA). Fitbit’s subscription service Fitbit Premium costs $80/£79.99 a year but you get a free trial with a new device, so it’s worth investigating the extra features offered, which include more in-depth sleep tracking as well as a host of workouts and training plans.

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