First look : The New Fitbit – The Charge 2 and The Flex 2
Fitbit just announced the second generation to their Charge and Flex that is bound to make keeping tabs on your daily movement even easier.
The Charge 2 is Fitbit's go-to tracker for more than just casually monitoring steps. It pushes real-time updates like calories burned and your heart rate data directly to your wrist, as well as call, text and calendar alerts (the Charge and Charge HR only offered call notifications). It's a solid way to see everything you need without constantly pulling out your smartphone and checking the Fitbit app for stats.
The Charge 2 includes built-in auto-tracking so it knows when you're out for a walk, running or doing yoga versus riding a bike or lifting weights. Meanwhile, a new interval workout feature guides you through high-intensity exercises and rest periods -- a solid feature for those interested in circuit training or personalized boot camps.
But in many ways, the Charge 2 is playing catchup to features already on other devices. For example, it now has a baked in Relax app that takes you through breathing exercises to clear your mind and reduce stress. You'll also find connected GPS capabilities that pairs with your smartphone for mapping out running routes -- another feature available on competing trackers. The same goes for the gentle reminders to move after you've been sedentary for a bit.
‘the most unique new feature is one that calculates your fitness score based on your VO2 max, a measurement of how your body uses oxygen while you're working out. It's often considered the gold standard of revealing your overall fitness health.’
You'd typically have to go into a lab determine your score, but Fitbit estimates this by looking at your user profile data, heart rate and exercise details.
It also contextualizes the data so you can see how you stack up to those of the same gender and age group, and provides feedback on how to improve your score, like suggesting you increase workout intensity and frequency by a specific amount.