Fitbit’s iOS app gets real-time run stats, easier food logging

Fitbit's iOS app gets real-time run stats, easier food logging

Fitbit has released a major update to its iOS app adding two new capabilities to the mix – MobileRun and enhanced food logging tools. Let’s quickly see what each of these two is all about.

MobileRun

MobileRun allows users to track and elevate training or workouts with real-time updates and key stats from individual runs, walks and hikes, including exact route, pace per mile (splits), distance and time. Users can access their route history, and get spoken distance and mile markers while on a run, making it easier to monitor improvements or “push themselves further in the moment.”

MobileRun allows users to track and elevate training or workouts with real-time updates and key stats from individual runs, walks and hikes, including exact route, pace per mile (splits), distance and time.These stats are further integrated with the main Fitbit dashboard, giving credit for steps taken, calories burned and active minutes during routes.

Another cool thing is the new Exercise Frequency calendar which is made to keep you on track towards your workout goals – it will pull in the frequency of MobileRun routes and logged exercises.

Finally, MobileRun will literally sing along your existing song library, allowing you to play songs from iTunes playlists without leaving the Fitbit app.

Food logging

You can rely on the barcode scanner feature to quickly add calories and nutritional data to your list.Fitbit’s database now counts more than 350,000 foods, including numerous grocery brands and popular restaurant menu items. This in turn makes food input faster while enabling more precise calorie monitoring. The updated database lists only foods with confirmed, credible nutritional data so you can confidently track nutrition with ease. Moreover, when paired with a Fitbit activity tracker, the application will provide custom guidance with suggested calorie intake based on activity, or recommend number of steps to burn the calories.

One other thing about food input – you can rely on the barcode scanner feature to quickly add calories and nutritional data to your list. There’s also the Easy Meals auto-complete capability that will make it faster to input favorite or frequent meals.

Android version coming soon

At the moment, MobileRun and improved food logging features are available for iOS users only. Fitbit promised to change that and will launch an updated Android app in the near future.

According to the NPD Group, Fitbit sold 67% of the activity trackers last year in the United States. The company’s fitness bands are sold in 46 countries and 37,000 retail stores all around the world.