Fitbit announced new features of its Fitbit and Fitstar Personal Trainer apps, and updates to the Fitbit Blaze sports watch. These features include a more engaging social experience through the new Community section and tailored insights with Personal Goal Setting in the Fitbit app; more personalized guidance with an updated Fitstar Personal Trainer app; and advanced health and fitness features of the Fitbit Blaze.
“For nearly 10 years, we have been the leader in the connected health and fitness category because we have consistently delivered innovative products, software and services that work together to create an engaging experience our users love and can’t live without,” James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit, said in a statement. “With these latest advancements, we’re delivering even more ways to interact with your social network and provide a smarter, more tailored experience, transforming the personal value of Fitbit devices from beloved fitness trackers to an integral part of your life.”
The new Community section within the Fitbit app — available in the U.S. in March 2017 and globally later this year — consists of:
- Feed that provides a way to connect with friends, family and other users to find added support and inspiration to help reach your health and fitness goals.
- Friends – compete with your Friends to take the most steps, and cheer, taunt and direct message them as you/they climb the weekly leaderboard.
- Groups – lets you discover and join communities of like-minded people to help support and inspire you on your journey; choose from over 20 groups related to fitness, nutrition, wellness and weight loss.
In addition to social support, Fitbit has also introduced an updated Fitstar Personal Trainer app, which is available globally today on Android phones, iOS devices and online; in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. The app has been beefed-up to deliver personalized, adaptive video-based exercise routines that can be done by anyone, whether at home or on the go, and are customized to your fitness level and evolve as you progress. The Fitbit app is also becoming more intelligent later this month, with a new Personal Goal Setting feature that uses insights from your own activity to help you set reachable goals.
Finally, Fitbit is extending two powerful health and fitness features to Fitbit Blaze that are powered by PurePulse continuous wrist-based heart rate tracking:
- Cardio Fitness Level provides a snapshot of your cardiovascular fitness. Based on estimated VO2 Max — calculated by your user profile, heart rate and exercise data — you can easily see how your fitness level relates to others of the same age and gender, and get guidance on how to improve over time.
- Relax guided breathing sessions help calm your body and mind through two- and five-minute sessions personalized to your breathing rate, so you can gain the benefits of a guided breathing practice, which research shows can reduce stress and anxiety, and lower blood pressure.
The two features first appeared on Fitbit Charge 2, and allow users to take an even more active role in their health and wellness. With this software update — available in February — Blaze will also get three new clock faces to give you more ways to personalize your tracker.