Why a smartphone - it's still the best gadget for sports
Devices / / December 19, 2019
In recent years there has been a real boom in various fitness gadgets. Special popularity got trendy and bright bracelets is following our physical activity and sleep quality. However, if this popularity is justified and whether they should actually amateur athletes? Let's investigate.
First of all, I want to warn you that you will not find in this article the names of specific devices, since I do not intend to "drop" of a single manufacturer, but I want to consider in general. Also, please note that there is a speech about the segment of fitness devices for amateur sports, not gadgets professional athletes who will undoubtedly have their own characteristics.
Spoiler for those who are too lazy to read.
Buying wearable fitness tracker you will almost certainly be disappointed, as the claimed function of these devices are far from ideal. Obtain better for these or even less money any smartphone with a small screen. It is much more suitable for use as a sports gadget.
So, what are the main features has averaged wrist tracker for supporters of an active lifestyle?
- Keeps track of calories, steps passed, the distance and time of exercise.
- Controls the duration and quality of sleep. Can play the role of an alarm clock.
- Stores the received data and can synchronize with a computer and a smartphone.
- Some models are able to receive notifications from your phone and inform about calls, messages, and other events.
- Yes, more time shows. But not all models.
Here, in general, the whole list of functions most popular fitness trackers. The result is not a lot, but this is not the most sad. This sadness rolls at a time when you start to learn at any online reviews of real users. They are very different from those of regular columnists and very quickly goes from "wow, how cool!" To "Onivsovrut". And that's just a short list of claims:
- Adjust the tracker to different kinds of physical activity can not be. Some models allow us to consider not only your steps, but also a jumping rope or sit-ups, but no more. So if you ride a horse, jump on the trampoline or boating, it will pass your e-coach.
- The data obtained have low accuracy, and sometimes does not correspond to reality. Software algorithms do not always successfully filter out the normal routine of physical activity on activity, and therefore work with a spoon for dinner may be counted to you as a few dozen of steps. And even when you're really going, as demonstrated by the recent studyBetter believe it steps smartphones rather than wrist gadgets.
- Most of the gadgets is intended for use only in a pair with proprietary software from the manufacturer, which often can not boast of excellent quality and an abundance of features.
- Sleep monitoring function by analyzing the movement is very disputed and hardly a closer study finds scientific evidence. Yes, keep track of the sleep phases using special equipment, of course, possible. For example, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has determined in 2007 that a reliable determination of the sleep stages are required for registration of electroencephalogram three channels (frontal, central and occipital), EOG recording (two channels - the left and right eye) and electromyogram (EMG) genial muscle (one channel). You may believe that this plastic little thing on your wrist there is something defines?
That is, it turns out that with any of the stated key sports functions, all these beautiful bracelets can not cope? Yes, it is true.
But do not worry, because there is actually a perfect fitness gadget, and you are likely to possess them for a long time. As you've probably guessed, I mean a normal smartphone. He copes with all the above tasks, and also has a number of additional features that make it even more useful in training.
- Calculation of physical activity can be carried out not only with the help of built-in sensors, but also through the geopositioning system (GPS, GLONASS). These data have higher precision and may include parameters that are not available for wrist gadgets (altitude, acceleration, rate, etc.).
- Huge selection of software allows the use of smartphones to account for virtually any sport or activity, ranging from dance and ending with table tennis. You can even turn your workout into an exciting game or detective.
- If you still believe in tracking phases of sleep, the smartphone will cope with this task better than the bracelet. As a result, you get no less beautiful graphics and smart alarm clock in the bargain. Programs it is enough so that you can even select currently the most appropriate one.
- The possibility to call in case of an emergency is a basic safety requirement. In workout time, especially if you are sprinting or bicycle, it can happen anywhere. If you need urgent help, it is the smartphone will come to help, but not a fitness tracker.
- Most amateur athletes during training prefer to enjoy your music, podcasts, or even to learn languages listen interesting articles. Well, show me the wrist gadget that knows it all!
- The best shots are done suddenly. There is no better time to shoot, than during the morning run, when the city was still empty and fresh, and the sun only timidly showing the first rays. Any smartphone is able to make a memorable picture, wearable fitness gadgets - no.
So, let's sum up. It turns out that smartphones udelyvayut fashionable fitness trackers on all parameters. They are better able to cope with sports features and, in addition to this, have a long list of additional features that will never even have the most heaped wrist unit.
Yes, we do this approach and cons. I foresee that in the first proponents of smart wristbands will remember about their compactness and waterproof. But whether these advantages outweigh the disadvantages listed above? I would like to hear your opinion.