Fitness fact fiends Fitbit have announced the launch of their new FlexWireless wristband activity tracker which offers real-time wireless stat syncing and a new ‘active minutes’ tracking feature.
Billed as a ‘wireless activity and sleep wristband, the Fitbit FlexWireless gizmo adds new features to the popular Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip range, meaning users can track their activities with either a wristband or a small clip-on accessory.
The new band tracks steps, steps, distance, calories burned and sleep activity as well as active minutes, which reveal how many moderate-intensity cardio minutes a user has done in a day.
Gareth Jones, General Manager of Fitbit EMEA, was keen to push the health benefits of their new device:
Active minutes, our new stat, provides an additional way for users to motivate themselves, by measuring the level of intensity behind their activity. It’s a great way to reach the UK’s recommended goal of 30 active minutes per day and feel a huge sense of achievement in the process
Real time stats of lard-burning activities can be viewed on the dashboard of Fitbit’s updated iOS app as well as ‘select Android customers’ with NFC-enabled phones (so, that’s quite a select band, then).
The bracelet comes in two colours, Black and Slate , with a three colour band accessory pack offering the choice of Teal, Tangerine and Navy wristbands.
The FlexWireless wristband is water resistant and retails for around £80, and should be available by the end of this month.
Here’s the full press release for your delectation:
New Fitbit Flex™Wireless Wristband Activity Tracker Launches in UK
New active minutes tracking feature added while real-time wireless stat syncing also available09 May 2012, London – Fitbit, the market leader in digital health and fitness, has today launched the Fitbit Flex™ wireless activity and sleep wristband in the UK. The Flex comes with a range of new features and adds to Fitbit’s existing portfolio of the Fitbit One™ and Fitbit Zip™, making Fitbit the only brand to offer both a clip and wristband tracker.
As well as tracking steps, distance, calories burned and sleep activity, the Flex now monitors a brand new stat; active minutes. Active minutes track how many moderate-intensity cardio minutes a user has done in a day. Available to view on the dashboard and on Fitbit’s new app, active minutes motivates the user to achieve their goals through different approaches to activity, be it a 30 minute walk during the day, or a number of smaller 5-10 minute bursts of activity.
The Flex also works seamlessly with Fitbit’s updated iOS app, allowing real-time-syncing of stats so users can see their data ‘live’ on the move through their latest Apple device. The Flex is the only wristband tracker on the market that offers the user such access to stats on the go. For select Android customers, who also benefit from an updated app, users can now tap their Flex band on an NFC-enabled Android phone which will automatically launch the Fitbit app.
The slim and stylish Fitbit Flex provides a highly comfortable experience day and night, and is the only wristband on the market to sync wirelessly with Bluetooth 4.0. This feature, available on both iOS and Android platforms, offers more flexibility in monitoring activity with live stat syncing and real-time progress updates direct to your phone or tablet. A LED indicator display provides immediate feedback on progress, giving a vibrating notification as goals are hit throughout the day.
Gareth Jones, EMEA General Manager said, “We recognise people lead different lifestyles and Flex now gives the best option for those that would rather wear a wristband than carry a clip. It allows them to get on with their busy lives while our new features such as real-time stat syncing and vibrating notifications when you hit your goal, allow for continual motivation throughout the day.”
Gareth Jones continued, “Active minutes, our new stat, provides an additional way for users to motivate themselves, by measuring the level of intensity behind their activity. It’s a great way to reach the UK’s recommended goal of 30 active minutes per day and feel a huge sense of achievement in the process.”
Water resistant, so users can wear it in the shower, Flex comes in two colours, Black and Slate. A three colour band accessory pack is also available allowing users the choice of Teal, Tangerine and Navy wristbands, so wearers can switch bands to match their mood and help make fitness part of their lifestyle.
Like all Fitbit trackers, whether online or on a mobile device, users can analyse graphs, earn activity badges, set up a friendly competition with friends and family, and log food or other work-outs. Fitbit also integrates with many popular health and fitness apps on both IOS and Android devices, including Endomondo, LoseIt, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal and Sparkpeople, to allow users to share data from their favourite apps.
Fitbit Flex™ (£79.99) is available for pre-orders starting today on Fitbit.com and will be available online at Amazon, Firebox and available in store at John Lewis, Apple, Currys /PC World at the end of May.
