Category: Fitness

Heart Rate Monitoring Using Activity Trackers

When you decide to make an active lifestyle part of your weight loss efforts, it is a good idea to get an activity tracker. These devices range from very simple to very advanced. The basic ones are simple step counters, while the advanced ones allow measuring many more aspects.

Steps, blood pressure, oxygen levels in the blood, and heart rate, are just a few.

Fitbit Devices

One of the most popular devices for activity tracking is a Fitbit. Fitbit has a wide range of product offerings, including smartwatches and trackers. Together with their phone app, you can really benefit from gaining insight into your activity, whether it is just for fitness, or as an aid in your weight loss journey.

For the Fitbit devices that include a heart rate monitor, there is even more good news. The FDA in the US has recently approved the Fitbit algorithm that passively checks for atrial fibrillation (Afib).

What that means is that their devices can detect Afib and inform the wearer of the device.

Fitbit heart rate Afib warning

Afib is a heart condition that affects millions worldwide. It is a heart rhythm condition where the heart beats irregularly, and faster than normal. The problem with Afib is that it is not continuous, and as a result can be hard to detect.

By using continuous heart rate measurement, together with the new algorithm, Afib can be detected with a 98% accuracy according to a 2020 study.

Other Devices for Heart Rate Monitoring

Fitbit is not the only device that offers heart rate monitoring, the Apple Watch (Series 4 onward) and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 also offer heart rate measurements using EKG sensors. Up to now, however, the wearer always needs to manually trigger the display of an ECG.

The Apple Watch also offers Afib detection and notification on some devices and in some countries. This is not continuous, the algorithm to look for Afib is run occasionally, mainly when the wearer is not moving. More details on that are available from Apple.

For people with an Afib condition, this is great news. Early detection can help prevent more serious conditions, such as heart attacks, and strokes.

Brisk Walking – Why You Should REALLY Do It

Power walking is the perfect way to start any fitness regimen.

What is brisk walking? Known as ‘fitness walking’ or ‘power walking’, it’s basically walking at a pace faster than your normal walking speed.

When brisk walking, you should aim to walk at a speed where you’re almost out of breath but you can still pretty much carry out a conversation with someone.

Brisk walking alone? Listen to some tunes and as you walk faster, try to still be able to sing along to the music you’re hearing.

Brisk Walking Features

    • It’s perfect for beginners.
    • It’s inexpensive.
    • It fits ANY schedule.
    • It can be done just about anywhere.
    • It’s great to do with a fitness buddy; but it’s also perfect for some ‘ME’ time.

Brisk Walking – Getting Started…

    • Be sure to wear good picking walking shoes. They should be comfortable, light, and flexible to give your feet the best support.

brisk-walking-shows

    •  Start with a 5-minute leisure walk to get the blood flowing and to warm up your muscles.
    • Build your pace. Don’t brisk walk at ‘level 10’ right away. Start walking a bit faster until you get the hang of it, then go a bit faster again.
    • Heel, ball, toe! Heel, ball, toe! Your brisk walking style should not be about lengthening your stride. It should be about quick heel-to-toe rolling steps. That is, land on your heel, ROLL through your instep, and then LIFT OFF from your toe.
    • Look straight ahead.
    • Swing your arms as you brisk walk.
    • Engage your core. Don’t twist and turn as you walk. Pretend that your core is one big, stable, tree trunk 🙂
    • Squeeze your butt muscles. Lose weight AND tighten your tush at the same time. Yey!
    • Important: don’t forget to drink!

How to ‘Level Up’ Your Brisk Walking

    • Walk for longer periods of time.
    • Walk faster than the last time’s pace.
    • Do intervals!
    • Get a pedometer that will help you reach a daily target. Many watches and mobile phones already have this function.

Health Benefits from Walking

    • Improved cardiovascular (hearth) and pulmonary (lung) fitness; reduced risk of hearth problems and stroke.
    • Better balance.
    • Stronger bones.
    • Improved muscle strength and better endurance.
    • Reduced body fat.
    • Can help manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
    • It makes you feel better, and helps improve your mood. It can even help prevent depression.