We know, we know. We’ve already talked a LOT about activity trackers in the past, but only because there are a lot of great, diverse options on the market. Plus, we are big proponents of folks tracking their daily activity. A healthier world is a happier and more creative world, right?
The newest player in the game, Sensoria, might be the most unique activity tracker yet! We’ve seen trackers that clip on, like the Fitbit One, and trackers that you wear as a bracelet, like the Jawbone UP, but never have we ever seen one that you wear as a sock! Prepare for mind blowing-ness.
That’s right, a sock. Well, a sock and an anklet and an app, to be exact. In addition to having an accelerometer like most fitness trackers, it can also detect the way that you’re running. Your rhythm as well how your foot strike are reported so that you can make minor or major improvements to your technique. If you’re running in a way that could make you prone to injuries or slower than you want to be, the system will let you know.
While we’re afraid the ankle bracelet looks like the Lindsay Lohan version of “chic accessories,” we can’t deny that the tech is cool. And if our socks can serve as our running coaches, we’re down to look a little less fly than usual. Plus they come in different colors, so we may be able to avoid looking like we’re committing social suicide. (Hey, who are we to resist a Mean Girls reference?)
The Sensoria seems ideal for serious runners, or people who want to drastically improve their running form, as opposed to people who just want to get a little more active. Unlike a lot of other trackers, it doesn’t detect sleep or track your diet. Major lame points.
There are obviously a bunch of related products on the market, so let us break down three body tracking alternatives:
1. Jawbone UP: The Jawbone UP is a classic when it comes to activity trackers and for good reason. This bracelet and its associated app let you measure sleep cycles (hours slept, deep vs. light sleep, waking moments, nap alarm), activity tracking (distance moved, calories burned, active time and intensity of activity), mood, and food/drink consumption. It helps you stay active by alerting you with a buzz when you’ve been idle for too long. It has a ten day battery life so you don’t have to constantly worry about plugging it in.
2. Fitbit One: While Fitbit has recently come out with a bracelet device, called Flex, we’re partial to the One because its design sets it apart from the others on the market. You can just clip it onto the center of your bra (or stick it in your pocket, gentlemen) and go about your day. While this means you do have to remember to put it on (unlike the bracelet which you can leave on your wrist), it also means that you don’t have to rock wearable tech with every outfit. Your cocktail dresses will thank you.
On the technical side, it offers great holistic tracking of activity, diet, and sleep. The app creates graphs, charts, and tools based on your data and lets you easily log food, water, weight, and more. It can also sync with other gadgets and apps, letting you keep all your info in one place.
3. Instabeat: Like Sensoria, Instabeat is focused on upping your game at a particular sport. Instead of running, though, swimming is the activity of choice for this app. Instabeat is an attachment that fits on any pair of swimming goggles. It monitors your heart rate, calories, laps, and turns during your swim. It even projects a color on your lenses in real-time to let you know how close you are to your target zone.
So there you go! Get movin’, the techie way. Oh, and like many great things, Sensoria is going the crowdfunding route, so be sure to make a pledge over at Indiegogo if you want your own.
What activity tracker do you use? How do you like to combine fitness and tech? Let us know over on Twitter or in the comments below.