At Tom\’s Guide, our fitness team loves testing new and emerging technologies. So when we heard that the No. 1 fitness app 1 Fiit had cooperated with smart wearable technology brand Prevayl, we were looking forward to the next generation tracker Fiit 2.0 of the cooperation.
I headed to Fiit HQ to train with the team and sweat it out on their latest wearable. I\’m no stranger to Fiit workouts – the app is currently the leading interactive hybrid fitness platform in the UK – and boasts an impressive library of workouts in the gym and at home, whether you prefer the treadmill, spin classes or programs with dumbbells for the whole body.
We\’ve sweated it out with some of the best fitness trackers on the market, but how did this partnership go? Here\’s what happened when I tested the Prevayl-powered Fiit tracker 2.0, and why it\’s already a staple in my varied training regimen.
Like most fitness trackers, the Fiit tracker tracks heart rate, calories burned, distance, and even reps during strength classes. In collaboration with Prevayl, the goal was to create an affordable wearable that dives deep into performance insights to support anyone with their fitness goals.
According to the team, the technology is the \”most accurate way to track progress,\” with real-time insights into performance data. The tracker comes in a package that includes the Prevayl sensor and the Fiit x Prevayl chest strap. The sensor inserts into the chest strap to accurately capture demographic data from the user\’s body, translating it in real time to the real-time heart rate screen on the Fiit app. It is currently compatible with 1,500 workouts on Fiit by connecting the sensor to the app. You can then receive real-time metrics and trackable statistics and connect with compatible cardio equipment, including Assault Fitness.
This is Prevayl\’s latest partnership with a major fitness brand. According to Fiit Chief Executive Officer James Charalambous, \”the Prevayl sensor offers best-in-class sampling technology, designed to be the most accurate form of tracking, as verified by Bournemouth University.\” The tracker uses clinical-grade ECG sensor technology.
The Fiit tracker is compatible with the Prevayl and Fiit apps available on iOS and Android, and the tracker retails for £65 / $55. You can also connect with compatible apps like Strava.
I\’ve supercharged my workouts using the Fiit 2.0 fitness tracker – here\’s my verdict
(Image credit: Sam Hopes)
I spent a morning with the Fiit tracker 2.0, and here\’s what I liked.
It is comfortable
I spent many workouts fighting and squirming against ill-fitting chest strap heart rate monitors.
This is the first chest strap heart rate monitor I\’ve worn that doesn\’t slip during workouts and I\’ve found it to be super supportive and refreshing to train with. Trust me, I actively tried to get this thing to move, but even through the bike crunches and the devil\’s pressure, it stayed put.
A great fit is key if you plan on wearing a wearable chest strap; helps provide more accurate data and prevents the user from interrupting a workout to readjust it.
It\’s accurate
By partnering with Prevayl, Fiit\’s content integrates with Prevayl\’s hardware and tracking capabilities. I jumped into a 30-minute hybrid dumbbell and treadmill workout with the Fiit HQ team to put this tracker through its paces.
To get started, I downloaded the app, set up a profile, and connected to the tracker. Once calibrated, I synced my smartphone to the home studio screen, which called up my dashboard during my workout.
The Prevayl sensor features a built-in accelerometer, which tracks movements and repetitions during exercises like squats and lunges with frightening accuracy. During different phases of your workout, your instructor may ask you to focus on maximum reps, calories or distance, and the metrics will be recorded right before your eyes in real time.
There\’s nowhere to hide, especially when your smartphone is connected to a giant screen.
It\’s motivating
The Fiit tracker gives users access to Games mode, so we competed against each other on a live leaderboard to test the feature. You can also invite classmates to classes if you\’re feeling sociable.
I found myself competitive right away, hitting the strength exercises and treadmill harder and harder to hit as many reps and calories as possible against the team. After 30 minutes, I fell to the deck much more exhausted than I would have done training on my own.
(Image credit: Sam Hopes)
Sure, I\’m guilty of training on my ego, but the feature is really engaging and motivating, especially if (like me) you need an edge here and there. Best of all, wearing a tracker keeps you accountable to yourself, helping you set goals and push your limits during more strenuous workouts while watching your stats change in real time.
You can track the progress easily
The tracker sends your metrics to the Fiit app, which stores each workout and records your progress. From the dashboard, I was able to see my heart rate data, total calories burned, and other stats in the summary view, which is handy for anyone who likes to set goals and crunch numbers afterward.
It offers variety
Fiit was already harnessing the powers of online home fitness technology before the pandemic forced the fitness industry to evolve, so they\’ve been way ahead for some time and the content shows for it. Pair that with an intuitive and easy-to-use fitness tracker, and in my eyes, it just hit the gold standard.
The tracker allows users to dig deeper into their metrics in a way often reserved for professional athletes. You can head to Prevayl\’s app for these health insights, including the BodyCheck recovery and readiness feature, and FitnessCheck, which accurately determines your maximum heart rate recovery, designed to help you understand your current health and fitness levels.
Additionally, the Female Athlete feature offers unique guidance for women to train for their menstrual cycle. If you\’ve synced up with apps like Oura and Natural Cycles before, this feature is a must-try, and the tracker\’s metrics can help you map out patterns throughout your cycle.
Verdict
It\’s worth noting that the Prevail app doesn\’t yet connect with the Fiit app, but integration is expected later this year. For all workouts outside of Fiit workouts (outdoor runs or bike rides, for example), users should download the Prevayl app for tracking insights, daily workout recommendations, heart rate zone, and training load.
Other than that, any fitness tracker that can count my reps for me gets a thumbs up — and that\’s a solid yes from me. The Fiit tracker 2.0 has become part of my training regime along with the Oura ring to keep me on track with my health and fitness.
More from Tom\’s Guide
If the Fiit tracker 2.0 isn\’t for you, check out some other options: