How to track physical activity with the Nike+ FuelBand

How to track physical activity with the Nike+ FuelBand

Nike+ releases details on improved version of its popular fitness-tracking device

BY JEFFREY BAUSCH

If the claims made by Nike about its new FuelBand device turn out even half true, then it appears as though the company already known for its tech-driven advancements in active lifestyle wear has reset the bar once again.

The Nike+ FuelBand features an ergonomic design, colorful LED display, and built-in USB in its latch.

Preorders for the Nike+ FuelBand began this past week, so this is still a fairly new product to the market. Here are some details on what it is, what it does, and how you can get your hands on one.

Nike+ FuelBand 101

The Nike+ FuelBand comes a few years after their Nike+ SportBand launch, which quickly became dated with competitors like FitBit, Jawbone’s “Up,” and MotoACTV upping the ante in the growing fitness tracker market.

The Nike+ FuelBand is worn around one’s wrist and activity is tracked via a sports-tested three-axis accelerometer. Four key metrics are provided: time, calories burned, steps taken, and NikeFuel earned, the latter of which needs some explaining.

The concept behind NikeFuel came from the realization that measuring only calories burned is an inaccurate way to determine the level of one’s physical activity. That’s because this particular metric can vary depending upon the user’s gender and body type. NikeFuel, in contrast, is a normalized score based on a unique algorithm that awards equal points for an activity. Simply put, the more active you are, the more NikeFuel you earn (with the goal being to garner a pre-determined amount of NikeFuel over a select window of time).

Back to the FuelBand: It records and holds onto data from all sorts of physical activities, including running, dancing . . . you can even wear it during a basketball game. There are limitations, though. Biking is an example. Also, while the gadget is water resistant, it’s not water proof (yet), so they don’t recommend wearing it while swimming.

Theory behind the Nike+ FuelBand

Nike President and CEO Mark Parker unveiled the Nike+ FuelBand at an event attended by seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Oklahoma City scoring champion and all-star Kevin Durant, and 2011 IAAF women’s 100-meter World Champion Carmelita Jeter:

“The Nike+ FuelBand is a way for Nike to further evolve the exciting possibilities of merging the physical and digital worlds,” said Parker. “Nike has always been about inspiring athletes, and the Nike+ FuelBand will help motivate them in a simple, fun, and intuitive way.”

The team behind the gadget believes that by providing more metrics, it will allow for a more precise recording of physical activity, and it will encourage users to challenge themselves to create new personal records and milestones based on said metrics. Furthermore, aside from personal goal setting, challenges can also be set up on the gadget’s online program to compete against friends, family, and other members of the Nike+ community.

Online tracking

Data from one’s activity is held in the FuelBand’s memory until it’s connected to either the Nike+ mobile app or web program. The app, specifically, is only available for iOS 4 and 5 right now, though Nike is currently exploring additional mobile platforms.

Progress can be tracked by day, week, month, and beyond, with physical activity being broken down into easy-to-read graphs for quick and simple reference. If the program notices that you’ve become a bit complacent in your daily activity levels (like, say, you keep hitting the same goal marks), it will suggest new ways for you to challenge yourself.

The Nike+ program also has a mood application. You set your mood for the day, apply a personal note that details what put you in that mood, and then track your physical activity levels throughout the day to see how your mood affects your physical performance. This will help you identify certain triggers that have an adverse effect on your physical performance.

There are social media plug-ins, too, which allows the user to share his or her accomplishments with friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. Nike announced partnerships with Foursquare and Path, too, though terms of how they’ll be incorporated are not clear yet.

Tech specs and such

The FuelBand has a built-in USB 2.0 in its latch, so it can be plugged directly into a computer’s USB port or attached to a USB cable and linked/powered up that way. It has blue tooth capabilities, and will automatically sync up with your smartphone if you want to run the Nike+ FuelBand mobile app.

The design of the FuelBand is pretty ergonomic: it’ unobtrusive, light, and comes in three sizes:

• Small, 5.79-in. circumference and 0.95 oz

• Medium, 6.77-in. circumference and 1.06 oz

• Large, 7.76-in. circumference and 1.13 oz.

Where the display LEDs are located, the FuelBand’s width is 0.63 in. and its thickness is 0.27 in. At the latch, the FuelBand’s width is 0.75 in. and its thickness is 0.32 in.

On the side, there are 20 LED lights ranging in color from red to green. This display shows your progress in attaining your day’s personal goal of physical activity (with green being the goal).

On the display, an array of 100 white LED lights shows the aforementioned key metrics (time, calories burned, steps taken, and NikeFuel earned). A simple one-touch button on the side of the display allows users to cycle through these metrics.

Included with this device is an ambient light sensor that detects environmental levels. Also, you can switch the FuelBand over to airplane mode if need be.

The FuelBand is powered by two lithium polymer batteries. When fully charged, they can hold a charge for four full days.

To use the Nike+ FuelBand, you need a Macintosh or PC with a built-in USB port. In terms of operating systems, Mac OS v. 10.4 or later, Windows 7, Windows Vista (SP2), or Windows XP (SP2) are all preferred.

How to get one

Right now, the Nike+ FuelBand is only available online in the U.S. at the retail price of $149. Select Nike retail store locations will begin carrying the gadget in May, at which point the company anticipates a full-scale U.K. launch, too.

For more information, go to Nikestore.com ■