FFT put smart vests to the test

FFT finds out if we’re Premier League fit by putting some wearable tech to the test

What is it?

A Gps-powered fitness tracker that has been designed by wearable tech giants Catapult Sports. The kit can determine distance covered, sprint distance, peak speed and total number of sprints, and then compares your results with that of pro players. So FFT decided to strap one on and find out how our fitness stacks up against the game’s leading names.

How does it work?

A pod is activated by pressing a circular power button, with a green light telling you it is charged and primed for action. Then simply slot the small device inside a black vest – that looks and feels more like a sports bra – and you can kick off. After full-time, swiftly transfer all of the data, using Bluetooth, to an iphone app.

Who uses it?

Catapult Sports provide wearable tech to more than 1,250 clubs over a range of different sports including the Premier League’s last two champions, Chelsea and Leicester, as well as Tottenham Hotspur. Now they are keen to help amateur players take their game up a level – FFT’S Sunday League outfit will soon be amongst the converted.

Why are they using it?

The vest enables players to pinpoint which areas of fitness they’ll need to improve. One of the tools allows you to compare your data from the first and second halves to see how much you tire as the match goes on. After a 60-minute runout, FFT is informed that we are operating at 17 per cent of a professional player’s attributes, but we weren’t really trying, honest.

How much does it cost?

Catapult have priced their tech vest at £199, although the free app is only available on iphones at the moment. Not cheap, but it’ll cost you no more than a new pair of football boots and it could boost your game and health. We think that it is money well spent.