Cool way to get fit
Now you can get fit while enjoying your favourite music sans smartphones, writes Izwan Ismail
GETTING fit is a lifestyle nowadays and many people are investing in sport equipment, gym membership and fitness gadgets. But they also like to work out in style — by wearing the most stylish outfits, using the best equipment and flashing hitech gadgets.
If you’re of the same ilk, you may want to consider the new Garmin vivoactive 3 Music smartwatch.
The cool thing about this device is that it has an integrated music feature, hence the name, that allows users to enjoy music while exercising independent of their smartphones.
The vivoactive 3 Music sports a rounded shape and is very light. You will most probably not realise that you’re wearing one.
Depending on your preference, if you like to wear something very light while exercising, or as your go-to smartwatch, this 36g device is for you.This model is lighter than the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music introduced last year.
SIMPLE DEVICE
Having just one button on the right means this smartwatch is very easy to use. Just press the button once and you’ll get a list of exercises that you can track, such as running, walking, walking indoors, treadmill, swimming, floor climbing, cardio, rowing, skiing, yoga and many more.
The watch will automatically measure your daily steps and calories burnt, and you can see this by swiping the watch surfce upwards.
You can also view your weekly exercise summary, answer the phone, play music, view your resting heartrate, and view your exercise records by just swiping the screen. It’s just that simple.
This watch, despite its simple look, is pretty comprehensive in being your “personal” exercise trainer.
However, prior to using it, you will have to download the Garmin Connect app if you haven’t use any Garmin device before.This is to input your personal body measurements such as your weight, height, age, etc, so that the smartwatch knows your ideal exercise limit.
INTEGRATED MUSIC FUNCTION
The GPS smartwatch integrated music function lets users bring along their favourite tunes to every workout or activity and leave their smartphone elsewhere.
As music is a huge motivating component of any workout or activity, the ability to listen to your favorite songs right from your wrist, with wireless Bluetooth earphones or headphones, is a plus to many people.
The vivoactive 3 Music lets you store up to 500 songs, which is more than enough for a few hours of exercise.
Transferring songs to the device is easy. You can do it directly via your computer to the watch using the USB charging cable or download offline music playlists from music streaming services like Deezer and iHeartRadio.
Once the music is loaded, pair the vivoactive 3 Music with a set of compatible Bluetooth headphones (which doesn’t come with the device), and you’re good to go.
DISPLAY
The always-on Garmin Chroma Display is easy to read — even in direct sunlight.
Like all Garmin wearables, it is safe for swimming and showering and has a battery life of up to seven days in smartwatch mode and five hours in GPS with music mode.
To me, having a smartwatch that can last a week without charging is wonderful as this allows me to embark on, for example, a few days of hiking without having to worry about charging the device.
DAILY FITNESS TRACKING
With help from Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology, the vivoactive 3 Music lets users monitor key aspects of their fitness and stress to show how their body responds under various circumstances.
For example, it’s able to estimate your VO2 max, the measurement of the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilise during intense, or maximal exercise, and fitness age, important indicators of your physical fitness that can often improve over time with regular exercise.
It also tracks your heart rate variability (HRV), which is used to calculate and track your stress level.
Besides that, the vivoactive 3 Music can make you aware when physical or emotional sources cause your stress level to rise so you can find a way to relieve the pressure.
ALWAYS CONNECTED
The redesigned Garmin Connect app also makes it easier than ever with its colourful activity cards that gives users an at-aglance to the most important stats.
Simply scroll down to compare today’s totals to past results or tap for more detailed information.
Activities and other statistics captured by the device are presented in vivid detail with data customised and filtered so that the user only sees what is most relevant to his or her goals.
Users can connect with friends and family to motivate one another, join challenges, engage in friendly competitions and score colourful new Garmin Connect badges when goals are crushed.
CONCLUSION
After using this watch for a few weeks, I feel that the Garmin vivoactive 3 Music is a flexible device, not just for pure exercise, but for everyday use.
Featuring thousands of ways to customise with free watch faces, widgets, data fields and apps through the Garmin Connect store and Garmin Pay contactless payments (coming soon), the vivoactive 3 Music is perfect for running errands, running a 10km marathon, and everything in between.
The watch is available at RM1,299.