FITBIT VERSA LITE
I admit it: I’m a committed step counter. If I don’t average 10,000 a day each week, I feel a pang of disappointment. But despite my neurosis, I’d never invested in a device that would offer more accurate data.
However, ahead of Pride in London, Fitbit released a series of Pride- themed digital watch faces, and offered me the chance to try out their chic Versa Lite smartwatch, released earlier this year as an entry- level model, with pared back features and a lower price tag (£ 149.99).
After choosing my preferred strap, I downloaded the Fitbit app to my iPhone and paired the devices by Bluetooth. The set up was simple, with the app interface doing all the work. After putting in some basic stats ( age, height, weight), my profile was created and I was up and — metaphorically — running.
Taking my details into account, I was given a 2,800- calorie daily target, a set of individual heart- rate zones, and an “average to good” cardio fitness score for men my age.
Checking daily progress is easy with a quick swipe up on the watch face: showing steps, distance, calories, active minutes, heart rate, sleep stats and more. On holiday, I hit my targets easily, unless having a particularly lazy day by the pool. Once back at work, things were quick to drop off. One function of the Versa Lite that helps is the option to set a number of hours with a 250- step target, with a reminder 10 minutes before the hour is up to encourage a short stroll. Wearing it at night, I find the sleep stats scarily fascinating: I average between six and seven hours, with 15 per cent of my time in bed each night spent awake.
The main smartwatch additions are message and call notifications, the ability to set alarms, and a weather app.
While there are better smartwatches out there, few put fitness tracking quite so central. The app and device sync seamlessly, with push notifications that are encouraging without being overbearing. If you need an extra boost to get moving, then the Fitbit Versa Lite could be just right.
fitbit. com