Fitbit units can do much more than simply observe steps. The Google-owned digital health firm has packed its latest wearables with new updates and options, together with a readiness rating, sleep profiles that present deeper evaluation of your sleeping patterns and the power to measure stress ranges on the Fitbit Sense, Sense 2 and Cost 5. Google Maps and Google Pockets are additionally coming to Fitbit units, which ought to make them much more helpful for on a regular basis duties.
Fitbit sells a variety of various trackers and smartwatches. The $350 Google Pixel Watch is the most recent of the bunch and is the primary Fitbit smartwatch to supply entry to Google Play Retailer apps and supply the choice for LTE connectivity. The $100 Encourage 3 is among the many most cost-effective, whereas the $300 Sense 2 smartwatch is close to the excessive finish together with the Pixel Watch.
As a result of the software program and options differ between units, a few of these ideas won’t work on all fashions. The steps listed beneath may additionally range relying on whether or not you are utilizing an iPhone or Android gadget.
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Fitbit’s always-on show choice (not pictured) makes it simpler to see the time rapidly.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
Fitbit units are designed for health and exercise monitoring, however they double as a watch. You can also make it simpler to see the time at a look with out having to lift your wrist or faucet the display by enabling always-on mode. Because the identify implies, this makes it doable for the display to indicate the time even when the show is asleep. Simply bear in mind you may should sacrifice just a little battery life to get this profit.
The directions for enabling this characteristic range relying on which Fitbit you personal.
You may change your each day objective within the Fitbit app.
Screenshot through Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Targets are completely different for everybody, which is why you may need to take into account altering the default objective in your Fitbit. That is the primary metric that Fitbit celebrates upon completion every day. Selections embrace steps, distance, energy burned, flooring climbed or lively zone minutes. To decide on which objective you need to perform every day, open the Fitbit app in your telephone and faucet your profile image. Then, faucet your Fitbit gadget and scroll all the way down to Primary Aim. From there, you can choose your most well-liked objective.
The Fitbit Versa 2.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Along with altering your each day objective, you may change which statistics you’d prefer to prioritize throughout exercises. Some individuals might care extra about calorie burn, for instance, whereas others prioritize coronary heart charge. That is why you may select which stats you need to see throughout a exercise on the Fitbit Sense, Versa and Ionic collection.
Get began by opening the watch’s Train app and selecting the exercise you’d prefer to customise. From there, faucet the gear icon within the high left in case you personal an Ionic, Versa, Versa Lite Version or Versa 2, and choose the Customise stats choice. Then, select which stats you need to see within the high, center and backside slots in your gadget.
The instructions are just a little completely different for Fitbit Sense, Sense 2, Versa 3 and Versa 4 homeowners. From the Train app, choose the exercise you’d prefer to customise after which swipe up from the underside of the display to entry the gadget’s train settings. Below the Present stats part, you may choose the highest, center and backside choices to edit the stats you’d prefer to see in every slot.
Fitbit and Google need to make establishing your new gadget nearly easy. Taking a web page from Apple’s e book, Google’s Quick Pair characteristic quickens the pairing course of by connecting your new Fitbit to your Android telephone when the 2 units are close to each other. You simply want to show in your Fitbit gadget and ensure your telephone’s Bluetooth is enabled to get began, after which you need to see a immediate to obtain Fitbit’s app. It really works on fashions such because the Luxe, Cost 5 and Encourage 2.
You may edit your train shortcuts on sure Fitbit units.
Screenshot by Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
All of us desire sure exercises over others, whether or not it is operating, spinning, yoga or simply strolling. Fortunately, Fitbit allows you to tailor the listing of accessible exercises to your liking on sure units. Simply open the Fitbit app, faucet in your profile image and choose your gadget. Then, faucet Train Shortcuts to change your Fitbit’s exercise choices. You may choose the + Train Shortcut button so as to add a brand new exercise sort, swipe left on a exercise to delete it or use the Edit button to reorder your exercises. Simply word that the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 shouldn’t have a shortcuts listing, however Fitbit says all exercise modes can be found within the train app for the Sense, Versa and Ionic collection watches.
The Fitbit Sense.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
The Fitbit Sense’s train app is straightforward to entry, however there are occasions when it’s possible you’ll need to begin a exercise immediately. Customizing the Fitbit Sense’s wake button may also help you just do that.
Press and maintain the facet button, and your watch will pull up a number of completely different apps and options that may be launched by lengthy urgent this identical button. Choices embrace the alarms app, climate, Spotify and your voice assistant of alternative. Scroll down till you see Train, and choose the exercise mode you’d prefer to launch when lengthy urgent the facet button. If you happen to do not need to select a particular exercise, you may also select to have the train app open when the facet button is lengthy pressed.
Moreover, you may customise the facet button’s lengthy press actions via the Fitbit Sense’s settings menu. Swipe over to the Sense’s app display and faucet the Settings icon. Select Shortcuts, after which choose the Press & Maintain choice. From there, faucet Train and select the exercise you’d prefer to launch when lengthy urgent the wake button.
The Fitbit Encourage 2 now works with Tile.
Fitbit
Smaller health trackers such because the Encourage 2 may be straightforward to lose or misplace. That is why Fitbit has partnered with Tile to construct its Bluetooth location-tracking service instantly into the Encourage 2. You may should obtain Tile’s app and ensure your health band’s software program is updated earlier than utilizing it. However as soon as it is arrange and registered within the Tile app, you can ring your Encourage 2 if it is inside Bluetooth vary or see its final location on a map.
The Sense smartwatch helps Fitbit’s Discover My Telephone characteristic.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
We have all been there; perhaps you left your telephone in your jacket, or maybe it slipped in between the sofa cushions. That is the place Fitbit’s Discover My Telephone app turns out to be useful. Simply open the app in your watch and your Fitbit will immediate your telephone to ring and vibrate till it is discovered. The Fitbit app have to be operating in your telephone for this characteristic to work, and it is out there on the Fitbit Sense, Versa 2 and Versa 3.
Fitbit’s Day by day Readiness Rating tells you when it is time to train or relaxation and get better. It is unique to Fitbit Premium subscribers.
Google
Generally it may be exhausting to inform whether or not it is time to push your self or take a relaxation day. Fitbit is making an attempt to assist with its Day by day Readiness Rating characteristic, which rolled out in November and is much like the Oura ring’s Readiness Rating. Fitbit points a rating primarily based on components like your latest sleeping habits, heart-rate variability and exercise that signifies whether or not you need to train or prioritize restoration.
It really works on the Fitbit Sense, Versa 3, Versa 2, Cost 5, Luxe and Encourage 2, however it’s solely out there for Premium subscribers and have to be enabled within the Fitbit app. You additionally should put on your gadget for at the very least 4 days, together with in a single day.
Fitbit routinely calculates your stride size after you observe a run with GPS. However you may also measure your individual stride size and add it to the app manually. To take action, Fitbit suggests counting your steps as you stroll or run at a location the place you may simply inform the gap, corresponding to a observe. You must also journey at the very least 20 steps when measuring your stride, in line with Fitbit. Then, divide the gap traveled in yards or meters by the variety of steps.
As soon as you’ve got measured your stride size, open the Fitbit app and faucet in your profile image within the high proper nook. Below Settings, select Exercise & Wellness and faucet Train. Faucet Stride Size and enter your measurements.
Health trackers make it simpler to see train statistics at a look, however it’s not at all times possible or snug to look down at your wrist throughout a exercise. That is why Fitbit’s app can dictate sure metrics audibly, corresponding to distance, time, common tempo, cut up tempo and energy burned. You may select which of those stats you’d need to hear throughout your exercise, and in addition customise the frequency of alerts by distance or time.
Open the Fitbit iPhone app, faucet your profile image and scroll all the way down to the Exercise & Wellness class below Settings. Faucet Train and scroll all the way down to see the Play Throughout Train choice, which may be discovered beneath the listing of auto acknowledged workouts. If you happen to’re utilizing the Android app, faucet the train tile within the Right now feed and press the stopwatch icon within the high proper nook. Then, toggle the swap subsequent to Use voice cues to allow or disable this feature.
We are able to all most likely use a reminder to stand up and transfer round for a bit, particularly when working from dwelling. However these little nudges might not be useful for everybody, and a few may discover them annoying. To show transfer reminders on or off, open the Fitbit app in your telephone and faucet your photograph within the high left nook. Select your Fitbit gadget from the listing, and scroll all the way down to the Reminders to Transfer choice. From right here, you may flip reminders on or off utterly, or set them for sure time home windows or days of the week.
It’s always important to stay up-to-date on ways to improve and enhance your workout routine and overall wellness. We looked into six gym habits you may be doing that are harmful after 40. Let’s see if any of these sound familiar. We spoke with Luke Jones, certified personal trainer at HERO Movement, who feels the biggest mistake made is training like you’re 25 when you’re actually 40. Your body is very different in this stage of life—and your workout should reflect that.
“The main challenge for most people is recovery. It’s not that you can’t train hard, but your body may need a little more time between intense sessions,” Luke points out. “Hormonal shifts, slower tissue repair, and reduced joint lubrication all mean that the “go hard or go home” mentality can backfire. What worked brilliantly at 25 might now lead to chronic soreness, plateaus, or even injuries. That said, your body is still incredibly capable-it just needs a bit more care and attention. The goal isn’t to pull back out of fear, but to train smarter, so you can stay consistent and injury-free.”
Although that’s the biggest bad habit, there are more.
It’s essential to pace yourself and understand your limitations.
“Pushing every set to the limit can feel productive, but over time, it can place unnecessary stress on the joints, connective tissues and nervous system,” says Luke. “Recovery takes a little longer as we age, and constantly flirting with burnout can stall progress instead of speeding it up.”
Everyone needs to warm up before a workout; not doing so puts you at risk of sustaining injury. Keep in mind, if you get injured, you won’t be exercising for a while.
“Rushing into training without properly prepping the body can increase injury risk, especially for joints like the shoulders, knees, and spine,” Luke warns. “A few minutes of movement prep can go a long way toward better performance and fewer setbacks!”
It’s essential to know your abilities, including performance level and limitations.
“Many gym-goers follow generic online programs or intense workouts designed for younger athletes,” Luke tells us. “But after 40, things like recovery capacity, mobility, and injury history vary widely—training should reflect that, not ignore it.”
As you age, it’s increasingly necessary to assess your workout and tweak your routine. Little changes can make a big difference in your performance and results.
“There’s still plenty of room to chase the big bilateral lifts—deadlifts, squats, presses—if that’s your thing,” says Luke. “But while asymmetries aren’t something to panic about, they can accumulate as we age. Incorporating more single-leg and single-arm work, and moving through different planes—lateral lunges, rotations, that sort of thing—can help maintain balance, support joint health, and ultimately help you get more out of your big lifts (and everything else you do in day-to-day life).”
As previously mentioned, recovery is king when it comes to a solid workout plan. Don’t skip rest days and recovery sessions—ever.
“Mobility drills, foam rolling, and active rest days often get skipped in favor of squeezing in another tough workout,” Luke explains. “But building them in is essential for managing stiffness, supporting tissue health, and staying consistent.”
One habit that can easily get overlooked in performing workouts is prioritizing quality over quantity.
“Chasing personal bests week after week is great for motivation, but can be hard on the joints over time,” Luke states. “A more sustainable approach involves rotating load, tempo, and intent to build strength without burnout. Consistency over intensity.”
Alexa Mellardo
Newswise — With more than three-quarters of children and teens experiencing depression or anxiety, parents are desperate for effective solutions. Now, new research from the University of South Australia shows that something as simple as regular exercise could be a powerful intervention to support young people’s mental health.
In the largest meta-meta-analysis of 375 clinical trials involving more than 38,000 young people, UniSA researchers found that when children took part in structured exercise programs, their symptoms of depression and anxiety improved. Specifically, the study found that:
The biggest improvements in depression symptoms occurred in programs lasting fewer than 12 weeks, suggesting that benefits can emerge relatively quickly – especially for children aged 12 and over.
No significant differences were seen among the frequency of exercise sessions per week.
Children with depression and ADHD also showed the greatest improvements from exercise.
Lead researcher, UniSA’s Dr Ben Singh says the findings present parents with a non-invasive, low-cost solution to combat poor mental health in kids.
“Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health issues affecting children and teenagers worldwide,” Dr Ben Singh says.
“Evidence-based treatment guidelines often recommend cognitive behaviour therapy and antidepressants as first-line interventions, yet 40-60% of children don’t receive treatment or fail to gain sufficient benefits, so we clearly need alternatives.
“Exercise is a low-cost, widely accessible strategy that could make a real difference to children’s mental health. And while people know that exercise is generally good for your health and wellbeing, there is little evidence that shows how exercise works for kids nor the types of exercise that might work better than others.
“Our study draws together global evidence to show that gentle, light-intensity exercise is highly effective in reducing anxiety in children and teens, while medium-intensity programs that combine resistance and aerobic training – like circuits with weights – can counteract depression.
“Importantly, it demonstrates how exercise is an effective, accessible, lifestyle intervention that can immediately improve mental health issues in children, without first defaulting to medicines.”
Senior researcher, UniSA’s Prof Carol Maher says the findings reiterate the importance of exercise for mental health.
“Exercise should be a core part of mental health care for children and teens, whether at school, in the community, or clinical settings,” Prof Maher says.
“Short, structured programs that include strength training or a mix of activities seem especially promising, but simply exercising, even for short amounts of time will deliver benefits.
“And for parents, rest assured – you certainly don’t need to fork out money for a gym membership or training program; play-based activities, games, and sport are all valuable forms of movement that can support mental wellbeing.
“The key message is simple: get active and keep active. Even short bursts of movement can make a real difference to a child’s mental health and wellbeing – especially for those who are struggling”.
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Contact for interview: Dr Ben Singh E: [email protected]
Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: [email protected]
I’ll be honest, I often prioritize my core and lower body in my training—I just prefer those types of workouts.
But exercising the upper body is just as important, especially because strong arms and shoulders can improve posture and make daily activities feel easier. A strong upper body can also improve your running speed.
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