Cardio exercise
IN PHOTO Clients work out on machines at a fitness facility in Arvada, Colorado in this June 15, 2009 file photo Reuters/Rick Wilking

Fitbit has launched another fitness tracking device dubbed as the Charge HR. Its design is quite similar to its predecessor and quite similar to the Fitbit Force. But the newer device sports a tighter strap which assures its users a better fit even while doing heavy workouts.

The new wearable is equipped with a heart rate monitoring feature called PurePulse. It is an optical heart rate monitor which will help its users see their levels of exercise. By checking-up on the three special heart icons, they can tell if they are in fat burn, cardio or peak zones when exercising, Apple Insider reports.

The Charge HR band uses two bright green LEDs to shoot light into the user’s flesh in order to detect the blood volume changes beneath the skin. The green lights flash continuously in order to monitor heart rate non-stop. Users can get information like his resting heart rate or the intensity of the his workouts.

In addition, the new heart tracking technology guarantees 24-hours monitoring. Fitbit’s Charge HR will be useful in checking user’s heart rate while doing workouts, strenuous activities and even during sleep. All the of the user’s health information will be kept in Fitbit's companion app.

The Fitbit Charge HR is currently available in Black, Plum, Blue, and Tangerine variants. Its companion app can be downloaded for free for iOS, Android and Windows Phone. It also features wireless syncing via Bluetooth 4.0. The Charge HR costs US$150 Fitbit, while the cheaper Charge comes with all the same features except the heart rate monitoring system and costs US$130.

According to Gizmag’s hands-on review, the fitness tracker provides accurate information which helps users adjust their exercise habits depending on the result of the heart monitoring system. The review also adds that the information presented by the device through its companion app is easy to digest and very accessible.

For interested consumers, the review mentioned some loopholes found on the fitness wearable. It lacks GPS capability, it is unable to track other sports and its not waterproof, which means it cannot be used while swimming.

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