Fitbit updates software for its Charge HR and Surge wearables

Fitbit has introduced new software updates that will automatically track biking, hiking, running and sports such as basketball and tennis. It introduced Smart Track automatic exercise recognition and PurePulse heart rate tracking to its Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge wearables.

It also unveiled Exercise Goals within the free Fitbit app to help users find the routine that is right for them and serve as daily motivation to hit their personalised goals. The SmartTrack has been designed to record workouts automatically. It also automatically recognises, select exercises and records them in the Fitbit app, giving users credit for their most active moments.

The feature is also capable of automatically recognising continuous movement while one is wearing Fitbit Charge HR or Fitbit Surge. It identifies the type of activity and records it in the Fitbit app along with an exercise summary, including duration, calories burned and heart rate stats. It can identify activities including elliptical, outdoor biking, running, walking, and general categories of aerobic workouts (zumba, cardio-kickboxing and other dance classes) and sports (tennis, basketball and soccer).

Fitbit has also introduced personalised settings, through which users can select the types of activities they want recognised as exercise and adjust how long they must be moving before an activity is recorded in the Fitbit app. By default, activities are automatically recognised when users have been active for at least 15 minutes. The PurePulse heart rate technology has been updated to provide users with an even better heart rate tracking experience during and after high-intensity workouts like boot camp and Zumba. .

PurePulse provides users with continuous, automatic wrist-based heart rate tracking including resting heart rate and heart rate trends over time, without the need for an uncomfortable chest strap. In addition, Excercise Goals are tracked on a daily basis with a weekly goal set for the number of days they plan to exercise. Exercise goals encourage people to embrace a more consistent workout routine in order to achieve their fitness goals.

Exercise Goals can be personalized by choosing the number of target exercise days per week and the types of activities that will count toward their goals. Progress toward goals is displayed within the Fitbit app. The SmartTrack and PurePulse software updates are free and available globally to all Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge users. Exercise Goals are also available globally to all users of the free Fitbit app for iOS and Windows.