Three new activity trackers from Fitbit are being revealed today, including the company's first trackers with heart rate monitoring and smartwatch features.
The trackers — called the Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge — are each designed for people at different levels of fitness. Only the Charge is available immediately; the Charge HR and Surge will be available in early 2015, the company said.
The Fitbit Charge is for average Joe's who want to step up their everyday activities and become more active. Like the Fitbit Force (which was recalled earlier this year ), the Charge has a small screen to display your stats. It tracks steps, distance, calories burned, floors climbed, and sleep, and has caller ID if you're near your smartphone (the caller's name and number appears on the screen). The battery lasts up to seven days, Fitbit says.
The Fitbit Charge HR includes all the features of the Charge, but also monitors heart rate from the wrist throughout the day, which may help people to better estimate how many calories they burn, Fitbit says. The Charge HR is aimed at people who are already regular exercisers. The battery lasts up to five days, according to Fitbit.
The pricier Fitbit Surge similarly has heart rate monitor, and also includes a built-in GPS to show your distance and route history. The device, which is aimed at athletes working towards peak performance, can show your pace, elevation, spit times and workout intensity. It has more smartwatch features, including text alerts, and its battery lasts up to five days. [ Fantasy Fitness Tracker: 8 Absolutely Must-Have Features ]
"We understand that everyone’s approach to fitness is different," James Park, CEO of Fitbit, said in a statement. The variety of Fitbit trackers ensures that "everyone can find the right fit for their lifestyle and their goals," Park said.
The Fitbit Charge costs $129.95. The Fitbit Charge HR will cost $149.95, and the Fitbit Surge will be priced at $249.95, the company said.
Follow Rachael Rettner. FollowLive Science,&. Original article on Live Science.
