Fitness

Adidas adds to the fitness tracker craze with the ‘Fit Smart’

If you were disappointed to hear that Nike was shuttering its FuelBand hardware, never fear, another major sportswear brand is picking up the baton. Adidas has unveiled its latest fitness tracking device, the miCoach Fit Smart, this week.

Revealed in San Francisco, during the Wearable Technologies Conference 2014, the device is capable of measuring your steps taken, pace, burned calories, heart rate, and more. It's also durable, lightweight, and sweatproof (not waterproof)...

Apple picks up two engineers from Nike’s FuelBand team

A few months ago, word got out that Nike was significantly downsizing its FuelBand team. The company's CEO later confirmed the move, saying that it would be transitioning the focus of its FuelBand project from hardware to software.

The news sparked speculation that the strategy shift had something to do with Apple's rumored wearable, and today more fuel was added to that fire. Apparently the iPad-maker has added two ex-FuelBand engineers to its iWatch team...

iOS 8 beta 3 enables M7 support and caffeine-tracking in Health app

As we continue to sift through the beta 3 of iOS 8, we've come across another notable change in the firmware. In today's update, Apple adds both Caffeine-tracking and M7-supported step-counting to the already feature-packed Health app.

Developers with the latest iOS 8 beta installed on their iPhone 5s will notice that they can now input their daily Caffeine intake. They can also now track their steps without a third party app or accessory using the 5s' built-in M7 processor...

Microsoft reportedly building iOS-compatible fitness band

Like Apple and several others, Microsoft is said to be working on a smartwatch that it plans to introduce later this year. There have been multiple reports on the project, including one from Forbes in May that described the wearable as a Samsung Gear Fit-like fitness band.

Tonight, Windows blogger Paul Thurott offered up some new details on Microsoft's wearable ambitions, reaffirming that the device will indeed be a wristband with a focus on sensors and fitness. He also notes that the gadget will be compatible with both Android and iOS...

Apple hires head software engineer from Atlas Wearables, likely to work on the iWatch

Apple is believed to have an interesting pipeline of new products planned for the second half of this year, including new Macs, iPhones and its first wearable device. It has been speculated over the past several months that the company is gearing up to launch the so-called "iWatch" in the fall, a smart watch that will double as a health and fitness tracker for managing your heart rate, calories, blood glucose levels and more…

Misfit unveils Pebble activity tracking app

Kickstarter-funded smartwatch maker Pebble has teamed up with another young startup, Misfit, on an activity tracking application for the Pebble smartwatch that doesn't require a dedicated tracking accessory or a smartphone to function.

Of course, the new Misfit Pebble app also talks to the official Misfit for iPhone software, which will be updated soon with support for setting your activity goals via the Pebble, tracking progress and more.

Pebble says it's “the first milestone in an ongoing partnership,” but stopped short of specifying what other goals the arrangement with Misfit might entail...

iWatch said to feature blood glucose and sweat sensors

Rumors regarding the iWatch have reached a fever pitch this week. We've heard 3 reports in just the past 2 days, and we've got another one to add to the list this morning. It seems that everyone is interested in Apple's highly anticipated wearable.

Today's report comes from Chinese website Laoyaoba, which claims that Apple has finalized the design and specifications of the watch, and is now awaiting FDA approval. The site also says that the device will include blood glucose and sweat sensors...

Apple turns to professional athletes for testing of iWatch fitness capabilities

With just four months remaining until Apple is expected to unveil its oft-rumored iWatch, a new report claims that the iPhone maker has teamed up with professional athletes to test the smartwatch's fitness capabilities in intense training environments. The report, citing a source with knowledge of the testing, adds that Apple has invited players from the MLB, NBA and NHL to its Cupertino headquarters on numerous occasions for this testing.

Apple is reportedly working with Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Kings right winger Dustin Brown and at least a few other star athletes, one being an unidentified player for the Boston Red Sox. The athletes have been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements that prohibit them from discussing the existence of the iWatch or their involvement in the testing process… 

The best apps for tracking your fitness activities

Whether you're struggling to keep a New Year's resolution, or just trying to tone up before beach season, everyone could use a little extra support. Luckily, there's an app for that.

In fact, we've found several apps that help you accomplish your fitness goals by tracking your steps and workouts, tracking your food intake, and offering support and motivation.

Google said to be building its own health platform called Google Fit

Hot on the heels of Apple's big HealthKit unveiling comes word that Google is building a health platform of its own. The news comes from Forbes, who says the service—dubbed Google Fit—will be announced at Google's upcoming I/O conference.

According to the report, Google Fit will closely resemble HealthKit in that it will collect and aggregate data from popular fitness trackers and health-related apps. And Google is believed to have already forged partnerships with wearable device makers...

The best yoga apps

No more excuses. It’s time to get in shape both mentally and physically. One way to attack mind and body at once is through regular yoga sessions. If you think you are too tough for the balancing exercise, think again. Yoga has been known to kick the butts of even the strongest athletes.

You know you want to try it, even if it is in the privacy of your own home, so we've compiled a list of apps to help you get started.

Carrot Fit update adds 7 Minutes in Hell workout

CARROT is a pretentious, mouthy artificial intelligence being that loves to berate humans in order to motivate them to get things done. A few months ago, we reviewed CARROT Fit, the verbally abusive weight loss app. In it, CARROT calls you a meatbag and tells you she will punish you if you don’t drop a few pounds.

Today CARROT Fit received a major update that basically turns it into an entirely new app. Now, instead of only tracking your weight, you can participate in a seven-minute workout filled with all manner of insults from the charmingly funny AI assistant…