How does bodymedia armband work

Packaging The BodyMedia Link comes in a nice retail box that shows you exactly what it tracks. On the back it shows you exactly how easy it is to get setup. For a full unboxing video showing you exactly what comes with the BodyMedia Link check out our video below. Pages: Page 1 , Page 2 , Page 3 , Page 4. Power Supplies Reviews. We lose some energy in the form of heat. By measuring the amount of heat generated and lost by our muscles, the FIT can begin to create a picture of how active we are.

The accelerometer's job is to detect changes in velocity. Velocity has two factors: speed and direction. As you move around, the FIT's accelerometer detects changes in your movements. Walk at a leisurely pace and the accelerometer will detect that your body is active but not under a lot of stress.

If you break into a prolonged sprint the accelerometer will sense your more aggressive movements. The data from the accelerometer helps the BodyMedia system keep track of how many steps you take throughout the day. The motions you make while walking are different from those you make while jogging or running.

The data the sensor gathers reflects these changes and the BodyMedia algorithms crunch the numbers to figure out how many steps you've taken that day. The galvanic skin response sensor has the grossest job -- it tracks how much you sweat. Two stainless steel pads on the FIT sensor stay in contact with your skin. These two pads send a tiny electric charge that uses your skin to complete the circuit.

As you sweat, your skin's ability to conduct electricity improves. The sensors measure the changes in the strength of the electric signal over time. If the signal remains strong for a long time it indicates that you're staying active and probably need a shower. When you pair a FIT device with a computer, the sensor sends all the collected data over for processing. BodyMedia's online Activity Manager takes the data and analyzes it using complex algorithms. The algorithms have a foundation in years of scientific study focusing on how various activity levels relate to caloric burn.

Based on your activity levels, including the intensity and duration of your activities, it generates information that's meaningful to you. This includes everything from how many steps you've taken that day to an estimation of the number of calories you've burned. The software also breaks down your activity into types.

If you spend all day walking around at a gentle pace the software will reflect that. But if you've been pushing yourself hard with intense workouts your profile will indicate that in your record.

With this information, you can get an idea if you're on the road to weight loss. But that's just part of the equation. What about caloric intake? BodyMedia's Activity Manager includes a food diary feature that lets you keep track of everything you eat.

The food database is extensive. You just have to enter information about what -- and how much -- you've had to eat for each meal. If the database doesn't have information about the type of food you're eating you can manually enter the nutritional information into the system and it will apply the data to your profile. In this way, the software can plot how many calories you've burned against how many you're taking in. If there's a deficit of calories, you're on the way to losing weight! But if you're consuming more than you're burning, you'll need to make some changes if weight loss is your ultimate goal.

Some versions of the FIT device come equipped with Bluetooth technology. This wireless protocol lets devices communicate with each other through a connection called pairing. If you pair a FIT with a smartphone like the iPhone or an Android device, you can get an instant look at your daily progress. While the FIT uses galvanic skin response to measure how much you're sweating, other devices try to map changes in skin conductivity with your emotional state.

When you get excited, you tend to sweat. That's why lie detectors measure galvanic skin response -- the somewhat flimsy theory is that you tend to be more tense when you lie.

The only time you're supposed to take off your FIT is when you're going to get wet. You even wear it while you sleep. The fact that this device also tracks sleep gives it a leg up on most of the competition. Striking the right balance between the two will make dieting and exercising much easier.

Trends might show up in sleep patterns that affect how active or healthy users are after a good or bad night of sleep. The web interface is easy to set up, but users will have to create an account.

If you opt out of the monthly fee, you will have limited access to data on the website, and the app will not work at all. The smartphone app is compatible with iOS and Android, but will not work without a subscription. The monthly fee is the only major downside to the device. Anyone looking for a device that gives GPS feedback will want a different fitness tracker. Hardcore bikers, runners, or swimmers, and those only interested in tracking mileage, pace, and splits, might want to invest in a dedicated GPS watch to use on the roads or in the pool.

However, it is easy enough to take the BodyMedia Link out with a smartphone in tow. Nike Fuel Band is a comparable product with superior customer service. Good luck if you need service or support from Body Media. TG Categories. Search TG. Ratings Breakdown Design 8 Features 8. Pros Lightweight and comfortable Tracks calories burned throughout entire day Tracks quality of sleep Cons Monthly subscription fee after free trial ends Not waterproof.