Need a little motivation to walk more every day? Fitness tracker Striiv announced on Wednesday that its smart pedometer now features a wireless social component that lets users compete in activity-based challenges with friends and family.
Striiv’s Smart Pedometer tracks steps, distance, calories, stairs, and minutes of activity throughout the day -- but the bonus is that the device “learns” a user’s behavior and then encourages activity via personalized challenges and goals, games, and donation opportunities -- all powered by activity, noted a press release.
According to mobile health blog Mobihealthnews, Striiv says its device is not for “type A” fitness buffs but is targeted at busy professionals, typically women in their 40s who juggle work and family, and for whom “fitness is the first thing that falls off the schedule,” said Striiv’s head of design Lexy Franklin.
“There are lots of companies out there trying to get people to measure their activity,” Franklin said in the interview. “When we look at companies like Jawbone, Nike, BodyMedia -- all these companies are focused on data and monitoring -- lots of charts and graphs…we are going after other people who will be better motivated from the device itself.”
“Research shows getting fit doesn’t require a gym or a crazy routine,” added David Wang, CEO and co-founder of Striiv, in a statement. “It’s about seizing dozens of opportunities throughout the day to move more and then enjoying the countless benefits of a more active, healthy life.”
The Striiv Smart Pedometer is $99.95 is now available at BestBuy.com and will be in Best Buy stores in the US by April 29. It is currently available on HSN, HSN.com, Amazon, and striiv.com.
Other devices on the market include Adidas MiCoach Pacer, Fitbit, Affectiva Q Sensor, Basis, BodyFit, and Digifit.