Comparing the GPS tracking of the Fitbit Charge 4 vs the Apple Watch 4 and iPhone XS Max

 The Fitbit Charge 4 is Fitbit’s first fitness tracker with a GPS antenna in this line of devices. So, I decided to compare it to my current set of devices that has GPS antennas also.

What I found is that the GPS tracking of the Charge 4 can be improved upon, and that, in the best case scenario, you should still bring your phone on your runs or bike rides since your phone can also use network antennas for GPS mapping. Not to mention you can use your phone in the event of an emergency. Also, there was a point in my run when the Charge 4 decided to just give up on finding a GPS signal.

However, the Fitbit Charge 4 is still a great fitness tracker to have. Its calorie counting and heart rate measurements are on par with the Apple Watch. Also, its sleep tracking is one of the best out there. Not to mention that, because of its smaller size, it is more comfortable to wear when going to bed.

Also, I found out in this comparison that, even if it is an “old” device, both the Apple Watch 4 and the iPhone XS Max still have the best when it comes to GPS tracking! Yes, you don’t need to update your devices every year!!!

The next thing I will try is compare the Fitbit Charge 4 to my Garmin Fenix 5. Though that could take some time before I’ll be able to do it...

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The B’Twin InRide 500 Bike Trainer

If you can’t bike outside, if there’s strong rains, strong winds, typhoons, or, if you are in that part of the world where it can get really, really cold, then a bike trainer is a must have. There are also times when, like right after my accident, my doctor forbid me to bike outdoors… Any of those instances above can be the perfect time to do some indoor training to stay fit.

The B’Twin InRide 500 from Decathlon is a very good trainer to have. It costs 10,000 Philippine Pesos (less than 200 US Dollars) so it relatively is not that expensive. You just need a separately sold speed and cadence sensor to pair with your bike computer or, in my case, my Garmin Fenix 5. With those, you can monitor your speed and distance traversed. The speed and cadence sensors are also sold by Decathlon.

The trainer is relatively quiet, is not that heavy (so it can be placed in different locations in your house or apartment) and folds to a relatively small size. However, the unit itself is stable and you won’t feel your bike wobble when you do your seated sprints. I got a bike riser from CycleOps since I want to have a relatively high front wheel when I use the trainer. I don’t want to feel like I am descending the whole time…

Oh, you can get the separately sold mat from Decathlon also.

(Disclaimer: this post is not, in any way, sponsored by Decathlon Philippines!)

And if you are short in space, then, in this video, I demonstrate that it is easy to set up your indoor trainer - just three and a half minutes! And I assure you, it took me that amount of time to fold everything up also. So, if you are short in space, then the area occupied by the trainer can be easily taken back and used for other purposes.

So, if you are in the market for a bike trainer, then check out the B’Twin InRide 500 from Decathlon. It is Highly Recommended!

Equipment used for this post:

 
• a GoPro 7 Black (in dusk white)
 
• an iPhone XS Max

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The Garmin Fenix 5 (a repost)

I just finished my first duathlon. The hot sun beating down, the exhaustion, the cramping muscles, the dehydration... I wouldn’t exchange any of those if it meant not being able to participate in the duathlon. And yeah, only serious people would participate in such an event - the duathlon is not for the faint of heart. In the third part of a run-bike-run event, my legs were already cramping that I was forced to walk majority of the 3km event. But despite the pain I was determined to finish the course. It would have been more painful to not finish the 6km run - 27km bike - 3km run course. Not finishing was not an option. And, as I neared the finish line, I decided to give it one last push: I wanted to be seen jogging on video, not hobbling in pain. And the Garmin Fenix 5 was with me the whole way.

During the course, the Garmin Fenix 5 was prompting me were my heart rate was: it was telling me that I was already at the 75% of my maximum heart rate, at 95%, even when I got to 110% of my maximum heart rate. I also wore a chest strap heart rate monitor that’s connected to my bike computer and the heart rate reading of the two devices were fairly consistent.

I was so happy also that, for my first duathlon, I was able to use the Fenix 5. With its multi-sport mode transitioning from the run to the bike and back to the run were very easy. I didn’t need to stop and start the app on my watch - something that I would have been required to do if I still used my previous watch - I just needed to press the lap button and I’m off to the next part of the event. The transition part is also included in the duathlon app and the time I spent in the transition wasn’t included in the overall time of my accomplishment.

It was a really sunny morning with no cloud in sight but I wasn’t worried even if I was suddenly caught in a downpour. The Fenix 5’s water resistance would fend of any rain easily. Actually, even if I decided to take it swimming up to 100 meters deep, the Fenix 5 would be fine.

The Garmin Fenix 5 is a sizable watch. No one will be able to mistake this for a small watch. (More so the Fenix 5X!)m However, it was still a very comfortable watch to wear. I didn’t think it was too heavy nor too large. For me, the size of the Fenix 5 is just right and the weight and heft of the watch didn’t bother me at all especially during my run.

GPS tracking was spot on and the path the I ran and biked really hugged the roads. Well, considering the duathlon happened on an essentially open space helped the GPS tracking very much. However, If I ran on my neck of the woods, so to speak, the buildings mar the area and GPS mapping could be slightly off.

However, for me, the thing that makes the Garmin Fenix 5 a truly super sports watch are the data you get after an event. When you stop sports tracking, say a run, the watch will give you a lot of data about the run. For example, it will tell you whether your run was a productive one or not. This is because you may be overtraining (you are not having enough recuperation time) and you are doing more harm than good to your body. You will also be told what is your performance condition, a metric that tells you about your “ability to perform compared to your average fitness level”. This performance condition may also be a symptom of fatigue...

And speaking of fatigue, the Fenix 5 will also tell how much time to recover! In the case of my last duathlon, it told me that the next intense exercise that I should do should be 4 days after the said event. Otherwise, I only should do really light exercises, one that really doesn’t elevate my heart rate.

Well, I didn’t exercise at all and just did some “normal” pace walking!

Under the beating sun, the display of the Fenix 5 was very much visible. Ironically, when indoors and when you use the watch’s backlight, the display gets washed out... This watch is really meant to be used outdoors!

On the night before the event, I hardly was able to sleep because of all the excitement. And since the Fenix 5 also tracks sleep automatically, the device showed how much I slept. Unfortunately, I think the Fenix 5 is not as good as other devices in sleep tracking. For example, say I get up to, ahem, pee at 5am, go back to sleep and then finally rise at 6:30am, when I sync the watch with the iOS app, the app shows that I didn’t go back to sleep after 5am. So, I had to edit the app entry so as to get a more precise sleep measurement.

Also, sleeping with a biggish watch is something that takes some getting used to…

But, the good thing is, the Fenix 5 is more precise in measuring my resting heart rate, something that is comparable to the Apple Watch and to my Omron BP monitor. Another brand of fitness tracker that I am using overestimates my resting heart rate, something that I told the company about but something that they chose to ignore...

The battery life of the Fenix 5 is really good! In my 2.5 hours of duathlon, the battery was deducted only less than 10% of battery life. That’s a GPS activity mind you! So, by ratio and proportion, the GPS life of the Fenix 5 will round to 25 hours, something that is advertised in the Garmin website! The battery life in watch mode is rated at two weeks, though, because of my activities, I usually charge the Fenix 5 after every 8-9 days. Still not bad at all!

The Garmin Fenix 5 came at a very opportune time. Good thing I had it right before my Duathlon.

The Garmin Fenix 5 is highly, highly recommended!

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Feature Request from Garmin

I had a biking accident last November and I wasn't able to do any outdoor activities for two and a half months. But now that I have my doctor's clearance, I can go back to running and cycling.

Out of the gate, I wanted to do a 10k. I want to be challenged. I don’t want to restart my running at 5k…

So, part of my 10k training are speed runs. Ok, ok, my version of speed runs! Before and after my accident, my speed run can be considered somebody else’s version of really slow, relaxed run...

But I digress...

When I do speed runs, I use two things to guide me:

 
• the Nike Run Club app where I make my program
 
• my Garmin Fenix 5, of course

However, after the run, when I analyze my efforts, there is a not-so-slight difference between my achievements between the two apps.

As you can see from the photos below, my average pace is slower in the Garmin Connect app than in the Nike Run Club app.

You see, for this particular speed run (ok, let me call it interval run from now on...), I walked for 5 minutes or so to warm up, alternated between a 400m run and a 30s rest period where I jogged or walked. After 5 repeats, I then cooled down by walking again for another 5 minutes.

For the Nike Run Club, my average pace was 5’46”/km. However, for the Garmin Connect app (and therefore the Fenix 5), my average pace was 7’57”/km. This is because the Garmin Connect app includes the rest periods and the warm up and cool down times in getting the average pace. I wish it would exclude those the way the Nike Run Club app does...

So, for my feature request, please, please please Garmin, only use the “run” part of the interval training in getting the average pace. Or at least give us a “speed”-only pace.

Thanks.

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The ON Cloudsurfer Shoes!

The ON Cloudsurfer is my first ON shoes.

When my previous running shoes reached more than 500km of roads ran, I decided to look for an alternative pair. I chanced upon the ON line of shoes in my neighborhood sports equipment store while I was on the hunt. The sole of their shoes looked so different and so appealing that I decided to try out about five pairs.

Regarding those pairs that I didn’t buy, I found that those shoes were too narrow for my feet. I was hoping that, since ON makes shoes for athletes, then most of the shoes in their line up would have provisions for swollen feet (swollen because of all the running). But, no, only one pair in the entire ON lineup in the store I was in had a nice fit on my, ehem, feet.

That was the ON Cloudsurfer.

My criteria for running shoes are very simple:

1. It should feel good when worn and while I’m running (of course!)
2. It should look really good

The ON Cloudsurfer manages to tick both criteria.

The shoes are so light that it feels like you are not wearing anything at all. Compared to my training shoes, the Cloudsurfer feels like it is at least 150g lighter. Also, the design of the rubber sole is different from anything I have ever used before. The cushioning is perfect for runs shorter than 16km. The upper is made up of breathable material that my feet didn’t heat up on said middle distance runs. Considering that I wear thick socks when I run, that last thing was a big plus.

This same upper is also made up a quick-dry materials: I was caught in the rain while running, but, the day after, the shoes were already dry and ready to go.

The shoes felt “springy”, if you can imagine such a thing. It seems as if I can feel the reaction force of the ground back every time my feet goes into contact with it. For me, this makes my runs more efficient as the energy, or so I believe, is returned to my feet.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but with these shoes, I feel that I’m prevented from running the “heel-to-toe” way. My feet always seem to land flat on the ground, the so-called neutral foot strike! For me, this is a good thing!

Also, with this pair of shoes, I feel that the ground contact time between my feet and the ground are lessened, thus reducing the chances for injury.

I just have a couple of issues with the ON Cloudsurfer.

One, the shoe laces are too thin. Maybe it’s designed like that so that it will be lighter. But, I think thicker laces would have been better. Also, I took the shoes running for a half-marathon and I felt a niggling on the side of my knee two-thirds of the way. I think this pair of shoes is not really designed for long distance runs.

But all-in-all, I would highly recommend this pair of shoes to anyone who are looking for a better alternative. This pair of shoes should be enough for anyone who wants to try out running for the first time, or for those who are not satisfied with their current race shoes.

The ON Cloudsurfer, again, is highly recommended.

The Tern Link C7 Review

I have always been fascinated by bicycles. I have had one for most of my life. And so I got greatly surprised by how much I enjoyed riding the Tern Link C7. However, for me, the folding bike is something that I greatly enjoyed using for short rides. For long rides, I still prefer using my road bike.

Though don't be fooled by this bike. A lot of people have used it cycling for more than 60 kilometers! It can function as an endurance bike, as well as a leisure bike. The choice is up to you!

Check out my full review at the link below.

This Folding Bike is Made for City Dwellers

The video was made with the Canon G7x Mark II. You can find my review of that camera here!

Photos edited using the iOS app VSCO

The Fitbit Charge 2 Review - Still One of the Best

The Fitbit Charge HR is the best selling fitness tracker of 2015. So, it is only apropos that Fitbit discontinued that line by replacing it with something so much better:

The Fitbit Charge 2.

The Charge 2 seems like the offspring of the aforementioned HR and the Fitbit Alta. The Charge 2 combines the width, the heart rate sensor and the band style of the Charge HR with the OLED display of the Alta and its jewelry-like appearance.

Just like the Alta, the Charge 2 is being sold not only as a fitness band but as a jewelry accessory also. It has removable bands, so you are not stuck to the band that came with the unit. Fitbit also offers bands that are made up of leather, though I don't think it is a good idea to use the leather band when you are working out... The leather is supposed to go with your dress or your tux.

And for me, the Fitbit Charge 2 succeeds in doing that - to be a fashion accessory rather than an obvious fitness tracker. For me, the glossy appearance of the display makes it feel like its a jewelry-like accessory. I just wish that all Charge 2 came in the all-black, gun-metal look. For me, the silver metal on the side of the display causes a distraction to the over-all look and feel of the device. However, despite this, and because of its form factor, I consider the Charge 2 as a bracelet, rather than a watch or a fitness tracker. So, I don't mind pairing it with my G-Shock watch, if ever I had a desire to wear that proper watch.

As I have said, the band of the Charge 2 is user-replaceable. So that means, you can wash the band after so many sweaty work-out sessions. Note though that if you decided to wash the band, you should detach it from the Charge 2 body as it is not water-proof. The Charge 2 is only sweat, splash and rain-proof. It's a pity that Fitbit did not make the Charge 2 waterproof. I don't swim for fitness reasons, but I have sometimes been caught in the rain while jogging and, every time, I feel that the Charge 2 is gonna die on me. But thank goodness it has not happened. Yet, I hope that the Charge 3, or whatever Fitbit will call the next version is already waterproof.

The Charge 2 is a complete fitness tracker and can give most fitness trackers a run for the money, including the more expensive ones. It tracks exercises automatically: if you spend 15 minutes or more of continuous activity, Fitbit will be able to properly guess what you are doing for you. As an example, I had forgotten to set my treadmill run several times already, but when I sync my Charge 2 to my iPhone, the Fitbit app already said that what I did was run on a “treadmill“. If you are not happy with the app's classification, you can change it after the fact. You have several choices on the type of activity, like biking, interval workout, yoga, pilates, basketball, etc.

And speaking of interval training, you can set the Charge 2 to give you cues when you want to change paces between fast phase and rest phase. Say you set your interval workout to be a sequence of 3 minutes of sprint and 5 minutes of slow jog. Once the 3 minute sprint is up, the Charge 2 will vibrate and you can then slow down to a moderate pace. Then, the Charge 2 will vibrate again once the 5 minute rest period is over.

The Charge 2 doesn't have a built-in GPS antenna, but it can piggy-back on the GPS antenna of your mobile phone. I tried walking with this feature on and my pace and distance travelled were fairly precise. However, by looking at the map, it seems I was able to jump over buildings in a single bound... However, that is the phone's GPS's fault, and not that of the Charge 2.

The heart rate sensor of the Charge 2 is heaven sent. With it, I can tell at what heart rate zone my heart is. From normal, to fat burn, to cardio and to peak. Peak is what all of us should attain. This is the heart rate zone that will really improve your fitness level. If you constantly reach this zone, then you will have a healthier heart in general. And comparing the heart rate measurement of the Charge 2 with that of the heart rate sensor on the machines in the gym, my iPhone and a dedicated BP monitor, I can say that the heart rate measurement of the Charge 2 is really precise.

The Fitbit Charge 2 can also determine your VO2 Max number. With this number, you will be able to find out your fitness level compared to other people of the same age group. I am happy to say that my fitness level is between very good and excellent...

I love my Fitbit Charge 2! :)

The Charge 2 can also measure the quality of your sleep and you don't have to set it before going to sleep. Based on your lesser movements and lowered heart rate, Fitbit will know that you are already sleeping. [On a side note, my other Fitbit tracker, the Surge, thought I was asleep when I watched Batman Vs Superman... Just saying…] When you sync the tracker to the app when you wake up, you will be able to determine the quality of your sleep and your resting heart rate. For almost a year now, I am happy to say that, since I first wore a Fitbit wrist tracker with a heart rate sensor, my resting heart rate has gone down by 5 points. However, I have a friend in the Philippine Navy whose heart rate is 17 points lower than mine! I don't know if I will be able to catch that...

The Charge 2 can also measure your floors climbed, something that the Apple Watch Series 2 can't even do. That fact, that the Apple Watch can't measure floors climbed is really baffling for me. Even my very first Fitbit, the One, which I had in 2014, can measure floors climbed! The Charge 2 can also remind you to stand and walk for three minutes (or 250 steps) per hour if you have been sedimentary. This is a very nice reminder though I think I have only achieved getting 10-three minute hourly activity for one day…

I have heard this somewhere: sitting is the new smoking... So the Charge 2 can, in principle, prevent us from being stuck in our desks and couches.

There is also a new "Relax" app within the Charge 2. With this, the tracker can tell you to breathe, hold your breath and breathe out. It's a new mindfulness activity that seems to be in vogue at the moment. The watchOS 3 in the Apple Watch also has this. I don't, however, use this much because I feel I am not "chill" enough... The wife, who actually practices Zen meditations, will actually benefit more from this.

And of course, all of these stats are combined beautifully in the Fitbit app. Actually, your data from the tracker is essentially useless if you don't use the app. With the app, you can see your progress and your past achievements. Fitbit has one of the best, if not the best, and most comprehensive app among fitness tracker makers and the stats captured by the Charge 2 is beautifully displayed, stored and summarized in its fitness app.

The Charge 2, when paired with your smart phone, can alert you to incoming calls, text messages and calendar events. However, the display is not big enough to make the notifications meaningful, so I just turn the thing off. It can do in a pinch though you should not expect much from the 1.5-inch display.

The battery life of the Charge 2, according to Fitbit is five days. I can almost get that value though by the end of the fifth day, the Charge 2 is practically begging me to put it in the charger. And speaking of chargers, this is one thing that I am absolutely not thrilled with Fitbit. Each tracker has its own proprietary charger. I love the iPhone and the iPad but I hate the fact that the charging cable that I have to use for them is not a common standard, like USB 3.0. Well, Fitbit is worse... The chargers used for the One, the Surge, and the Charge 2 are all different! Even the charger for the Charge 2 and the Charge HR are not the same! So, if you are upgrading from an HR to the 2 and you thought that you can use the same charger... Well, no... At least for the iPhone and the iPad, I only need to use the one charging cable.

All-in-all, the Fitbit Charge 2 is a winner and is what most people will need if they want to enter the world of fitness trackers. It is more capable than a lot of trackers in the same line and it can even give more advanced, more expensive trackers a run for their money. If you want to start using a fitness tracker, get the Charge 2. If you're Charge HR is already failing - its battery, its band - then get the Charge 2. If you want to complement your Apple Watch, which cannot really measure the quality of your sleep, get a Charge 2.

The Fitbit Charge 2 is Highly Recommended!

Photos shot with an iPhone 6+ using the iOS app Hipstamatic