Google Fit is a fitness tracking app that helps you to track your day-to-day activities. Unlike other fitness tracking apps such as Fitbit or Samsung, you can use Google Fit along with your smartphone.
In this article, I will explain how to use the features of the Google Fit fitness tracking app to increase your level of fitness. If you are just starting out, Google Fit is your best companion to track your day-to-day activities without spending money on a fitness tracker or smartwatch.
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Google Fit Review: Ultimate Guide
Before we move ahead with the Google Fit review, let us have a look into a few features of this exceptional fitness tracking app from Google.
- Ability to track workouts without a smartwatch.
- Tracks Heart Points
- Allows setting fitness goals.
- Heart points
- Third-party app support
How does Google Fit work?
Google Fit uses the advanced sensors of your smartphone to track your activities such as walking, running, cycling, etc. You can download the Google Fit app from the Google Play Store or Apple health. It hosts more than 100+ activities, and before starting a workout, just open the Google Fit app and select the exercise you are doing.
Google Fit Accuracy
As mentioned, the Google Fit step counter uses the sensors of your smartphone to track activities. As a result, the accuracy of your activity data depends on the sensors of your smartphone. However, you can improve the accuracy; make sure you give location access to the app. Also, make sure that you select the right activity on the app.
“Google Fit is a free fitness app that helps you to lead a healthier and active life”
If you face any issue with Google Fit calorie tracking, make sure you have entered the correct and most updated data on your Google Fit Profile. Always check this whenever you face an accuracy issue.
How to start with Google Fit?
Here is the step-by-step guide to starting with Fit.
- Download the Google Fit app from the App store.
- Sign in with your email address.
- Next, you will be asked to create a profile. Enter the correct details for accurate fitness and health tracking data.
- Now turn on automatic activity detection to automatically recognize activities like walking, running, and cycling.
- Next window, allow Google Fit to access your location all the time to track your distance, pace, and location.
Now you are done and ready to track your daily activities right from your smartphone without a smartwatch.
What are Heart Points in Google Fit?
The WHO (World Health Organization) and AHA (American Health Organization) recommend earning at least 150 heart points per week to stay healthy and fit.
It can be achieved by doing 150 minutes (about 2 and a half hours) of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical exercise per week in adults. Google Fit tied up with these reputed international organizations to make things simple.
The Google Fit calculates heart points by analyzing your movements or heart rate. In this case, as we are using a smartphone, it uses your movements to estimate the heart points. If you are using a Google Fit compatible smartwatch, it uses the heart rate data to estimate the heat points, and it is more accurate than the other.
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Back to movement-based heart points. You earn more heart points when you are involved in high-intensity workouts. When you do high-intensity workouts, the heart pumps more blood, and you earn more heart points.
For instance, you will be rewarded with one heart point when you walk or cycle for one minute. Similarly, you earn 2 hear points when you run for one minute. Concisely, the more intense workout you have done, the more heart rate points you earn.
In addition to Google Fit, other companies like Fitbit, Xiaomi, etc., use the same single fitness scoring system on their advanced fitness tracking wearables, namely the Active Zone minutes for Fitbit and PAI Score for the latter.
These types of single scoring systems simplify the complex calculations in the background. It gives the users a single fitness score based on their health, fitness, and activities.
If you are starting with, then do not worry about achieving 150 minutes (about 2 and a half hours) of heart points per week. Setting SMART (Specific, measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) Goals helps you achieve wonderful things gradually.
On top of that, like smartwatches, Google Fit allows you to set your fitness goals along with your progress. This way, this fitness app helps you stay motivated to achieve your fitness goals.
Additionally, you should also consult with your doctor before doing any physical activity or exercise, especially if you have a medical condition.
Moreover, you can get all your fitness data in the “Journal” section of the app. You can easily filter and share the data with others.
Which apps work with Google Fit?
Google Fit is compatible with more than 70 different diets, health, and fitness tracking apps. This helps you to sync the data across these platforms.
Here are some of the popular Google Fit compatible apps.
- MyFitnessPal
- Renpho
- Starva
- Nike+ Run Club
- Runtastic
- Underarmour
- Nike+ Run Club
- Noom Coach
- Calm
- Lose it
- Nokia Health Mate
- Workout Trainer
- Glow
- Calorie Counter – Asken Diet
In addition to that, you can even connect Google Fit and Fitbit with FitToFit.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Google Fit
Advantages
- It is free and works without a smartwatch.
- Simple and user-friendly UI
- Guide the users to easily achieve WHO, and AHA recommended weekly fitness targets!
- Compatible with many third-party apps
- Availability of multiple workout modes
Disadvantages
- Accuracy issues may occur when you use it with a smartphone.
- Heart rate, SpO2 and other health features cannot be measured when using a smartphone.
- Automatic activity detection is available but limited to walking, cycling, and running.
- Not every activity can track without a smartwatch. Example: HIIT, swimming, etc.
Final Words
Google Fit is an excellent fitness tracking app that helps you track your activities without having a smartwatch or fitness tracker. As it is compatible with many third-party apps, you can synchronize the data with a compatible smartwatch when you upgrade. So, you never lost your hard-earned fitness data even when you switch the app or upgrade to a smartwatch.
I hope this Google Fit review article helps you with an idea of how to use it without a smartwatch. If you have any queries, please feel free to comment below or message us.
