GET HEALTHY
Fitness & Exercise
fitness
Which Fitness Device is Best for Me?
A guide to choosing the best device for your activity
Types of Fitness Devices
Pedometer Smartphone Applications
What does a pedometer do? Mobile Apps for your Smartphone! If you use MapMyFitness and Nike+,
A pedometer counts your steps as you walk, jog or run. To earn Vitality please make sure you connect your Nike+ app to MapMyFitness so that
Points using a pedometer, walk at least 5,000 steps a day. 5,000 steps is a you receive Vitality Points.
Verified Physical Activity and worth five points. If you walk 10,000 steps
or more a day, you will receive 10 points for a Verified Workout! How does the mobile app work?
Both MapMyFitness and Nike+ utilize the Global Positioning System (GPS)
What distance is covered in 10,000 steps? in your Smartphone to track your distance and pace. The app combines
10,000 steps roughly equates to between four and five miles. this information with the information you provide in your profile, i.e.,
gender, height, weight, age, etc., and calculates the number of calories
How does Vitality get my steps? you burn. You need to burn 200 calories to receive points for a Verified
It depends on your device. Workout. You can check your calorie count under “Stats” on your app.
Please note: All 200 calories must be burned in the same workout.
If you have a Fitbug, you enter your Vitality ID and dependent code when
you register your bug at usa.fitbug.com. Doing so automatically connects How does Vitality get my information?
your accounts and your workouts will transfer automatically. To transfer Like Fitbit, you need to link your MapMyFitness account by going to Get
your steps to your computer, connect your bug to your computer at least Healthy > Fitness and Exercise > Fitness Devices > MapMyFitness > Step 1.
once a week using the USB cable provided in the original packaging.
If you have a Fitbit, manually connect your account by going to Get
Healthy > Fitness and Exercise > Fitness Devices > Fitbit Activity Tracker >
Step 2: Link Your Account. Once you have linked your account, your
workouts will automatically transfer to Vitality. Workouts are not
Heart Rate Monitors
How does a Heart Rate Monitor work?
retroactively awarded, so we recommend linking your Fitbit account to
A heart rate monitor uses two parts, a chest strap and a watch, to monitor
Vitality the same day you create it. Fitbit steps transfer wirelessly to your
your heart rate. The chest strap detects your heart rate and transfers that
computer as long as you have the Fitbit dongle plugged in to your USB
data to the watch which displays and stores the information. You can
port and the Fitbit Connect software running.
earn Vitality Points for a verified workout by remaining at or averaging
60% of your maximum heart rate for at least 30 minutes in a single
training session. You can calculate your maximum heart rate by following
this formula: 220 - (your age) x .6 = 60% of maximum heart rate. If you
achieve at least 10 minutes at 60% of your maximum heart rate, you will
receive five points for a Verified Physical Activity.
www.PowerofVitality.com
Privacy is a top priority at Vitality, and we are committed to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality with all of the information we receive from our members.
What kind of Heart Rate Monitor should I get? Which Fitness Device is best for me?
There are many reputable heart rate monitors on the market today. Both
Polar and Garmin are able to link directly to Vitality, however if you I prefer to walk, jog or hike!
already have another brand of device, you may be able to import your The best device for walkers is a pedometer, such as a Fitbit or a Fitbug.
workouts to Vitality through MAPMYFITNESS. An additional device you may consider is a mobile app for your Smart-
phone.
How does Vitality get my information?
If you have a Polar device, you need to make sure that you can transfer the I prefer to run!
data to your computer, most commonly done through the Polar Flowlink Similar to those who prefer to walk, the best device for runners is either a
device, and upload that information to www.polarpersonaltrainer.com. pedometer or a mobile app. For those who run/walk for at least 30
You connect to Vitality through the Polar website: Place your cursor over minutes and wish to get a more dynamic view of their workout, a heart
your name in the upper right corner and select Partners to enter the rate monitor is an additional device that both novice and experienced
Partners menu. Click on Add a New Partner and select Vitality from the runners can enjoy while earning Vitality Points.
dropdown menu. Enter the last four digits of your Social Security Number,
your Vitality ID number, and check the box to accept the data share. This I prefer to cycle!
step is very important. Your data will only be transmitted from the date of For cyclists, use a GPS device, such as a Garmin Edge or the mobile apps
your registration forward. MapMyFitness/MapMyRide. Additionally, you may choose to use a heart
rate monitor.
If you have a Garmin device, you link your account by going to Get Healthy
> Fitness and Exercise > Fitness Devices > Garmin Connect > Step 1: Link I prefer to swim!
your Account. For swimmers, use either a heart rate monitor, Garmin Swim, or if you are
an open-water swimmer, a GPS watch. Additionally, if your swim at a
Other Devices facility that can provide you with a print-out or email of you check-in
GPS devices: Garmin GPS watches and Garmin Edge similar to MapMyFit- history, you may submit that document under Home > Online Form
ness, these devices use your distance, pace and personal information to Submission > Health Club Workout for Points.
calculate the calories you burn. You need to link these devices under Get
Healthy > Fitness and Exercise > Fitness Devices > Garmin Connect. I prefer to work out at home!
For home workouts, whether you are following instructional DVDs, you
Garmin Swim: Specifically designed for measuring your detailed swim have a home gym, or you get your activity by completing rigorous home
metrics (distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type, etc.) this device projects, you may wish to purchase a heart rate monitor. You may find
connects the same way as Garmin heart rate monitors or GPS watches and more information about fitness devices under Get Healthy > Fitness and
will count as a Verified Workout as long as 200+ calories are burned in a Exercise > Fitness Devices.
single training session.
If you are unsure which device is best suited for your activity, or if you
have any additional questions, please contact Vitality Customer Care at
877.224.7117 or [email protected].
www.PowerofVitality.com
Privacy is a top priority at Vitality, and we are committed to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality with all of the information we receive from our members.
