Google has launched a brand-new version of its Google Fit app which is designed to help users stay active and healthy as well as make those small changes that can make a big difference in your well-being.
Designed for Android smartphones and smart watches, Google Fit is based on recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is focused on two simple goals – moving more and making your heart healthier.
The Google Fit app has been revamped and offers an Apple-like design with rings that track your Move Minutes and Heart Points.
The app will point out that moving more and sitting less is important for your health.
Users can earn Move Minutes for any activity which will hopefully motivate people to make a small but healthy changes in their day like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or catching up with friends for a walk rather than a coffee.
And of course, getting your heart pumping is another goal for Google Fit.
You can earn Heart Points when you take part in activities with one point for each minute of moderate activity.
So if you do things like pick up the pace when walking the dog you’ll earn more points.
You can double your points for more intense activities like running or boxing.
Doctors say that just 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week is the recommended amount of physical activity which will greatly reduce the risk of heart disease.
It will also help improve your sleep and increase your overall mental and physical well-being.
Google Fit will automatically detect activities using either your phone or connected smartwatch’s sensors to estimate the number of Heart Points you’ve earned.
It will also take into account other activities like pilates, rowing or spinning to calculate what other Heart Points and Move Minutes you’ve earned.
Google Fit will also work with other popular fitness apps like Strava, Runkeeper, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal so you can get credit for every Move Minute and Heart Point you’ve earned.
And the more you use the app the more it can adjust to your goals over time based on your activity.
On board is also a journal which will show all your activities, achievements and goal progress across all of your apps.
