Fashion to keep you healthy

A SLIM activity tracker that also makes a fashion statement, the new Fitbit Flex 2 can be worn on the wrist or as a pendant. The first swim-friendly fitness tracker from the company, it’s being warmly welcomed by those who like to work out in the water.
Measuring just 31.7 x 8.9 x 6.8 mm and with an ultra-slim and minimalist design, the Flex 2 can easily be transformed into an elegant bangle or pendant thanks to a range of optional premium accessories. These include mirror-finish bangles in silver stainless steel and 22k-plated gold or rose gold stainless steel, and elegant lariat-style necklaces in silver stainless steel or 22k-plated gold stainless steel. What’s more the classic wristbands are available in seven colours.
The new tracker is 30-per-cent smaller than the original Flex, making it more comfortable to wear as you track your activities and sleep.

It’s also water resistant up to 50 metres, allowing it to track your movements in the pool or the sea and giving you laps, duration, and calories burned.
It comes with SmartTrack automatic exercise tracking that recognises your workouts, such as walks, runs, rides, elliptical exercises, sports, aerobic workouts, and of course swims. You do need, though, to allow the tracker to remain connected to your smartphone and the Fitbit app so that it learns about your activities. To set your own default setting, exercise for at least 15 minutes for the tracker to record it. You can use the Fitbit app to shorten or lengthen the length of time for the tracker to start recording your activity.
The Flex 2 also has a function to remind you to move every hour from 9am to 6pm so that you can achieve at least 250 steps of walking and remain healthy. This function is really useful because doctors advise us to stand up and change our positions frequently while working in office to avoid office syndrome illness.

Flex 2 has no display but it has five LED lights with top one in green, blue or red and the rest in white. Fitbit uses combinations of blinking lights to alert you of notifications. For example, when you get a call, Flex 2 will vibrate and the top LED will light up in green while the other LEDS will blink. When you receive text message, the top LED will blink in blue and the bottom one will blink in white. When your daily goal of steps is achieved, the entire set of LEDs will flash quickly.
The factory settings have the Flex 2 setting your goal of walking at least 10,000 steps a day. The five LEDs will light up briskly in a percentage proportion of the goal when you tap gently on the tracker.
To start using Flex 2, you must first register for an account |with Fitbit.com for your tracking records to be stored in Fitbit’s cloud storage.
You then download and install Fitbit app on your smartphone and use the app to connect to Flex 2. The app offers several options for customising the Flex 2.

For more accurate tracking, you need to use the app to tell Flex 2 that you are wearing it on your dominant or non-dominant wrist, for example.
Flex 2 also automatically tracks how long and how well you sleep. You can use the app to set the Silent Alarm to wake you up in the morning.
During the test, the Flex 2 reported that I made about 12,000 steps each day. After selecting the larger of the two accompanying wristbands, I found the tracker light and comfortable to wear.
I really liked the Swim Mode and appreciated the fact that it tracked distance, duration, and pace of my swim. You will need to swim for at least 10 minutes for accurate tracking and obviously swim rates will vary based on your stroke, swim location and swim consistency.
Flex 2’s battery can last about five days. The package comes with a USB charger.
Fitbit Flex 2 tracker with a classic fitness band in black, lavender, magenta or navy retails for Bt4,490. You can buy a Classic 3-pack fitness accessory band hues in Pink (blush pink, lavender and magenta) or Sport (grey, navy and yellow) for Bt1,290. The Bangle accessory in gold or rose gold retails for Bt3,990, and the silver stainless steel version for Bt3,590. Likewise the pendant accessory in gold sells for Bt3,990 and silver stainless steel version for Bt3,190.

Key Specs

- Sensors & Components: 3-axis accelerometer, Vibration motor
- Display: LED display with 5 indicator lights
- Battery: Lithium-polymer
- Charge time: One to two hours
- Radio transceiver: Bluetooth 4.0
- Memory: Saves 7 days of detailed motion data –minute by minute, Saves daily totals |for past 30 days
- Swim-proof: water resistant to 50 metres
- Operating temperature: -10 to 45 degrees Celsius Maximum operating altitude: 9,144 m
- Materials: Flexible, durable elastomer material, surgical-grade stainless steel clasp