Google today unveiled a new version of Google Fit, its app for tracking fitness activities.
Google says the revised app focuses on two activity goals based on recommendations made by the American Heart Association and World Health Organization: Heart Points and Move Minutes. The idea is to help people increase their heart rate and increase their movement.
Google says the app will give people one point for each minute of moderate activity, such as quick walking, and two points for intense workouts, such as jogs or bike rides. Google says most people can reach their heart rate and movement goals with 30 minutes of brisk walking for five days a week. Google Fit can automatically detect a number of activities (walking, running, biking) using either an Android phone or Android Wear OS watch thanks to embedded sensors.
People can manually initiate other activities such as rowing or spinning. Google will calculate the Heart Points and Move Minutes earned for each activity and tally them up throughout the week. It can play nicely with third-party fitness apps, including Strava, Runkeeper, and Endomondo, so people earn credit for all their activity.
Over time, Google Fit will offer tips on how to adjust goals or get a better workout. Google says the new Google Fit is rolling out to Android phones and watches this week.
