Just installed the phone app. Less a "comprehensive view", and more of a pedometer with graphs. You can manually add activities but the only options are: Walking, Running, Biking, Other. And even then, you can only record duration. I suppose there is hidden integration with the wearables, but why can't I manually input the data?
> If I can't record squats, then what's the point?
The point is to be one front end to "[a]n open platform that lets users control their fitness data" and "lets developers build smarter apps and manufacturers focus on creating amazing devices." [1]
> You can manually add activities but the only options are: Walking, Running, Biking, Other.
The backend is aware of more activity types [2], so I suspect its either getting the right UX for that is the issue, or that developing the what to do with other activities to make the data meaningful that is holding back putting more into the app UI.
[1] https://developers.google.com/fit/ -- the page that, for me, comes up as the first web (not news) result for a Google search for "Google Fit".
I don't understand why you are getting downvoted. There was some obvious snark in your comment, but I am also not clear on how else Google could monetize this product unless it is through the use of the collected data?
Why should every small component be monetised? Google has an interest in Android, and if they felt that Android needed something like this, then the continued revenue from people using Android services benefit them because most of those people would use the 'greater' Google services, not just Fit.
Does it mean that when Google created Keep, they were looking for a way of making money off our notes and to-do lists?
(1) Part of the infrastructure is tied to Android, so it promotes Android and their many ways of monetizing the Android ecosystem,
(2) Its grows the market for cloud services, for which Google is an infrastructure provider.
Both of these are fairly indirect, but that's not uncommon for Google. Google has lots of projects that aren't directly monetized, but support products that are.
most of the time google collects data it is because users want this data to be collected.
If Google would not store emails on their servers, people would leave Gmail and go to a service that does. If Google would store emails, but end-to-end encrypt it, people would leave gmail and put their data to a service with a working spam filter.
Google Now is very popular and a reason why people use Google services.
For Googles revenue it is far more important that people use their services (and therefore watch ads), then it is to create "better ads".
I say that because nobody seems to get "smart ads" that are actually interesting to them. Googles gmail ads are little more than "if word is used in conversation, show product related to word".
>"No need to check one app to see your weight and another to review a run"
Except the blog post doesn't allude to anything more than what's already present. I can already input weight and run time and it looks like it tracks heartbeat.
Maybe the phone app has problems loading widgets with the webservice currently being flakey.
> "You can also connect your favorite fitness devices and apps like Strava, Withings, Runtastic, Runkeeper and Noom Coach to Google Fit and we’ll surface all of the relevant data in one spot, giving you a clear and complete view of your fitness. No need to check one app to see your weight and another to review a run – with Google Fit, that data will all be surfaced in one, simple place."
Yes, I clearly read that line as I pulled a quote directly from it. If you read the quote they don't expand beyond what is already available in the app.
If I track a 2 mile 20 minute run with another app, Google Fit (so far) only exposes the data as "Ran 20 minutes" completely eliminating the useful information. And if they have a hidden feature that does track distance as well, why isn't that exposed to me to manually enter?
The backend platform doesn't seem to have a standard data type for distance (but can track both time and average speed, which, if the other app recorded them, presumably the app, or another front-end for the Fit backend, could surface as distance.) [1]
Yes, there is com.google.distance.delta, the "distance covered since the last reading" (in meters). The platform also has a built-in stream of consolidated and cleaned up distance data points (without jumps due to a poor GPS signal etc).
Such a let down. I was hoping they would do something I could use.
There are surprisingly few, if any at all sites/apps fulfilling my very modest basic criteria.
-weight log
-calorie log
-gym and cardio progress log and plan
-not using Liberian units of measurements.
GDoc spreadsheet still seems like the best option.
--
Don't they do any market research at all at Google? No one interested in tracking anything will find this useful. Even the people only using a pedometers won't use it. This is a horrible interface getting that one number tracked that they are interested in.
Now I'm upset. So much money to spend and one lackluster product after another.
I think anyone that is even a little bit serious about their particular exercise/activity will not use this. I cycle and run. I record everything in Strava. Most of my friends do too. I can't really see a reason to use this. Counting steps does not seem to be very useful.
The data from Strava will sync into Google Fit (if you want), then if you wanted to switch to a new app in the future, it could bring in your existing data from Google Fit. Essentially this can act as an external datastore for those apps, rather than your data being locked into Strava's infrastructure.
It's hard to think of this as useful with Strava as it's so damn good, but there are many other apps for other activities that are not as nice to use, but users are locked into them as losing all your data means starting with a new app is frustrating.
Were people asking for something like this, or is this Google responding to Apple's HealthKit?
I understand the need to offer competing products on their own platform, but I've come to doubt the long term usefulness/support of products in that second category.
I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps the cost of being late for "the next big thing" tomorrow is much greater than the cost of developing platforms for a variety of different niches today
Fit was announced at Google IO, about a fortnight after Healthkit was first announced - I assume that it was not in response to Healthkit, but a similar idea at the same time.
That's my main problem with the fitness app industry at large. They are much more focused on steps, running and calories than actual fitness.
And don't get me wrong, cardio works to a good extent. For most of sedentary folks, doing anything will be better than doing nothing, and their fitness level will improve.
But real fitness is about a lot more: strength training, interval training, sports, etc. Bodyweight workouts and HIIT are a much better return for your effort than "just tracking". And so will shifting your diet towards something like paleo or low-carb, instead of just tracking calories.
Part of my frustration with the fitness ecosystem is what made me start up http://8fit.com. It's a mobile app that offers HIIT do-it-at-home workouts and low-carb meal plans.
We don't track your steps. We don't integrate fancy wi-fi scales or wearables. But you know what? If eff-ing works, and our 60k-strong userbase loves the hell out of it for the results they're seeing.
From your website it doesn't tell me anything about what your app actually does. "A fitness app for people who hate fitness" I don't hate fitness, I don't exactly love it either. I think you're pushing people away from the start.
> That's my main problem with the fitness app industry at large. They are much more focused on steps, running and calories than actual fitness.
Because that's easy to measure with accelerometers and gyros, and easy to display some numbers. Go do some stuff with your device along for the ride, see a pretty graph when you're done. Did I do more than yesterday? Hurray! Now to post it to Facebook with the handy "Share" button. I think I'm doing something (and I am, even if not optimal for fitness goals), and I don't have to think very hard about it.
The type of user your site is attracting are the people who don't pay attention to all of the step/calories stuff anyway. I'm a pretty hard-core runner (yeah, I should lift more), and step count is a mere novelty for me. There's nothing about Google Fit that attracts me (Garmin Connect keeps track of most of that stuff anyway). But I'm not their market.
There's also the social status aspect of workouts, and given the source and audience for Google's product, it completely makes sense it would track the running, steps, miles, calories, etc.
And you can see that strength training or HIIT are completely left out from the announcement. Strava, Withings, Runtastic, Runkeeper and Noom Coach: all of them tracking apps, with very little emphasis on the prescriptive aspect of fitness.
Well you have Athos clothing trackers coming out soon, which tracks muscle exertion.
Thing is although, it costs $300-$400 dollars. Runkeeper works with the phone you already have, and you can optionally add a couple of $50-$150 accessories. Very different price points.
True, but be careful to not fall into the other extreme.
There was a time when I was lifting 3 times a week, every week, bench pressing 100kg, etc. And I tried to ride a bike uphill (pretty long ride) and nearly puked my guts out.
You need both strength and endurance. And some fine motor skills, like playing ping-pong or throwing a frizbee.
And some R&R interspersed in there, regularly, otherwise you'll collapse from stress sooner or later.
It's probably impossible to have a perfect exercise regime and live a modern busy life, but the bottom line is - diversity is good.
i am shocked that a bunch of dorks with something to prove have used this post as an opportunity to start droning on about strength training, intervals. it's almost like correlation/causation or dunning kruger
p.s the average man in a gym can't bench 100kg. maybe a rep or two with some generous spotting
That is quite an accomplishment, considering that the world record is currently only 1102 pounds, set late last year.
You clearly must be using a much smaller unit of measure, perhaps grams (1.6 kg, or roughly 3 pounds) or ounces (105 pounds). Either way, that amount of weight is considered below average for a male of average height who has been weight training for more than a few months.
I just installed this. I had been logging steps on my Android watch for the past few months, replacing my old Fitbit. I've been looking forward to Google Fit for a while so I can more easily examine all that step data and visualize it.
However, as soon as I got it installed, all my previous months' data was simply gone. Not imported into Google Fit, but just gone.
Fitbit wasn't perfect, but it was better than this.
I'm hoping they can incorporate something for weight lifting too. It'd be awesome to chart your growth in a more intuitive way rather then just using Excel.
I've fiddled with the Stronglifts app, it is surprisingly handy. It basically serves the same purpose as a stopwatch and notebook log, but in a nicer more automated package.
Yeah this is what I'm referring too. It would be cool to have an intuitive app that could actually differentiate between bench press and shoulder press. I like to lift weights doing various exercises and typically once I am done I will go to google drive and insert it on a google spreadhseet.
The allure of the current set of exercise apps is that the device automatically tracks the effort, using existing features like accelerometer and GPS, and there's no input required. FitBit tracks steps, some apps use GPS to track distance covered and derive stats. It's nearly literally a no-brainer to use them, and they require no cumbersome gear to wear. Even a heart rate monitor is small and unobtrusive now.
Unfortunately for lifting and many other forms of exercise, the apparatus is not built into the device you already have or can strap on your belt and forget about. In addition to needing special-purpose measuring equipment, the user would have to incorporate the device into the exercise.
A barbell could know it's been picked up and put down, but how would it know how much weight is on it? RFID in the plates? A tennis racket or baseball bat could track swings and speed, but would anyone even care for that metric?
Buying an RFID weight set or a piece of equipment with more sensors on it, or attaching a phone to a bat are all very signifiant barriers of entry.
FitBit, Wear, Microsoft Band, iWatch aren't getting a ton of adoption for these simple metrics, how do you sell the others? Ie 80% of Americans have smart phones, 10% will invest in wear devices, maybe it's just .1% that will invest in bat technology.
I have no real judgment about fitness apps, watches, etc., but I am curious about why so many people use them?
If one doesn't have health issues and/or not a professional athlete - why would one want to keep track of fitness so closely?
I just go out and get exercise and enjoy myself and all this fitness app stuff seems like a distraction. Plus, I really don't want to destroy expensive stuff while I'm mountain biking out here in CO just to see my heartbeat.
Is it just an obsessive hobby done out of curiosity or is there some reason I should use a fitness app instead of simply enjoying myself on my bike, hiking, etc. and focusing on that instead?
Again, nothing against those who use these apps and devices, I guess I just don't understand the obsession.
> If one doesn't have health issues and/or not a professional athlete - why would one want to keep track of fitness so closely?
The majority of Americans are overweight -- which is a health issue, and addressing that health issue is one of the major reasons people use fitness trackers.
> I just go out and get exercise and enjoy myself and all this fitness app stuff seems like a distraction.
Lots of people don't enjoy exercise, especially people trying to establish a pattern with it that haven't done so yet.
> Is it just an obsessive hobby done out of curiosity or is there some reason I should use a fitness app instead of simply enjoying myself on my bike, hiking, etc. and focusing on that instead?
>The majority of Americans are overweight -- which is a health issue, and addressing that health issue is one of the major reasons people use fitness trackers.
I've been overweight at times when I overwork. Especially after I was in a situation where I was a caregiver for a sick loved one for some years. Even after that spell of time, I lost weight fairly quickly (and healthily) by mountain biking. I've lost weight by exercising via having fun on a mountain bike, hiking, climbing, kayaking, surfing, etc. and eating less (and somewhat healthier) and drinking more water.
I guess I just don't see how a fitness app would have improved my situation. Again, I'm not dissing on those that use them, but I personally don't get it.
I'm still curious after your response. How would a fitness app and device helped me?
>Lots of people don't enjoy exercise, especially people trying to establish a pattern with it that haven't done so yet.
Maybe it's because they set it up like a chore with a computing device instead of doing it for fun and health as a side benefit?
I'm only half-kidding about that...
I personally can't stand sitting inside and getting exercise on some rat wheel in a gym. If it's hot, I bring lots of water and dress appropriately for the weather. If it's cold, I bundle up. I enjoy the challenge that the elements bring to the table outdoors. I also like using my brain trying to navigate trails, etc. instead of doing repetitious, boring (to me) brain-dead indoor exercise machines like treadmills, etc.
I dunno, maybe if people worried less about their fitness tracking devices, trying to treat exercise like work and instead just have more fun, they'd be more apt to exercise?
I wouldn't enjoy exercise either if I treated it like work.
>I think you are presenting a false dichotomy.
Perhaps I am for others. For me personally, I just don't see the enjoyment of meticulously tracking my heart rate, etc. while I'm flying down some trails, hiking my bike up rocks, etc. I know my heart is working because it's pounding with joy (and sometimes fear) and that's enough for me. Or, if someone spots a bear I sure as heck don't need a fitness app to let me know my heart is ticking. ;)
Again, I know what works for me certainly doesn't work for everyone, but as hard as I try, I just don't get the fitness apps and devices being very conducive to enjoyable exercise. Just seems like another distraction from getting busy and having fun in the process.
The only device I like to bring is a little shuffle for music and I often turn that off so I can hear the sounds of nature while I'm out there. A fancy pants fitness device that alerts me that my heart rate has reached some kind of "optimum" zone or whatever just seems like a mechanical killjoy to an otherwise organic, almost tribal/ animalistic/sensual experience getting down and dirty with nature.
Again, this is just me. If other find enjoyment in fitness apps and devices that run them, then more power to them! :D
Who knows, maybe someone can make a good enough argument for me to start using them someday if/when I have health issues, etc. down the road.
> I'm still curious after your response. How would a fitness app and device helped me?
It might not have. Not every product on the market is designed for you personally.
Again, you keep saying that you have lots of exercise activities you know about and enjoy, and that the challenge you've had is overwork. Lots of other people don't have lots of exercise activities they enjoy, but measurement, and the feedback and sense of accomplishment from improving their numbers is something that they get positive feelings from which help counteract the negative feelings from an unpleasant activity that doesn't produce immediate tangible results (although, for people whose challenge is overwork, measurement can be an early signal that an imbalance is occurring that might be visible before tangible harm, so it could be useful for people whose situation is more like yours, as well; come to think of it, lots of people I know who have found trackers useful seem to be more like you in that regard -- several, for instance, are usually regular ballroom dancers, but have lots of other commitments and less-fitness-friendly activities in their life, so...)
> Not every product on the market is designed for you personally.
Sure they are. I am product Gawd.
> Again, you keep saying that you have lots of exercise activities you know about and enjoy, and that the challenge you've had is overwork. Lots of other people don't have lots of exercise activities they enjoy, but measurement, and the feedback and sense of accomplishment from improving their numbers is something that they get positive feelings from which help counteract the negative feelings from an unpleasant activity that doesn't produce immediate tangible results
I see your point.
> although, for people whose challenge is overwork, measurement can be an early signal that an imbalance is occurring that might be visible before tangible harm, so it could be useful for people whose situation is more like yours
So a fitness app could use tracking to alert me when I need to take a break from work and repeatedly prod me to get exercise? I'd smash it and then I'd need an anger management app to help me cope with my fitness app. ;)
Anybody have any success connecting the app to Strava?
I'm really not a fan of the logo. Makes the app look like a different kind of app. Should be change it to something that's more associated with fitness at first glance.
It would be if they were still operating GH. That had the potential to be a massively useful product; I spent a few days putting all my records from the last several years into it and building a comprehensive EHR that belonged to me, instead of a hospital. I loved it and would cheerfully have paid subscription fees, but Google just nuked it with virtually no explanation.
I meticulously entered my lab results, height, weight, etc into Google health few years back. And they promptly discontinued the service. What is the guarantee that this will not meet the same faith? I am not buying into this unless they make it open source -- so that somebody else can take over when Google loses interest.
> What is the guarantee that this will not meet the same faith?
There's generally no guarantee that any service anyone provides won't be discontinued. Either (1) the service provider is prepared to jettison services that end up becoming net money losers (and thus, its services are at risk of being discontinued voluntarily), or (2) the service provider is not particularly concerned about being able to sustain itself (and thus, its services are at an elevated risk of being discontinued involuntarily).
There is not a third option.
> I am not buying into this unless they make it open source -- so that somebody else can take over when Google loses interest.
Open sourcing the implementation is kind of orthogonal to providing a transition path for the data so that what has been captured for any user can move to a new provider's system. It is neither necessary nor sufficient for that.
I don't understand this sentiment that always pops up on posts about new Google services. Google allows you to download your data and take it with you, so if Google abandons the service, you can go elsewhere pretty easily. This is not the case with a bunch of other services I use, yet I never see such posts about them.
The data mining criticisms hold a lot more weight but only in cases where they collect more data than is necessary to run the service. That's why paying for Fastmail doesn't make any sense. You're still trusting somebody else with your unencrypted email data. In this case though, I don't see the value-add that Google provides in having unencrypted access to the fitness data. It looks like a fairly dumb data store, in which case most of the data can be encrypted with a user password before being sent to Google.
It's clearly a product very early in development. I'm surprised Google released such a minimal product in such an important domain, but willing to give it a chance, feed it data and see how it matures.
> I'm surprised Google released such a minimal product in such an important domain
I'm not -- they need to have some data aggregation/presentation front-end to encourage manufacturers and source-data-feeding app vendors to integrate with the back-end. Once they do that, there'll be more incentive for more presentation front-end work (both by Google and by third-parties -- that's the whole point of an open platform.)
If I can't record squats, then what's the point?