Even women’s heart rate monitors can be bulky and masculine. That’s changing, and a trio new styles introduced through a partnership between Oregon Scientific and Gaiam are a mong those with a lighter, more feminine design. Two wristwatch trainers and one pedometer come in attractive colors and are packed with new features.
The Gaiam Zone Trainer ($109) is a heart rate monitor with a tap-on display that you can easily toggle through settings by just hitting the watch face. Settings include heart rate, calories and fat burned. The watchband and buttons are constructed from a silicone material designed for comfort and breathability.
The Gaiam Fitness Trainer ($99) can read your heart rate from sensors on the watch bezel rather than an intrusive chest strap. The benefit is comfort and freedom. However you only get a reading on your heart rate when you want it, not a constant reading. This affects the accuracy of calorie counts and other readings. The Fitness Trainer has the same tap-on display settings as the Zone Trainer.
The Gaiam Calorie Coach ($39) uses 3D Accelerometer technology to count eh number of steps taken and calories burned. The pedometer is not your picky one, where you have to clip it to just the right spot on your waistband. Toss this one in your pocket or clip it onto your handbag, as long as the pedometer moves with you, it will read your steps and movements. It’s cased in a bright-colored silicone wrap to make it stylish and durable.
[Via Ubergizmo: Oregon Scientific Partners with Gaiam to Release Fitness Watches Geared at Women]