FitBit: a leading example of technology’s healthcare pros

Technology innovation has broken down barriers to entering the smartwatch market, resulting in a variety of intuitive devices to support consumer health and well-being. With technology becoming more accessible, FitBit continues to develop its fitness watch range in line with its company ethos, which is to promote health and fitness through its products. 

The company’s journey began in 2007 when it was idealised and founded by James Park, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Eric Friedman, Co-Founder, as a solution to monitoring personal health and fitness. The pair succeeded in creating a wearable device to achieve this. 

Enhancing the fitness journey

FitBit devices are equipped with intuitive technologies that provide a variety of benefits to consumers, including:

• Sleep tracking is an early feature of the FitBit that tracks time and quality of sleep
• Heart rate monitoring is applicable to all consumers for both fitness tracking and general health awareness
• Multi-path EDA sensors to manage stress levels, providing a stress score that allows consumers to measure and improve their susceptibility to stressful activity
• The Active Zone Minutes feature tracks how the times when the user is performing fitness activities 

Preparation is also a key component for a good workout. One of the latest updates to the FitBit is the Daily Readiness Score that tracks the user’s recovery to ensure optimal conditions for exercise. The feature does this by measuring recent activity, sleep and heart rate variability (HRV), against the user’s baseline. The second feature to be realised is the electrocardiogram (ECG), which allows for a more intuitive analysis of the user’s heart conditions on a regular basis. 

A circular approach to fitness 

As the company develops its products further it is taking a responsible approach to the way it produces and disposes of its watches and fitness trackers. It is emphasising the importance of reusing materials as it designs products that are repairable, incorporates reusable and recycling materials, and ensures that single-use plastics are eliminated from production. A significant amount of effort has gone into the sourcing of materials with the aim of full traceability, as well as eliminating the use of harmful chemicals. 

In terms of its ESG strategy, FitBit is committed to switching to renewable energy sources and reducing its dependence on freshwater sources. 

For more health technology insights, check out the latest issue of Healthcare Global Magazine.