The new Daily Readiness Score, like Oura and Whoop, combines activity, sleep, and heart rate data to determine whether recuperation is required.
Fitbit devices already give a wealth of information about our activity and sleep patterns. Certain Fitbit smart watches and trackers will now alert you when it is time to relax. On Tuesday, the Google-owned wearable business began rolling out its Daily Readiness Score, a feature that provides a rating indicating whether you should exercise or rest.
Fitbit calculates your score by comparing your recent sleeping patterns, heart rate variability (the amount of time between each heartbeat), and exercise to your own baseline for these parameters. Fitbit revealed the new function alongside the Fitbit Charge 5 in August, but it is just now becoming accessible. It is exclusively available to Fitbit Premium members and will function with the Fitbit Sense, Versa 3, Versa 2, Charge 5, Luxe, and Inspire 2.
Fitbit’s Daily Readiness Score is just another indication that digital health businesses are attempting to address a void in the fitness tracker market: recovery. While popular gadgets from Apple, Samsung, and others have mostly focused on inspiring you to move, aside from the Oura ring and the Whoop workout monitoring bracelet, few wearable promote rest and recuperation. Recovery is essential because it allows your muscles to repair and strengthen in between sessions.
Fitbit adds details about whether you are ready for a moderate or strenuous workout in addition to the score. The higher your score, the more prepared you are. If you get a score of 50, for example, the app may recommend that you plan for some moderate activity without overdoing it. Fitbit will claim you are ready to tackle today’s workout if your Daily Readiness Score is 90.
Based on your Daily Readiness Score, it also suggests how to approach activities. Fitbit will give a tailored target for activity zone minutes and recommended routines if your score is high. Those “active zone minutes” are simply points earned during activity when your heart rate hits a certain level. However, if you earn a poor score, Fitbit will offer ways to recover by surfacing material such as yoga or meditation.