New Fitness Tracker Helps Athletes Push Their Limits at the Gym

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By Dani Fankhauser2013-10-09 20:27:51 UTC

When you're lifting weights and not sure you can do one more rep, it either means that you can still do 10 more — or that you're putting yourself at risk for injury. In fact, there's a trend in exercise science towards prescribing a velocity of weight lifting rather than a number of reps, as it allows for optimal workload but still lets the body recover between trainings or competitions. But you can't log velocity with a pen and paper.

PUSH, a wearable fitness gadget that launched on Indiegogo last week, will retail at $149 and is the first device to measure strength marketed to consumers (i.e., affordable). Unlike other wearable fitness trackers, PUSH is not meant to be worn throughout the day — it's only for the gym.

"Designing for a specific context is crucial," said co-founder Rami Alhamad, who previously worked in mobile development. The shape, look and feel of PUSH (which can be worn as an armband or on a leg) was designed for an athlete who is training in a gym setting.

PUSH can track force, strength, balance, tempo and more; based on your performance, the app might tell you to use a heavier load if you're not showing signs of fatigue after several sets. Right now, PUSH can track 10 exercises — the ones Alhamad's team felt were crucial — including squats, dead lifts, kettle bell lifts, pull ups, push ups and bench presses.

Each of these exercises requires its own algorithm. The company plans to add more exercises based on demand. Alhamad said he is interested in hearing from any developers who are passionate about a specific sport, like rowing, tennis or squash.

"We have the right hardware," he said. "I'd like to see what they'd want in an API."

The device will come with a free iPhone or Android app, as well as a web portal. For those who use trainers, an optional subscription provides more detailed metrics.

One of the crowdfunding perks is a heart monitor, which PUSH plans to integrate with more deeply, and the company is speaking with other apps in the space about integration.

After a few days live, PUSH is already halfway to its fundraising goal. Other crowdfunding activity trackers Amiigo and Misfit Shine blew away their goals, so it's likely PUSH will get the same level of support. PUSH's beta with over 1,000 users begins in December, while devices purchased via Indiegogo will ship in April.

Images: PUSH

Topics: fitness, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, push, Wearable Tech