Now that FitStar’s transition to Fitbit Coach is officially complete, Fitbit is expanding the devices that support its revamped personal training app. The company announced that the Fitbit Coach apps for Windows 10 and Xbox One devices will be available for download later today.
Fitbit owned FitStar for a while before it announced its impending transformation into Fitbit Coach last year. The app, which is separate from the main Fitbit app that all of the company’s wearables connect to, holds guided workouts, video routines, and other personalized fitness programs.
Fitbit built off of FitStar’s previous offerings and added more content that customers can access fully with a $39.99-per-year Premium subscription. There are some routines that users can access for free after downloading the app (which is free to download as well), but most of the content lies behind Fitbit’s paywall.
Until now, Fitbit Coach was only available on iOS and Android devices, sequestered to the small screens that most of those devices have. Versions of Fitbit Coach workouts packed with GIFs are also available on the Ionic smartwatch, using its smartwatch-sized display. With the new Windows 10 and Xbox One apps, users can access Fitbit Coach workouts on their laptops, convertibles, and even their TVs.
While users can complete Fitbit Coach routines without pairing a Fitbit device to the app, the programs are meant to be tracked with a Fitbit device. Users will even be able to see their real-time, continuous heart rate on their PC or TV screen when using the new Windows 10 or Xbox One apps and a paired heart-rate monitoring Fitbit device. That way, you won’t have to keep flicking your wrist to check your heart rate during a workout because your pulse will appear in front of you, next to the coach guiding you on the display.
Fitbit Coach was already fairly accessible, but opening the platform up to Windows 10 and Xbox One could make the program more intriguing for those who prefer working out at home (or those who simply don’t want to have to squint at their smartphones while exercising). It also raises the question of how much effort Fitbit will continue to put into Coach in the future. There are no signs that the company will stop making wearable devices any time soon (rumors of the company making a wearable for children are swirling). But it’s possible that Fitbit will try to draw in more customers with its membership-based Coach content, no matter if they already own a Fitbit device or not.
from Ars Technica http://ift.tt/2DFncgl
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