GOQii band Archives - Page 2 of 6

February 15, 2017 By Champ Alreja 3 Comments

How accurate is the GOQii band

In the last one-year fitness trackers or wearable as they are called have grown in popularity. But, yet there is a lot of confusion around how accurate are these trackers when it comes to counting steps. One is not sure if they can trust the numbers that are captured by the tracker.

Today, almost every second person is wearing a fitness tracker to monitor his or her health and fitness levels on a day-to-day basis. I am constantly flooded with questions of how accurate is the band when it comes to monitoring the level of physical activity during a 30-minute workout session or while running or trekking in the outdoors?

These questions have prompted me to write this blog on how the steps are counted and how accurate is the band.

Let me begin with the first question

1) Why does my band count steps when I ride my bike or when I sit in an auto?

A fitness band is a sophisticated and modern version of an analogue pedometer. In a digital form using complex algorithms and an accelerometer (an instrument for measuring the acceleration of a moving or vibrating body). Fitness bands such as the GOQii, are designed to measure 3 axis movements of your body by being worn on your wrist.

The band counts steps on the principle of movements in a certain direction and velocity which are programmed using Japanese algorithms. Hence, movements in a certain pattern and pace are tracked as steps.

The band uses predictive equations using your body’s acceleration in different directions to estimate energy expenditure.

Let me explain how it works…

Velocity and Direction

If you are walking too slow or running too fast it will not pick it up. On an average, you need to walk -200 steps per minute.

According to University of Nebraska researchers who examined various fitness monitors (Jawbone, Fitbit, Nike Fuel Band, and Actigraph), accelerometer-based monitors can overestimate or underestimate energy expenditure by 10-15 percent, depending on the monitor.

2. Talking to our players and users of other fitness bands, they often tell me that while jogging, running or playing a sport, the tracker doesn’t show the exact distance.

How does the device measure distance? I am often told by players that they have gone for a jog and taken 10 rounds of a jogging track that measures 400 mts in length but, the GOQii band has clocked only 3.5 km instead of 4 km. How is that possible?

The device measures motion. Distance is an algorithmic calculation based on estimations of your average stride length x the number of steps taken. A person who is 5’6” tall has an average stride length of 0.7 meters. Hence, 100 steps taken will show as 70 meters. When you run, your stride length increases above average and when you jog, it falls below average.

GOQii’s main service offering being lifestyle change calculates distance based on your day and not on particular activities. So, during certain activities you may lose or gain steps, however, the average for the day is well indicated.

Stride Length Pics velocity 50 steps/ minute-160 steps/per minute

3. I have been walking a lot but, my band only shows minimalistic steps.

Running on a treadmill, cycling, swimming and playing certain sports may not accurately display your steps taken. Such as, while cycling, your hands stationery and placed on the handlebars, the tracker being designed to detect motion will pick up steps from your stationery hands. Similarly, you may experience the same while pushing a stroller or a bag. In many cases, you can put the core unit in your pocket (instead of your wrist) to record motion, especially, when your hands are still.

Hand swing motion

Images Courtesy of The Progress Group, Analog Dialogue.

Here’s a short video of GOQii being put on an apparatus in a testing lab to test accuracy

May 10, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

“Making a lifestyle change is easy but, requires determination to make it happen”

Many people prefer to work out alone in the gym or find other ways to exercise in isolation. But, best of the fitness success stories are inspired by friends, loved ones and dedicated personal trainers pushing the individual along every step of the way to fitness. Basant Chaturvedi also got inspired by his fellow CIO friend Kamal Karnatak and got on the path to fitness. Thanks to him, Basant has improved his fitness a great deal. Let’s hear Basant’s story in his own words.

I work as an Associate Director-IT” with a confectionary MNC based in Delhi. My job is quite strenuous and my stamina levels were low. Due to this, I would get tired very soon and easily. I used to do yoga but, I realized Yoga only improves flexibility. Increasing my stamina levels was a challenge and the other aspect was that my sugar levels started rising.

I was totally clueless about what to do. I surely needed some advice from experts who could tell me what I am exactly supposed to do. Something clicked in my brain, I wanted to overall improve my health for my own good. I started looking for options to better my health. This is when my friend Kamal Karnatak suggested GOQii to me.

He came as a god sent angel at a time when I most needed advice on what to do regarding improving my health. Kamal told me about the step count feature, about water intake, sleep and everything that came with GOQii and above all, the fact that the band comes with a Coach who will guide and help you achieve your health goals.

He then narrated his story of change to me and how a lifestyle change helped him lose weight and also take to running. I found it fascinating and coach aspect interested me a great deal. I decided to go for a GOQii band. I not only bought one for myself also got one for my wife.

I made a commitment to myself that I wanted to get fit and healthy. GOQii states that you have to be active all the time, increase step count, taking the right portion of food and not over eat. Following these rules helped me achieve the daily target.

Prior to GOQii on my hand, there was no expert guidance about what to eat and what not to eat and also when to eat what. And I learned about water too that it is a very good natural supplement. I never was aware of that. And, about the step count too, I was unaware that every day one should clock at least 10,000 steps to be healthy. I used to travel small distance also by car but, now I walk as much as possible , thanks to GOQii. I have stopped using the elevator. I stay on the 7^th floor and walk up the flight of stairs. Initially, it was tough as I am also 42 years old but, now I have got used to it.

My eating habits have also changed. I was eating more fried food than healthy foods. Even during fasts I would eat fried foods like Poori (fried bread). Now all that has stopped and I follow a proper healthy diet even during fasts. I have also cut down on my sweets intake. My intake of fresh fruits has also increased. Initially salads and fruits never part of the diet. It was once in a way kind of foods to be eaten.

My activity levels have also regularized. The lethargic feeling has vanished. My day starts early in the morning with a run or a game of badminton and then I remain active through the day. I easily clock about 10K to 12K steps daily. Considering I am doing regular running and playing a sport my water intake has also improved.

I never used to track water how much water I was drinking daily, but now I try to hit my water goal of 2.5 to 3 liters every single day.

Deciding to make that big lifestyle change is often the easy part. If you’re not happy about something in your life, it’s easy to acknowledge it and say you’re going to change. However, to actually follow through and make that change happen you’ll need a ton of determination. It’s no secret that your body can often be inclined to take it easy—that’s why you need to bring a strong, determined attitude to every workout in order to get the most out of it, and don’t get discouraged by the long road ahead. It’s a simple concept, but it’s proven effective time and again.

GOQii concept and my coach have been extremely motivating. It is because of my coach that I have been able to do so much and not get exhausted. Motivation is the key factor for people like me and GOQii coaches are the best very good as a motivator.

What does Coach Aditi Save have to say about Basant Chaturvedi?

From the day I have got an opportunity to be Basant’s Coach, I am super proud of him and his disciplined lifestyle.

He is inclined towards fitness and wants to have an active life in a healthy way, he is a “no short-cut” kind of person and always achieves his targets with hard work and dedication. He is a fast learner and willing to take up my suggestions wholeheartedly and ready to experiment with different challenges and natural food options.

We have worked successfully so far and will continue working towards normalizing his blood sugar levels and to get relief from chronic back pain. It is his intrinsic motivation that in-spite of having these health issues he is one who will not give up easily and this super commitment towards health is what inspires him to consistently deliver an awesome performance.

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May 4, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian 1 Comment

“Little changes in lifestyle will help you live smart “

He is part of the senior management in an automotive company. He travels 14 days a month and his works long hours that sometimes stretches into late nights. He tried to manage and fit into a workout regime twice or three a week but could not be regular. At 52, he wanted to change his lifestyle but ,was unable to do it on his own. He needed an external stimuli……and guess what he found it and today he is active and has learnt to eat and live smart……let us hear Bharatendu Kapoor’s story in his own words….

I head the spare parts business of a Mumbai-based automotive company and my job involves procurement of spare parts for all our projects and supply spare parts to all the auto divisions including truck and buses division. My work also involves travel for about 12 to 14 days in a month and long hours on a daily basis.

This daily routine and constant travel led him to adopt irregular food habits. I would never have food at the right time. However, I would try and work out twice or thrice a week for about half hour to 40 minutes. I was not regular though with the workouts and the days were not fixed.Sometimes I would go for walks but again it was not very regular.

Such was my irregular routine for several years. Then one day in November 2015, through an engagement program my company bought 200 GOQii bands. I was one among the 200 employees who got the band and my journey with GOQii started.

GOQii was a boon in disguise. I am 52 years old and I was going through this thought process of wanting to change my lifestyle, considering the job I do. Given my age and lack of understanding about exercise and nutrition, I sure needed an external stimulus to help me through this. And, GOQii was the answer.

The best part of GOQii is the coach who you can interact with on a daily basis. The coach is the external stimuli that helped me. The coach guided me on my lifestyle, nutrition, sleep etc. Sheetal, helped me make small changes and disciplined me in my eating habits. I am very conscious now of what I eat, how much I eat. It has been a wonderful experience for me in the last 5 months .

Lots of other improvements also came within me. My water intake that was very less has increased considerably. I have an alarm system that reminds me to drink water every hour.

Initially, when I started, the first month was tough and tiring for me to adjust to the new kind of fitness regime and making lifestyle changes. Eventually, as days passed I got used to it, I diligently started following the routine. I went for my regular daily walks, met my daily step target, slept well and hydrated well.

The most interesting aspect is that the results are evident and the changes were visible. I lost 6 kgs and about 3 inches. Such positive results keep you motivated. The result prompted me to refrain from using the elevator and instead take the flight of steps in Office and this has become a daily habit for me.

Believe me, when I say this that I have never been happier with myself. My main health goal when I started on GOQii was to lose 8 kgs and after 5 months I lost 6 kgs which are a great achievement for me and my coach.

If I reflect back into the 6 months prior to GOQii, the changes are very little. I have not done anything drastic. But, I have learnt how to live smart and eat smart and become more energetic. Instead of sitting on the chair throughout the day like I used to do earlier while in Office, I started walking after every two hours. So just change a little and that’s the trick.

Before using GOQii band I was barely walking 2500 to 3000 steps after I got the band I set for myself a goal of 10000 steps daily and in the last three months, I have been easily crossing 15K steps on a daily basis. Walking and exercises have become part of daily routine. People around me are noticing the change in me and that makes me feel good.

What does coach Sheetal Shah have to say about Bharatendu?

Bharatendu’s job involves a lot of travelling at least 10 – 15 days a month. Due to his work schedules, he was unable to dedicate time daily for workouts etc . When he joined GOQii in November 2015, his long-term goal set is to lose weight. His smart goal was a brisk walk of 45 minutes initially and 30 minutes normal walk in the evening. In the second month, I shared some strength training workout videos with him. Now he does Brisk and Strength training workout regularly. His water intake was pretty low..but that has also improved now and has increased to approx 2.5 liters in a day.

Bharatendu does not have any medical conditions nor he is on any medication. He is very much dedicated to the planned goals and follows them consistently.He logs the food data and syncs the band religiously. He has lost 6 kgs in the last 5 months. In Nov 2015, he weighed 78 kgs and as of April 2016, he weighs 72.1 Kg. His target is to reach 68 Kg. He has lost inches around his waist. We are now concentrating on fat loss rather than weight Loss. I monitor his meals and other data on a regular basis and suggest him dos and don’ts about healthy meal pattern.

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April 28, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian 1 Comment

‘GOQii has been a great enabler for me to get back to an active lifestyle and I am enjoying this positive change”

Ashwani Sood and his Oxfam trail Walk experience captured beautifully

He is lively and young at 55 and can put any youngster half his age to shame with his enthusiasm and zeal for life. From being an inactive person to a completely super active in one year is worthy. Despite being a member of the senior management he finds time on a daily basis to do his workout no matter where he is. He is a great advocate of Active Sunday and does not miss it irrespective of which city he is in. If he is in Delhi he attends the active Sunday’s in Delhi.

Let’s hear Ashwani Sood’s story in his own words.

I work with a French multinational Pharma Giant Sanofi. I am on the board of management of Sanofi India and part of the senior management team. Until one year ago my life was that of a boring corporate professional without any physical activity whatsoever. I would come back from work and feel exhausted so much so that it left me no energy to do anything. So I would just lie around on the couch and watch TV.

Prior to that life wasn’t any good either. For 15 years I was based in Gujarat and 400 people were working under me and we used to have these annual health check-ups. I was declared overweight and I was asked to reduce 5-6 kg. I tried but nothing worked.

2014, I got posted to Mumbai. Here I was staying in a gated community and the environment was conducive for me to work out. The environment was a booster in the sense that I would see so many people exercising and going for runs or walks and that interested me in working out or exercising. It came as a big game changer in my life.

Just as I was getting used to the idea of getting fit and changing my lifestyle for the better, GOQii band came as a boon. We were given the band in office and asked to try it out and give feedback. What started with trying out the fitness band, has today become a part of me. GOQii has changed my lifestyle for the better. I came on board GOQii in March 2015. My health goal was to get a disciplined routine in my life and reduce weight and also I would like to run a marathon. Clearly, I was confident of achieving the first goal to begin with.

My coach NahidKhilji, gave me my first challenge which was to start with clocking 8000 to 10000 steps daily. Initially, it was a tough task. But, soon I was able to achieve this goal. I had stopped taking the elevator to the office and also started taking small walks. I would try and see to it that I complete the required amount of steps daily. This eventually led to increasing my activities. I started swimming regularly, playing badminton. From being sluggish, I was back to being active. “If there is a will there is a way.’ I had only one motive when I started on GOQii to clock 10,000 steps.

I used to also get constant reminders for ‘Active Sundays’ but I never went for it. Then one day I decided to go and since that day, there is no turning back. I try and attend every Active Sunday when I am in town and if I am in Delhi I go for Active Sunday’s even there.

Just as I started doing all of these, my coach then threw another googly at me and told me why not do the 100KM trail walk challenge and I was all game for it. I wasn’t sure I would be able to do it but, my coach was confident and that gave me confidence in myself. I went for a practice session in Mumbai. It was a 25 Km walk to Haji Ali. We started the walk at 10.30 pm and I was among the first few to complete the walk. It was an amazing experience. The walk was brilliant I could easily manage it and above all having been in Mumbai I had never experienced the city in thick of the night and believe me it was beautiful and an eye opener.

This boosted my confidence and thereafter I went for all Oxfam Practice sessions. I participated in Oxfam Trailwalker- Team GOQii Yankee. We completed the 100 Kms within 48 hours. It was challenging but mentally we were all strong to be able to push ourselves, motivate each other and go forward. The trail walker I realized it was a ‘game of mind over body’. After Oxfam, I upped my target to 12000 steps daily.

GOQii has been a great enabler for me to get back to an active lifestyle and I am enjoying this positive change. I have lost 3 kgs and I am drinking 2 liters of water daily. My wife has also been very supportive in helping me follow my diet plan. In fact, I have learned a lot in terms of diet. What to eat, when to eat etc. I have, in fact, removed all items that had sugar in them.

My biggest achievement apart from my goals has been that I have also been able to inspire a lot of my colleagues. Many of them have now become part of GOQii family.

And last but not the least I would like to say the karma points is another big motivator. The whole aspect of Karma brings unique positivity to help the society.

I have so far donated about 11000 points to about 9 causes, walked 4.5 million steps and 2800 plus KMs.

What does Coach Nahid Khilji have to say about Ashwani Sood

Ashwani is one the most amazing persons I’ve come across. He started with a sedentary lifestyle and today, I am proud to say he is more active than even few of our health coaches. It’s purely his enthusiasm, dedication, and discipline towards fitness that has got him to the spot that he is in currently. I remember from 5-7k steps to 10K steps its 12k steps in a day currently! Now most of his Sundays are spent in super active Sundays. They say age is not a barrier; he has proved it and is much agiler than people half his age. And, trust me when I say this, he doesn’t say no for any kind of challenges. Right from going off sweet for a month, to just have fruits a day to the interval training and super awesome step count. I feel so proud today to be his coach. I have faith too.