How to Use Google Fit for Fitness Tracking?

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of fitness technology, Google Fit app stands out as a versatile and user-friendly platform for tracking your physical activity. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, Google Fit offers a range of features to monitor and improve your overall health. In this guide, we’ll explore what Google Fit is, how to use it effectively for fitness tracking, and address common questions users may have.

What is Google Fit App?

Google Fit is a fitness tracking app available for both Android and iOS devices. It serves as a basic fitness app but also functions as a centralized hub for health and fitness data gathered from various apps and fitness trackers. The app allows users to connect devices like Nest Hub, Wear OS watches, and other fitness trackers, consolidating data in one place.

Similar to Apple Health in the Apple ecosystem, Google Fit app is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. It acts as a virtual coach, providing a platform to track physical activities such as walks, bike rides, and step counts. The app introduces Heart Points, an activity goal developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association, encouraging users to engage in moderate to intense activities.

Google Fit offers actionable tips to help users achieve daily activity and sleep goals. It seamlessly syncs data across Android smartphones and Wear OS smartwatches, creating a convenient and comprehensive overview of fitness progress. Additionally, the app integrates with third-party services and devices, allowing users to import data from various sources and maintain a healthy fitness routine.

What is the Use of Google Fit?

Google Fit app serves as a comprehensive platform for measuring, tracking, and storing fitness information on mobile devices and smartwatches. Users can set personal fitness goals, automatically measure their progress towards those goals, and monitor daily activities along with their duration. The app allows users to compare their activity over time to assess improvements.

How do I Install Google Fit on my Mobile Device?

Google Fit utilizes the sensors on a mobile device or a heart rate monitor to track metrics such as Heart Points and steps. For users with a heart rate sensor on their Fit-compatible devices, like smartwatches, the app calculates Heart Points and steps during exercise. Additionally, Google Fit enables the integration of data from other connected fitness apps, providing a centralized and holistic view of one’s fitness journey. To get started with Google Fit app, users need a mobile device and a Google account.

To install Google Fit on your mobile device, follow these steps:

• Download the Google Fit app from the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS).
• Sign in to your Google account.
• Optionally, connect Google Fit to Apple Health by selecting “Connect to Apple Health.”
• Optionally, enable push notifications for daily and weekly activity goals by tapping “Allow notifications.”
• Set your daily activity goals by tapping “Next” in the pop-up window and choosing the option that best suits your lifestyle. Confirm your choice by tapping “Set goals.”

How to track steps automatically with google fit?

To automatically track steps with Google Fit, follow these steps:

Google Fit utilizes sensors on your device to collect data on physical activity, including distance and steps, even when the app is closed.

If you enable automatic tracking, Google Fit app uses your device’s sensors to recognize and record workouts that you don’t manually track, such as walking or cycling during your daily commute.

To turn on physical activity tracking:

On your Android phone, open the Settings app.

• Navigate to “Apps & notifications,” then select “Google Fit.”
• Tap “Permissions” and ensure that “Physical activity” is allowed.
• Open the Google Fit app.
• At the bottom, tap “Profile.”
• At the top, tap “Settings.”
• Under “Tracking preferences,” toggle “Track your activities” on or off as desired.

By following these steps, you can enable Google Fit to automatically track your physical activities, providing you with comprehensive data on your daily and weekly activity stats.

How to Set Fitness Targets in Google Fit?

To set fitness targets in Google Fit, you can follow these steps:

• Open the Google Fit app on your phone.
• At the bottom of the screen, tap “Profile.”
• Enter your desired goals for Steps and Heart Points.

For Move Minutes:

• Navigate to the Profile tab in the Google Fit app.
• Tap on the Move Minutes drop-down.
• Adjust the daily total by tapping the + or – buttons (increments of 5).
• Save your chosen number by selecting “set goal” in the top corner.

For Heart Points:

• Within the Profile tab of the Google Fit app, tap on the Heart Points drop-down.
• Adjust the daily total by tapping the + or – buttons (increments of 5).
• Save your chosen number by hitting “set goal” in the top corner.

These steps allow you to customize your fitness goals in Google Fit, whether it’s tracking steps, Move Minutes, or Heart Points, tailoring them to suit your lifestyle and personal objectives.

Google Fit vs Samsung Health

Google Fit and Samsung Health are both robust health and fitness platforms with some differences in features and functionalities.

Feature	Google Fit	Samsung Health
Exercise Tracking	Google Fit supports 100+ exercises. Google Fit’s interface allows users to start exercise tracking by tapping the + icon and selecting a relevant option.	Samsung Health covers 95+ activities. Samsung Health allows users to start tracking directly from its main home screen.
Activity Tracking	Google Fit tracks movements, steps, calories burned, Heart Points, and kilometers. Heart Points encourage faster-paced activities.	Samsung Health sets a daily target of 6000 steps and tracks steps, active time, and total burnt calories from the Daily activity menu.
Sleep Tracking	Google Fit offers basic sleep tracking, requiring manual data entry in the Sleep menu.	Samsung Health also allows manual entry of sleep data and suggests investing in dedicated smartwatches or fitness trackers for comprehensive sleep tracking.
Data Synchronization	Google Fit allows synchronization of data with any Android Wear wearable device, ensuring accessibility across devices.	Samsung Health for Android enables the sharing of health data between the app running on Android phones and partner apps, allowing additional services through SDK.

Both platforms provide diverse features, and the choice between Google Fit and Samsung Health may depend on individual preferences, the type of wearable devices used, and specific tracking needs.

Does Google Fit Require a Watch?

No, Google Fit does not require a smartwatch. The Google Fit app is compatible with most Android and iOS devices, allowing users to utilize its features without the need for a smartwatch.

Google Fit Compatible Watches

Google Fit is compatible with a variety of smartwatches. Some of the compatible watches include:

• Samsung Galaxy Fit2
• LG Watch Sport
• Polar A370
• Amazfit Band 7
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
• Mobvoi TicWatch E3
• Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Edition
• Garmin Venu Sq Smartwatch

These watches can seamlessly integrate with the Google Fit app, allowing users to track and monitor their fitness activities on the go.

Conclusion

Google Fit stands as a robust and accessible platform for individuals seeking to monitor and improve their fitness levels. From tracking steps and heart rate to setting personalized goals, the app offers a comprehensive suite of features. Whether you’re using it on your smartphone or a compatible smartwatch, Google Fit empowers users to take control of their health and well-being. By integrating seamlessly with various apps and devices, Google Fit provides a holistic approach to fitness tracking, making it a valuable tool for anyone on a journey to a healthier lifestyle.

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