Reebok launches smart ring and partnership with F45 to push into connected fitness
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We were in Peloton’s first live studio class in over two years – here’s how it went!
This morning, our own Seth Weintraub traveled to Peloton HQ and participated in their first live studio class in over two years. Immediately after the 30-minute ride with Peloton instructor Robin Arzón was over, I interviewed Seth to see how it went!
Expand Expanding CloseWHOOP 4.0 long term review: eight months later [Video]
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Expand Expanding ClosePeloton studios closed one final day to prepare for reopening
Peloton is keeping its NYC and London studios closed for one last day as it prepares for a public reopening. Members will soon have a chance to attend live Peloton classes in person for the first time in more than two years.
Expand Expanding CloseNew COROS Pace 2 Blue Steel version released today
Today, COROS is releasing a new version of their popular Pace 2 GPS smartwatch called Blue Steel. This is the first new permanent color option for the Pace 2 since it was first released in 2020.
Expand Expanding CloseThe best fitness features coming to the Apple Watch with watchOS 9
Apple had their big WWDC 2022 keynote today, and in it they revealed tons of new fitness features coming to the Apple Watch. WatchOS 9, which will be released later this year, will include new running metrics, a custom workout builder, triathlete support, sleep phase detection, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseAviron Rower review: a workout for gamers!
A perfect workout program for gamers? In this Aviron Rower review, we will cover everything you should know before you decide to buy. Aviron has created a well-designed rower designed around games and entertainment that has kept me hooked. Read (or watch) below to get the full scoop.
Expand Expanding CloseOur 2022 Connected Fitness predictions | The Weekly Watt
Welcome to another episode of the Weekly Watt, a podcast where we discuss the latest in all things connected fitness.
With seven months still remaining in 2022, we make our fitness tech predictions for the rest of the year. Will gyms continue to see a big comeback? Will Peloton be bought by Amazon or Netflix? Is VR fitness going to see any new or exciting in 2022?
Listen or watch the episode below!
Peloton’s first ‘adaptive instructor,’ Logan Aldridge, launches his first strength class today
Today, Peloton’s newest strength instructor, Logan Aldridge, is launching his first class, a 20-minute full-body strength class at 7 p.m. ET. A CrossFit Games competitor and para-athlete, Aldridge is the brand’s first “adaptive instructor” who plans to bring an inspiring mix of inclusive fitness training and accessibility to Peloton members with varying physical abilities. From the looks of this teaser, expect to seriously be challenged by what you think is possible.
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Review: Revisiting the Lumen metabolic analyzer with Apple Health integration
It’s been two years since the pocket-sized Lumen metabolic analyzer launched with a thoughtful iOS app and Apple Health integration. Over the last month, I’ve been using the device again to test out updates like a new food/macro log and Apple Watch app, along with a desire to be more intentional with my nutrition and exercise.
Read MoreCOROS Pace 2 review – an excellent runner’s GPS watch for under $200
In our COROS Pace 2 review, we will cover everything you need you know about this ultralight GPS watch. COROS has somehow been able to pack in an incredible amount of premium features into the budget-friendly Pace 2. Read (or watch) below to get the full scoop.
Expand Expanding CloseHidrateSpark TAP review and comparison to other ‘Apple Water Bottles’
Apple has recently started selling HidrateSpark water bottles within their stores. These smart bottles automatically record your water consumption and track it within an app, which can also be displayed on an Apple Watch.
I put a lot of value on the benefits of staying hydrated and have been happily using HidrateSpark Smart Bottles for several years. For others, the $60-$80 price tag has been harder to justify. The newest bottle, the HidrateSpark TAP, is a much more budget-friendly option – though the savings do come at another cost. Read our review below to learn more.
Table of contents
Quick overview of the HidrateSpark TAP Smart Bottle
HidrateSpark TAP, the company’s newer line of smart water bottles, gives a lot of the company’s beloved tech to customers at a much lower price point. There is a great app-watch integration and glowing reminders. Water consumption tracking has been changed here to a simple smart device tap to the bottle via an NFC tag. This replaces the automatic bluetooth synching used by the more expensive HidrateSpark Pro.
HidrateSpark TAP specs
| Size/Material Options | Stainless steel 20 oz. Tritan Plastic 24 oz, 32 oz |
| Lid options | Chug, straw |
| Item weight varies by lid type | 20 oz bottle: 393-398g 24 oz bottle: 213-218g 32 oz bottle: 238-243g |
| Item dimensions varies by lid type | 20 oz bottle: 2.99”w x 10.51-10.79” h 24 oz bottle: 2.99”w x 10.51-10.79” h 32 oz bottle: 3.50”w x 10.55-10.83”h |
| Battery | 1 Lithium Metal (included and replaceable) |
| Compatibility | Apple Health Fitbit Garmin Connect Google Fit Under Armor Map My Fitness Withings Health Mate |
Using the HidrateSpark TAP Smart Bottle
The HidrateSpark TAP comes in a variety of colors and sizes. You can choose from a stainless steel version at 20oz, or a Tritan (BPA-free) plastic at 24 or 32oz. I ended up choosing the 24oz plastic since I already own HidrateSpark smart bottles in stainless steel (HidrateSpark Pro) and silicon (HidrateSpark 3). You can read/watch my review on those here.
You can also choose between a chug or straw top. If available, I would suggest getting both tops as the each are useful in different situations. For this review, I went with the straw top, which I find easier to use when running.
I think the design of the 24oz HidrateSpark TAP looks great and is well designed to fit into almost any bottle holder. I had a few issues with the straw coming loose on occasion, but it wasn’t often enough for me to be too annoyed and only takes a few seconds to fix.
Light show
At the bottom of the HidrateSpark TAP is a light which you can set to glow throughout the day to remind you to drink more water. The TAP doesn’t connect to the app directly like the PRO (or Apple Water Bottle), so you’ll need to change the settings via buttons on the smart bottle itself.
Since there is no app control, the options here are very straight forward. There are several colors to choose from, and the glow reminders can be set to repeat once per hour for 12 hours on a daily schedule. You can choose to “snooze” an hour, which can extend the schedule a bit if you’d like.
Smart water tracker
In order for the HidrateSpark TAP to track your water, you’ll need to tap your smart phone to the NFC tag after you finish a bottle.
While this tap only takes a second or two, it feels like a big step back from HidrateSpark’s other smart bottles. I loved the fact that with the other versions, I didn’t have to think about tracking the water. I feel like it is more convenient to just manually track the water on my Apple Watch (with the free HidrateSpark app) than to take out my phone to tap it.
That’s really the only issue I have with the HidrateSpark TAP. Yes, it is a lot cheaper than the PRO, but at the cost of what I feel is its best feature.
HidrateSpark app
Regardless of how I feel about the HidrateSpark TAP, the app itself is great. Here you can see your daily hydration progress, as well as where you should be if you want to stay on track.
If you have friends who also use a HydrateSpark smart bottle, you can add them to see their daily progress as well to create more accountability.
There are badges to earn, monthly challenges to complete, and a very solid tracking system. You can set you daily hydration goal or follow HidrateSparks’ recommendation based on your activity level, weight, and local weather.
You can have all of this connect to Apple Health, FitBit, Garmin, Under Amour, and Health Mate as well which is great.
And best of all is the Apple Watch app integration. This allows you to add a visual reminder of your daily hydration progress to the face of your Apple Watch – likely a big reason Apple is now selling HidrateSpark in their stores.
Comparison to Apple Water Bottles – HidrateSpark 3 vs PRO Steel
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HidrateSpark TAP Smart Bottle final thoughts
I personally struggle with staying hydrated, and using HidrateSpark Smart Bottles has been a huge help to me for many years now. That said, the feature I enjoy most is having my water consumption tracked automatically. Unfortunately, this is what has been cut from the HidrateSpark TAP to bring its cost down.
Truthfully, tapping the bottle to your phone a few times a day doesn’t take a lot of effort. Maybe I am just spoiled from using HidrateSparks’ more expensive options. Then again, maybe that is what makes the bottle so useful compared to just tracking hydration manually via an app.
It’s a nice bottle at a very budget friendly price. But, if you can swing the cost of the HidrateSpark 3 or PRO versions instead, I strongly suggest doing so.
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Expand Expanding CloseCOROS PACE 2 Watch – complete guide for beginners [video]
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Expand Expanding CloseThe best 2022 Memorial Day sales for home fitness
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Expand Expanding CloseJAXJOX Interactive Studio: In-depth review
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Expand Expanding CloseThere is more to the iFIT vs Peloton Settlement story | The Weekly Watt
Welcome to our live show/podcast, the Weekly Watt, which brings you an overview of what’s new in all things connected fitness.
In this week’s episode, we discuss the iFIT and Peloton lawsuit settlement – including the new details that we dug up.
Joining us during the second half of the show to talk about how to use data to guide your training is Justin Roethlingshoefer. Justin is a the founder of Own It, a digital coaching platform.
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Hatch Restore review: more than a smart alarm clock?
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Expand Expanding ClosePeloton Heart Rate Band hands-on review [Video]
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Expand Expanding CloseCOROS adds training notes, improved sleep tracking, “Find my Phone” tool, and more in new May update [video]
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Expand Expanding ClosePeloton Rower and other Homecoming announcements | The Weekly Watt
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In this week’s episode, we watch the Peloton Homecoming LIVE and react to all of the announcements – including the new Peloton Rower – with our guest Crystal O’Keefe.
Crystal is the co-host of several podcasts including the popular weekly Peloton show, “The Clip-Out”.
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In this week’s episode, we discuss the future of CrossFit and how it has (or has not) adapted into a connected fitness platform.
Joining us this week is RPM Training Co-Founder and CCO, Josh Rogers, to discuss their new functional connected fitness service ATOM. ATOM features daily workouts, adaptable leaderboards, and popular CrossFit coaches like Pat Barber.
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Google previews the Pixel Watch, coming this fall with Pixel 7
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Read MoreA “Zwift for Rowers”: the EXR Rowing App, now also available on Apple TV
I’ve been spending some time lately testing out the EXR Rowing App, which I can best describe as a “Zwift for Rowers”. EXR is able to connect with a variety of rowers to create an online training platform with an excellent variety of workouts, gamification, and virtual locations. The app is now available on Apple TV, in addition to Mac, iOS, Android, and Windows.
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