CES 2010 Philips DirectLife Stay Fit – Say GoodBye To Gym

Philips DirectLife fitness tracker, which monitors one’s daily activity levels by tracking the duration and intensity of movements, has been doing so well since its release in October 2009, according to a company representative, that it is about to be released in Germany and the U.K. Moreover, Philips has just announced a companion gadget that might actually rival the iPod.

DirectLife uses of all three mechanisms of support together:- monitoring, measuring and motivating through a personal coach, and company believes that it will lead to healthier everyday decisions and longer lasting, more active lifestyle change.

Monitor
Connect your monitor to your PC to see your activity patterns in great detail.

Measure
The activity monitor measures all your movements and translates this to calories burned through activity.

Motivate
Your own personal coach is always by your side with helpful tips and advice and to answer all your questions.

 
EyeCatching Features

• A small, lightweight and waterproof Activity Monitor that records daily movements using 3D digital accelerometer technology.
• Online personal coaches to give that extra push when needed, with expertise in sport science, personal training and behavioral psychology.
• A personal web page that provides stats, tips, activity ideas and allows participants to track themselves amongst family and friends and anonymously against other users.
• A personalized activity plan, with realistic goals.
• Weekly feedback summaries by e-mail.

 
Philips Unveiled Activa – MP3 Player at CES

And now, behold Activa, an MP3 player unveiled at CES whose accelerometer actually selects the songs that most closely match the tempo of your body’s movements. (It is expected to be released in April for $130.)

Launching into a sprint at the top of a hill? Cue Radiohead’s Idioteque. Drifting into shavasana on your yoga mat? Doth complete stillness suggest Sigur Ros? Later, check out your DirectLife progress page online, and see just how well you grooved to your music.

Because let’s face it, the vast majority of us don’t have the time, discipline, or desire to drag ourselves to gyms we don’t like and adhere to diets we don’t find satisfying. Some people can, and I typically respond with a rather unattractive, gaping expression that manages to convey both admiration and confusion.

But there are so many other activities that movement-tracking devices remind us are also a part of fitness things that are silly, or fun, or that just feel good. Try skipping down your hallway. Wrestling with your dog. Rocking out in the kitchen. Having an earth-shaking le petit mort (which song will your Activa match to that?). These things are good for you, and DirectLife is here to confirm this with precise measurements of calories burned.

Perhaps it’s easy to be overly enthusiastic about these gadgets for those of us who don’t have a mountain to climb. I’ve always had a hard time gaining weight, and I already exercise and eat well. But I also break into song at the slightest provocation, perform jolly jigs in the kitchen while dicing vegetables, and invent bizarre cooing noises as I chase my cats up and down the hallway. If you’re just getting started with this program and set modest goals, you might be surprised that breaking what I’ll call a “silly sweat” four times a day might alone help you reach them.

“With DirectLife, people learn that being active doesn’t just have to mean a daily gym routine. For most people, even adding more activity and movement into their daily lives can make a big difference such as going for a walk, taking the stairs, or dancing with the kids.” as said by said Erik de Heus, CEO, Wellness Solutions, Philips Electronics

That’s a boring list, but here’s the point: we, in all our modern glory, have so far removed ourselves from basic physical activity that we have to wear little motion sensors to remind ourselves that walking, dancing, playing, and being silly are important, real steps in maintaining basic physical fitness. Hey, the first step is admitting there is a problem.

DirectLife aggregates fitness levels and displays data by hour, day, week, month, or year

The “program” associated with DirectLife, which costs $99, plus a $12.50 monthly membership fee, is three-pronged: wear the small, waterproof monitor with 3D accelerometer technology to track your movements; go online to get the extra push you may need from personal coaches there to help and check out your personal Web page to track stats, tips, activity ideas, and goals.