Actxa launched the new Spur+ in October 2018. A powered-up version of the original Spur released in May 2017, the Spur+ comes with additional all-day heart rate monitoring, Move Alert, VO2 Max and Fitness Age measurement. At $109, the Spur+ is excellent value for money. The question is, if you already have the Spur, is it worth paying $109 to upgrade to the Spur+?
The answer? A resounding YES.
The features offered by the Spur+ aren’t just for those who are serious about their fitness and health, they also provide a wealth of useful information for the casual exerciser. Read on for three reasons why you should consider upgrading to the Spur+.
Reason 1: All-day heart rate monitoring
Knowing how your heart rate fluctuates throughout the day can give you insight into the effectiveness of your fitness program, your stress management skills, and even serve as a warning for potential heart problems.
If your resting heart rate decreases over time, it’s a good sign that your overall fitness is improving (i.e. your workouts are effective). Noticed an unusual spike in your heart rate? Find out what you were doing then. You might have just uncovered a source of stress that you weren’t aware of. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy? It might be a symptom of your heart beating irregularly and it may be a good prompt to schedule a check-up with your doctor.
The point is, knowing how your heart behaves is like peeking into the hidden side of you, your thoughts and your health.
Reason 2: Move Alerts
It’s easy to walk into the office and get overwhelmed by a tsunami of emails, meetings and deadlines. Some might even say this is normal. However, when we get lost in our work for hours, we often neglect a vital part of our health – movement.
This is why the Spur+ Move Alert is an essential addition to our lives. While there is that possibility that some might find these customisable reminders annoying, we need to remember that these alerts function like our morning alarm. They remind us that we need to do something, now. A quick, short walk around the office every hour is more than enough to reduce the negative health impacts of sitting for hours at your desk.
Reason 3: VO2 Max and Fitness Age
VO2 Max is a measurement of your cardiorespiratory/aerobic fitness level. It shows how well your body takes oxygen in and transports it to your muscles, which then produces energy you can use. The higher your VO2 Max scores, the fitter you are.
This is great news for those who want to take their fitness seriously, and who need detailed information on their performance. But what about those of us who exercise casually? What can we learn from our VO2 Max?
In case you haven’t guessed yet, the lower your score, the fitter you are. The Spur+ also shows you the average Fitness Age of people in your age group for context. This is especially useful if you want to track your improvement over time and you need a benchmark to compare against.
Bonus Reason: Challenges and Rewards
The Spur+ can be used with the National Step Challenge Season 4 (NSC4), a nationwide event where you get rewarded for walking and exercising daily. It is also fully compatible with the Healthy 365 mobile app.
Simply clock 10,000 steps for 40 Healthpoints daily. Unlock the different tiers of rewards as you progress and use your Healthpoints for attractive rewards like Actxa e-vouchers!
Download the Healthy 365 mobile app from the App Store or Google Play, sign up for the challenge, and start accumulating your Healthpoints for sure-win rewards today!