Add Interval Training Timer (HIIT) That Buzzes at a Certain Pace

[Lins923]

Hello,
I'm excited about the new products. I am a run/walker, and in training for my recent marathon, a friend had a garmin watch that vibrated at certain intervals. (Ex: if I wanted to have a pace of 3min run/1min walk it would vibrate at those intervals to keep me on track).

Moderator edit: updated title for clarity, merged related suggestions

[tEeJ1980uk]

Hi,

I'm sure this has been requested already, but...

Could you introduce a interval timer feature on the Fitbit? Something that bleeps to notify of work/rest intervals, customisable of course, for example, 60 seconds on, 60 seconds off, etc.

Thanks!

[Gaius619]

I just bought an Ionic and I'm kind of surprised this isn't a feature. I would love to have the ability to set a warm up/cool down period, as well as different length intervals for running and walking. It's frustrating that I have to use the interval workout timer for this instead of being able to track it as a run.

[Jim61805]

If you log onto the Fitbit website, you have access to the interval stats, and gps map. Not exactly what I had hoped, but it’s there nonetheless.

[Gaius619]

Yeah, there are kludgy work arounds, which is why I haven't re-boxed and returned it immediately, but imho this is a huge oversight that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

[cristinalmanza]

I too have a charge 2. I have started training to run with a group and all my runner friends are telling me to get rid of my fitbit. I love my fitbit but really would like the internal training and actual pace. I hope you update this soon!

[Evaldas]

Please add the feature to set more than one set (active/rest) of Interval Timer, for eg. 1:30 active, 2:00 rest, repeat 8 times and than 3:00 active, 3:00 rest, repeat 2 times, and start again 1:30 active, 1:30 rest.

[Kretek]

This is the feature that should came out of the box. I'm really missing proper Interval Training app. As of now, have to come back to my suunto for such training to make sense.

[AngieA99]

Very disappointed to learn that the FitBit Ionic doesn't allow for intervals in the run mode.  At least let them run simultaneously.  I bought this watch to be able to go to phone free but sadly, I will be returning it and going with the Garmin instead.  To me, this should be a basic feature for a fitness watch.

[Jim61805]

I know. Unfortunately I will be changing to Garmin as well. I like my
Ionic, but Fitbit does not listen to simple software adjustments that have
been requested for almost a year now.
--
Jim Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible,
but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

[Juice6471]

Hi Fitbit, please can you add HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) as an option in the customise exercise tab? You have so many other types of exercise listed, this would be a nice addition. Thank you. 

[Jayelo]

Zumba, aerobics, and trampoline would also be a great addition.

[Suvendu]

I completely agree with you, This is very much needed feature. I was using tomtom and switched to ionic but still have to switch to tomtom just for this interval running features. This really helps in my trainings. 

[SunsetRunner]

There are quite a few suggestions for changes to the interval timer and also requesting running plans for 5K up to marathon runners.  I wondered whether the following solution would cover them all.

First of all the interval timer would need a warm up and cool down period that could be set to required minutes.

Secondly, if we could have a timer that had different sections, for example:-

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 5

Run 5 minutes

Obviously these sections would all be editable and independently repeatable.

This would ensure all running plans could be catered for, and could also be used for stationery bike work.

As a new Versa user, having also recently purchase the fitbit flyers this solution would, I think, go a long way to making our workouts truly independent from our phones.

Thank you.

[Mikegillett]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

Ionic has a very basic interval training feature.

The Ionic watch has potential to be a lot better than Garmin running watches if more work and development in the interval training side on the watch.

All should be customised on watch and phone,

A tailored program could be provided by Fitbit.

Examples:

Distance intervals (change distance and speed - sprint, run, jog, walk or recover)

Example : 400m Sprint, then 200m walk  repeat X times

Heart rate intervals (change heart rate zones and times, also speed - sprint, run, jog, walk or recover)

Example : 2mins Run, then jog until heart rate drops below 140 repeat X times

Time intervals (change time and speed - sprint, run, jog, walk or recover)

Example : 30s jog, then 30s run, followed by 30s sprint repeat X times

Moderator Edit: Title for Clarity/Added Labels

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I absolutely agree and want this.  I tried the active rest interval short-cut, but i wanted it for run intervals.
 

[Benzagers]

Hallo



I don't know if you kno wit but Fitbit has changed the interval settings. It
is not yet perfect but it is still better than before. Know you can setup
your own "run time "and your own "rest time". You can both set it up from
0" till 19' 59". For me is 45" almost the same as 200m! The only thing I
still miss is a warming up time and a cooling down time!

Greats

benzagers

[Gaius619]

But using "Interval" doesn't log the same stats it would for running. It
also doesn't let you set different warm up/cool down intervals, and it
doesn't let you vary the interval length 3 min run, 2 min walk 5 min run 1
min walk, etc.

[oFrankb]

Also with interval you can't see your pace which is a real bummer for a runner.

[Benzagers]

I Know it isn't perfect yet but it is still better than in the beginning
because then we had nothing. Step by step and I hope it will be better and
better. The more we complain the more they will listen???????

[Benzagers]

That's right for 100%. But step by step? We will win and Fitbit will do
something about itJ

[vthatha]

If Fitbit team has decided to dump the Blaze users, It is completely unfair. Blaze users welcomed Fitbit into the Smartwatch world from traditional Fitness trackers. Why is it so tough for Fitbit team to add Interval timer to Blaze after all both Blaze is sharing the same OS with other Fitbit watches which features the interval timer. Blaze customers paid more money compared to HR 2, but not be sidelined for Ionic(we all know what happened to Ionic). 

There are hundreds of requests on this community begging Fitbit to release Interval timer for Blaze. If Fitbit wants to retain the Blaze customers faith they should definitely consider launching this feature. Forcing users to move to Ionic or something else will prove nothing. Blaze customer paid over $150 and are definitely not ready for an upgrade right now. To even consider the upgrade, Blaze is still under the recommended product lifecycle time and Blaze users will only go with Versa next year. Hurting Blaze users is really bad and may force Fitbit to lose the Blaze customer base when they are due for the upgrade.  

To All moderators, you may find my comments harsh. But, if you are coming back to the community saying that you are completely helpless convincing Fitbit to launch interval timer for Blaze, then pass this message. "A Healthy business model will increase and retain the faith of the customers (Which is a must for today's economy) towards any brand and Wealthy business model is like a rising tide and reaches the ground every time". Don't recommend Blaze users to buy Ionic or HR2.  

Not fair at all. Not fair.

At least Fitbit should consider offering this feature through their iOS and Andriod App.

[Hardyoyo]

Agreed.

[MartinMitrovic]

Fit Bit ... is a great product! it has helped me immensely... it has caused others to join in and do challenges .. compete week after week .. it has kept myself and friends motivated and focused... it is just that sort of tool, brilliant! with that said and once I became fitter, I started to get the HIIT Buzz and guess what, I requested exactly that feature about 4 years ago... I am still with Fitbit BUT do my own HIIT... I got to learn where my heart rate sits ... when my breathing becomes stuttery etc... and did on offs with that in mind AND everyone has a different HIIT rate even with myself I can do more on one day than another it is inconstant ...HIIT, using a device would set a pace, yes BUT ...to be honest many put that idea to bed! those that love HIIT do their own individually rated exerciser (including myself) and check how they performed with the graphs Later at sync time. I have downloaded Tabata Pro and will admit I used it rarely ... don't get me wrong I love HIIT but hate to have to fiddle with a device and obey that (monitor it).. Just imagine for a moment that fitbit would set that feature up ... You'd use it for a bit but then do your own thing anyway... that is exactly what all my friends did when they were disgusted with the responses from fitbit about interval training and bought their Garmins - Happy training, edge each other on and definitely hit the Gym run the treadmill with bursts, try to get better every time you train

[cspence12]

I agree with others on this thread. To be competitive with runners the interval feature needs major work. On my garmin, I can use intervals with both GPS and treadmill runs. There is the ability to add both warm up and cool down, as well as multiple different intervals and repeats. Also the ability to change the measure of the interval (time/distance). Also, the vibration alerts are not strong enough. I barely notice them. 

[Jennifer2]

Excited to hear that it has been added to Charge 2 and Ionic! Can hardly wait for it to be added to Surge 🙂

[Teresa5751]

I’d like to see the feature of setting run/walk ratios on Surge please. 

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

Ionic has a very basic interval training feature.

The Ionic watch has potential to be a lot better than Garmin running watches if more work and development in the interval training side on the watch.

All should be customised on watch and phone,

A tailored program could be provided by Fitbit.

Examples:

Distance intervals (change distance and speed - sprint, run, jog, walk or recover)

Example : 400m Sprint, then 200m walk  repeat X times

Heart rate intervals (change heart rate zones and times, also speed - sprint, run, jog, walk or recover)

Example : 2mins Run, then jog until heart rate drops below 140 repeat X times

Time intervals (change time and speed - sprint, run, jog, walk or recover)

Example : 30s jog, then 30s run, followed by 30s sprint repeat X times

Moderator Edit: Title for Clarity/Added Labels

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