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

[jonnylitch]

I would like to see a HIIT option put onto Surge.

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@Jennymc wrote:

With the Increasing popularity of Interval HIIT exercise and also run/walk Training (Jeff Galloway)

I think it would be wonderful if the possibility of introducing something on the surge where you could programme intervals.  In the case of run/walk where I am most interested in - to set a specific duration to run and then one to walk , the surge would then vibrate at each change of pace. The Fitbit already has this Vibration when you reach your step goals so Im sure this could work.

I love my fitbit and dont really want to buy another watch for the sake of Intervals.  Also there isnt a really reliable app for this on Android so there is a gap in the market.

Many Thanks and please vote

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[ECHO-313]

Interval's programmed using the app, with vibration and simple text display to indicate instruction.

+1   I WOULD LOVE THIS

[Neb32]

I am looking at replacing my old garmin GPS forerunner because I would like a fitness trainer and don't like wearing my fitbit and garmin watch when running. Here are what I am looking for.

Interval training.

Run time/Rest time repeat how many times

Run Distance/ Rest Distance

Run Time/ Rest Distance

Run Distance/ Rest time

A HR alarm would be nice also. Allowing to keep my HR in a certin zone. 

These are options that I feel are make or break features that will make up my decision on my future upgrade. This feature is offered by Garmin, Polar, Addidis, and Timex. I like the Aria and that is why I was looking at jumping ship from Garmin. 

[Lorie6161]

Good idea! I was hoping for an auto restart option on the timer. Most interval training would be done in 30 second increments. So a timer that automatically vibrates every 30 seconds during my run would work for me. Easy enough to count how many times it vibrates for your 1 minute and 1.5 minute intervals...

[Daesy]

I'd really like an interval timer on the surge, one that can be manually set to suit

[ajlongshanks]

Yes i agree , a HIIT timer vibration based would be wonderful. I want this feature!!!
And I hope they give us an adjustable interface using the mobile app so we can set our own time intervals and  rest times.

[Twaquana]

Please add a setting for interval running. I could have used this feature while training for the 5k.

[sraindog]

This idea is especially a good idea with all of recent studies indicating Tabita and other timed intensity/rest intervals shown to be a great way to increase calorie burn and increase fitness.

[Corinne73]

Agree this would be a great enhancement. Would need to be able to customise ur intervals in sets and then even better if it would show those intervals against your heart rate and steps graphs so u can see in which intervals you worked hardest.

[platty]

Hi,

Really talking about the Surge here but it would be great to be able to set up a style of vibration notifications that allow to set workout times and rest periods such as you'd need for HIIT, and have a notification on the surge screen that states the mode such as "Walk" / "Run" / "Lift" or "Rest" and a countdown to the end of the distance, Time Etc..

E.G

2 mins "Walk" or "Run", with 1 min "Rest" or "Slow"  that could be set over a user defined time period for 10mins or 30mins Etc.

or

Every 500 steps as "High" then 100 steps at "Low" for 2500 steps.

Could also see that working for wieight training 3 sets with a 45 Second "Lift" period and 1 min "Rest" inbetween the sets. with a set count down and a repeat process, so it makes it easy to move from exercise to exercise. Could even get it to have a different vibrate patern to time the lift so you should be keeping pace with the repetitions with in a set so you try to keep pace with the routine you've pre-defined.

E.g

4 Sets with 8 reps @ 45 seconds/set and 1 min rest inbetween the sets.

or

3 sets with 10 reps @ 1 min/set and 90 seconds rest inbetween.

[Caitlynnp]

This is literally the only thing holding me back from buying this watch. It is crazy that a smart watch doesnt have interval timing. My friend has the apple watch sport and she will set up interval timing and she will do 1 minute of an exercise and then it vibrates on her wrist to tell her she completed the 1 minute.  

Is there any chance this will be added?

[Maexchen]

First of all sorry if this has been posted or if I'm in the wrong area. I'm on my mobile and couldn't do a thorough research.

What I'm suggesting is the inclusion of a (simple) interval timer for trackers from Charge upwards. The way I envisage this is as follows:
On your phone or the webpage you are able to set 2 intervals (e.g. 45 sec and 30 sec) when you set your tracker into activity tracking mode one of the options is the interval timer which is started by double tapping when the symbol is shown. The tracker then vibrates whenever of of the intervals has finished. No need to show anything on the screen.

[laurenarri]

Interval option would be great!!! I do a lot of interval running and I am having to go off of my father in laws Garmin watch. Hopefully FitBit can get this program for the Surge.

[MartinMitrovic]

This Surge absolutely ROCKS... I have lost heaps of weight ... have gained massive fitness and now I am at a level where I need more interval training, I am human and want more ha ha ha ...... A brisk walk is too low on the Heart rate ... a RUN is too high on the Heart rate so they asked me to 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off... could this be a valuable option?  'Interval Training' So you get a bzzz bzzz (X2) to start the 20 sec run (adjustible seconds).... and the bzzz bzz bzz (X3) to signal you back to a brisk walk ...(allow the hart rate to drop) after 10 sec ... bzz bzz (X2) back on running ... intervals - pushing you to work through it, I have a feeling its an awesome feature

Kind regards,

Martin

[surfj9009]

This timer function as the original poster is exactly what I would hope to see also. As long as the work/rest timers were configurable through the mobile app or the dashboard.

I am also a runner and training for a 10k and train using intervals.

[runvenus]

I would like to add my voice to those requesting an interval timer.  This is absolutely a base level requirement for running training.  I LOVE, love my Fitbit Surge, and I've lost 12.5 lbs of my desired 15 lbs since July 30, even while being injured and unable to run, thanks to my new little digital friend!  But now I'm slowly getting back to running and am starting with walk / run intervals; and soon I'll be back to more rigorous run training, and for both, my current workaround of using the run alerts to signal the start of a walk interval will soon be insufficient.  I look forward to the inevitable improvement to the Surge to allow interval training!

Thanks, and keep up the good work.

[jakewash]

I have used Garmin GPS trackers since the beginning, the original 201 and the interval timer was instrumental in the beginning and coming back from injuries. It also helped greatly in achieving long distance runs. Having an interval timer would be great for any number of workouts, ie. running, crossfit and tabata workouts. Please make this happen for the Charge HR (my choice of fitbit).

[Uzybone]

Please include an interval timer with Fitbit. Makes it easier to do tabatas and other timed workouts.

[mooseibear]

Interval timer would be great for runs and other training!

[bamintervals]

I am joining the community because I have been researching fitbits. As a beginner runner, I really want a fitbit with an interval option-something that can give me the daily activity tracking & interval running.

Whether on the Charge or Surge. My husband and I are researching devices, don't own any currently and the only thing keeping from purchasing any fitbit option is the lack of this ONE feature! We would like to buy whatever devices we get from the same company so that we can sync similarly, use with the same running apps, use with the same scale, etc...

We had the goal to buy them for this Christmas for each other. I keep putting it off because everything about the fitbit is what we both want, except it is missing this ONE feature. It seems to me that it has so many ways to buzz, notify, etc, that the Surge could easily have a simple buzz with "run" "walk" or "slow" "fast" even if they were preprogrammed intervals to choose from it would be worth considering.

I am about to buy another product rather than the fitbit. Just one word that the feature was going to be included in some kind of software update or new device would change my mind and wait for the fitbit!!! When putting out this kind of money, I will unlikely simply get rid of one device for another...and I tend to stick with a company once I buy one product from them. So to me this is a make or break deal for a LONG time.

*****UPDATE 05-2016*****

We in fact bought a competing product (TomTom Multisport for about $100) so NOT an expensive GPS competitor to Fitbit. The ONLY reason, was so I could have the interval "buzz" training. When people ask why we chose TomTom over Fitbit - THIS IS THE ONLY reason we give for not buying a Fitbit product (well except my husband adds that he would have bought the fitbit but decided to buy the same one as me). With the announcements of Blaze and Alta I came back to the site because truthfully, I really wish fitbit would come out with the Interval training since the design is so much nicer. Too bad neither has GPS - nor can at lease includes a timed if not distance interval function. The TOMTOM is clunky user experience, but at least they understand we aren't all marathon runners to start and that some of us like an interval train to get us out exercising. I even checked the Surge to see if it had upgraded to the interval option (come on! - couldn't this just be a software update!! It has GPS so you could do both interval distance and interval time training). I am willing to pay the $ 250 for the Surge since the user design looks better, BUT SERIOUSLY THIS ONE MISSING FEATURE CONTINUES to hold me back from the purchase.

[seabus]

is there an easy way to do interval trainin g without using two watches?

[efranz12]

I just switched from a Garmin to the Durge knowing this wasn't an available feature but HOPING it would be integrated soon.

To be able to set a run interval and rest interval would make this watch truly competitive with the true running watches on the market. 

Please make this happen!!!

[mantababe]

i cant belive the surge hasnt got this, it is a basic function for training runs...come on fitbit get your finger out get ahead of your competitors 

[Zhofer]

Really disappointed that this feature doesn't exist for a watch made for runners in mind. Hopefully this can be added soon or I'll be going back to my garmin.

[Junverferth]

Is there any add in where you cab get the interval timer. For example, I like to keep moving through my work out and do an excerise for 1 minute then vibrate or beep to move to the next. Currently I have a flex and a separate watch with an interval timer, it is annoying to wear both, I thought abiut switching to a surge, but am not seeing that it offers an interval timer, is there any way to use an interval timer through my fitbit?