NEW: fitnessMeter for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch

Last Updated on June 8, 2012 by Jimson Lee

Sten and I would like to thank all the beta testers who took the time to evaluate the latest fitness tester for iOS devices.  You may recall we had a call-out for the iPhone, iPad and iPod FitnessMeter: Beta Testers Wanted.

The company, Appmaker, also makes the iPhone sprintTimer – Photo Finish & Race Timing.

The fitnessMeter 1.0 for iOS are innovative tools for measuring fitness levels.  The Fitness app is for for coaches and individuals to allow automatic measurement of athletic performance in five categories:

1. Flying Sprint
2. Sprint & Shuttle
3. Vertical Jump
4. Repetitions
5. Beep Test.

Capable of providing results for more than 20 standard tests and exercises, the app uses the device’s camera and/or accelerometer to achieve an accuracy of +/- 0.02 of a second, leveraging technology from their sprintTimer app.

Measuring conditioning, fitness, and performance accurately is challenging, particularly when the subject of measurement has no one available to lend assistance. fitnessMeter employs motion detection technology to supply results that are more accurate than a stopwatch through use of the device’s built-in camera. Following selection of one of the five categories pre-programmed into the app, the user simply aligns the device, which will then automatically signal the start of the test and save the results.

Feature Highlights:

1. fitnessMeter is a versatile, configurable tool for fitness testing
2. Flying Sprint uses the camera to measure the time between two points, similar to two timing gates
3. Sprint and Shuttle functions like a starting gun plus a timing gate using the camera
4. Vertical Jump records a short video where you can easily measure the jumping height
5. Repetitions counts and times various activities like sit-ups, push-ups, step-ups, etc.
6. Beep Test takes a picture at each turn, which makes it easy to keep track of the results

When the Flying Sprint mode is selected, the app simulates two timing gates and measures the time between two points. It can be used for either measuring top speed or acceleration. Users set the running direction in Set Up, and then place the iPhone parallel to the track with one red line at the start of the timing zone and one at the finish. This requires the iPhone to be about the same distance away from the track as the running distance and therefore works best for 10m – 20m sprints.

In Sprint & Shuttle mode the app acts like a timing gate plus a starting gun. It has a number of settings that makes it possible to use for both conventional sprints and different agility tests. Users set the number of passes before stopping the clock and if the timer should start at the gun or when the runner starts moving.

Examples of tests can be run in this mode include: Conventional Sprint, 20-Yard Agility Test, 20-Yard Shuttle, Pro Agility Shuttle, Illinois Agility Test,  Agility Shuttle Run, 505 Agility Test, Agility T-Test, 3 Cone Drill/L-Drill, and the Lane Agility Drill.

Selecting Vertical Jump mode, users can choose to use either the camera (back or front) and record a video or the accelerometer. The camera is generally more accurate, but the accelerometer is quick and easy to use. When using the camera users must place the iPhone/iPad vertically and fairly high up (it is not necessary to see the whole body). The horizontal distance to the spot they want to jump from (usually 1-3 m), is entered into the text field at the top of the screen. Then, users start the video,  jump straight up, and stop the video. Next, users scroll the video to a frame where they are standing upright and place one of the arrows over a point on the body. Finally, users scroll to the frame where they are at their peak and place the other arrow on the same point. The result is displayed in the same units used for the distance. Long jump, stride length, etc., can also be measured in this mode. Alternatively, users can select the accelerometer-based test and jump with the iOS device in their pocket.

In Repetitions mode, users can measure time and reps of such as exercises as Sit-Ups, Push-Ups, Step-Ups, Chin-Ups, Rope-Skipping, etc. Either the camera (back or front) with motion detection or the accelerometer can be used. The camera is generally more appropriate, but there can be instances when the accelerometer is useful, for example, measuring small quick motions like skipping rope. fitnessMeter can be set to stop after a certain time or a certain number of repetitions. There is a setting for fast repetitions (for both camera and the accelerometer), but the default setting covers most normal workouts. Users can switch to the front camera in the camera view, which is useful when users are testing themselves.

Lastly, Beep Test mode follows the original MSFT-Test ( a common aerobic endurance test), but can be configured to fit alternative procedures. Users tap Config and Edit to change the number of shuttles and speed for each level. Users can also let fitnessMeter save an image at each beep to keep track of a large group of runners by going into Camera Settings and choosing Half or All. Half means that every second lap is covered, which is useful if the camera only points towards the starting line. When the test is stopped, a video with all the pictures is presented. The video can then be saved to the common picture folder.

"fitnessMeter is an advanced timing and measurement tool for fitness testing," stated Sten Kaiser of Kaiser & Kaiser. "It can be applied to many different kinds of activities and is aimed both at coaches and at individuals who want to test themselves."

Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (video camera equipped is preferable)
* Compatible with iPhone 3Gs/4/4s, iPad 2, and iPod touch 4
* iOS 4.0 or later (iOS 5 tested)
* 1.0 MB

Pricing and Availability:
fitnessMeter 1.0 is only $1.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Health and Fitness category. Review copies are available upon request.

Purchase and Download on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=477488986&mt=8

Click here for the YouTube Video:

For more information on the fitnessMeter, go to:http://www.appmaker.se/fitnessMeter or contact Sten Kaiser at sten@appmaker.se or call +46 70 357 36 72.