Working with Audio in Fitdigits Apps – Android

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Christopher Means

Working with Audio – iCardio, iRunner (Android)

One of the biggest perks of exercising with your phone, besides tracking your workouts with a Fitdigits app, is using all of the awesome audio functionality that the mini-computer we now call smart phones have to offer. Be it jamming to your favorite Google Play playlist, exploring new music on Spotify, or being enthralled by an intriguing podcast, your phone offers you a myriad of options to entertain yourself while working out.

On top of that, Fitdigits apps have some unique audio functionality of its own. Voice feedback gives you a verbal summary of your workout thus far at pre-defined intervals, allowing you to adjust your workout as necessary to meet your goals.

I. Music, Podcasts & Other Audio

Your best option for music really is using the music app of your choice by simply minimizing the Fitdigits app in the background (typically the home button in the center bottom of your Android device) and launching the app of choice. Fitdigits apps will work in the background as you browse through your other apps. See below on how to turn on other voice prompts and settings for when you are in your workouts.

Workout Voice Feedback

Fitdigits, using shrink ray technology perfected in “Honey I Shrunk the Kids”, has inserted a built in personal trainer right into your phone! Voice feedback gives your real time stats on your workout, based on pre-defined intervals. There are some settings as default, but each activity type does have it’s own settings you can customize.

First things first, let’s turn voice feedback on, or make sure it is turned on.

From the home screen, choose the activity type you want to modify audio settings for, then tap Workouts (v3.x) or tap the Workout Options Gear icon (v4.x)
Tap Voice Settings

Version 3.x

Version 4.x

From there you get the Voice Feedback settings screen, with your options available.

Voice Feedback Options

Voice Feedback (Enabled / Disabled)
Voice Type (Male / Female)
Volume Control – this will set the volume of the voice feedback relative to other audio going on in the app.

Heart Zone Transition Voice Alerts

Heart Rate Zone – this tells the app whether to say the Zone Name when giving feedback (Zone 1, Zone 2, etc)
Zone BPM Range – this tells the app whether to say the actual BPM that is associated with the Zone, for example “from 100 to 128”. Note that this also has the benefit of letting you know whether you were dropping into or rising into the zone, as it will tell you the order you are heading. For example, if it says “Entering Zone 1 from 128 to 100” that means you are dropping into the zone, from the top (128) to the bottom (100) of the zone. If you were going up into the zone it would say “Entering Zone 1 from 100 to 128” – from the bottom going up to the top of the Zone. Sometimes people want to hear the zone BPM ranges so they learn at first their zones, and know the direction. Once you have a good feeling and are comfortable with your zones, sometimes it is nice to only hear the zone number rather than the full information.

Other Voice Alert Triggers

While it is apparent that if you want to be told Heart Rate Zone changes you are going through in your workout from the settings above, there are other things you can set to “trigger” different audio / voice alerts. This is your chosen interval for when you will hear voice feedback.

You can choose to have voice feedback come in when you you reach a certain amount of calories, elapsed time, and/or distance. For this example, I have chosen to have voice feedback triggered when I travel 1/4 of a mile.

Calories
Elapsed Time
Distance
Manually triggering voice feedback – If you cannot wait for the trigger, at any point during a workout, you can hear voice feedback by double tapping the middle of your screen when you viewing the workout dashboard.

Spoken when Triggered

The final option is what you want spoken when you reach the trigger. I have left all options turned on- I will get my current heart rate, calories burned, distance, time and pace. If you have music or other audio playing, when voice feedback occurs it will dim so you can hear the stats over your music or other audio.

Current BPM
Calories
Distance
Time
Pace (this is your current Pace and Average Pace)

In-Workout Settings

You also have the ability to make some small adjustments to voice feedback once you have started a workout. If you find yourself in a gym without headphones and want to turn voice feedback off, merely tap the gear icon in the lower right (1), and switch “Voice Feedback” to OFF. You will also see an “Audio” volume slider. This is the volume of the voice feedback, and will not change the volume of the rest of your phone. If you feel you are being yelled at, turn the volume down here. Tap the back button at the top (2) to go back to your workouts screens.

Turn on Debug Logging – Fitdigits Android Apps (iCardio, iRunner, iBiker)

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Christopher Means

Sometimes, God forbid, there are bugs and issues on the Android platform. In order to try and figure out, as quickly and efficiently as possible, what the issue might be, we here would love for you to send Debug logs – the only trouble is, debugging must be ON before you send the logs. We don’t keep it on because in itself, it takes up a bit of memory and processing power.

So if you do have an issue (God forbid) – turn on debugging, and if you can repeat the issue, send us the debug log with a description of the issues and the steps that happened, it would be very, very appreciated!

Turning on Debug Logging on Android:

Go to Menu > Settings > Debug
If it is on and you experienced the issue, tap Send Debug Log
If it is not turned on, you need to enable it first, reproduce the issue then tap Send Debug Log.

We thank you, and of course our apologies for any issues. So many devices, so many operating system versions – it can be tough. We hope to provide the best possible solutions but it also takes help from you, which is always very appreciated.

Pairing Your Scosche Rhythm Plus with Fitdigits

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Brandon Keller

Fitdigits is delighted to deliver a device that is the future for fitness fanatics- the Scosche Rhythm Plus.

The Plus, like the Rhythm before it, mounts on your forearm as opposed to your chest. The difference is, this puppy is Bluetooth Smart (also know as Bluetooth Low Energy and Bluetooth 4.0) compatible, meaning a range of up to 100 feet!

So I know the question that is undoubtably popping into your mind- how do I pair this bad boy with my device? On to the nitty gritty:

Apple Devices

Make sure you have a Bluetooth Low Energy Compatible Device. This includes iPhone 4s / 5 / 5S / 5c, iPad 3 / 4 / 5 / Mini & iPod Touch 5
Strap your charged Rhythm smart onto your forearm, and turn it on by pushing and holding down the middle “S” button
Turn Bluetooth ON. Either go to the Settings App -> Bluetooth -> ON, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap the Bluetooth” symbol to illuminate it and turn Bluetooth ON.
Tap the Bluetooth Icon to turn it on
Open your Fitdigits app and go to Settings (in version 8.0 use the side menu) -> My Sensors. Under Heart Rate Monitors, Swipe Bluetooth Smart to ON. The sensor should be found shortly after that.
You have paired

You are now paired! Just begin a workout and you are good to go!

Android Devices

Make sure you have a Bluetooth Low Energy Compatible Device. This includes most devices running OS 4.3 or above. For more details, check out our Android Bluetooth Low Energy Compatibility Guide.
Strap your charged Rhythm plus onto your forearm, and turn it on by pushing and holding down the middle “S” button
Turn Bluetooth ON. Go to Android Settings -> Bluetooth -> ON.
Open the Fitdigits app, and go to Settings -> My Sensors -> Heart Rate Monitor
Tap “Pair Bluetooth Low Energy HRM” -> Scan Devices. You should see an option that says “Scosche_HRM”. Tap on this option

You are now paired. Just begin a workout and you are good to go!

Using Fitness Assessments to Determine Heart Rate Zones

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Christopher Means

You’ve begun the journey of learning about your body, your heart. You’ve made the decision to take control of your fitness level. Congratulations! There is very little as key to a great heart rate training experience as having fully customized, personalized Heart Rate Zones and Pace Zones that fit you. When you have this, things just feel right when you are exercising.

Fitdigits includes multiple types of fitness assessments with a Pro Plus or Star Membership, for all levels of users. These assessments help determine your fitness level, using well accepted research as a base for calculating VO2 Max as a proxy for cardiovascular fitness. We’ve taken proven techniques, combined common sense, and designed assessments that can serve to proxy for the full treadmill-hooked-to-a-mask-and-computer traditional fitness test. Why spend hundreds when you have Fitdigits?!

The Beginner Cardio, Advanced Cardio, and Critical Power 30 minute (CP-30) Cardio assessments can help you determine your personal heart rate and pace zones to properly design your exercise regimen and help you hit your goals.

Ready to begin? Let’s do this!

Starting a Fitness Assessment

All Fitness Assessments require a heart rate monitor paired and connected to run an Assessment. Please note any pausing of the workout / assessment will make it null and void as an assessment, though it will still show up as a workout.

To start your assessment, get yourself and your heart rate monitor ready. Find a nice flat and open place where you can move freely. Open the app then:

Swipe to the activity type you want to do the fitness assessment in.
Tap the gear / settings icon for the activity type.
Tap Fitness Assessments to see a list of the different assessments available.
1. Assessments like the Rockport Walking Test and Cooper Running Test are only available in some activity types like walking/running.
Tap on the assessment you are going to do.

The description of the assessment will give you an overview of what is expected for that particular type. It’s good to familiarize yourself with what is expected, though you will also be guided through by voice prompts during the assessment.

Tap Launch / Launch Assessment to launch the sensor acquisition and get to the ready state. Once all sensors are acquired, tap Start to begin.
Depending on the assessment, between 7.5 minutes and up to 50 minutes will elapse, guided in stages by voice prompts, taking you through different levels (or continuous levels) of effort throughout the assessment.

When the assessment is complete, you’ll get a summary of Fitness Level and VO2 Max as calculated by the results.

Tap Done, which will take you to your assessment results.

Choose “Set All” to apply these results as your default settings and zones. You can also choose different settings to set individually as well. If you don’t set them as default at this time, you can always do that later.

To see that your Heart Rate or Pace Zones have been set to default, go to the activity you want and tap Activity Settings (gear icon) > Dashboards & Zones > Heart Rate Zones or Pace Zones.

Once you have your own personal heart rate zones, you’ll wonder why you ever did accept the default!

Some experts recommend a new assessment every 6 weeks, some every 6 months to a year, to help track your fitness level and zones through your active life. The newer the active lifestyle is, and the more variation of the training levels, the more often you’ll want to complete one.

Next step – designing custom interval workouts based on your new zones!

Are you Having Trouble Syncing your Workouts?

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Christopher Means

Fitdigits Sync Issues & Errors
Here are some sync tips if your workouts are not synching, which is typically represented by a yellow heart next to the workout when viewing the workout from the Results tab that won’t go away after a standard sync, and an error when syncing.

There are few things to try and fix this. Before starting, you should go online at my.fitidigits.com and login using the email you signed up with (located in your Profile section on the app), and see if the data is in the cloud. If so, it may only be a small part of the workout (notes or something like that) that has not synced or a field was not updated after sync.

Try and locate the workouts in the Activities listing (the ones in the listing with the yellow hearts next to them – yellow hearts mean the workout is not synced to the cloud). If you see one, go into the details of them and edit the notes, change something there. Then tap Menu > Sync. That should re-initialize the workout for syncing and clear up the error / yellow heart if there isn’t a deeper issue.
Sync Repair – the next thing would be to try a Sync Repair. You can do this through the app Menu > Support > Synchronization. Tap ‘Sync Repair’.
Sync Date Reset – if the above didn’t clear the issue, reset the dates of last sync. Tap Sync Date Reset then tap Menu > Sync again to true up the information synced with the cloud.

If you still are having issues, on the sync log page it should display an error symbol on the subject (i.e. Blood Pressure, Workouts, etc.) that is not syncing. Tap on that subject and I pop up will display more information. Please send this information to Fitdigits Customer Support for further assistance. Let them know the app version (located on the bottom of the Settings page) and your user email, and any details you can provide.

As a final attempt, you can either install one of our other apps and login with your existing email and password, see if that cleans it up, or do a full delete and re-install.

Pairing your Older Scosche myTrek or Rhythm Heart Rate Monitor with Fitdigits Apps

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Brandon Keller

******NOTE: SUPPORT FOR OLDER SCOSCHE myTrek and the original Rhythm is being discontinued in July, 2016 ******

Pairing the older versions of Scosche Rhythm / myTrek

If you are using an old-school Scosche Rhythm / myTrek using traditional bluetooth, Scosche stopped supporting them a while ago. Since the bluetooth classic monitors have been discontinued by Scosche, the SDK has not been updated in order for the monitors to work on iOS 9 and Android OS 5. This meant we could no longer support Scosche’s MyTrek and Rhythm Pulse monitor. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, and please see below for options on Android and iOS devices.

Upgrade your monitor (it is worth it!)

Android

However, you can download and install older versions of the Android app – iRunner or iCardio. The last version with support was v3.31 and here are the links below:

iCardio:
http://www.fitdigits.com/downloads/Android/3.31/iCardio_3.31(69).apk

iRunner:
http://www.fitdigits.com/downloads/Android/3.31/iRunner_3.31(69).apk

Once you have the file, you can uninstall the newer version of the app from your device, and copy the older APK file you found to the phone or tablet. If you tap on the links above on the device, it should install automatically.

If not, copy the file to either a new folder, or the existing Download folder. Then, you’ll need to find the file on your Android device (with a File Explorer app or similar), at which point you can tap on it and install it. Note that you will need to tick the box somewhere in your device’s settings menu to allow the installation of apps from “unknown sources”. Most but not all Android devices have this option.

iOS

For iOS users, there is only a limited time left to download a compatible app – as soon and the next release goes live in Apple iTunes it will no longer have support for these older heart rate monitors. iCardio no longer supports them, so you would have to download iRunner or iBiker, which are older versions. But remember not to allow automatic upgrades or the next update to those apps will no longer support the old app!

Turn off automatic updates:
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2016/01/26/how-to-turn-off-automatic-app-updates-in-ios-9/

Download iRunner:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/irunner-runners-walkers-fitness/id304074554?mt=8

For all compatibility, please view here:
http://www.fitdigits.com/compatibility.html

We hope that helps!

*************

Pairing your Android with the Scosche Rhythm or myTrek:

The beginning of every great story has an introduction. Well Android users, prepare to be introduced to the device that will change your life, the Scosche Rhythm. Learn how to Pair your Scosche myTREK or Rhythm with Fitdigits on the Android, and re-write your life story to include a happier and healthier you!

First, put on your Scosche sensor. Make sure your alignment is correct:

Next, turn on the Bluetooth settings in the iPhone and pair the Scosche sensor.

1. Go to your Android Settings
2. Tap Wireless & Network

Choose Wireless & Network

3. Tap Bluetooth Settings

Tap Bluetooth settings

4. Make Sure Bluetooth is ON. If ON, tap Scan Devices
5. Your Heart Rate Belt should appear as “Scosche myTREK” below “Bluetooth devices”. Tap to pair

Tap Scosche to pair

6. Your Scosche will now be paired. To delete a pairing, tap and and hold the Scosche sensor, and choose to unpair
7. Open your Fitdigits app and go to Settings -> My Sensors, and tap Heart so the check is orange
8. Choose Scosche from the menu that comes up

Tap Scosche myTREK

9. You will be taken back to the “Bluetooth devices” screen. Tap on Scosche and you are paired.

Start a workout, and you are ready to take this relationship to a whole new level!

Pairing your Bluetooth Low Energy Heart Rate Monitor – Android

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Brandon Keller

View for iOS

When it comes to Heart Rate Monitors (HRMs), it is essential to make a gentle first contact; do not make any sudden movements as to scare it. There are many different types, they all react a little differently. There is the chest strap, and electrode-based type, which is a great, accurate solution that can last for a long, long time but also has it’s comfort and use drawbacks. That is the traditional HRM.

There are optical solutions such as the Scosche Rhythm + which sits on the arm, the Mio line of wrist based, or the new opticals now coming out in earbuds, bike helmets and sweatbands. Seems if you can see blood, there will be a way to get heart rate from it!

That said, many of the cheap daily activity monitors that claim also to have Heart Rate support, are not compatible because they are not to BLE/Bluetooth Smart specifications or, like Fitbit, decided to keep the HR proprietary thus they did not build the ability for others to pair for HR.

Pairing is very easy. Deleting a current pairing is also super easy. I would recommend, just to get comfortable with the process, the first time you pair your HRM you delete it and then repair just again. Practice makes perfect Mom always said.

If you haven’t already, download the Fitdigits app, and upgrade in-app to support the heart rate monitor functionality and more. We provide a 5 minute trial however so you can pair and do a small test workout without upgrading, if you are still on the fence. All apps have the same functionality but different messaging and graphics in areas.

Downloads

Pairing Your Heart Rate Monitor

Make sure the heart rate monitor is on and turned on with heart rate
1. Optical HRMs: Typically there are green flashing lights from most optical HRMs as they try and read your heart rate (check the back of your Mio or Apple Watch, etc).
2. Chest Straps: Dab water, saliva, or gel onto the underside of the electrode receivers on the strap to strengthen the electrode connection (it conducts when wet, sometimes initially there isn’t enough sweat to get it to pick up). You want to create real chemistry between you and the belt. Next, put the strap on, placing it on your bare skin on the top of your ribcage right below your chest. Make sure it is snug enough not to bounce around much during exercise. Check that the peanut (the plastic monitor part) is right-side up and properly snapped into the belt.

v4.x

1. Tap Menu > Sensors
2. Tap Heart Rate Monitor in the Add a Sensor section
3. When it finds the HRM, tap on it to pair.

v3.x

1. Tap Settings > My Sensors
2. Tap Add a Sensor: Heart Rate Monitor
3. Tap Auto Detect HRM
4. When it finds the HRM, tap on it to pair.

After pairing, the sensor will show in the Paired Sensors section below the Add a Sensor section. You can use the on-off switch anytime you want to not use the HRM, but you don’t want to delete the pairing (like if you forget your HRM).

Tapping on the name of the sensor will bring you to the Sensor detail page, where you can see more information on the sensor or tap Delete to delete it from there.

Deleting a Paired Sensor

Tap Menu > Sensors
Tap and hold on the paired HRM button on the name.
Tap OK on the popup to confirm deleting the sensor.

You can also delete the sensor from memory by tapping on the name of the sensor, then tapping Delete from the Sensor details page.

Start a workout wearing your HRM and you are ready to finally realize your health and fitness destiny! When you are ready, read more on doing custom Fitness Assessments to get your custom heart rate zones, and why that is so important and effective in your own personal journey to health and fitness.

Troubleshooting

Try these initial steps if you are experiencing difficulties pairing, or these other articles for issues such as heart rate spikes or dropouts or general compatibility.

Chest Straps: Wet the electrodes on the belt part (which touches your skin) with water or saliva on the chest strap heart rate monitor to increase connectivity.
Optical HRMs: Make sure the green lights / receptors are pulsing in the part next to your skin.
Reset Bluetooth: Go to the Android Settings and turn off Bluetooth. Wait a few seconds then turn it back on.
Manually Close Your App: Exit the app and then double tap the iPhone home button. Look for the multitasking window to appear at the bottom of your screen. Tap and hold the Fitdigits icon to make a little red circle (minus sign) appear on all the apps. Then tap the little red circle for Fitdigits. Your app has now been manually closed. Relaunch the app and try pairing again.
Reboot: When in doubt, never hurts to reboot your phone/tablet.

If you still cannot pair with your Bluetooth HRM, check out the complete

HRM pairing troubleshooting tips

Calories Per Minute (CPM)

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Christopher Means

Sometimes, working out, what you are really trying to do is burn calories. Yeah, while maybe not the most altruistic of causes, it sure drives a lot of us! That’s one of the big reasons we started creating Fitdigits apps – we realized if you really want to be accurate with calories, you need heart rate to do it! And with that, it’s a lot of effort. In fact, in our rushed lives, every minute counts.

Check out Fitdigits’s calorie metric, Calories Per Minute, or CPM for short. It’s a default metric on the main stats for both the iOS and Android app. It tells you exactly how many calories every minute your effort is burning.

Say you want to burn 700 calories in 60 minutes, you should be targeting around 12 calories per minute because 700 cal / 60 min = 12 cpm. If you are short on time and need to burn 700 calories in 45 minutes, you should aim to exercise at 15.5 calories per minute because 700 cal / 45 min = 15.5. Whew! You’ll be sweating, working a lot harder to burn 700 in 45 minutes than you would in 60 minutes.

Compare your workouts and see which ones burn the most calories for you!

Related links:

Calorie Counting the Fitdigits Way

Carb Cal / Fat Cal

Customize Heart Rate Zones on the Android

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Brandon Keller

Customizing your Heart Rate Zones is important to personalizing your workouts and calorie burn.

With Fitdigits apps on Android, it’s simple to change your zones, though ideally it is done through a customized Fitness Assessment you’ve taken, where we do the work for you.

Select the Activity you want to use the zones on
Tap Activity Options (gear icon)
Tap My Heart Rate Zones
Tap Add Zone Set
1. To edit a zone set, tap that zone set and tap Edit in the top right
Tap on the Title of the Zone Set and the zones themselves to change the names.
Tap on the beats per minute barriers to change them
Tap “DONE” when finished.
To set the new zone set as default in the app, tap “Set Default”

Enabling Location Services on Your Android

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Brandon Keller

View for iOS

Make sure you have a direct line to the sky to get satellite readings for GPS / Location services. If you are having trouble with location services (GPS) on Android, some things to try:

1. Restart the app (hard close fully, not just background, then re-open).

2. Lower the filter quality to weak (Menu > Sensors > GPS > Accuracy Filter set to Weak).

3. Try cycling the GPS sensor, off then on. We’ve seen GPS get hung up before and that fixed it. On your phone (on most androids) you can drag notification bar down and see the on/off toggles for wifi/gps/network etc.

4. If you are tracking outdoor activity with iCardio or iRunner on your Android, make sure you have location services turned on. To do so:

a. Go to your Android Settings

b. Choose “Security & Location”

c. Make sure all of your location options are turned on

d. Check the App-level permissions and make sure they are on for the apps

e. Open the Fitdigits app and tap Menu > Settings > My Sensors and Turn Location on.

5. If you are having trouble acquiring GPS, you might try adjusting the Accuracy Filter to Weak, which will allow the app to read weaker and less accurate readings in satellites and remote areas.

6. To double check GPS permissions, go to Sensors > Add Heart Rate Monitor. The BLE code will force a location services check and let you know if it is not enabled.

7. Start your Fitdigits workout!

Note not all Androids are exactly alike – the screens and areas above may vary. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Support.

Please also check that your location settings are set to High accuracy. Settings > Additional Settings > Privacy > Location > Set to High Accuracy.

Within the app itself, you can allow the app to use less accurate readings by changing the location services setting to Weak. You may find the distance/pace isn’t as accurate but for areas where signal strength is low it can help.

Please Disable any Power Saving Mode, Battery Management apps or other 3rd party power/battery managers:

Especially for Samsung users, but also other devices as well. Please check that Samsung Power Savings Mode or other Power saving modes are turned off when exercising and tracking activities if you intend to track while the app is backgrounded. Typically if they are on, they will disable any GPS tracking after a short period if the app is backgrounded.

Samsung: Battery settings > App power saving > Details > iCardio/iRunner etc > Disabled

LG — Settings > Battery & Power saving > Battery usage > Ignore optimizations > turn ON for iCardio/iRunner etc.

Motorola — Battery > Menu (upper right corner) > Battery optimization > Not optimized > All apps > select iCardio/iRunner etc > Don’t optimize.

HTC — Phone settings > Battery > Power Saving Mode > Battery Optimization > select iCardio/iRunner etc > Don’t optimize > Save.

Huawei — Turn Energy Settings to Normal and add iCardio/iRunner etc to “Protected Apps”

Sony Battery > Menu (upper right corner) > Battery optimization > Apps > iCardio/iRunner etc.

Fitdigits Support

Get Active. Stay Healthy.

Category Archives: Android