Garmin introduces screenless fitness tracker in challenge to Whoop
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The Cirqa Smart Band can be worn on the wrist or as an arm band, and monitors sleep, stress and vitals such as heart rate variability and skin temperature.
PHOTO: GARMIN
- Garmin launched the $258 Cirqa Smart Band, a screenless fitness tracker that monitors sleep, stress, heart rate variability, and other health metrics without a subscription.
- The device supports over 80 workout types, automatically detects exercise, and offers up to 10 days of battery life.
- This move follows competitors like Whoop and Fitbit, with Garmin targeting mainstream consumers by selling affordable devices without mandatory subscriptions.
AI generated
OLATHE, Kansas – Garmin has introduced a screenless fitness tracker, becoming the latest company to enter a segment popularised by Whoop.
Like the competition, the Cirqa Smart Band offers a mix of activity and health tracking, the company said in a statement on July 21.
The device, which can be worn on the wrist or as an armband, monitors sleep, stress and vitals such as heart rate variability, skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation and maximal oxygen consumption, or VO2 max.
Users can manually begin workouts for more than 80 types of activities.
The device also automatically detects when the user is exercising.
All of this data contributes to a “Body Battery” score, similar to other devices’ attempts to quantify how well-rested someone is.
The battery life of the Cirqa Smart Band is rated at up to 10 days, and it comes with a fabric band offered in several colours.
The device is available now and is selling in Singapore for $279.
A growing number of companies have been following the example of Whoop, which released its first tracker more than a decade ago for a niche audience of elite and professional athletes.
It has since evolved to target mainstream consumers and is now a US$10 billion (S$12.9 billion) company headed towards a public listing in the coming years.
Rivals have taken notice: Alphabet’s Google recently released the US$100 screenless Fitbit Air, which was met with broadly positive reviews.
But, while Whoop makes money from mandatory subscriptions rather than the hardware itself, its competitors have been experimenting with offering relatively affordable devices that do not come with recurring fees.
The Cirqa Smart Band does not require a subscription.
The Fitbit Air has an optional subscription that includes more advanced features. BLOOMBERG
