The ithlete blog
Welcome to the ithlete blog, the central place to get the latest company news, read real user stories, get our take on heart rate variability news and research, get top tips on using ithlete and share your thoughts.
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Training Camp by Amir Williamson
Good morning Guys, Just sitting here at Gatwick airport waiting to board a plane to Portugal, what's that you say... holiday? I wish!!! My training partner Sam Milner and I, along with our coach Malcolm Fenton, are off on a two week training camp to the IAAF Training...
Camp Digital user experience conference
Camp Digital We were invited to present at a User Experience event called Camp Digital in Manchester by the designer Chris Bush who helped us realise the v3.0 UI (user interface) design of ithlete. This was the first time I had presented to (several hundred) User...
International CES 2014 ithlete press coverage
International CES 2014 was always set to be a hugely significant event for fitness technology companies with the fit tech area expanded by 30% from the previous year. On our first year at CES, ithlete fitted in perfectly. With a new high quality visually appealing...
Validating the new ithlete Finger Sensor
Although ECG signals have been the gold standard for heart rate variability (HRV) due to the sharp, easily identified peak of the R wave, there has been a desire amongst researchers and practitioners to find a more convenient alternative. The pulse sensor, of the...
ithlete v3 is here on iOS!
It’s been over 3 years since the ithlete app was originally designed, and with feedback from hundreds of separate users, we knew it was high time for a redesign of the user experience. It’s not so much about adding features (though there are some much requested...
SaaS or Science as a Service – How Quantified Self data is disrupting Professional Sports Part 3
by Carl Valle The third part of this series reviews the growing sensor market and how to use the data from equipment such Tendo, Gymaware, and even new wearables such as the up and coming Push device and Angel Sensor. To wrap things up, an understanding of how all the...
Tuesday Tip: Maintaining a flexible training plan
Some customers tell us they struggle with the idea of adapting training each morning, preferring instead to have a set plan in mind and sticking to it. Others often relay that time is the biggest restraint on their training and they can’t simply drop things to train...
ithlete now supports Bluetooth Smart on Android
ithlete 2.3 supports Bluetooth Smart on Android - available now! Following the latest release from Google providing native Bluetooth Low-Energy support as part of its operating system, we are delighted to announce that ithlete now supports Bluetooth Smart on Android....
ithlete at the 6th International HRV Symposium
This weekend we are off to Halle in the former Eastern Germany to present & exhibit at the 6th International HRV Symposium. This is a biannual event that consists of a full day program of both invited speakers who are authorities on particular aspects of HRV...
Tuesday Tip: The importance of sleep
Sleep & Recovery Recovery is essential in any training programme and sleep is arguably the most important element of recovery. As most athletes know you don’t get fitter during workouts but actually when your body recovers, rebuilding and super compensating to get...
Tuesday Tip: Record your training load
Why record training load with ithlete? It is strongly recommended athletes record training load in ithlete to add depth and meaning to their heart rate variability (HRV) data. Recovering from a hard session? Recording training load can often explain daily ithlete...
Tuesday Tip: Using and maintaining your HRM strap
Many athletes use a heart rate monitor (HRM strap) during exercise to monitor the intensity of their training. We often assume this is a ‘fit and forget’ accessory, but there seems to be a lack of useful tips for use and care of the strap itself. With particular...
Breathing and heart rate variability: The Research
The impact of breathing on different HRV measurements: implications for monitoring athletes Who, what & why? It has long been known that breathing affects heart rate variability (HRV). Many studies have tracked HRV in athletes – some have used free (spontaneous)...
SaaS: How Quantified Self data is disrupting Professional Sports Part 2
by Carl Valle This second part of this series reviews not only blood analysis with the new InsideTracker Pro, but how to utilize the training load more effectively with better approaches to quantification. The ABC's (Activity/Blood/Cardiology) reviewed in part one are...
Tuesday Tip: Breathing affects heart rate variability
Breathing and heart rate are intrinsically linked Heart rate (HR) varies with breathing, as you breathe in HR speeds up, as you breathe out HR slows. This is known as Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA for short). This is also why deep/slow breathing is linked with...
Want to know more about ithlete?
Follow these four easy steps to get started with ithlete today!
Choose a heart rate sensor
To measure heart rate variability (HRV) with ithlete you’ll need a heart rate sensor. You have the option to use an ithlete finger sensor or chest strap monitor. If you have a recent iPhone, iPad or Android device you may like to use our Bluetooth Smart chest strap monitor, or alternatively grab a Polar type analogue strap (we also offer one of these) and an ithlete ECG receiver to pick up the signal. Visit the ithlete store to find your preferred sensor.
Download the ithlete app
ithlete is available on both iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. If you do want to check your model of smartphone or tablet is compatible check our FAQ page.
One minute daily measurement
After waking each morning relax and sit comfortably, slip on a chest strap or finger sensor and follow the on screen instructions to get an accurate reading of your heart rate variability. Taking the measurement couldn’t be simpler and in 60 seconds you will have a personalised training recommendation for the day.
Reap the benefits of training with ithlete
The idea is quite simple. Training is all about stress and recovery. A hard session, lack of sleep, mental stress etc. will lower your number. If your reading drops significantly, take this as an early warning that you are overloading the system. On the other hand a high score lets you know you should make the most out of the day. Benefits of this include avoiding overtraining, workout optimisation, guilt free rest days, improved performance and much more!