By now, there’s no shortage of exercise monitors on the market, each with its own gimmick. Some offer style, some offer waterproof construction, some turn fitness into a game and some will even help you track your food consumption. But none will actually tell you when it’s optimal for your body to start exercising — at least until the new Reign by Jaybird monitor is released later this month, that is.
Each day, Reign conducts a Heart Rate Variability test, an analysis of time interval between heartbeats. The more relaxed and rested you are, the more variability there is between beats. Reign uses this data to calculate your “Go-Score,” a number ranging from 0 to 100 that shows your body’s readiness for exercise. The higher the score, the more primed your body is for activity. It’s meant to push you toward being active when your body is ready to make the most out of your effort.
QUIZ: Should You Eat This or That?
Which is better for you: Half cup of ice cream or 3 scoops of sorbet?Getty Images (4)Answer: A half cup of ice cream
If you eat what you’re craving, you’re more likely to feel satisfied and eat less. And scoop for scoop sorbet contains twice the sugar with none of the filling dairy protein and fat.Getty Images (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIMEWhich is better for you: Real butter or spray on fake butter?Getty Images; Tara Johnson for TIMEAnswer: Butter
Serving size for spray butters (even low-calorie ones) are around a 1/3 second spray. What on earth does that mean? You're better off using a small amount of real butter as opposed to guessing how much you're using of the mystery melange of up to 20 ingredients.Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIMEWhich is better for you: A turkey burger or a sirloin burger?Getty Images (2)Answer: Sirloin burger
Restaurant turkey burgers are often made with dark meat and the skin, so they’re not necessarily better for you (and for the record, they aren't low-fat). You can get a sirloin burger that’s 95% lean meat and gives you 20 g of protein. Just be careful with the toppings.Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIMEWhich is better for you: Almonds or pretzels?Getty Images (2)Answer: Almonds
Almonds are high in protein, fiber and fat and will keep you feeling fuller longer. Give high-sodium pretzels about an hour and you'll feel hungry again thanks to the high-carb no-fat or protein content.Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIMEWhich is better for you: Special K or eggs?AP; Getty ImagesAnswer: Eggs
In the morning, you want a meal that will fill you up. Eggs offer protein and fat for satiety, but Special K cereal really only offers carbs and, well, air. If you want carbs to kick off the day, you're better off pairing eggs with a slice of 100% whole grain toast. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIMEWhich is better for you: Fat free salad dressing or regular salad dressing?Tara Johnson for TIMEAnswer: Regular salad dressingTo absorb fat soluble vitamins like Vitamins E and K in vegetables you need to consume them with a fat to aid nutrient absorption. Fat-free dressing, meanwhile, is low-calorie but gets its flavor from added sugar and salt.Tara Johnson for TIME (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIMEWhich is better for you: A low fat cookie or dark chocolate?Getty Images (2)Answer: Dark chocolate “People believe fat free is calorie free,” says Keri Gans, a registered dietitian in New York City. “Go for the real thing.” Fat free cookies tend to be high in carbs, sugar and fake sugar. Try a nice piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate instead.Getty Images (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIMEWhich is better for you: Low fat Greek yogurt or 100 calorie Yoplait yogurt?Tara Johnson for TIMEAnswer: 2% Greek YogurtA little fat is good in the morning to keep you full—plus it has upwards of 17g of protein per container. Fat-free "fruit" yogurt is high in sugar—7 to 10 g per serving—and lower in protein.Tara Johnson for TIME (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
What you wind up doing when your Go-Score maximizes is up to you. The Reign can track walking, running, cycling and sports. It’s also waterproof, so it can keep tabs of your swimming, too. Steps, calories burned, duration, activity, sleep quality and your numerical Activity Score can all be monitored on your iOS or Android smartphone via a low-energy Bluetooth connection. A full charge of the Reign’s battery takes two hours and offers five days worth of tracking.
Another nice feature: The attractive looking Reign band is designed to perfectly fit your wrist no matter its size. Each monitor comes with a soft-touch silicone and brushed-metal band and an interchangeable lower band in your choice of sizes. Two seamless sports bands are also included, as is an ankle strap for biking.
The new Reign by Jaybird fitness tracker will be available in black, white and green when it’s released on October 26. It carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199. Pre-orders are not being offered, though you can enter your email at jaybirdsport.com to receive updates.
