If functional, the Fort would undeniably be the most appealing and user-friendly speed monitor on the market by far. Nover explained, “IMU sensors are utilized to identify the user’s current exercise and the duration of concentric, eccentric, or isometric holds,” while demonstrating to the best of her ability within the Zoom call’s limitations. (These represent the three fundamental forms of weightlifting activities, often referred to as contracting, lengthening, or static movements.)
The Fort utilizes the user’s wrist to infer the barbell’s velocity. While intuition might suggest this approach could yield imprecise data, considering the varying speeds and angles of wrists versus a barbell, Nover reassured me that the company intends to commission extensive, independent third-party studies from specialized labs.
Detaching the Fort from its strap is also an option, allowing it to be placed into its accompanying magnetic case, which also houses an IMU sensor. Subsequently, this sensor can be affixed directly to a barbell or other gear, functioning as a more conventional speed tracking device.
It’s for All
Courtesy of Fort
Upon delivery, the Fort will measure an extensive spectrum of strength-building metrics. These include not just automatic tracking of repetitions, exercises, and speed, but also muscle breakdowns per volume, how close one is to failure, and total time under tension. Additionally, it will monitor heart rate zones, VO2 max, sleep phases, recovery scores, nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV), and live stress detection.
Presently, beta users of the Fort are manually entering their activities. Nover mentioned that the company’s objective is to build the most comprehensive and clean data set available. The device will be released with automatic recognition for about 50 well-known weightlifting movements, including barbell squats and pull-ups, and will also offer various modifications.
Once the hardware is purchased, the yearly subscription fee stands at $80. This pricing aligns far more closely with the annual subscription rates of other fitness monitors and is considerably more sensible than a Whoop subscription, which begins at $199 annually and incorporates the hardware’s cost.
Being a woman who lifts weights, I find the Fort’s attractiveness undeniable. While reaching 10,000 steps is straightforward with a walking pad or a stroll around the block, it would be profoundly motivating for many to witness how 15 pushups or glute bridges before bed make a measurable contribution to their overall fitness.
Beyond its functionality, the Fort is visually appealing. Nover, who herself doesn’t embody the stereotype, remarked, “You don’t need to be the typical ‘gym bro’ archetype to lift weights.” Nearly everyone benefits from strength training, with women seeing particular advantages. It contributes to lower blood sugar and can help maintain mobility throughout aging. Nevertheless, even if you *do* fit the ‘bro’ profile and simply seek a highly wearable tracker that complements your gym gear and protein supplements, this device seems equally suited for your needs.
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