Frontier X2: Adding calorie & stress metrics by popular demand
Frontier X2, a wearable that sits between a health and sports device, is rolling out two new features that focus on tracking calories burned and calculating stress scores.
We reviewed the original Frontier X device, last year. The gizmo is designed to provide advanced physiological metrics that go beyond traditional heart rate chest straps.
The gadget offers real-time vibration alerts for metrics like ECG, cardiac rhythm, and cardiac strain, allowing users to train without causing undue stress to their hearts. The device is manufactured by Fourth Frontier and has been in the market since late 2020. It is positioned as a chest-worn device used for athletic training, cardiac rehabilitation, and remote monitoring.
There really is a lot to like about Frontier X and many users utilize it as a companion to their smartwatch. As far as accuracy, we found the stats to be pretty much on par with the Polar OH1 chest strap.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
If you find that when you exercise, you often push your limits, having Frontier X as a guide can help ensure you don’t go overboard. It serves as a safety net, providing a sense of security.
Frontier X2 typically sells for $499 on the Fourth Frontier website. Use code FFGNW25 at checkout for a 25% discount.
Frontier X2’s New Features: A Closer Look
Now the second generation device, Frontier X2, is getting a couple of new features. These include tracking calories burned and a stress metric.
Calorie tracking across activities
Frontier X2 now allows users to track calories burned throughout the day, not just during exercise. Many wearables have the ability to measure this metric. What makes Frontier X different, is that it uses heart rate data from the ECG measured on the device. This is combined with personal factors like age, gender, weight, and height. The information is sent to your mobile app every 20 seconds, providing real-time updates. It’s a feature that adds another layer to the device’s existing capabilities, making it more versatile for daily use.
Stress scoring made simple
Stress is a complex physiological response, and Frontier X2 aims to make it easier to understand. The device uses Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Heart Rate, extracted from your ECG, to calculate a stress score. It employs the RMSSD formula to assess the short-term components of HRV.
The result is a single stress score, ranging from 0-100, which is sent to your mobile app in real-time. The higher the number, the more stressed you are. This feature provides a straightforward way to monitor stress levels, whether you’re meditating or simply going about your day. You can even view a real-time graph of your stress score in the mobile app.
These new features are significant because they were developed in response to user feedback. They’re not just bells and whistles; they serve a functional purpose, making the Frontier X2 an even more comprehensive health monitoring device.
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