Frontier X2 Premium expands health monitoring with VO2 Max
Fourth Frontier has launched a new Premium tier for its chest strap, unlocking a bunch of advanced health metrics. This premium offering is aimed at athletes looking to gain more precise insights into their training and recovery.
Central to the Premium tier is VO2 Max tracking, providing highly accurate readings the company says are typically found in lab settings. With VO2 Max measurements, users can assess cardiovascular endurance, helping guide their training intensity and overall fitness progress. It is the stuff you typically get from GPS enabled sportswatches.
Additional features include metabolic profile analysis, which assesses the body’s response to exercise and lifestyle changes. This analysis can track ventilatory thresholds, helping users target aerobic and anaerobic zones during workouts. These zones are crucial for those aiming to optimize their endurance and strength through a science-backed approach.
The subscription also includes a Readiness Score, gauging the body’s preparedness for physical activity by comparing current heart rate variability (HRV) to the user’s baseline. By assessing HRV, athletes can prevent overtraining and adjust workout intensity as needed, reducing the risk of burnout or injury. This feature aligns with the increasing emphasis on balance in training, especially as exercise physiology research highlights the value of personalized recovery strategies.
The Premium tier enhances sleep tracking with sleep stage analysis, which monitors heart rate, movement, and breathing patterns. This feature helps users understand their sleep quality and its impact on recovery, offering a fuller picture of their physical readiness each day.
The bottom line
Whether Frontier X2 is worth the investment depends on your needs. For basic heart rate tracking, a standard chest strap might be more cost-effective and offers a higher sampling rate. As noted in my hands-on review, if you’re interested in deeper health insights, Frontier X provides a range of useful metrics beyond just heart rate.
From impact tracking to ECG monitoring, it’s an ideal option for those managing mild heart concerns or simply wishing to monitor their heart health more closely. For many, this added peace of mind could justify the higher price.
Frontier X2 typically sells for $499 on the Fourth Frontier website. Use code FFGNW25at checkout for a 25% discount. If you want to opt for the premium subscription, this runs at $15 per month or $120 per year. The subscription comes with a 7-day risk-free trial.
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