LifeTrak Zoom HRV Wearable Body Computer Review

By Emily Ladouceur & Olin Coles

Manufacturer: Salutron, Inc.
Product Name: LifeTrak Zoom HRV
Model Number: LTK7M002
UPC: 818603011527
Price As Tested: $139.99 (Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Salutron.

Motivation for keeping fit isn’t the easiest thing to come by. The simplest way to find that motivation is with a fitness tracker. Fitness trackers certainly provide incentive by updating your progress and enabling you to set specific goals. They are definitely becoming more popular also, one in six Americans uses a fitness tracker or some other wearable device. I myself have used a few different kinds of trackers.

They all have similar features; pedometer, calories burned, heart monitor, sleep tracker, watch, etc. They’re great for helping to track the daily habits of an average person or someone beginning a fitness or health regimen. However, most fitness trackers are just too basic for a serious athlete or someone interested in their overall fitness condition. That’s where the LifeTrak Zoom HRV (model number LTK7M002) comes into play. The LifeTrack Zoom HRV will continuously measure heart rate and heart rate variability which helps a true athlete know when to train and how hard to push. It’s the perfect multi-sport fitness tracker and an extremely thorough heart rate monitor.

I prefer to stay fairly fit. I’ll even sacrifice sleep to get to the gym early to beat the crowds. Up until this point, I’ve never paid close attention to my heart rate while working out. I’ve never felt the need because it was just another number, similar to the amount of calories burned. With the LifeTrak Zoom HRV I’m able to track my heart rate while working out, my heartbeat variation or HRV, my activity measurements, and sleep analysis. All combined this information gives a fitness grade or VScore. The LifeTrak Zoom HRV tells me when I should work harder and when I need to take some desperately needed rest time. The LifeTrak Zoom HRV and the Zoom HRV App keep me tuned in a little closer to how my body feels, which is extremely helpful information for an athlete or even someone who is closely monitoring their heart rate for medical reasons.

The LifeTrak Zoom HRV is a thorough but complicated fitness tracker made especially for athletes, as stated on the LifeTrak website. According to LifeTrak Zoom HRV, it is an “advanced, biometric device for serious athletes who want to train smarter.” The additional heart rate monitor tracks beats-per-minute, heart rate rhythms, sleep patters, and exercise to help reveal important training information. It also measures calories-burned, steps taken, distance traveled, and blue light exposure for a complete health monitor. It is an all-around comprehensive fitness tracker.

Heart Rate Optical heart rate (PPG) Auto and on-demand heart rate variability (HRV) Under-water heart rate HR zone vibra-alert 30-240 BPM Real-Time Fitness Scoring VScan VScore Compatibility Bluetooth® and ANT+ compatible Validic integrated Zoom HRV app for iOS and Android Ambient Blue Light Advisor Daylight alert Nightlight alert Modular Design Can be worn on wrist, arm, head or leg Accessories designed for Zoom pod Smart Activity Tracking Inactivity alert Activity type tracking HR-linked, 24-hour calorie burn Measures total sleep time and assesses sleep quality Swim lap counter Step counter Distance traveled Step and distance calibration

Time LED indicators Vibration alarm User Setup (in app) Gender: M/F Age range: 5-99 years Height (in/cm) range: 40-84 in / 100-220 cm Weight (lb/kg) range: 44-440 lb / 20-200kg step sensitivity Battery Rechargeable lithium ion battery Pod docking station with charging cable (included) Water Resistance Submersible up to 50M Warranty Limited one (1) year Get an additional year by registering your product Dimensions Silicone standard band (max wrist size): 8.25” / 210mm Silicone standard band (min wrist size): 5.90” / 150mm Zoom pod size: 1.41”(L) x 1.10” (W) x 0.51”(H) Additional Adjustable, ultra-soft silicone band Impact resistant ABS pod Shock-tested to 8kV contact and 15kV air (IEC6100-4-2) FCC, CE, ROHS compliant

The LifeTrak Zoom HRV includes the Zoom Pod, silicone sport wristband, charging dock, and charging cable providing everything you need to get started.

The quick start guide provided with the LifeTrak Zoom HRV supplies instruction on activation of the body computer and familiarizes you with the many features of the LifeTrak Zoom HRV, including how this particular fitness tracker tells time.

I was surprised at the comfort level of the silicone sport wristband. I have small wrists and was prepared for it to be slightly clunky and stiff. In reality, the wristband is soft and supple and can easily fit any size wrist.

For the serious athlete, there are arm & ankle bands available for use with the Zoom Pod. They are slightly stretchy, extremely soft, and secure closed with velcro.

The Zoom HRV App is available for download for iOS and Android devices. Once a few questions are answered and the device is paired, you can program in all your goals, and begin syncing the LikeTrak Zoom HRV with the app.

Once you’re fully charged you can get moving.

The LifeTrak Zoom HRV seems like it was specifically made for the triathlete. It targets heart rates while running, cycling, and swimming. It also has a general workout mode which is great for use at the gym. It can be used to track your calorie goal, step goal, swim lap goal, cycling cadence goal, heart rate variability, or max heart rate.

The LifeTrak Zoom HRV was tested in a variety of environments. Since the day it was received, I’ve worn it on my wrist nonstop. I kept the charging dock with me so that if needed, I could charge the LifeTrak Zoom HRV at work or home. I worked out 4 to 5 days a week, at either the gym or the studio, and was sure to put the LifeTrak Zoom HRV into workout mode. After each workout, I also checked the app, synced the device, and scanned the VScore.

The Dashboard of the Zoom HRV App provides a snapshot of your daily activities that can be reviewed by day, week, month, or year. The main aspect of the Dashboard is the VScore, which is a biometric fitness assessment using the information gathered by the LifeTrak Zoom HRV. Over time this number helps monitor physical and emotion wellness, or in other words, stress levels.

As many fitness trackers do, the LifeTrak Zoom HRV monitors your sleep. The App provides information on the duration, the quality of your sleep, and the number of interruptions. It also differentiates between deep sleep, light sleep, and poor sleep. The LifeTrak Zoom HRV also automatically detects Heart Rate Variability during deep sleep.

The LifeTrak Zoom HRV also tracks steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned, just as most other fitness trackers. Goals can be set for these factors and watched closely with the App. If you prefer, the LifeTrak Zoom HRV will vibrate when you reach any of your goals, which helps you keep moving.

One of the many functions of the LifeTrak Zoom HRV is monitoring exposure to light, specifically blue light. Natural blue light has a very short wavelength, therefore it produces a higher amount of energy. It has been determined that exposure to natural light enhances mood, energy, and helps with sleep. The App helps you track exposure so that you can see over time how it affects your energy.

In the next section I’ll discuss my final thoughts on this body computer, and offer a summary conclusion based on the features we’ve reviewed.

Over the last few years, I have used several different fitness trackers. Initially, despite the comfort of the LifeTrak Zoom HRV, I didn’t care for the body computer. I found it almost too complicated. However, once I had used it for a week or so, I had completely changed my mind. After using the LifeTrak Zoom HRV for over a month straight, I can honestly say it is the best and most comprehensive tracker I’ve used. It required a much steeper learning curve which I wasn’t used to in relation to a fitness tracker, but I’m not adverse to reading a manual. The fact that it also provides a VScore, or a biometric fitness assessment, that assists in monitoring physical and emotion wellness, or stress levels, is a huge help for me and would be perfect for someone who needs to keep track of their stress or heart rates for medical reasons. It’s ideal for the serious athlete and specifically the triathlete.

I’ve worn the LifeTrak Zoom HRV continuously since I’ve received it. With a few hiccups due to the complexity of the product, it has performed exactly as expected. Once I had completely familiarized myself with the App and how to work the LifeTrak Zoom HRV I had no problems aside from the occasional user error which was easily rectified. The LifeTrak Zoom HRV App is easily navigated. After setting my fitness goals with the App I’ve easily monitored my overall fitness and VScore, or biometric fitness assessment. It has helped me to train smarter.

The LifeTrak Zoom HRV has a streamlined appearance compared to other body computers. It’s much less blocky and has attractive lines with the oval pod. It looks more like a traditional watch, which I prefer. It’s clean black appearance fits well with any outfit.

The pod of the LifeTrak Zoom HRV is well constructed. It is water resistant to 50 meters. The silicon band and FlexWear bands are soft, comfortable and durable during workouts. My only wish would be for a locking device to keep the excess watch band in place. During every day use the excess band has slipped out of the tab and 3 1/2 inches of band has swung free to make itself a nuisance. As I said before, I have small wrists.

The LifeTrak Zoom HRV keeps track of your heart rate, heart rate variability, calories burned, total steps, distance traveled, sleep, blue light exposure, last workout, and VScan. All combined, this information gives a fitness grade and lets you know when you can workout harder or when you should take a well deserved rest. It is extremely helpful information for an athlete or even someone who is closely monitoring their heart rate for medical reasons.

The LifeTrak Zoom HRV fitness tracker retails for $139.99 (Amazon). This is a little more than I would normally spend on a fitness device. However, considering all the features and the comfort of the tracker, I’d have to say it is worth the price. Now that I’m more comfortable with those features, it’s well worth the money (and recommendation).

I highly recommend the LifeTrak Zoom HRV Body Computer. It is perfect for the serious athlete. It gathers data continuously and provides a much needed fitness score to help advise the triathlete or professional athlete to work harder or rest. I also recommend the LifeTrak Zoom HRV for those who need a thorough heart rate monitor or assistance with observation of stress levels for medical reasons. I personally use the tracker for both reasons and it works wonderfully.

+ Exceptionally comfortable silicone wrist strap
+ Quick charging
+ Charge lasts up to 5 days
+ Tracks VScore which can be translated into a stress score
+ Extremely easy to navigate App
+ Tells time in unique manner
+ Shows when you can workout harder
+ App updates are current and beneficially changed

– Learning curve needed to use and get used to LifeTrak Zoom HRV
– Somewhat expensive
– No locking mechanism on watch band

• Performance: 9.75
• Appearance: 9.25
• Construction: 9.25
• Functionality: 9.25
• Value: 8.75

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.