Garmin unveils app for fitness buffs

Want to work out, play music, make phone calls, and automatically upload workout data to Facebook and Twitter, all at the same time? Then the new Garmin Fit app for Android and iPhone is for you.

Want to work out, play music, make phone calls, and automatically upload workout data to Facebook and Twitter, all at the same time? Then the new Garmin Fit app for Android and iPhone is for you.

Similar to Nike+, the new app (priced at $.99) measures distance, time, calories and speed when you walk, run or cycle. It also collects your workout data and automatically sends it to social media sites or to an account in the free and 'ever-expanding' Garmin Connect community, where you can log workouts, track your totals, set goals, and share details with friends, states the company.

Also you can analyze your data via charts, illustrations, reports and a variety of map representations including street, photo, topographic, and elevation maps. Garmin Fit will display a month's worth of workout history as well as charts directly on your smartphones. Also an added bonus: you can control your music from within the app.
In addition, the company is unveiling an ANT+ adapter for iPhone for $49.99, which monitors heart rate and cadence when paired with optional accessories, such as a foot pod sensor (similar to Nike+) that allows users to track their speed, pace, distance and run cadence.

Other rival fitness apps and devices include the Adidas miCoach suite of devices. Also app and online training social network Strava aims to provide stiff competition to Garmin Connect and RunKeeper with its brand new service that targets runners, triathletes, and other competitive sports fans.