WREG.com

First came the smart phone, then came the smart bra

MEMPHIS, Tenn. –Technology has taken over the fitness world, but apparently it’s no longer enough to have a smartphone or watch to keep track of your daily activity.

“Everybody is more body conscious and diet conscious. They want to live longer and enjoy life longer,” said Amanda Donnelly, who owns a fitness tracker.

Health devices are taking over, and the Mid-South is no exception.

“Lets you know how long you’ve been running and how many miles you have ran,” said runner DeJuan Vick.

Fitbit reports 21 million trackers sold so far.

Apple said it sold 2.3 million watches the first week its smartwatch hit the market.

It makes sense why tech companies are hopping on the bandwagon even putting fitness technology in lingerie.

OMsignal recently unveiled the first smart bra arguing it’s in the best position to get reliable data for women.

The bra, selling for $150, pairs with your phone and gathers data like distance, pace, estimated calories and heart rate.

“Those technologies are quite expensive. I mean if they are making them for bras for different women, we wear different bras all the time. It’s not like we are going to wear the same one,” said Tonya Tittle with Energy Fitness in downtown Memphis.

She said about 40% of the people who go to her gym have some type of fitness tracker.

Many told her the technology is motivational, holds them accountable, but she thinks smart clothing may be too much.

“It’s kind of overkill like anything in America. They take something that’s good, and then they overdo it,” said Tittle.

Tittle admits, though, it could do well.

“Everything works differently for different personalities,” she said.

Those who use fitness trackers like Donnelly were excited to hear about a smart bra.

“It would be more convenient than wearing something around your wrist. I don’t want my jewelry with this because I have that on that wrist,” she said.

While fitness trackers work for many, Tittle and other fitness experts, say people who keep food and fitness journals or exercise with a buddy are seven times more likely to reach their goals.

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