Google Fit App Redesigned With New Move Minutes, Heart Points Features

Google Fit, the fitness-tracking app on Wear OS smartwatches and Android smartphones, has been given a redesign. Google Fit now comes with features that are specifically made for providing activity goals to improve users’ health.

The new Google Fit comes with two new features: Move Minutes and Heart Points. Move Minutes is something that Wear OS and Android users will be able to earn when they do various activities throughout the day. Move Minutes is designed to make sure users keep on moving and start sitting less. Meanwhile, Heart Points can only be earned when users do activities that are more vigorous.

“You’ll score one point for each minute of moderate activity, like picking up the pace while walking your dog, and double points for more intense activities like running or kickboxing,” Google said in a blog post.

Move Minutes and Heart Points will be presented as two rings on a Wear OS smartwatch or on an Android smartphone. Each day, users will be given goals to complete for Move Minutes and Heart Points. These goals will also change depending on the user’s progress. When a user completes one of the rings, it will change into an octagon, as pointed out by The Verge.

“You’ll get tips and help to adjust your goals over time based on your activity. Your journal will show your activities, achievements and goal progress across all of your apps,” Google said.

Google noted that the new Fit app will be able to detect activities through the user’s smartphone or through the sensors on the Wear OS smartwatch, like the accelerometer and the GPS. Google Fit will be able to estimate the number of Heart Points earned through those devices. Move Minutes and Heart Points don’t just work strictly for exercises either. Users will be able to choose other activities like gardening, pilates, rowing or spinning.

Google Fit will also be able to integrate with other fitness apps like Strava, Runkeeper, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. Users can just keep using those other apps and Google Fit will still be able to grant them their Move minute and Heart Points.

The addition of Move Minutes and Heart Points was based on recommendations by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Google said that it collaborated alongside AHA and WHO to better understand the science behind physical activity to better provide users with information on the amount and intensity needed for their workouts to actually improve their health.

The redesigned Google Fit app should start appearing on Android smartphone and Wear OS smartwatches starting this week.