Fitbit has made a useful change to its feature offerings, making the Daily Readiness Score available to users without a Premium subscription. This development, initially announced in August alongside the Pixel Watch 3 launch, is now being implemented through version 4.23 and above of the Fitbit app.
The software update extends beyond Pixel Watch 3, reaching a wide range of Fitbit products. Users of Charge 5 and 6, Inspire 2 and 3, Luxe, all editions of Sense, Versa 2 and newer models, as well as all three generations of Pixel Watch, will now have access to this feature without the need for a Premium subscription. Yes, it is no longer sitting behind a paywall.
A change to how Daily Readiness Score is calculated
The Daily Readiness Score, which is calculated on a scale of 100, serves as an indicator of a user’s physiological state. It aims to help individuals understand whether their body is well-recovered and prepared for intense physical activity or if more rest is needed. For those who run often, it is one of the most useful metrics out there as it helps to prevent overtraining and reduces the risk of injury.
This update also brings changes to the Fitbit score calculation method. The new algorithm now incorporates Heart Rate Variability (HRV), recent sleep patterns, and Resting Heart Rate (RHR). Notably, RHR has replaced the previous “activity” factor in the calculation. Which means those who have used the metric before will see a change in the numbers.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
This shift in methodology means that the score now reflects how the body responds to recent activities rather than the activities themselves. This approach aligns more closely with metrics offered by other fitness tracking brands.
Along with these changes, Google has slightly revised the scoring levels. The new categories are: Low readiness (29 or lower), Moderate (30-64), and High (65 or above), replacing the previous low, good, and excellent classifications.
Users should be aware that after updating the Fitbit app, there may be temporary changes in how the readiness score is displayed. The score on their device might change, and sub-scores may no longer appear. In some cases, the Daily readiness tile might show “No score” while the new score is being calculated. So give the revised score calculation a bit of time to settle in.
Our takeaway
In our mind, this feature should never have been behind a paywall. We know of no other brand which does this. Nevertheless, the development is a bit of good news in a year which has otherwise been challenging for Fitbit users. With minimal new hardware releases, the scaling back of certain software features, and circulating rumours about the potential halt in Fitbit’s smartwatch production, this update offers a glimmer of positivity.
If you’re not seeing the change just yet, check that you are on version 4.23 (or above) of the Fitbit app. It might take a few days to become available in all regions.
Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!
