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Posts tagged Health and Fitness
Ozeri Precision II Digital Bathroom Scales
0
1 month
About three years ago I made a couple of changes to my lifestyle (namely eating healthier and exercising more), and consequently lost three stone in weight over the healthy time span of about two years. Since then, though I don’t weigh myself obsessively, I do like to check my weight every now and then, mainly because I want to maintain my weight and make sure I’m not losing any more! So, when I was offered a set of Ozeri Precision II Digital Bathroom Scales to review I happily accepted, especially as my previous set had recently broken!
To look at, the Ozeri scales aren’t anything special, but the design is nice and modern, and the tempered glass top is a lot better quality than the typical white plastic sets of scales you often see. They are also slim and, though weighty, aren’t too heavy, so they’re also easy to store. The scales run on four AAA batteries, which is handy as they’re easy to get hold of, unlike my last set which used one of those flat silver batteries that aren’t always easy to find.
Perhaps the most important aspect of a set of scales is their accuracy, and these are incredibly accurate. I even tested them alongside my mum’s bathroom scales! I weighed myself three times on each to compare the readings, and on my mum’s I was given three slightly different readings, whereas on these I got the same reading every time. I think this is down to the four high precision GX sensors that the scales boast, as they can weigh up to 440lbs/200kg, in 0.2lb/0.1kg increments, so they’re extremely precise.
You can also change the units that the scales measure in, from pounds to kilograms to stone, using a small switch on the back. I personally weigh myself in stone, but it’s always handy to have the other two options there, especially if you want to weigh your suitcase before going on holiday to check you’ve not gone over your baggage allowance!
The screen on the front of the scales is a nice size, has a blue back light, and the digits are large so they’re easy to read. A bonus for anyone who doesn’t have the best eyesight. It also switches itself off automatically to help conserve battery life.
Overall, the Ozeri Precision II Digital Bathroom Scales are a quality set of scales and they do everything you’d want them to do. They’re robust, accurate, low maintenance, and easy to read, and are well worth the £18.95 they cost. If you’d like a set for yourself, they’re available on Amazon.
Naomi x
*These Ozeri Precision II Digital Bathroom Scales were sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Braun ExactFit 5 Blood Pressure Monitor
2
3 months
by Naomi in Health and Fitness
Having had minor health issues in the past, I now make a conscious effort to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible; eating well, exercising more and making sure my vital signs are tip-top. Not obsessively so, but just enough to know that I’m in good condition! An important piece of equipment in helping me check that I’m healthy is my blood pressure monitor – the new Braun ExactFit 5.
The Braun ExactFit 5 monitor comes with everything you need to check your blood pressure and heart rate – the monitor, two arm cuffs, an owner’s manual, four AA batteries and a handy black storage pouch. The arm cuffs come in two different sizes, S-M for arms measuring 22cm to 32cm, which is the size I use, and L-XL, measuring from 32cm up to 42cm, so everyone is catered for.
The monitor itself is sleek and compact for easy storage and transportation, and is a very intelligent piece of kit. After the initial simple task of inputting the time and date, very little interference is needed, but the monitor can do so much. It has a memory function and a multiple user option, so two people can use the monitor to store up to sixty results each, whilst remembering the exact time and date of each measurement, and after seven days it can calculate your full day, morning and evening average using your most recent readings. As it takes your blood pressure reading, the monitor also measures your heart rate, and has the very useful feature of being able to detect and highlight an irregular heartbeat. Furthermore, the coloured bar indicator down the side of the screen is compliant to the World Health Organisation, and gives guidance on whether your blood pressure is normal or too high. Despite its complex abilities, however, it is easy to understand, as the on-screen information is displayed clearly, in simple terms.
The ExactFit 5 is really easy to use, as the cuff depicts exactly how to fit it, with the red section and circular symbol having to sit over your main artery. Once you’ve got the cuff right, you just press the start button and the cuff will inflate. I have used home blood pressure monitors in the past which have felt uncomfortable and taken a long time to take and display a reading, but this one is surprisingly comfortable and quick. After a reading is taken, it deflates quickly and the result is accurate and displayed immediately, unlike some less sophisticated monitors where you have to wait a while for the reading to show whilst the cuff remains tight.
Whether you want to check your blood pressure quickly every now and then, or regularly, the Braun ExactFit 5 is invaluable. I imagine I’ll find it very useful when I eventually get pregnant, and it would also be ideal for the elderly or anyone with an existing health condition that requires regular checks.
The Braun ExactFit 5 has an RRP of £99.99. For further details visit www.braunbloodpressuremonitors.co.uk. Packed full of information and advice, Braun’s new microsite includes tips on controlling your blood pressure, as well as practical videos showing you how to fit your Braun blood pressure monitor and understand your measurements. The Braun blood pressure monitors are available nationwide at selected Boots stores. Visit the microsite for further information.
Naomi x
*This Braun ExactFit 5 Blood Pressure Monitor was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Ozeri 4×3 Motion Digital Pedometer
0
3 months
One of my favourite keep fit activites is walking, and I always like to track my progress using a pedometer. However, every pedometer I’ve ever used has been cumbersome, noisy, and so basic it barely even worked. That was until I recently discovered the Ozeri 4×3 Motion Digital Pedometer, which does so much more than just count your steps, and now comes with me wherever I go!
This little gadget is a lot more sophisticated than your average pedometer as rather than clicking and only working when it moves up and down, it uses a 3D Tri-Axis Sensor, meaning it can sit at any angle or position along a Y, X or Z axis, and still work. Also, it not only records your steps, but also your distance, speed, the number of calories burned and the amount of time you’ve been walking for.
There’s a set-up option on the pedometer which allows you to set the date and time, but also your weight and stride distance. Using the latter two pieces of information, the pedometer is then able to calculate how far you’ve walked and how many calories you’ve burned depending on your weight, and every single time it does so it gives the same result as the MyFitnessPal app that I use on my phone, so it’s really accurate. It’s also easy to look back through your recorded data – you just press the mode button to scroll through today’s results, or the up and down arrows to check through the last seven days.
Unlike a lot of pedometers, the 4×3 is completely silent, and comes with a detachable neck strap so you can wear it around your neck if you so desire. However, its ultra slim design means it can sit in your pocket without looking or feeling too bulky, which is how I prefer to carry mine as it’s more discreet.
The pedometer has a few other useful features too, such as a blue backlight for night viewing, a sports timer, a clock and a calendar, and it automatically goes into sleep mode if you’ve stopped walking for thirty seconds or more. This helps to save the battery life, but also prevents it registering any other movements or vibrations as steps, which is handy.
My only issue with the Ozeri 4×3, and it’s a small one, is the colour. Though I like yellow, it wouldn’t be my first choice and I’d like to see a few other colour options be introduced. A purple one would be nice! But that’s only a tiny, insignificant quibble about an all-round brilliant pedometer that does what you want it to, and much, much more.
The Ozeri 4×3 Motion Digital Pedometer is available on Amazon UK and costs £15.95, which is a £16.61 saving on its RRP!
Naomi x
*This Ozeri 4×3 Motion Digital Pedometer was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
