Weight Watchers is one of America’s most popular diet plans, and has been around for decades. In an effort to keep up with the times, Weight Watchers has invested heavily in technology. One recent result of these efforts is the Weight Watchers ActiveLink activity monitor.
Weight Watchers ActiveLink is a small, electronic device that you carry with you everywhere you go. You can put it in your pocket, wear it on a necklace, or even clip it to your bra. The ActiveLink device has three accelerometers inside which measure every movement you make throughout the day, and then converts your movements into Activity Points for use on the Weight Watchers PointsPlus plan.
There are several advantages to purchasing and using the Weight Watchers ActiveLink Activity Monitor. For starters, it is the most accurate way to measure your Activity Points for the PointsPlus plan. Internal Weight Watchers studies have found that most plan participants over account for the activity points throughout the day, so by using an electronic measuring device, you can be sure you are getting an accuract Activity Point count. The ActiveLink device plugs into your personal computer, and gives you a minute-by-minute, day-by-day account of all of your activity, which can really help you to figure out how to squeeze more exercise into each day. Personally, I have found that the feedback from the Weight Watchers ActiveLink program have really helped me increase my own personal physical activity level, and I have been very happy about that.
One disadvantage of the Weight Watchers ActiveLink product is the expense…the device itself costs $40 upfront, and then you must pay an additional $5 per month for access to the ActiveLink website, which is required for the product to work. The device is non-transferrable, so if you decide you don’t like it, you won’t be able to sell it or give it to a friend.
The activity data the ActiveLink device provides is also somewhat limited. While the device is great at converting every move you make into Activity Points, it does not provide any information about calories burned, steps taken throughout the day, average pace, or anything along those lines. Other competing devices, like the Body Bugg and the FitBit provide this information, so it seems like the ActiveLink should be able to as well.
For me, the pros of the Weight Watchers ActiveLink activity monitor outweighed the cons, and I have been using the device happily for about a month now. I love seeing how active I am throughout the day and challenging myself to do more. For more information about ActiveLink, visit the Weight Watchers website or consult your local Weight Watchers center.