Running isn’t fun. Buying accessories to help you pretend you’ll start running is fun, though. Who needs fitness when you’ve got a box filled with cobwebs and dangly sport-cessories? But the Scosche MyTrek might never end up collecting those cobwebs because it’s the kind of accessory you’ll actually want to use.
In the box, there’s a very small pulse monitor, a USB charger, and directions to download your free iPhone app. Standard fare maybe, but what makes the pulse monitor special is its position on your body. Most heart rate monitors sit awkwardly on your chest, but MyTrek straps to your forearm and uses dual LEDs to display your pulse in real time. It’s either high-tech or voodoo magic, but it’s not much heavier than a sweatband and even looks roughly like one.
The MyTrek is surprisingly small and lightweight.
Three large, rubberized buttons control volume and play or pause your music. Unfortunately, there’s no way to change songs from the armband Edit: You can control tracks by first pressing the large center button and then the outside buttons (awesome!). We’re spoiled enough to constantly notice that it doesn’t have a retina display. Luckily, we weren’t looking at it much as the audio prompts told us which fitness zone we were in without necessitating any fidgeting with our iOS device.
The bottom line. If you’re serious about fitness, a heart-rate monitor is invaluable. At $130, the MyTrek is an expensive toy to neglect, but it’s so lightweight and so convenient to slip on your forearm that there’s a good chance it’ll remain a part of your everyday workout.
Scosche MyTrek
iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, or iPod touch (third- or fourth-gen); MyTrek app (free)
On-arm monitor is more comfortable. Easy-to-use controls on the headphone cable. Well-made iOS app.
A bit pricier than its competition.
