Buzz
The recent overhaul of Google Fit has shifted its focus from emphasizing daily step counts, which are now displayed in smaller text, to encouraging users to monitor their Move Minutes and the intriguing Heart Points.
Move Minutes represent the total time you’ve spent being active. As the name suggests, this includes any form of movement, whether it’s a workout or simply walking to grab a coffee.
Heart Points, however, have left many users puzzled. Here’s a breakdown to clarify their purpose:
What exactly do Heart Points track?
Determining the ideal amount of daily exercise can be approached in numerous ways, though the answer often boils down to “the more, the better.” When using a fitness tracker, it typically evaluates your activity based on its preferred metrics—such as the widely recognized 10,000-step goal established by early pedometer creators.
Heart Points are grounded in scientific evidence. They quantify minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, with the American Heart Association recommending 150 minutes per week.
However, brisk walking pales in comparison to running. If you exert yourself twice as much, shouldn’t you receive double the recognition? Absolutely—the American Heart Association equates 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, like running, to 150 minutes of moderate activity.
Google Fit aligns with this principle by awarding Heart Points proportionally. A 30-minute walk earns 30 Heart Points, while a 30-minute run grants 60. Achieving 150 Heart Points weekly satisfies the American Heart Association’s guidelines.
How can I adjust my Heart Points goal?
After installing the updated Google Fit, it recommended I aim for 10 Heart Points daily. While this falls short of the official guidelines, it seems designed to ease me into the routine.
To modify your target, navigate to the Profile section in the Google Fit app, where you can adjust your daily Heart Point goal. Keep in mind that this is a daily target—so for a weekly goal of 150, aim for around 22 per day. Feel free to increase the target if possible or lower it if needed. The key is to stay active and gradually improve over time.
