TechSmartwatchesThis smart gym wear takes on Garmin and Fitbit with the ‘world’s most accurate’ sensors. Here’s my view…Prevayl SmartWear starts with cardio-sensing tops and will grow to include a full range of kitWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechSmartwatchesThis smart gym wear takes on Garmin and Fitbit with the ‘world’s most accurate’ sensors. Here’s my view…Prevayl SmartWear starts with cardio-sensing tops and will grow to include a full range of kitWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Prevayl SmartWear starts with cardio-sensing tops and will grow to include a full range of kit
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Prevayl)
(Image credit: Prevayl)
It’s very hard to challenge the dominance ofGarminand Fitbit when it comes to fitness tracking wearables but Manchester, England’s Prevayl is the latest challenger to the crown. Its approach is different in two ways. Firstly its sensors are built into clothing – starting with a t-shirt, bra and tank (or ‘vest’ if you’re over 40). Secondly, founder and CEO Adam Crofts sees Prevayl as an ‘athleisure’ brand – although he did apologise for using that word – that is based around that sensor-equipped SmartWear. So while the cardio-tracking, early garments will be the ‘core’ – no pun intended – products, Crofts sees Prevayl as being essentially a clothing and lifestyle brand. So quite different to Garmin and Fitbit.
Does it have any chance of gaining a foothold in the fitness wearable market, which is already jam-packed with thebest running watchesandfitness trackers, not to mention theApple Watch? I guess we’ll find out…
(Image credit: Prevayl)
(Image credit: Prevayl)
So Prevayl claims ‘clinical grade’ heart rate tracking accuracy. It then takes that raw cardio data and turns it into ‘1,000 data points per second’. That means you can track your fitness improvements and get suggestions on how intense today’s workouts should be – and also when you should be taking a rest.
The sensor is extremely light and clips very neatly into your choice of shirt, vest – sorry, ‘tank’ – or bra. Its battery is good for 10 days of use, which also compares well with most watches and trackers. Although the general idea for now is only to wear your Prevayl for exercise, CEO Adam Crofts suggests the brand could eventually make sensor-bearing garments that you wear all day, to give even more health and fitness insights. Oh, and obviously, do remember to unclip the sensor before you put your top in the wash.
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Prevayl Smartwear: flat stomach not included(Image credit: Prevayl)
Prevayl Smartwear: flat stomach not included
Prevayl Smartwear: flat stomach not included
(Image credit: Prevayl)
The SmartWear tee that Prevayl sent me is a bit nondescript in terms of styling. It’s a standard workout top that comes in any colour you like, so long as it’s dark grey. Still, it’s a very comfortable and well made t-shirt and certainly notun-stylish. The fit is a bit unforgiving on my post-lockdown dad bod if I am being perfectly honest, but you could see that as a good motivation to get fitter, right?
We’ll have a full review of Prevayl soon but my initial impressions are positive. Chest straps are just a better way to track cardio fitness than watches, and if you can make putting one on as easy as pulling on a shirt or putting on a bra, that makes them a much more attractive proposition.
On the down side, obviously a screen-less device attached to your chest is less useful for getting instant feedback on your fitness data as you work out. Yes, you can connect your phone and look at that as you train, but that is less convenient than glancing at your wrist. The other problem Prevayl has is that Apple, Garmin and Fitbit have massive user bases who are locked into their eco-systems. Will those users want to leave in order to try an unfamiliar app and start collecting data from scratch all over again? Well, I am not so sure.
Prevayl’s CEO seems to be of the opinion that the full range of Prevayl clothing – whichwon’tfeature sensors, and will be branded as PerformanceWear – will be a hit, and that SmartWear’s success will follow from that. That’s very different to putting out a fitness tracker and hoping to scoop up Garmin, Fitbit and Apple users and itcouldwork.
What’s not up for debate is that Prevayl has so far made some very professional athleisure wear and paired it with a lightweight and accurate sensor to track your fitness ‘journey’. Quite where that journey goes remains to be seen, but I can see Prevayl SmartWear being a hit with more experienced gym goers and runners. From what I’ve seen of the PerformanceWear, that’s pretty smart (in a different way) as well.
Prevayl SmartWear: price and availability
(Image credit: Prevayl)
(Image credit: Prevayl)
A starter kit with one garment – a choice of t-short or bra – and the SmartWear sensor costs £220. Alternatively, you can get the tank and a sensor for £210 – bargain.
Prevayl is UK only at launch but pricing in the USA and Australia would be from $285 or AU$400 if a straight exchange rate were used.
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