First Working Session : Athos Wearable for Fitness

Athos - Wearable Technology for Fitness

As we all know how tech is moving into our life in form of wearables. we have watches and fitness trackers telling us steps taken, calories burned, reminding us to move around if we are sitting at one place for long period of time. Athos is taking all that to the next level. This is for people who are not impressed by just steps taken in a day. Who want “That edge” when it comes to fitness . Yes I am crazy I paid for all of this out of my pocket.

When Apple Watch was Announced. I myself was amazed with the product and its potential to unlock new vistas in fitness. I even pre-oerdered it. I really find it integrating itself in my life. But soon I found out that this is not for hardcore gym guys like me. No offense its for people who’s idea about fitness is stay on one sweet spot. I am all about pushing the limits to the next level and watch me grow. For me it successful combination of mind and body.

I was also early adopter of Nike fuel band. which was first generation of wearable for fitness. I am all about “Technology” and “Health”. Where these two meets, that’s my sweet weak spot. I have no doubt, these gadgets keep someone motivated if they want to be. Again none of this tech can help you, unless you want to help yourself. That’s hardcore and simple truth.

I have no problem staying active, I am hardcore gym guy. Fitness equals to lifting weights. For me training is not “how much steps I am taking through out a day” or how much calories I am burning while walking. That’s nothing and don’t even count on those. In my bodybuilding journey from the time I started logging(at the time of writing this post) I am at 11 Millions lbs weight lifted.

You may ask who am I, who is this guy preaching so much. Well numbers don’t lie, so take a peak Look at my body space profile below: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/alixc/

I have finished Krish Gethin’s and Jim Stoppani’s programs more than enough times. I have achieved pretty decent results but my exploration for “Athos” was to make sure that I am taking my training to the next level. It wasn’t a easy decision. Athos is expensive and its on quite a bit side. Yes for normal people’s eyes investing this much money for just that cutting edge can be unrealistic not for me.

What is Athos ? Well most of the info, science and tech you can found out on their website www.liveathos.com

My goal here is to give you user perspective and deep unbiased review of the product. Neither I endorse bodybuilding.com nor Athos. I am just user of these services/product and want to give unbiased review of Athos.

So meet Athos :

First of all Little bit unboxing:

This is what you see as soon as you open the box. FYI this was a custom order (upper body lower body first layer and 2 cores). Core the Bluetooth module which sits in the pocket of shirt or short, read the data from sensors and sends to your smartphone. Core is must to get data from garment to the phone. I ordered 2 cores so so that I can get full body data.

Below is the Bluetooth module aka “Core” and Core’s Charging base.

As Athos gears are expensive, due to all the sensors embedded inside the shirt and short. I am pretty impressed with the quality of fabric they have used. Clothing itself seem very durable but I am more concern about the sensors quality and durability. That’s one thing that I need to keep my eyes on. Well I have to mentioned that sensor on the left glutes is not working out of the box. I only realized when every sensors were firing in my legs when I was walking but left glutes were not showing any response on app. I would share the app screenshot in action later in the post.

The pocket you are seeing in above pics are the pocket where Core get to snug fit. I have been doing quite a jumping and agile movements due to Jim Stoppani’s Shortcut to Shred workout program. You should not be worry about them falling out of place.

Below is the pic me wearing “Athos” Shirt as you can see the front pocket like Iron-Man Core :) I have to tell you, you wont look anything less than a superhero so perform the same way in gym. I have not tried second layer of clothing over the shirt.

Let’s talk about the real time feedback of muscles while pushing weights. Well first challenge to have phone at the visible point so that you can see the feedback. If you are like me who works out alone, It’s a big challenge. I got bungee/flexible tripod but it turn out to have small arms and can’t get wrap around gym equipment. it’s not heavy duty and phone weight is more than tripod itself. It can’t hold phone on those gym equipment. Here is the link for tripod that I used today and totally don’t recommend. Flexible Tripod - Cell Phone Tripod Adapter.I would update the post later when I find some good one. I might get the real tripod so that I can make it stand anywhere I want. Its little bit inconvenient plus its going to attract too many people to you in gym. I am person who likes get his workout in and get out of gym, I don’t go to gym to get socialize so lets see what I find on amazon tonight.

Athos post set summery : Detailed info about what muscles group were fired with what intensity. This was really great feedback to analyze what is my target muscles group and what is actually being used. Below is the screenshot while real muscles group are being fired while I am working out.

Best part of this tech is how you can actually review you workout later if you are one man “Superman” like me and can’t see your phone while working out or people like who like to analyze. This can be a great tool. I am more of a action guy than analyze. Athos ppl total for this. (Yes that time stamp 10 mins 46 secs). You can actually replay whole workout. I am totally digging this tech. It was day one and I would be telling more and more about this product. In later posts. I would also explain how’s my experiences with after sale support. I have to tell you product is amazing and you don’t want to get small size. So do your good amount of homework to to get size that is as possibly close what can fix. For eyeballing thumb rule. get bigger size than your usual. So until next time, Eat lean , train mean and sleep sound .

Please do let me know in comments how can I do better. I would love hear from you.