What is LINK Armband?

It is the Bluetooth^®-enabled version of the Armband. Using Bluetooth wireless technology, LINK Armband can connect to selected mobile devices and give you real time updates of your calorie burn and activity level. Plus on our Mobile App you can log food and do workouts.

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is an open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks (PANs) with high levels of security. BodyMedia uses Bluetooth wireless technology to power BodyMedia FIT LINK Armband. Click here to learn more about LINK Armband.

How do I know if I have a BodyMedia FIT LINK Armband?

LINK Armband is identified on the front panel of the packaging. If you no longer have the original packaging, LINK Armband can be identified by the blue button on the face of the Armband.

What mobile devices work with LINK Armband?

Supported mobile devices listed here.

Do I need a software subscription if I have LINK Armband?

Yes, you will still need a subscription. The Mobile App does not give you the depth and breadth of information that you see online. You will still need to sync your Armband via USB cable to upload your data from the Armband to the online Activity Manager.

Can I sync my LINK Armband data to the Activity Manager using my mobile device?

No. The real time data displayed on the BodyMedia App is not uploaded to the Activity Manager. You must still connect via USB and upload to the Activity Manager.

Where should the Armband be worn?

The Armband should always be worn high on the triceps area of the left arm, with the sensors touching the skin, with the logo on top, closer to the shoulder.

Can I wear the Armband on my right arm? Or upside down?

Algorithms analyze the Armband data to estimate your calorie burn. Those algorithms have been written to give optimal performance when the Armband is worn on the left arm, the right way up. The "right way up" has the logo closer to your shoulder and the lights closer to your elbow. We do not recommend wearing it on the right arm or upside down. If the Armband is worn on the right arm or upside down, we expect calorie burn values may show a difference of up to 8% for routine activities like resting, walking, running, household work and road biking. The differences can be significant when using certain exercise equipment.

Does the Armband have to be worn on the left arm?

The Armband should be worn on the back of the upper left arm (the triceps). To work properly, the BodyMedia logo must face upward towards the shoulder and the silver sensors on the underside of the Armband will be in contact with the skin.

Do I have to wear the Armband all the time? What happens if I take it off?

The Armband will fill in calories for any time you were not wearing it. That data will be an estimate based on your body parameters and your previous activity. The more you wear the Armband, the more accurate your values will be.

If you don't wear the Armband for 30 minutes or more during "non-sleep" hours you will have to Edit Off-Body time.

How can I add activities that I did when I was not wearing my Armband?

You are able to add activity and calories for time when you weren't wearing the Armband. This is can be done through the Edit Off-Body feature. This feature can be found within the Calories Burned drop down graph located on the main Dashboard of the Activity Manager. The icon for the feature will appear when the Activity Manager sees that the Armband has been "off-body" for more than 30 minutes during your "non-sleep" hours. If you are having problems making the icon appear, verify that your Sleep Times have been entered correctly within your User Profile. A common error that we see is the entry of Midnight as 12:00PM instead of 12:00AM. Verify that your sleep times are entered properly, and you will see the icon appear.

Can I wear the Armband for workouts only?

The system is designed to be worn all day. You can wear the Armband during workouts only, if you wish. In that case, for best results, we recommend wearing it for at least 10 minutes before and after your workout.

How do I help ensure a comfortable wearing experience?

1. Clean and dry the back of Armband and the upper arm daily prior to wearing especially after sweating or when the Armband becomes noticeably moist or dirty. This will help prevent dirt and moisture from getting trapped between the sensors and skin. Instructions for proper cleaning of the Armband can be found in the user guide that came with your product or here.

2. Avoid wearing the Armband excessively. To reduce potential for skin irritation, wear the Armband for a maximum of 23 hours per day. The Armband can also be worn a little higher or lower on the arm to minimize reactions rather than repeatedly wearing the Armband in the exact same location.

3. Do not use moisturizers or lotions in the areas where the Armband makes contact with the skin. This may increase the chance of irritation over prolonged use and affect the performance of the sensors. Chemicals found in sunscreen and insect repellant can be particularly irritating to the skin under the Armband and may even degrade the Armband and Armband accessories.

I have sensitive skin, should I wear the Armband?

Analysis and post market surveillance indicates that the risks of using the product are extremely low. No significant health risks have been identified. The most frequently reported health risk, occurring in less than 1% of users, is a mild to severe skin irritation resulting from wearing the Armband. Following proper wear and cleaning instructions often resolves this issue. If irritation continues, discontinue use and consult a physician. Follow all instructions regarding how to properly wear and clean the Armband to minimize the chance of irritation. If you have a known metal allergy, consult your physician prior to using the product. Read the instructions provided and all cautions before using the Armband. To reduce the risk of skin irritation, be sure to dry the Armband and your arm thoroughly before wearing the Armband.

I have a known metal allergy, should I wear the Armband?

For all known skin sensitivities and metal allergies, please consult a physician prior to use of the Armband. A list of Armband and strap materials is provided below.

What materials are used in the Armband?

• Armband: ABS, polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane, 304 grade stainless steel
  Stainless Steel #304 content includes: Chromium 18%, Nickel 8%, Manganese 2%, Silicon 1%, Carbon .08%, Phosphorous .045%, Sulfur .03%

• Armband Strap: Nylon, polyester, Lycra (no latex content) or polyisoprene, polycarbonate (frame on the 'mini' model only), thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone

I have noticed my skin gets irritated when I wear the Armband, what should I do?

Following proper wear and cleaning instructions often resolves this issue. If irritation continues, discontinue use and consult a physician. Follow all instructions regarding how to properly wear and clean the Armband to minimize the chance of irritation. If you have a known metal allergy, consult your physician prior to using the product.

What is the proper way to clean the Armband?

You should always clean and dry the Armband and Display if they become noticeably moist or dirty.

To clean the Armband: Gently wipe the skin side of the Armband with a soft cloth or towel moistened with mild soap and water. Wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining soap. Use a dry, soft cloth or towel to completely dry the Armband before wearing it. Never use solvents to clean the Armband!

To clean the strap and wing: Hand wash with mild soap and warm water, rinse, then air dry. Machine drying may affect the performance and lifespan of the strap.

The Armband may need to be disinfected occasionally. Wipe the entire Armband with a soft cloth dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Allow the Armband to dry for 5-10 minutes before wearing it. Always disinfect the Armband and replace the strap prior to use by others.

What are the Armband operating temperatures?

Minimum and maximum operating temperatures are 40°F to 104°F (5°C to 40°C). When the temperature outside falls below 40°F, the Armband should still function correctly if it is on your arm and you are wearing appropriate clothing for the temperature.

How does the Armband calculate calories burned?

The Armband contains 4 sensors that measure motion, body temperature fluctuations, skin temperature, and skin conductivity (galvanic skin response). A proprietary algorithm uses this collected raw information along with your personal body parameters to deliver readings on calories, activity levels, steps, lying down, and sleep time.

How do I know the Armband is collecting data?

If you're wearing the Armband correctly, it should be collecting data. To check that the Armband is on, quickly press the Status Button once and release. You should hear an "A OK" sound; this sound confirms the Armband is collecting data.

Is the Armband waterproof or is there such a model?

No, the Armband is water resistant, not waterproof, and is not designed to be used underwater or to come into continuous contact with water. Do not immerse the Armband in water or perform water-based activities, such as swimming or bathing, while wearing the Armband. Water activities can manually be added to the system using the Edit Off-Body feature.

As a water resistant device, the Armband works properly when it comes in contact with rain, fog, or sweat.

Can I wear my Armband in a Sauna?

Yes, it is safe to wear the Armband in a Sauna. However, because of the extreme conditions found in a Sauna we cannot confirm the validity of the results.

Can I upgrade my non-Bluetooth Armband (Armband Advantage) to a Bluetooth version (BodyMedia FIT LINK Armband)?

No, it is not possible to upgrade the Armband Advantage to be Bluetooth-enabled. You must purchase a new BodyMedia FIT LINK Armband that can be used with your existing Activity Manager account. If you do so, please make sure you upload all data from your existing Armband Advantage before registering the new BodyMedia FIT LINK Armband. Click here to purchase LINK Armband.

Can I use a Display device with my LINK Armband?

No. The Display is not Bluetooth-enabled. The BodyMedia FIT LINK Armband does not communicate with the Display device.

How do I pair my LINK Armband with my mobile device?

We would first recommend that you update your Android or iOS mobile device to the latest version of operating system available. Check with the manufacturer of your mobile device if you have any questions on how to do so. Once your mobile device operating system and has been verified, please follow the steps below to properly pair and link your mobile device to your LINK Armband.

1. Sync your Armband with your computer as you normally would.
2. Power cycle your mobile device (turn off/turn on) and then ensure the mobile device and LINK Armband are within 3 feet of each other (easiest on a table with the devices sitting next to each other).
3. To put your LINK Armband in pairing mode, press and hold the Status Button for 5 seconds until you hear a beep and the memory and battery LED status indicator lights will alternate in an amber color. Try not to hold the button much longer than five seconds. Holding the button down too long could reboot the Armband. (This applies for initial pairing, to clear an existing pairing, or to pair with a new mobile device).
4. Put on your Armband. Wait for the tone that signifies that the Armband is on body. This may take up to 10 minutes.
5. After you hear the on body tone, proceed with pairing your LINK Armband with your specific mobile device listed below:
• Click here for detailed instructions on pairing with an iOS^® device.
• Click here for detailed instructions on pairing with an Android^™ device.

Can I link my LINK Armband to multiple devices via Bluetooth?

You can only pair your LINK Armband to one device at a time. You can change the pairing of your LINK Armband by following the standard pairing procedures.

What is the Bluetooth authentication code used in the pairing procedure with mobile devices?

Four zeros, "0000"

Will other Bluetooth devices interfere with my LINK Armband?

In general, Bluetooth devices will not cause interference; however, extensive wireless interference can impact performance.

Can I use two Bluetooth devices with my mobile device at the same time?

Typically this is not an issue; however, we recommend that you consult your mobile device operating instruction manual or contact your mobile device manufacturer for the capabilities of your specific device.

What version of Bluetooth does the Armband use?

Bluetooth 2.0.

Is it possible to mute the sounds on the Armband?

You are not able to mute the audio on the Armband. The Armband will make sounds when the battery or memory are running low, when a reminder goes off, when you press the Status Button, or when your Armband goes on or off body.

What is the average battery life of the LINK Armband?

The battery life is 2-4 days and is dependent on how much time you have your LINK Armband linked to your mobile device. For example, using the Workout mode of the Mobile App for long durations of time will result in shorter Armband battery life. Linking only a few times a day to view your Dashboard data will result in longer battery life.

If you are using LINK Armband with an iOS device, running Keep Alive mode will reduce battery life.

Can I charge the Armband with a wall charger or on a computer without the sync software?

Currently, the only supported way to charge the Armband is to use the provided USB cable attached to either a PC or Mac.

What about Traveling in an Airplane, car, etc.?

• Airplane - The device and wireless accessories should not be used in airplanes, hospitals, or locations where cellular telephones or electronic devices are prohibited. Please remove your Armband from your arm to turn the unit off.

• Car - The device may register activity if you are in a moving vehicle that is not riding smoothly. If it's an abnormally bumpy ride, you might consider taking the Armband off and simply use the Edit Off-Body function.

My Armband is faulty, is there a warranty with the BodyMedia FIT?

Yes, each BodyMedia FIT Armband comes with a full 1 year warranty with a proof of purchase. If you are experiencing an issue when using your armband please visit our troubleshooting page here.