CES 2017: Twelve South Debuts ActionSleeve Armband for Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

Twelve South today unveiled its latest accessory, the ActionSleeve Armband for Apple Watch. The ActionSleeve is designed to move the Apple Watch from the wrist to the upper arm, keeping it out of the way during intense workouts while leaving all of its functionality intact.

Specifically designed for sports that require wrist gear like weightlifting, rock climbing, boxing, Kettlebell training, and CrossFit, the ActionSleeve protects the Apple Watch, keeps it out of the way, and securely holds it in place even during vigorous workouts.

The Apple Watch slips into the padded frame of the ActionSleeve, and then the ActionSleeve itself is strapped to the upper arm. The screen, Digital Crown, and side button remain accessible, and the heart rate monitor continues to work. According to Twelve South, the heart rate monitor may even perform better on the upper arm because of its tight fit.

ActionSleeve can actually improve Apple Watch's heart rate tracking. How? When you flex your wrist or your watch band isn't tight enough, it can cause inconsistent readings or drop outs. ActionSleeve holds Apple Watch tightly and securely to your upper arm - delivering more consistent skin contact and more accurate heart rate tracking. If you're serious about training or you've had trouble with the Apple Watch heart rate monitor in the past, ActionSleeve might just be the ticker-counting ticket you're looking for.

Priced at $29.99 and available in either red or black, there are ActionSleeves for both 38 and 42mm Apple Watch models. The 38mm ActionSleeve fits arms up to 15 inches, while the 42mm ActionSleeve fits arms up to 17 inches. There's also a 42mm "Slim" variant for the larger Apple Watch that fits smaller arms.

The ActionSleeve is available for purchase starting today from the Twelve South website.

Article Link: CES 2017: Twelve South Debuts ActionSleeve Armband for Apple Watch

 

[bulbae]

.

 

[tazinlwfl]

That's all folks. CES 2017 is officially over. Nothing else to see after this.

 

[levitynyc]

What a stupid and useless product....and now there's a strap that holds it to your upper arm.

 

[question fear]

This is just dumb.

Actually it's pretty smart. The biggest hole in wearables is that there's no good way to use a wearable for weightlifting or bodyweight workouts. Their position on the wrist means they pick up all sorts of extraneous movements as steps, plus they get in the way of wrist flexion. Can't say if this is the solution, but it makes sense that companies are trying to sort it out.

 

[dwaltwhit]

I have been in workouts where this would have been super helpful! When you are trying to powerclean, you don't want to damage your watch or hurt your wrist. This solves that problem. Also while I'm working out, an even more accurate tracking would be advantageous.

 

[iPhysicist]

This is just dumb.

Thats exactly what I thought.
But then I read the article. For me as a climber this would be a nice sleeve. I can't fill my standing ring while climbing so this would be a nice work around.

 

[BruceEBonus]

Nothing up my sleeve. Nothing up my sleeve. In fact nothing much coming out at all to be honest ... or likely to ....

 

[69Mustang]

This is just dumb.

What a stupid and useless product....and now there's a strap that holds it to your upper arm.

Is it safe to assume neither of you do workouts that require gloves or wrist articulation? As others have said, this may not be a perfect solution but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

 

[penajmz]

I actually think this is pretty great. I am at the gym at least 5 times a week and see me using this for weightlifting.

 

[2457244]

Twelve South is best at selling useless stuff to ugly people with fancy products!

It's almost a crime how good they are.

 

[gsmornot]

Is it safe to assume neither of you do workouts that require gloves or wrist articulation? As others have said, this may not be a perfect solution but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Agree. Not sure I would have one of these in the future but my cycling gloves hit my watch crown at times which can cause issues with tracking. I still want to see my data while I ride so wearing this on my arm is not going to work but its an idea I didn't think of as a solution.

 

[Mizouse]

This would be super handy for me when I deadlift double overhand grip using straps. Or when I bench press with wrist straps.

 

[2457282]

Is it safe to assume neither of you do workouts that require gloves or wrist articulation? As others have said, this may not be a perfect solution but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Indeed, when I saw this article, my first reaction is why the hell would I put my watch into an armband - this seems silly. Then I read the article and other comments and it began to make sense. I am glad I waited before posting so that I was not the one looking silly.

 

[69Mustang]

Indeed, when I saw this article, my first reaction is why the hell would I put my watch into an armband - this seems silly. Then I read the article and other comments and it began to make sense. I am glad I waited before posting so that I was not the one looking silly.

We all do it. Our thoughts about products tend to be influenced by our personal use cases. I don't use a smartwatch, but if I did, something like this would be nice when lifting. I'm assuming the band is a stretchable fabric since muscles flex. Otherwise it wouldn't maintain contact for HR monitoring.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

This is just dumb.

The only thing dumb around here is this comment.

I actually just attended a kickboxing class this morning for the first time and not only was it difficult to adjust my watch to continue wearing it while I wrapped my hands, but also the big boxing gloves blocked the watch from view. Finally, when I took my gloves off at the end of the class my watch was absolutely swimming in sweat because it was tightly covered through the entire workout. Something like this would be fantastic for that use case.

Also, any time I use my watch to track a weight lifting workout, the HR monitor goes absolutely bonkers and is usually hovering in the 50's when my actual heart rate is much closer to the 150's. If this improves accuracy that'd be fantastic.

Lastly, my initial concern for something like this would be potential usability issues while on the arm. After watching the video and acting it out on myself, I've discovered that it should actually be pretty easy to use the watch in this orientation.

That being said, of course most people will likely only want to use this during a workout, so it might be slightly frustrating to have to swap the band out regularly. But then again, many people likely already do this. Perhaps I just happen to be one of the few who simply chooses to wear the sport band 24/7.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Also, any time I use my watch to track a weight lifting workout, the HR monitor goes absolutely bonkers and is usually hovering in the 50's when my actual heart rate is much closer to the 150's. If this improves accuracy that'd be fantastic.

Yes, this is so true. And I'm willing to spend $30 to try it out.

Though this seems like a software issue to me as well. Apple knows my resting heart rate is in the low 70s. It has loads of data to support this. If I tell it I am exercising (often specifically naming the exercise), then it should know it is highly unlikely that my heart rate is not only lower than resting, but sometimes lower by nearly 30%. It should assume that while exercising, any reading that is significantly below my resting rate is probably wrong.

 

[macfacts]

Headband would be better then everyone will know you have an apple watch.

 

[macduke]

This is just dumb.

No way. I just bought this in the 42mm red. I do a lot of work outside on my property and measure my fitness because I get reimbursed hundreds of dollars by my work's insurance if I meet the goals. Wearing work gloves constantly activates Siri and tries to turn off my Watch because it keeps knocking into the gloves, which is really annoying. It's also nice because I can keep it out of the way and not worry about banging something into the glass, which will be great when I'm using my chainsaw to clear brush before spring. Even though it's Sapphire, the glass can shatter. I ended up grazing the stainless steel door handle on my fridge and it put a thin crack down the side of the watch glass away from the display. I don't want that thing to get any worse! Furthermore, I've been clearing space in the unfinished part of my basement now that our remodel is done to make an exercise area. This will be great for lifting. I'm super excited about this thing!

 

[spazzcat]

The only thing dumb around here is this comment.

I actually just attended a kickboxing class this morning for the first time and not only was it difficult to adjust my watch to continue wearing it while I wrapped my hands, but also the big boxing gloves blocked the watch from view. Finally, when I took my gloves off at the end of the class my watch was absolutely swimming in sweat because it was tightly covered through the entire workout. Something like this would be fantastic for that use case...

The other thing people don't realize is when doing things like kickboxing the watch moves around a lot on your wrist which can cause it to lose heart rate for a period of time.

 

[44267547]

This would be super handy for me when I deadlift double overhand grip using straps. Or when I bench press with wrist straps.

I have always been leery of using my stainless Apple Watch around weights and damaging it. I can't say I purchase this product, but it's an alternative.

 

[maflynn]

I can see the idea behind it, but I'm not sure about the execution of the idea. I think they could have done a better job at making it look a lot better.

Personally, I don't see a need but my usage is not typical.

 

[MrX8503]

The problem with watches in general is that I can't wear them while lifting weights. They get in the way of wrist movement and gets banged up.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

99 out 100 people using straps for weight lifting are doing themselves more harm than good. Build your grip strength rather than relying on straps.
[doublepost=1483559591][/doublepost]

This would be super handy for me when I deadlift double overhand grip using straps. Or when I bench press with wrist straps.

Who in the world bench presses with straps? You're going out of your way to look like a fool in the gym.

 

[jblagden]

Twelve South today unveiled its latest accessory, the ActionSleeve Armband for Apple Watch. The ActionSleeve is designed to move the Apple Watch from the wrist to the upper arm, keeping it out of the way during intense workouts while leaving all of its functionality intact.

Specifically designed for sports that require wrist gear like weightlifting, rock climbing, boxing, Kettlebell training, and CrossFit, the ActionSleeve protects the Apple Watch, keeps it out of the way, and securely holds it in place even during vigorous workouts.

The Apple Watch slips into the padded frame of the ActionSleeve, and then the ActionSleeve itself is strapped to the upper arm. The screen, Digital Crown, and side button remain accessible, and the heart rate monitor continues to work. According to Twelve South, the heart rate monitor may even perform better on the upper arm because of its tight fit.

Priced at $29.99 and available in either red or black, there are ActionSleeves for both 38 and 42mm Apple Watch models. The 38mm ActionSleeve fits arms up to 15 inches, while the 42mm ActionSleeve fits arms up to 17 inches. There's also a 42mm "Slim" variant for the larger Apple Watch that fits smaller arms.

The ActionSleeve is available for purchase starting today from the Twelve South website.

Article Link: CES 2017: Twelve South Debuts ActionSleeve Armband for Apple Watch

Personally, I wouldn’t wear such an expensive wristwatch while engaging in activities which would require the use of an “ActionSleeve”. Can you imagine it getting smashed while boxing?