Unlocking Rem Sleep With Fitbit Surge: What You Need To Know

Fitbit Surge is an all-day fitness tracker that monitors your heart rate, steps, sleep, phone notifications, and more. While it does track sleep, it does not track REM sleep. REM sleep is the stage associated with vivid dreams and is usually longer in the second half of the night. To track REM sleep, more advanced equipment is needed, such as an eye tracker or brain wave monitor. Fitbit estimates sleep stages using movement and heart rate patterns.

How does the Fitbit Surge track sleep?

The Fitbit Surge is an all-day fitness tracker that can monitor your sleep. While it cannot track REM sleep, it can track light and deep sleep.

The Fitbit Surge uses an accelerometer to infer when you are sleeping and what stage of sleep you are in. This is an instrument for measuring bodily accelerations of the wrist. It also uses a technique called optical photoplethysmography, or PPG, which measures blood flow based on how green light from an LED on the back of the watch is reflected by the body.

The watch looks at how much you are moving and how often your heart is beating to infer whether you are awake, in a deep sleep, or a light slumber. When you don't move for about an hour, your Fitbit Surge assumes you're asleep. Additional data, such as the length of time when your movements indicate sleep behaviour (like rolling over), help confirm your sleep status.

While you sleep, your Fitbit Surge tracks the beat-to-beat changes in your heart rate, known as heart rate variability (HRV), which fluctuate as you transition between light sleep and deep sleep. When you sync your device in the morning, it uses your movement and heart rate patterns to estimate your sleep cycles from the previous night.

How accurate is the Fitbit Surge at tracking REM sleep?

The Fitbit Surge can track REM sleep, but how accurate is it?

REM sleep is the stage of sleep associated with vivid dreams and eye movement. While you sleep, your Fitbit device can estimate the sleep stages you cycle through by using your movement and heart rate patterns. When you don't move for about an hour, your Fitbit assumes you're asleep, and additional data such as how long you've been still helps confirm your sleep status.

Fitbit estimates sleep stages by tracking the beat-to-beat changes in your heart rate, known as heart rate variability (HRV), which fluctuate as you transition between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. When you sync your device in the morning, it uses your movement and heart rate patterns to estimate your sleep cycles from the previous night.

According to a 2017 paper published by Fitbit scientists, the Fitbit watch's sensors can classify sleep stages with 69% accuracy in any given 30-second time window. While this may seem low, there is no systematic bias to how much light sleep, deep sleep, or REM sleep Fitbit estimates. This means that if you use the app for many nights, you'll get a good sense of how often you tend to be awake, lightly asleep, or deeply asleep on a typical night.

However, it's important to note that Fitbit devices are not a substitute for polysomnography (PSG), which is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders and conducting sleep research. Fitbit devices provide a more comfortable and convenient way to estimate your sleep stages.

In summary, while the Fitbit Surge may not provide perfectly accurate measurements of your REM sleep, it can still give you valuable insights into your sleep patterns and help you adjust your sleep schedule to get more rest.

How does the Fitbit Surge compare to other sleep trackers?

The Fitbit Surge is a sophisticated piece of machinery in the form of a touchscreen wristwatch. It is an upgrade from the Fitbit Charge and Flex, with a nicer wristband and more expensive parts. The Surge is an excellent all-day fitness tracker that monitors your heart rate, uses GPS to track outdoor activity, and alerts you to incoming phone calls and text messages. It also has a broad appeal, making it a good choice for those looking for an advanced fitness tracker.

When compared with other trackers on the market, the Fitbit Surge rises to the top and sits alongside an elite few, such as the Basis Peak and Mio Fuse. The Surge offers a blend of features that cater to different categories of users, including those looking for a runner's watch, a smartwatch, or a simple activity tracker. It is reliable and easy to use, with a comfortable and secure fit.

However, the Fitbit Surge may not be the best choice for those who are training for a marathon or triathlon, as it does not offer some of the more advanced features found in other devices. Additionally, the Surge has a below-average battery life when the GPS is enabled, and the charger is not interchangeable with other Fitbit devices.

In terms of sleep tracking, the Fitbit Surge automatically detects sleep when you wear the device to bed. It can track your sleep patterns and quality, including the time spent awake, restless, and asleep. However, it is important to note that the Surge does not track sleep stages like some other Fitbit devices. While it can detect light and deep sleep, it cannot distinguish between REM sleep and deep sleep. This may be a disadvantage for those who are specifically looking for a device to track their sleep stages.

Overall, the Fitbit Surge is a great choice for those looking for an advanced fitness tracker with broad appeal. It offers a blend of features that cater to different categories of users and is reliable and easy to use. However, it may not be the best choice for those who need more advanced features or more detailed sleep tracking.

What are the limitations of the Fitbit Surge for tracking sleep?

The Fitbit Surge is a great all-day fitness tracker, but it does have some limitations when it comes to tracking sleep. Firstly, it does not track REM sleep, which is an important stage of sleep associated with vivid dreams and memory consolidation. This is a significant limitation as it means users cannot get a complete picture of their sleep cycles and how their sleep quality may be impacting their overall health.

Another limitation of the Fitbit Surge for sleep tracking is its accuracy. While it does provide a broad overview of sleep patterns, including time spent awake, restless, and asleep, it does not offer detailed sleep reports. The automatic sleep detection feature is convenient, but it may not always be accurate, and the simplistic sleep timeline can be hard to read and interpret. This means users may not get a truly accurate understanding of their sleep patterns and may miss out on important insights that could help them improve their sleep quality.

Additionally, the Fitbit Surge does not have the ability to detect or track sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. This is a limitation for those who may have concerns about their sleep health and want to use the device to monitor for potential issues. While the device can track heart rate and movement, which are important indicators of sleep quality, it does not provide specific insights into sleep disorders.

The Fitbit Surge also has limited battery life, especially when the GPS is enabled. This can impact its effectiveness as a sleep tracker, as users may need to remember to charge the device regularly to ensure it has enough battery life to track their sleep throughout the night.

Finally, the Fitbit Surge is not waterproof, so it cannot be worn while swimming or in the shower. This means users need to remember to take it off before certain activities, and it may not be suitable for those who want a device they can wear continuously.

What are the benefits of tracking sleep with the Fitbit Surge?

Sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and the Fitbit Surge can help you get a better night's rest in several ways. Firstly, the device automatically tracks your sleep, including your sleep stages (Light, Deep, and REM sleep) or sleep patterns (time spent awake, restless, and asleep). This data can provide valuable insights into your sleep habits and help you make adjustments for a more consistent sleep schedule.

The Fitbit Surge also offers a sleep mode feature, allowing you to manually put the band into sleep mode if desired. Additionally, the device can suggest ideal bedtimes and wake-up times based on your sleep goals, which you can adjust as needed. You can also set bedtime reminders to help you establish a bedtime routine and improve your sleep hygiene.

Another benefit of the Fitbit Surge is its ability to track your heart rate continuously. This feature enables you to monitor your resting heart rate and heart rate variability throughout the day and during specific exercises. While the Surge doesn't provide detailed sleep reports like some other devices, it can still give you a good indication of your sleep quality and duration.

Furthermore, the Fitbit app provides sleep insights and tips to help you improve your sleep. It can also track your caffeine and sugar intake, which may interfere with your sleep quality. By logging your food and workouts, you can identify any habits that may be impacting your sleep. The app also offers suggestions for relaxing activities before bed, such as deep breathing exercises, yoga, or reading.

In summary, the Fitbit Surge can help you track and optimize your sleep by providing data on your sleep stages, suggesting ideal sleep schedules, offering sleep insights and tips, and allowing you to identify any lifestyle habits that may be affecting your rest. By utilizing these features, you can make informed adjustments to your bedtime routine and improve your overall sleep quality.

Frequently asked questions