What is a Spark Activity Tracker?
Small enough to clip on your pocket, shoe or bra, it automatically tracks your daily steps, calories burned, activity minutes and distance covered. The Spark is smart too; it can distinguish between your activities so it can more accurately determine your calories burned, since you burn more calories when running vs. walking. The Spark wirelessly syncs to your computer so you can view your results, set goals, earn trophies, and participate in challenges. It is the only activity tracker that fully integrates with the FREE tracking tools, healthy living content and supportive community on SparkPeople.com. Use the device to track your physical activity, food, weight and more so you can reach your goals more quickly!
- Tracks your steps, calories, distance and activity time
- Syncs automatically and wirelessly to your computer
- FREE membership to SparkPeople.com
- Lightweight and easy to wear on your pocket, belt, shoe or bra
- Replaceable battery, lasts 6-12-months (no charging required)
- Stay motivated with trophies and challenges with real prizes!
- View progress on iPhone and Android apps
- WATERPROOF: Did you accidently run it through the wash or drop it in the pool? No worries. The Spark is waterproof! It's able to handle your toughest, muddiest, sweatiest workouts or a trip through the washing machine!
Congratulations! By committing to use the Spark Activity Tracker, you've taken the first step toward a healthier lifestyle. This guide will help you get started with your tracking device.
- Remove your Spark and USB SyncPoint from the box. You can keep the extra battery in the box for now; it’s just a spare.
- To connect your Spark with SparkPeople.com, go to www.sparkpeople.com/setup. Click the purple download button and follow the prompts.
System Requirements:
A computer is required to sync your data. Syncing via a tablet or mobile device is not supported at this time. In order for the SparkPeopleConnect software to run properly, your computer must have the following:
- PC Requirements: 1 GHz processor, 1 GB memory 50 MB free disk space Operating Systems: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8
- Mac Requirements: Intel processor, 1 GB memory 50 MB free disk space Operating Systems: Mac OSX 10.6-10.8
Note: You will need admin rights on your computer to install the SparkPeopleConnect software successfully – this is typically not an issue for home/personal computers, but can be an issue with work computers.
Clip on your Spark and get moving! Log in to SparkPeople.com to view your data, run reports and see your results on your Spark Activity Tracker Page.
The Spark Activty Tracker automatically tracks your physical activities throughout the day and syncs it to your computer. It validates step activity to filter out any non-step motion such as tapping your foot or driving. For this reason it will likely register less "steps" than a traditional pedometer which would count most motion (even non-step) as step activity. For activities that the Spark cannot track (such as stretching, strength training, swimming, aerobics, etc), you can manually enter those workouts so you have a comprehensive view of your fitness activities.
| The Spark Activity Tracker automatically tracks you physical activities throughout the day and syncs it to your computer. |
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Walking
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Running
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Elliptical
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Indoor Cycling
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All-Day Activity
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Sync Wirelessly
After setup, your Spark will wirelessly and automatically sync your data to your computer when you are within a range of 50 feet from your USB wireless SyncPoint (and your computer is on). Then you can view your results and run reports online and from your phone.
Note: you can only sync via your computer – then you can view data on your phone.
Uploading (Syncing Your Data)
If you are on the computer throughout the day and have a USB port available, it may be easiest to just keep the SyncPoint plugged in to your computer at all times. Then your Spark will sync and upload your data every time you are near your computer.
If you don't use the computer often or can't keep the USB dongle plugged in, you may need to create a routine where you remember to plug it in once a day, such as at the end of the day or the beginning of the next day—depending on how often you want to see your data results online.
You may also purchase an extra USB SyncPoint here:
https://secure.sparkpeople.com/myspark/the-spark-order-page1.asp.
This is handy for people who like to keep one SyncPoint at home and one at work, so they can view their data at any time throughout the day. You can connect both SyncPoints to the same account.
What do the lights on the USB SyncPoint mean?
When your computer is on, a green light on your SyncPoint means that it is working properly and can upload your data. A red light on your SyncPoint means that your network may be down. You may need to check your network connection and/or try removing the SyncPoint and reinserting it into the USB port.
If there is no light on your SyncPoint, you may need to remove and reinsert it into the USB port. Another possible solution is to move your SyncPoint to another USB port on your computer.
How long will my data be stored on my Spark Activity Tracker?
Your data will be stored for about 2 weeks, depending on your usage. We recommend syncing with your computer (following the instructions above) at least once per week so that your weekly email updates are accurate and you can win trophies and other awards for your progress.
SparkPeople Online Community and Smartphone Apps
Access exercise tracking and calorie counting tools, exercise demos, and detailed reports that have helped millions of people live healthier, better lives--right on your phone.
To view your Spark data, visit
SparkPeople.com from your computer or via our iPhone or Android app. When you're logged in, you'll see a button at the top of the Start page called "See Tracker Details," which will take you to your main Spark Activity Tracker Page where you can see all your data for today. Not a SparkPeople member yet?
Learn more...
All of this data will also feed into your SparkPeople Fitness Tracker page
www.sparkpeople.com/setup once you've accumulated at least 10 minutes of continuous activity, which is counted as a "workout." You'll also have the option to receive a weekly email with your progress, tips and trophies so you can celebrate your victories and be motivated to set new goals over time!
After syncing to your computer, you can view your Spark Activity Tracker data our iPhone and Android apps. Your data will not sync directly to your mobile phone from your Spark because the Spark is not mobile enabled (this drains the battery life).
Your Spark uses a CR 2032 battery, so there is no need to charge your Spark! The Spark already comes with one battery installed (which should last 6 - 12 months depending on usage) and a spare in your product packaging.
When the battery is low, you'll know it: The display on your tracker will show red lights instead of green. The tracker will continue to record your data, but it will not upload your data to SparkPeople or your Spark Activity Tracker page.
Watch an instructional video on how to change the battery in your Spark here: http://www.sparkpeople.com/community/help_answer.asp?id=180.
The Spark Activity Tracker uses a CR 2032 battery. A spare battery was included in the box that your Spark arrived in. When the lights on your Spark turn red, it’s time to change the battery. Follow these instructions to replace the battery:
- Twist the back cover of the Spark slightly counterclockwise to unlock.
- Gently remove the back cover.
- Once you've opened the Spark, you'll see a pry point in the top corner. Use either the tab on the end of the clip, or a small screwdriver to remove the old battery.
- Wait 60 seconds and then insert the new battery under the metal tab with the + side facing toward you. Be careful not to bend the metal tab that holds the battery in place.
- Turn the Spark over and you will see a sequence of green lights that turn on and off in a clockwise direction, ending with 1 green light. This self-check tells you that the Spark is working properly.
- Replace the metal clip and the back cover and turn clockwise to lock the case. Make sure the end of the clip fits securely in the groove on the Spark. Check to make sure you can’t remove the clip by pulling on it.
If you get stuck at any point, you can view the
Spark Activity Tracker FAQs on the help page of your Spark Activity dashboard.
Still don’t see the answer to your question? Email the Spark support team at
thesparksupport@sparkpeople.com.
Please include your SparkPeople username to help troubleshoot any issues.
Spark Activity Tracker Refund and Limited Warranty Policies:
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1911