Wristbands FAQ

Q: What do the wristbands do?

A: The wristbands speed up the process of selecting a participant before a run. They also automate filling up the scoresheet after the run is complete so the results are available in real-time at your ArenaGear Teams portal. The Teams portal provides long-term performance tracking and analysis. The wristbands offer a long-lasting, cost-effective solution for streamlining testing and maintaining accurate records over an extended period.

Q: What are the costs for using the ArenaGear Athlete Management System (AMS) and the wristbands?
A: There are no costs for using the ArenaGear Athlete Management System, no fees, subscriptions, or per-athlete spot fee. There are no additional fees for using the wristbands (other than the wristband purchase price)

You can use the AMS at no charge to manage unlimited classes, class rosters, and athletes, even if you don't purchase any wristbands. Any changes you make to your classes are automatically uploaded to all the phones and iPads linked to your AMS account. The score sheets for those athletes will be automatically sent to your AMS for record-keeping and analysis, and the leaderboard will be updated in real time, even before the athletes slow down.

Wristbands are great for automating data collection for teams, large classes, and weekend camps and competitions. Once a wristband is scanned (via your phone or the ArenaGear wristband Scanner), the athlete's name is selected, and the test result is automatically transferred to your cloud console via your phone or iPad.

We offer two types of wristbands: a rugged silicone wristband with 4 years of data and a waterproof, disposable paper wristband that is inexpensive and active for just one day (for weekend camps where wristbands are unlikely to be returned).

Q: How many wristbands do I need? Can I reuse them for different athletes?

A: You can reprogram the silicone wristbands once per day. If you have different classes each day, you can set up a system where you distribute wristbands at the beginning of each class, program each one with the athlete's name (takes about 4 seconds), and then collect them at the end of the session. If you have enough wristbands for all your students, you can permanently assign a wristband to each student to keep for their entire 4-year HS/college career.

The disposable wristbands can be programmed multiple times, but once scanned, the name is locked in place, and the wristband is valid only for that day. That prevents the sharing or reuse of old wristbands on different days or events.

Q: How long will the data be kept in the Teams cloud? Will the data be accessible after the wristband expires?

A: The data for each athlete is preserved in the Teams cloud until you delete it, regardless of the expiration date or type of wristband.

Q: Why the 4-year or 1-day wristbands? What happens when that time expires?

A: Expired wristbands can’t be scanned any longer. The 1-day wristbands are specifically designed for short-term events such as weekend camps, combines, or trial periods. They are an excellent choice for individuals or organizations looking to evaluate the product without a significant commitment. Their affordable price point and disposability make them practical for temporary use while still providing valuable insights during the event. Conversely, the four-year wristbands are intended for organizations and teams that regularly train large numbers of athletes. These wristbands offer a durable, cost-effective solution for streamlining testing and maintaining accurate records over an extended period. With these wristbands, teams can easily track athletes’ progress and consistently monitor performance metrics. The Teams portal goes beyond simply managing score sheets; it provides tools for comprehensive long-term performance tracking and analysis, making it an essential asset for serious training programs that prioritize athlete development and data-driven decision-making.

Q: I am having trouble programming and reading the wristbands

A: You need to place the active area of the wristband, which is the thicker part, directly on the NFC antenna located on your phone. It is essential that the wristband is actually touching the antenna for it to register properly. Please note that the specific location of the NFC antenna can vary depending on the model of the phone you have. On iPhones (iOS/Apple) the NFC-antenna is on the back of iPhones at the top edge of the phone. To read the NFC tag with an iPhone, place the top edge of the back of the iPhone on the tag.

On Android phones, the position of the NFC antenna depends on the manufacturer. Typically, the NFC antenna can be found near the camera or in the center at the back of the phone. To read the NFC tag with an Android phone, place your phone over the wristband (touching it) and hold it steady. It is important to position the NFC antenna at the center of the tag (for Samsung devices, the NFC antenna is located at the back center of the phone). You may need to try different spots to find the sweet spot.

iPads do not have an NFC antenna, but you can use the ArenaGear wristband scanner (connects to your iPad via Bluetooth), which only works for reading the wristbands. Assigning a wristband to a participant still requires an Android phone or an iPhone.

See the full Wristband manual here