By Gabe Sanders PhD, NSCA-CSCS
There is a massive amount of wearable technology available on the market today. These devices help you track many different metrics as they pertain to your health, physical activity, and caloric expenditure. I personally believe most of these devices can be useful and beneficial for many people interested in monitoring their health and ensuring they are getting enough physical activity throughout the day. However, deciding on the right wearable technology to meet your individual wants and needs can be difficult if you consider yourself to be “not so tech savvy.”
Use activity monitors to keep you on track
The truth is, there are many different devices that work; some give more information than others. An activity tracker that monitors and records your heart rate in addition to activity will give you the most accurate information about your caloric expenditure because it considers your age, height, weight, and changes in your heart rate.
Activity monitors that only record physical activity will simply only record your step counts, which can be useful for many people. Regardless of the type of device you choose to purchase, I recommend using them to keep you on track. With most of these devices, you can challenge yourself by engaging in contests with friends and family to see who can record the most activity in a day or week.
Wearable technology will not lose the weight for you
The most important factor to remember when purchasing wearable technology is to have fun and stay excited about improving your health. Remember, the wearable technology will not lose the weight for you, but it should work to motivate you to become more active.
To help you get the most out of your wearable technology, follow these three simple rules:
- Do your research and pick one wearable fitness tech device that fits your needs and wants
- Limit your fitness/weight loss apps, preferably to two: a calorie counter app and a fitness app
- Most importantly, have fun tracking your calories and fitness by challenging yourself, friends, and/or family members
Article’s Resources
Higgins JP. Smartphone Applications for Patients' Health and Fitness. American Journal of Medicine. 2016. 129(1):11-19.
Gilmore JN. Everywear: The quantified self and wearable fitness technologies. New Media and Society. 2015.