Which Wearable Fitness Technology Is Right for You?
by Autumn Jones
A new wave of wellness gadgets has arrived, and they look a lot like accessories for your daily outfits! Wearable fitness technology gives you the ability to track and monitor a variety of health metrics without having to get hooked up to a machine in your doctor's office.
It seems that everywhere you turn, new strides are being made in ways to keep track of your step count, monitor your heart rate, track your sleeping habits, and determine when your body temperature fluctuates. Many of these devices can also tell you to how active you've been throughout the day, calculate calories burned during a workout, and alert you when you need to breath more deeply or move around more.
Of course, this technology can vary in accuracy. So while wearables can be super helpful in keeping you on track with your fitness journey, they should not in any way replace the care or advice offered by your physician.
4 Types Of Wearable Fitness Technology
Wearable fitness technology has been evolving at a rapid pace, and there are now many different types of devices available. While this is definitely a step forward, it can be (understandably) difficult for the uninitiated to decide which devices may be right for them.
We've got you covered! Here's an overview of the four most common types of wearable fitness technology and some insight into how each can further your fitness journey.
1. Fitness Trackers
The current boom in fitness technology really began with the basic fitness tracker. Worn around your wrist like a bracelet, this wellness staple — which started simply as way to track how many steps you took per day — has grown into a fan favorite for keeping up with all sorts of metrics. You can now monitor your heart rate or even track how much shuteye you get each night!
2. Smartwatches
Smartwatches are kind of like the overachieving little brother of the fitness tracker. With more options and capabilities, smart watches give you all the health and fitness data of a traditional fitness tracker with the additional perks of texting, music, phone calls, and internet access. It's basically like having a tiny smartphone strapped to your wrist!
3. Smart Rings
Tracking your workouts and measuring your results can be as easy as sliding some cutting-edge fitness technology onto your finger. With sensors inside the band of smart rings, you can measure the metrics you care about most and enjoy a battery life that lasts up to three days. Of all the options, this piece of wearable teach is definitely the smallest and lightest.
4. Eyeglasses
Glasses have always been "smart," but with the added benefit of fitness technology, these spectacles have the ability to help you stay in charge of your health without adding bulk to your eyewear! This accessory does way more than help you read fine print more easily — sensors located inside the frame can allow you to access a number of apps (all while tracking your health metrics). You can even use the "find my glasses" option within the app when you can't remember where you put them.
What to Know Before Pulling Out Your Wallet
Before purchasing any type of wearable fitness technology, you should first be clear about your goals. Ultimately, these gadgets can make you more aware of how active you are and enable you to listen to your body more easily. As a bonus, wearing your tech may also amp up your motivation to crush your fitness goals.
Speaking of goals, make sure to be specific! Aiming for something like hitting a certain number of steps each day is more clear and measurable than just saying, "I want to be healthier." That's where the tech comes in.
Something else to keep in mind is that almost all wearable technology requires users to sync up with an app on their smartphone. You'll want to make sure that what you're buying is compatible with your particular smartphone and whether you have the accessibility needed for the app to work properly.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
A major consideration around purchasing fitness technology is cost. Many of these advanced accessories come with a hefty price tag, so be sure to shop around and weigh the options between more affordable fitness technology and the high-end, high-cost options.
Also, these devices are not foolproof, so be aware that there may be a slight margin of error based on how accurate the sensors are! Due to the fact that some devices measure your metrics more precisely than others, it's best to avoid basing all your health decisions (and opinions about your workouts) only on the data provided by your wearable tech.
Finally, make sure that what you purchase is relevant to the type of exercise you plan to do, activities you want to monitor, and metrics you want more insight into. The type of wearable fitness technology you choose can be a matter of personal preference, how much you're willing to spend, what goals you're trying to achieve, and what type of fashion statement you'd like to make. So give it ample thought — you'll be glad you did!