Almost one quarter of Americans use wearable fitness trackers. Are you one of them? Maybe you got a fitness tracker as a gift this holiday season, or you’re considering buying one to help you meet your New Year’s resolution.
Do fitness trackers actually help people meet their fitness goals? Studies show that in fact, yes – they do!
The benefits of fitness trackers.
Fitness trackers can link you to online groups where you can communicate with like-minded people or enter group challenges. Even if joining an online group does not appeal to you, tracking your individual progress is often motivating.
Choosing the right device for you.
Fitness trackers often include basic functions that track your steps, your heart rate and the number of calories you burn throughout the day.
Here are some other tips to consider when shopping for a fitness tracker:
- What will you use your fitness tracker for? If you like to go for walks or runs outdoors, you may want a device with GPS. If you enjoy swimming, make sure the tracker is swim-proof - not just waterproof.
- If you’re new to training, a device with a heart rate monitor can help ensure you stay in the heart rate training zone prescribed by your trainer.
- Buy a device you actually want to wear. If you plan on wearing your tracker throughout the day, make sure it’s comfortable.
- Read the reviews for different devices and learn what functions they offer. For example, you might want to pay extra for a device that has Bluetooth compatibility, especially if listening to music or audiobooks during your workout is motivating.
- Make sure any device you purchase is compatible with your phone and any fitness apps you plan on using. Fitness trackers often link to major fitness apps like MyFitnessPal or Strava.
Getting the most out of your fitness tracker.
Once you’ve found the device that’s best for you, here are some tips to make sure you’re getting the most benefit from your new fitness tracker:
- The more data you want, the more you should wear your device. If you only want to know your training heart rate, you might only wear your tracker during a workout. However, if you want reach a certain number of steps each day, you should wear your device all day. Many fitness trackers offer prompts throughout the day to help you meet your goals.
- You may want to wear your device at night to track your sleep cycles. This can teach you more about your own sleep patterns or help troubleshoot sleep issues.
- Make sure you don’t waste precious minutes programming your device instead of exercising. Pay attention if your tracker starts to become a distraction during your workout. If you keep stopping to take calls or check messages, your device may be derailing your exercise goals rather than helping you meet them.
- Lastly, fitness trackers can help you know when it’s time to rest and recover. Rest is a crucial part of making fitness gains, and your device can help ensure you don’t overtrain and possibly risk an injury.