Wearable tech can help you take control of your exercise intensity and make you feel more motivated. If you are a health-conscious individual or fitness enthusiast, you must consider wearing one.
But there are so many fitness trackers, from wristbands to in-shoe trackers, which one to choose? And how to wear them correctly? With so many different designs and styles available, making the right choice can be tough.
If you spend more time choosing the right fitness tracker, here’s a guide to help you out.
Types of Fitness Trackers
A good way to start your search for the right device is by learning about the different tracking methods used by each fitness tracker. There are three main ways that a fitness tracker can keep track of your workout.
- Basic tracker: It combines a pedometer with a heart rate monitor. It does not have any additional features or data provided by a GPS tracker.
- Hybrid or combo tracker: It has basic capabilities with GPS and other features that can help you make goals and keep you focused on your exercise routine.
- Advanced tracker: It has all kinds of extras, like GPS location services and 24/7 access to personal trainers through an app.
Here are types of fitness trackers to help you to achieve your fitness goals.
Wrist trackers
Wrist trackers are designed to help you reach your goals. They track your daily steps, distance walked, and calories burned. They can also be used to provide real-time feedback on your physical condition.
There are two types of wrist trackers—Smart watches and wristbands.
Smartwatches vs. Wristband
More often than not, people confuse themselves with smartwatches and wristbands.
As technology advances, wristbands and smartwatches have merged into one common device—smartwatch. A smartwatch is essentially an upgraded version of a wristband, with the addition of smartphone notifications. Smartwatches are designed like traditional watches and feature just one button on the side that allows you to reply to text messages, check out weather updates, see your fitness metrics etc.
Some propose smartwatches to be more conducive to a healthy lifestyle than traditional trackers as they offer continuous reminders throughout the day. However, both track health equally. It depends on the user to choose a device that satisfies their needs.
The right way to wear wrist trackers
- The sensor in your watch should always maintain contact with your skin.
- You can determine the proper fit by wearing it a little tight such that it doesn’t slide or move during exercise.
- A good way is to wear it about two fingers above your wrist.
Smart ring
Smart rings are taking the world by storm and for good reason. They are fitness trackers in a compact ring that are easy to wear and have a whole host of new sensors without major drawbacks.
Smart rings combine the sensors of smartwatches and fitness trackers into a smaller, less-noticeable device that’s easier to carry.
On which finger should you wear a smart ring?
The finger you’ll wear the smart ring on depends on your finger size. There is no particular finger to wear it in. However, the majority of users wear them on the middle finger.
Drawbacks with smartwatches and smart rings
Potential problems with smart rings and wrist trackers are that they are quite far from the heart to accurately capture heart rate variations. They don’t work well for measuring heart rate when you do anything out of the ordinary.
If your heart rate spikes significantly or goes back down to normal levels again quickly, the smart ring will not pick up on that change. It will simply assume that everything is okay and not show any abnormality.
Chest strap
Chest straps are the most accurate and reliable way to measure your heart rate, which is why they’re often recommended by professionals and athletes. Using a chest strap allows you to monitor your heart rate while you exercise or compete without having to worry about your wrist or fingers getting tired or sweaty.
It still lacks some features to become the go-to device for daily use. But it provides more accurate heart rate information than any other device.
The right way to wear a chest strap
Chest strap heart rate monitors should be worn snug, but not tight enough to restrict breathing, as they will be under-reading the heart rate.
Ankle tracker
Studies have shown ankle trackers to be more accurate than other types of wearable trackers, but they are less autonomous. You’ll have to carry your phone or some other connected device with you at all times.
Ankle trackers come in handy for people recovering from a leg injury, have trouble walking due to geriatric conditions, or have developed gait disorders in the past.
Necklace trackers
These are fashion-friendly trackers but not preferred by many as they can only track basic sleep and step insights. They don’t track complex fitness data like other fitness trackers.
In-shoe trackers
There are various types of in-shoe trackers like inner soles, foot pods and clip-on. You can attach them inside your trainers and are considered best for someone who wants accurate step insights like distance travelled, speed, etc.
What happens when you wear a fitness tracker incorrectly?
Wearing fitness trackers incorrectly can cause them to malfunction and might not give accurate data. This is because the apps that run on the device must be able to see natural light and surface movements to correctly measure vital statistics such as heart rate, weight, muscle mass and more.
Are fitness trackers accurate?
Fitness trackers can never stop doctor visits. But it can surely give the basic data to understand what’s going on with your body and health.
While all fitness trackers are designed to collect similar types of data. There are different models to appeal to specific users. So when choosing a device, it’s important to consider that you might have to adapt your lifestyle if you want it to work as advertised.
Which fitness tracker should you use?
The fitness tracker you choose must depend on the metrics you want to track. If you are keen on heart metrics, a chest strap is a better option, but if you are a fitness enthusiast wanting to measure your activity, wrist or ankle trackers will be a better fit.
We hope this article answers your questions about fitness trackers. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
