The rise in fitness wearables is a possible indicator of the need to see measurable improvement for the many involved in fit and active lifestyles.
Rank beginners keen to do everything ‘by the book’ from the offset may opt to use them, or guys stuck in a training rut looking for inspiration and different angles. But either way, fitness wearables have become more of a common gym-bag item in the last few years.
Most fitness trackers are small devices that can be worn or clipped on. These devices apparently measure the time you exercise, your heart rate, the number of calories you’ve burned, and a few other snippets of information regarding your activity.
But do you need a fitness wearable? Or is this just another in a very long and consistently well-promoted list of ‘must-have’ items out of the fitness industry?
Let’s delve deeper into the various aspects of fitness wearables and consider whether they are a ‘must-have’ fitness tool.
Why Do People Buy Fitness Wearables?
It seems the main reason people decide on a fitness wearable is for motivation. At least they believe this device is likely to help motivate them to get in the kind of shape they desire.
One study showed that participants increased their moderate to vigorous physical activity by over an hour a week when a Fitbit was introduced into the scenario. Fitness trackers are often used as motivation, like a coach using tools that give you pointers and reminders related to your goals.
How Can Fitness Wearables be Beneficial?
The main argument favoring fitness wearables is that they facilitate measurable progress. This means quantifiable progress regarding actual data rather than simply looking or feeling closest to your goal.
It’s not always easy to know whether you’re progressing or plateauing, so data can often help build discipline and motivation through a sense of accomplishment.
Certainly, one of the most common fitness errors committed by many guys is to be training in the wrong zone entirely for what they think they are trying to accomplish. This may be where gadgets that measure various training zones can come in handy and possibly even change your approach to training.
Do the Advantages and Information you get from a Wearable Help you Make Fitness Progress?
Does a dumbbell make you stronger?
It can help some people make themselves strong. And there are people who seem to know how to use a dumbbell in the right way to get the strength results they seek. But the dumbbell in and of itself is not making them stronger.
The case is very much the same with smart technology and fitness wearables. It’s also worth considering the thin line between genius and idiot when technology is involved.
Anyone who believes the device helps them progress is likely to rely heavily on facts and figures through a strictly scientific approach, which has its merits. And it’s fair to say that without such a device, the same person might have difficulty developing and tracking their progress, which could impact motivation levels.
But the fact remains that legions are making progress daily without a second thought about a fitness wearable. Pen and paper work just as well for planning, and sometimes the experience and old training logs turn out to be the real gold dust.
Are there Downsides to Fitness Trackers?
The other main point related to a wearable’s validity is the somewhat questionable accuracy they present. Of course, technology updates itself super-rapidly these days, but this study from 2020 revealed that general accuracy varied considerably according to brand and device.
Apple Watch and Garmin were deemed the most accurate, although when it came to energy expenditure calculations, none of the brands were up to scratch.
The cost is going to be an issue for many people. Although the prices cover a wide range now and usually start from around the $60 mark. Many will skip the price tag and download a free or cheap fitness app.
There are also still plenty who believe that any time outdoors or in the gym is better spent as far away from technology as possible to avoid distraction. Let’s face it, using a tracker is one big distraction!
What May be Cost-friendly Alternatives to Fitness Trackers?
This is the realm of fitness apps. These tend to be either free (initially) or significantly lower in price than an actual fitness wearable. Many would argue that these apps can perform virtually the same functions as a tracker, depending on your goal.
And don’t forget the tried-and-tested classics like the stopwatch and the notebook.
The Bottom Line
Fitness wearables may be a useful addition to your training equipment if used in the right context, although possibly the data coming through should be taken with at least a little pinch of salt. At the end of the day, there is no substitute for first being clear on your fitness goals, ensuring consistency is a part of the plan, and making every effort of your own to bring about progression—whether any additional equipment is involved or not!
