Fitness Tracker-Which Should You Buy?

Fitness Tracker-Which Should You Buy?

Combine a highly evolved pedometer with a mini-computer and a virtual coach and what do you have?  A fitness tracker.  These high-tech gadgets contain sensors that pick up data about your body (heart rate), activity (steps taken and calories burned), sleep, and more.

With dozens on the market, how should you choose?

Mix or Match Based on Your Goals

Each device has its own combo of special features.  Be on the lookout for features like these:

Step Counter.   Most devices show you the number of steps you take and how many miles that equals.  If walking or running is your main exercise, this is the feature you’ll use most.  Shop for devices that ask for the length of your footstep.  They’ll provide the most accurate information.

Calories Burned.  The harder you exercise and the more you move throughout the day the more calories you burn.  Be sure to look for devices that ask for your weight and gender to get the most accurate results.

Sleep Tracker.  A few devices track sleep.  Most give you an indicator of how much sleep you get vs. how much you toss and turn.  Getting enough sleep can help you lose weight.  Too little sleep may lower your metabolism and increase your appetite.

Heart Monitor.   This information will help you know when to rev up or slow down and recover.  If you have heart problems or take certain blood pressure medicines, ask your doctor if checking your heart rate during exercise is a good way to measure your exercise intensity.

GPS.  Some gadgets have built-in GPS to estimate your speed.

Water Resistance.  Some trackers are water-resistant,  so you can shower with them on, but not swim.  A few specialty devices, like swimming watches, are fully waterproof.  A few combine swim tracking and bike tracking.

Sync Technology.  Want updates on the go?  Look for devices that sync wireless.  Others require you to plug into the jack on your smartphone or computer.

Size.  Trackers come small enough to clip to your waistband.  Some can fit in your pocket.   Others are worn like watches.  Make sure you like the design and it is comfortable.

Try Before You Buy.  Since there are so many options, choice becomes confusion.  Which tracker has the features that are right for you and the activities you do?  If you want to try a tracker out before committing to it, I recommend Lumoid, a service that lets you try three trackers for a week for $35.  Another way to try fitness tracking in general is to use a mobile app.  Some apps I like are Argus, Fitbit, and Moves.  If you run or bicycle a few apps are Runtastic PRO (for running), Cyclemeter (for bicycling, and Strava (for both running and cycling).

Set Your Spending Limit

In general, most trackers cost between $50. and $250.

Define your fitness goals that you would like to track, do your research, and choose your device.  You will be glad you did.

I am Shirley Noah, I teach the 9 pillars for health.  A step-by-step approach to good health.  Let’s connect to see how I may best serve you in the near future.