Activity Trackers: Stay Active and Fit with Technology

Activity trackers are wearable devices that monitor physical activity, including steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned. They help individuals track and improve their fitness levels.

Activity Trackers FAQ

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How does a fitness tracker work?

Many fitness trackers are capable of monitoring your heart rate throughout the day by shining light at your skin and reading your blood flow, and also track your exercise through built-in GPS (like the type you’d see on your smartphone). Why buy? Why buy a fitness tracker?

Can a fitness tracker help you achieve your fitness goals?

Modern trackers can monitor everything from your heart health to how well you’ve recovered from a hard bout of training. They’ve got sensors galore and, in some cases, can give smartwatches a run for their money. Whatever your fitness goals are, there’s probably a fitness tracker that can help you achieve them.

What are the different types of fitness trackers?

As we mentioned, there are two types of fitness tracker: band and watch. You might be drawn to the latter because of the larger, more visible display (and it often comes with a longer battery life) but they are more cumbersome.

Can a fitness tracker improve physical activity at all ages?

Well, despite their flaws, there is robust evidence that suggests activity trackers can be very effective at improving physical activity at all ages. In other words, simply having a fitness tracker can encourage you to be more active, even if the data it’s showing you isn’t perfect.

How do fitness trackers work?

On the flip side, most fitness trackers are simple bands, with tiny displays. They will often track basic fitness information (steps taken, calories burned, distance travelled) onboard, but tend to require a permanent connection to a smartphone for in-depth analysis, GPS tracking and to display notifications. How much should I spend?

What should you look for in a fitness tracker?

All fitness trackers are different, but there are some basic requirements to look for, including long battery life, on-wrist comfort, built-in GPS, and the ability to track your fitness and monitor your heart rate.

What can an activity tracker do for You?

Beyond step counting and heart rate monitoring, today’s advanced activity tracker designs can do all sorts, from measuring blood oxygen levels and tracking sleep stages to creating bespoke exercise plans and prescribing recovery time. Some models can even detect if you’ve had a fall or car crash and will automatically notify emergency services.