More than just a fad, fitness trackers are now considered a must-have for people who want to stay fit and healthy. A fitness tracker contains sensors that measure heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, quality of sleep, and more. Brands such as Fitbit, Samsung, Garmin, Huawei, and Moov Now offer fitness and activity trackers with a wide variety of features. There’s literally something out there for everyone. The question now is:
“What should I look for in a fitness tracker?”
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Step counter
If walking/running is your primary exercise, this is the feature you will probably use most. Most trackers show the number of steps taken and the corresponding number of miles. To get the most accurate information, shop for gadgets that ask for the length of footstep or cadence.
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Calories burned
Taking into account your weight and gender, fitness trackers can determine the calories you burn each day. The more you exercise and move throughout the day, naturally, the more calories you’ll burn. Take note that some devices record only the calories you burn during exercise, while some record other activities such as washing dishes, cleaning the house, and sleeping. For the most accurate results, look for a device that asks for your weight and gender.
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Heart rate monitor
Monitoring heart rate will help you gauge the intensity of the exercise you’re doing at the moment. This info can guide you whether to speed up or slow down. Some activity trackers can even sense sweat and body temperature to assess how hard you are exercising. If you have a heart problem or are taking medications to control blood pressure, ask your doctor if heart rate monitoring can be used to measure exercise intensity.
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Sleep tracker
Getting enough sleep can help a person lose weight. It can also lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart problems. Conversely, too little sleep can slow down metabolism and increase appetite. Many fitness devices can track sleep. Although their accuracy is not enough to diagnose sleep disorders, they provide an indication of how much sleep you are getting. They can also help you spot sleeping patterns.
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GPS
Some devices have built-in GPS location tracking to show you a map of your route. They can provide information on how far you have gone and how fast you are going. They’re helpful with exercises such as biking, hiking, or skiing. Fitness trackers with GPS have a larger display and are more expensive than devices without this feature.
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Water resistance
Some fitness trackers are water-resistant, allowing you to shower while wearing them. But if you want to swim while wearing one, you need a waterproof fitness tracker. For example, a swimming watch is fully waterproof and can time laps, count strokes, and calculate distance and speed. It is used by swimmers and triathletes.
Conclusion
Fitness trackers are 24/7 wellness devices that can help you achieve your fitness goals. In choosing the right one for you, consider your individual needs and how active your lifestyle is. While some only provide basic features like step counting and sleep tracking, other more sophisticated devices also monitor heart rate, calories burned, are water-resistant and equipped with GPS. Whatever you choose, one thing’s for sure – fitness trackers are here to stay.