What is a wearable fitness tracker?
A wearable fitness tracker (a.k.a. ‘wearable’) is a device made to measure sleep duration, heart rate, daily activity, and other metrics to help you stay fit and healthy by encouraging you to walk/exercise more, eat healthier, drink less alcohol, etc. It can be strapped around your wrist like a watch, worn on your chest as part of an armband, or attached directly to the skin with adhesive sensors. The first iteration of one of these devices was called Personal Trainer, which came out in 1996. But it wasn’t until 2007, when the FitBit was released, that they became popular among consumers. Since then, there has been an explosion of fitness trackers worldwide.
How do wearable fitness trackers work?
Wearable fitness trackers use a variety of sensors to measure different biometric data. The most common sensors are accelerometers and gyroscopes, which track movement, and heart rate monitors, which track the number of beats per minute. This data is then processed and saved either on the device itself or in the cloud. Some devices also have GPS tracking capabilities, so they can map your running or cycling routes.
What can you do with a wearable fitness tracker?
You can do many things with a wearable fitness tracker, but the main uses are to monitor your activity, exercise, and sleep. Most devices have built-in applications that will track all of this data for you. You can also use third-party applications to get more detailed information about your health and fitness. For example, you can use the MyFitnessPal application to track your calorie intake and expenditure.
How do you choose the right wearable fitness tracker?
There are a lot of different wearable fitness trackers on the market, so how do you choose the right one for you? The first thing to consider is what type of activities you want to track. If you’re only interested in tracking basic activity, any basic tracker will do. But if you want to track more detailed data such as heart rate or GPS routes, then you’ll need a device that has those sensors built in. The next thing to consider is price. Fitness trackers vary in price from around $50 to $300. And finally, you should consider the battery life of the device. Most devices need to be charged every few days, but some have a longer battery life of up to a week.
So, should you buy a wearable fitness tracker?
The answer to that question depends on your personal needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a way to track your activity and exercise habits, then a wearable fitness tracker is a good option. But if you’re not interested in tracking data, there’s no point in buying one. Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not a wearable fitness tracker is worth the investment.
