Fitness Trackers have got everything from pedometers to heart rate monitors, and gives you a complete diagnosis of how fit you are. It analyzes your sleep patterns and suggests relevant changes for a healthier lifestyle – but do you really need all of the features you can get in a fitness tracker?
With health and fitness being the new trend, fitness trackers are selling like hot cakes. Every manufacturer has launched their own fitness tracker offering a myriad of options. With so many options available, it becomes difficult to choose the right one for you.
Top Things to Look Out For When Buying a Fitness Tracker
Here’s what you need to look out for when you buy a fitness tracker:
What purpose do you need it to serve: You need to be clear about what metrics you want the device to keep track of. Most of the trackers will give you the number of steps, distance, calories burnt and daily activities. While this data is enough for regular activities, some of you might need an advanced tracker which will give you the statics based on the kind of physical activity you carry out, like swimming, climbing etc. Some even come with sleep trackers. It all depends on what you want to keep a track of and why.
User Experience: This is important for any product that you own. For a fitness tracker you want it to be easy to operate, with constant updated stats. It shouldn’t have technical issues with configuration, charging, ease of interaction or storing your data.
GPS: If you want more detailed information about your activity, for example, where you ran fast, where you stopped, what kind of terrain seemed to slow you down, a tracker with GPS can come in very handy, but they are also more expensive. Buy a tracker with a GPS only if deemed necessary.
Heart-rate Monitor: According to a recent study, your resting heart rate can predict your longevity. If you are a sportsperson, a tracker with a heart rate monitor can track your resting heart rate, giving you an idea of your fatigue levels, so that you will know when to take a break or stop. It is useful for athletes to track their progress.
Wearability: Fitness enthusiasts like to wear their trackers all the time. While some of these can be worn like a watch around your wrist, some are available as dongles that can be clipped on to your clothing. Some look like sports bands, while some look like smart watches, while others are like a piece of jewellery.
Budget: At the end, everything boils down to how much you want to spend on such a device and how essential you consider it. While some models of Xiaomi, Fitbit sell at £50, some like those of apple go up to £369.
In this era when technology is highly advanced and options are unlimited. It’s really a matter of choice. Try considering what level of fitness you are currently at, and what level of fitness you are trying to achieve. This should help you choose the tracker for you.
Follow @Natural_Answers
