What Are Fitness Trackers? And Do You Really Need One?

Fitness trackers seem to be everywhere — from smartwatches and rings to devices you clip to your clothes. But if you’re not a “gym person,” you might wonder whether they’re worth it.

The short answer? They can be helpful tools for many people, but they’re not magic.

“Fitness trackers give you information about your body and your activity,” says certified personal trainer Curt Fischer, CPT. “What really matters is how you use that information to stay consistent and keep moving.”

Fischer shares advice about what to know when choosing and using a fitness tracker.

What are fitness trackers?

Fitness trackers are devices that monitor your physical activity and certain body metrics throughout the day, and even overnight. Depending on your model, they may have features like:

• Step logging
• Distance tracking
• Calorie burn estimates
• Heart rate and heart rhythm information
• Blood oxygen levels
• Minutes of exercise
• Period tracking
• Medication logging
• Noise monitoring
• Fall detection
• Sleep quality

But not every metric is equally reliable.

Some measurements — like heart rate — tend to be fairly accurate as long as you’re wearing the device properly. Others, like body composition estimates, may be less precise.

“A lot of those advanced measurements are more of an estimate,” Fischer notes. “They can be off, so it’s important not to rely on them as exact numbers.”

Benefits of fitness trackers

Fitness trackers aren’t just for athletes or gym regulars. They can offer practical benefits for just about anyone. Let’s take a look at what you can learn about your health by using one regularly.

Awareness

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages fitness trackers can offer is that they can help you understand your body better.

“You can learn a lot about yourself and your habits,” Fischer says. “Over time, you start to recognize your heart rate, your patterns and how your body responds to activity.”

That awareness can help you make more informed choices about your health and daily habits.

Motivation

Most trackers are designed to encourage movement, whether that’s through step counts, activity rings or reminders to stand up. Even small nudges from your tracker can help you maintain healthy habits.

Likewise, features like notifications when you reach a certain goal or opportunities to share your activity with friends can help you celebrate a job well done.

Feedback

Instead of guessing how hard you’re working, a tracker can help you gain insight in real time.

Heart rate monitoring, for example, can help you gauge your exercise intensity. The American Heart Association, among other groups, encourages adults to get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise.

With a fitness tracker, your heart rate is at your fingertips (or on your wrist, as the case may be). So, you can know if you’re working at the proper intensity.

“If you can see your heart rate during activity, you know whether you’re in that moderate intensity range, where you’re really getting benefits,” Fischer explains.

Safety and peace of mind

Some devices include features like fall detection, emergency alerts or GPS tracking. While not always perfect, these tools can offer reassurance. And they can be especially helpful for older adults or people with certain health concerns.

“There are features that can alert others if something happens,” Fischer shares. “That peace of mind can be valuable for a lot of people.”

Tracking progress

Seeing your data over time — whether it’s daily activity or heart rate trends — can help you spot improvements.

“If your heart rate comes down over time with the same activity, that’s a sign you’re getting fitter,” Fischer illustrates.

That kind of feedback can reinforce healthy habits and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Choosing the best fitness tracker for your needs

The market for fitness trackers is huge. Costs vary wildly, as do features. So, choosing the best fitness tracker for your needs can take some research and forethought.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Your main goal: Are you focused on tracking general activity, heart rate, sleep or something more advanced, like GPS for outdoor workouts?
• Ease of use: Some devices are simple and straightforward. Others come with steeper learning curves. If you prefer something basic, a simpler model may be a better fit. If it’s too complicated to use regularly, you’re less likely to benefit from it.
• Form factor: If you already have a favorite watch or bracelet, wearing a clip-on or ring-style tracker may be better for you. On the other hand, rings can pose a safety risk for some jobs. So, what works for you may be different from what works for other people.
• Compatibility: Most devices will send data to an app on your smartphone. And that technology may be brand-specific. Make sure your tracker will play nicely with your tech.
• Battery life: Fitness trackers need to be charged — some more than others. Consider how you’ll use your tracker to determine how long you need the batter to last.
• Accuracy: Heart rate tracking with a fitness device is generally reliable. Other features may vary. If absolute accuracy is important, focus on devices known for strong performance in the areas you care about.
• Cost: Prices can vary widely. Basic models may cost less than $50, while high-end devices can cost hundreds of dollars. And the upfront price may not be the whole story. “A lot of these devices come with subscriptions or added features that cost extra,” Fischer says.
• Lifestyle fit: Think about how you’ll actually use it day to day. If you won’t wear a watch to bed, for example, a sleep-tracking feature isn’t going to do you much good.

Fitness trackers can be useful tools — but they’re just that: tools.

“They don’t improve your health on their own,” Fischer states. “What matters is that you wear them, review your stats and stay active.”

In other words, the best fitness tracker is the one you’ll use (and keep charged). Using it regularly can help you move more, learn more about your body and stick with habits that support your health.