Wearable devices for health and fitness tracking are everywhere. Since Fitbit released the original wearable device in 2009, they have exploded in the marketplace, giving everyone (athletes, healthcare professionals, and everyday people) access to pertinent health information that they can view instantly on their phones. More than 30% of people in the United States use a wearable device, with more than half of them using it daily. So why the explosion? And what are some tips to help you figure out which is best for you?
Benefits of Wearables
A big push in the explosion of wearable devices is their ability to track much more than your steps. Today, we can get much more information than just athletic performance or your stats on a workout. You can track sleep, habits, stress levels, menstrual cycle trends, nutrition, and even anxiety and depression symptoms.
A big part of their usage is with athletes and their trainers. Tracking a run for speed, split times, and distance has never been easier. Sports teams get minute-to-minute feedback on a player’s performance. All to provide those who use one with health and fitness information that allows them to perform at their best.
Athletes are not the only ones who are performing better every day. Wearable devices help everyday people measure and track health goals, providing a higher chance of success. A study found that 83% of users who wear wearable devices said the cues and goals of the device help motivate them.
Wearable devices are also revolutionizing healthcare. Healthcare providers can now monitor individuals from their homes like never before, providing them real-time data relayed directly from the patient’s wearable device – like blood pressure and blood glucose. Thus, it allows health care providers a better picture of their patient’s health and allows them to reduce the amount of time a healthcare professional needs to spend with a patient one-on-one while still providing high-quality care.
If you want to track an aspect of your physiology, there is probably a device out there (or in the works) that can help you monitor it.
Tips for Success When Choosing a Wearable & How to Use it Successfully
There are many options for a wearable device – Apple Watch, Fitbit, Samsung Galaxy, Oura Ring, and Whoop, just to name a few! Here are a few tips to consider when choosing which is best for you and how to use your new wearable device successfully
– List it Out – Make a list of features you are looking for and what you want.
– Connect with Others – Ask your friends and family what has worked for them. Your overall goal might differ from theirs, but it’s worth getting their feedback if they have a wearable you are considering.
– Learn about the device – Read the manual and learn how to use the wearable device, where you should wear it when you should charge it, and how to connect it to your phone.
– Create specific, realistic goals with an actionable plan – this will set you up for success.
– Focus on trends – Wearables provide a lot of data, sometimes too much. Take a step back and look at trends from weekly, monthly, and semi-yearly. This will make it easier to identify patterns.
– Have a question about your health stats? Don’t be afraid to ask an expert – your doctor or a certified health professional can help make sense of the data for you and your goals.
About the Author:
Alex Henderson’s passion for health and wellness came after spending countless hours growing up on the tennis court. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Movement and Sport Sciences from Purdue University and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of San Francisco. Alex has been with BaySport since 2015 in the corporate fitness and wellness division, most recently as a Corporate Wellness Manager. She thrives on personally connecting with individuals and making health and wellness an enjoyable aspect of their everyday lives. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, trying new activities, and playing with her dogs Maple and Kevin in her free time.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
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