Tracking the fitness journey is much more precise than a few years ago, thanks to new gadgets and wearables. Fitness-tracking devices have become essential companions for any sports or fitness activity.
These wearable technology devices tune into various parameters of the body and provide a range of information – from step count to heart rate – to help people plan and execute their fitness regimens and understand the efficiency of their workouts, thereby improving their results.
Importance of fitness-tracking devices
Everyone has unique training goals. Since training targets determine parameters like intensity, duration and frequency of workouts, tracking them while focusing on the exercises may be difficult.
“Suppose I’m attending a marathon next month. Based on the distance, I’ll set my speed, running pace and distance for daily training,” says Asif Ahmed from Bengaluru, who has participated in over 30 marathons, including ultra marathons. As a fitness enthusiast, he uses fitness-tracking devices to record and calculate all metrics while exercising, training for and running marathons.
Pushing beyond the training requirement and your physical limits may lead to injuries. For instance, a runner may over-stride when the foot lands too far in front of the body. This can result in injuries like shin splints, stress fractures and knee problems.
“My watch can track my heart rate, the number of steps and even my stride length. If I am taking long strides, I am over-striding and landing on my heel. The metrics in my watch assist me in preventing injuries,” says Ahmed, adding that the data from the watch gives him deeper insights into his workout.
Useful fitness-tracking devices
Smartwatches with fitness tracking: Smartwatches, which combine style and function, are one of the most common fitness-tracking devices which count steps, calories burned and sleep patterns. They even provide guided workouts while monitoring the heart rate.
Heart rate monitors: Even though most fitness trackers can track your heart rate, a separate heart rate monitor can provide precise results.
Fitness-tracking watches use photoplethysmography (PPG) technology to measure heart rate. This technology measures volumetric changes in blood circulation using infrared light which offers important insights into the cardiovascular system.
“Some heart rate monitors consist of a sensor worn around the chest, typically beneath the chest muscles,” says Ahmed. A device worn close to the heart provides more secure data than one worn on the wrist, he observes.
Fitness-tracking apps: Available on mobile devices, these apps provide users with a wide range of tools to monitor and improve their workouts, from activity tracking and calorie counting to custom training regimens.
As fitness-tracking devices may be expensive and unaffordable, Ahmed suggests that beginners use mobile apps which do an adequate job using the smartphone’s sensors.
Choosing a fitness tracker
Fitness-tracking devices should support your specific health and fitness targets, provide reliable data, and track your regular activities. The following are some features that are a must for any fitness tracker:
Sensor: Good sensors are crucial to effectively monitor a variety of physical activity and health parameters. Accurate sensors improve the device’s capacity to offer tailored suggestions and valuable insights based on the data gathered.
Pedometer: The number of steps taken is a key indicator for tracking physical activity.
Embedded heart rate monitor: Monitoring the heart rate offers insight into the load on the cardiovascular system, helping people to work out efficiently and assess their fitness levels precisely. Fitness-tracking gadgets must have an in-built heart rate monitor for accurate and real-time monitoring.
Takeaways
- Fitness-tracking devices help track the parameters of training which help you meet your training objective.
- By providing the right metrics, fitness-tracking devices prevent over-exertion and overreaching, reducing chances of injury.
- Smartwatches with fitness-tracking features, heart rate monitors and fitness-tracking apps are some commonly used fitness-tracking devices.
