If you’re into your tech or are a self-confessed gym freak, then chances are you’ve got a fitness tracker strapped to your wrist. Not only can these handy watches track your daily steps, but more advanced versions can monitor heart rate, track your sleeping habits and even send you call and message alerts! But, do you really need one in your life? We’ve weighed up the pros and cons.
Pros
They’re a great way to set goals
Want to up your daily step count? Or maybe you’re set on getting more shut eye? Well, tapping into the fitness tracker trend could be the way forward. Many trackers allow you to set personal goals, keeping you updated throughout the day on the progress of said goal. That way, you’ll know whether you need to up your game or whether you’re smashing those targets, which is always great motivation, too!
They help with accountability
One of the benefits of a fitness tracker is the community element that comes with it. Many trackers come with their own apps and social platforms so you can shout about your successes and challenge friends. Not only is this motivation for you to continue working on your goals, but a challenge is sure to make you feel responsible for your progress and increase determination.
They help keep tabs on your sleep
Always tired? Well, you may be getting less sleep than you think. You might think you’re cramming in the recommended eight hours, but a fitness tracker can give you a more accurate representation of your sleep and whether it’s solid shut eye or whether you’re tossing and turning throughout the night. Restless sleep can be just as bad no sleep, so use a fitness tracker to identify the amount of sleep you aren’t getting and take action to improve your sleeping habits. Many fitness watches allow you to set bedtime reminders, as well as silent alarms so you can wake up calmly.
Cons
They can be expensive
Make sure you make the most out of your fitness tracker because they’re not cheap! A worthwhile investment if you’re in need of some fitness motivation or want a clearer insight into your current fitness levels but if you’re purchasing simply to be apart of the ‘fad’, then you may be wasting your dollar.
They're not always accurate
As with most things, fitness trackers aren’t 100% accurate. They give a pretty good indication of your progress, such as daily steps, calories burned and hours slept, but they’re not magic. There’s no way they can be completely, 100% accurate. So, as much as they’re a good way to track your progress and set goals, take them with a pinch of salt.
They can have a negative affect, too
Following on from the previous point, try not to take your fitness tracker too seriously. Yes, it’s great to have a goal to aim for and seeing how many calories that extra sweaty workout has burned can give you a real buzz but don’t let your tracker become gospel. If you don’t hit your step count one day, that’s cool. And, if you come last in the community challenge, so be it. Don’t let the tracker take over your life – it’s supposed to add benefit to your life not make it harder!
There you have it! If you're keen on setting fitness goals and keeping tabs on your progress, then a fitness watch is a great option but, just remember, there's cons to every piece of tech so be open-minded and don't become too reliant on your new trusty tracker. Looking for more fitness tips? Head over to our blog!