Staying healthy is about eating right, exercising and taking your medication on time, but everyone needs a little help and motivation occasionally. One solution is to wear a personal fitness device.
Personal fitness devices are watches or rings that can tell you how your body is functioning by monitoring heart rate, how many steps you take and how long and well you sleep. A device can also signal when it’s time to take medication, get up and move or even when to go to bed.
For older adults, these devices can also prolong independent living and provide peace of mind with features such as fall detection. Depending on which device you choose, you may also have access to:
Emergency SOS. Allows you to alert your emergency contacts with the push of a button.
GPS tracking. This tracking tells loved ones your location in real time in case you get lost. This is especially helpful for people with dementia.
Continuous vital signs tracking. Many devices can track heart rate and rhythm, along with oxygen levels. Alerts can let you know about abnormalities such as atrial fibrillation (AFib).
If fall detection is the most important feature for you, start by searching for that and see what other features the device is capable of, such as measuring blood pressure, heart rate and steps.
For people who only need health and exercise features, most watches and rings can:
- Track calorie intake and calories burned
- Provide motivation for fitness and overall health goals
- Display patterns in your health so you can make better choices about exercise, sleep and food
- Link with friends to participate in health-related games or contests
- Provide information in real time
- Provide data-driven recommendations by using trends and analytics to adjust workouts, sleep routines and nutrition
- Integrate with health apps such as Apple Health, Google Fit and MyFitnessPal
Choosing a personal fitness device can be tricky, depending on the features you want and how much you want to spend. Smart watches can cost between $20 to $1000, on up. Rings are, on average, about $200 to $400. Most devices track heart rate and steps taken, and have reminder alarms, but some are more accurate or perform better, so research is a must. Below is a rundown of the most popular devices.
Popular fitness devices
- Smartwatches such as Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch perform many functions, including tracking your health, sending messages and displaying your calendar.
- Fitness Bands such as Fitbit are light and easy to wear. They track steps, sleep and heart rate.
- Smart Rings such as Oura Ring help track sleep and how your body recovers from a workout.
- Chest straps and clip-ons such as Polar or WHOOP are usually used by athletes for their accuracy in tracking heart rate.
Choosing a device
Although many devices can work with any type of phone, a few don’t, so the first thing to find out is if the device you are considering is compatible with your phone. Also be aware that some features require an ongoing subscription, which can add to the cost.
Next, look for:
- Ease of use. Look for large, clear screens and apps that are easy to read.
- Battery life. Longer battery life means you don’t have to charge it as often.
- Water resistance. Best if you’re a swimmer or run in the rain.
- Accuracy. Look at quality ratings and compare brands to make sure the device provides accurate info.
- Comfort and style. You will be wearing it every day, so it should feel good and look good.
- Helpful apps. Some devices come with apps that provide tips and coaching advice.
- Connection to your doctor. Some devices can share your health info with your doctor.
Bottom Line
Fitness devices are more than just gadgets—they’re like little health helpers you wear every day. Decide on what features are important and your price point and do some research before you choose. Whether you want to keep track of your vital signs, feel more secure about living alone or improve your workout, the right device can help.
