What are fitness, trackers?
Fitness trackers are the device or application used for monitoring and tracking fitness-related activities such as running, walking, jogging, calorie consumption and in some cases heart beat rate and REM sleep. It looks like a band that you wear on the wrist. It is synced, wireless, with a computer or to your smartphones for maintaining a long-term data tracking.
Factors To Consider Before Making A Purchase
1. KNOW YOUR GOALS
Before purchasing one, make sure you know why you want it. It could be to monitor your heart rate, evaluate kilometers you have walked, check the number of calories you have burned in a day. There are trackers with inbuilt heart-rate tracking that indicates how hard you have been working out. Other features such as the ability to log GPS location is good for users who want precise measurements of the distance they covered. When it comes to activity tracking, not all fitness trackers monitor all activities. Most of them cover running, walking and cycling but not exercises like gym equipment based, yoga or sleep quality, for these you may have to check compatibility with your fitness regime.
2. MOTIVATION PROVIDER
If you are a novice in the fitness world and need some motivation to work out then you should opt for trackers that will set a daily target for you and let you know when you have achieved it. Others have in-app rewards like online competition with friends or badges. Many fitness trackers have vibration alarms that buzz when you are inactive for a long time, while others go a step ahead to coach you actively during your workout to give maximum benefit of it.
3. BATTERY LIFE
The usage affects the battery life, if you are just using the tracker to count jogging steps, then it may last for more than 4 days or so. But when you want it to count heartbeat rate, playback music and GPS you may notice it drop in a matter of a couple of days.
4. WATER RESISTANCE
For people who enjoying swimming or prefer to go running on a rainy day, there are water resistant trackers. These trackers are sweat proof and waterproof.
5. STYLE (changed it completely)
Initially fitness trackers came in a standard style. However, with increasing popularity they now come in various designs and patterns.
6. SMARTER FEATURES
Some fitness trackers notify you about messages or incoming calls, so you don’t have to stop for checking your phone. A couple of models even let you control music on your phone. But there are smarter fitness trackers that let you leave your phone at home while you work out.
7. COMPANION APPS
Many fitness trackers have companion apps that store all your synced data, which is important as probably it’s where you will be reviewing your data often. There are trackers with displays to show you tracked information, but it is still in limited. Some companion apps are really smarter as they can display more information, easy to use, much simple and user-friendly.
8. PRICE
You get what you pay for, is the mantra for everything in the market these days. The most expensive ones offer you the most lucrative features. However, always remember what you want to track and what your goal is by buying a fitness tracker, then may not cost as much as you expected.
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