Wearable technology for fitness
Are you serious about fitness for 2018? One person’s fitness goals can be very different to another.
Perhaps you want to build up your fitness levels to cycle competitively or you may want to improve your fitness for better handling of daily activities and improved health. Whatever your fitness goals are, wearable technology or fitness gadgets are designed to track your progress and motivate you to reach your goals.
Wearables have revolutionised how athletes – from walkers and runners, to cyclists, boxers, swimmers and others – track their activity, health, nutrition and weight loss goals.
The devices of yesteryear were clunky units used in expensive gyms and sports laboratories, but today’s wearables are compact, easy to use and as stylish as jewellery. Some wearables are simple stand-alone devices, while others are able to connect wirelessly to the internet (via Bluetooth) and link to apps and other smart devices that record your data at a central point. Sophisticated smart watches and sports watches with built-in fitness tracking capabilities are also part of the group. Depending on the device, you can track how many steps you take daily, monitor your heart rate, monitor sleep patterns, rates of activity, keep track of your daily calorie intake or record medical information.
What’s right for you?
Whatever your exercise type or fitness goals, you should be able to find a wearable to assist you. The right device depends on your personal needs.
Needs
Do you want to count your steps, track your heart race or remind yourself to eat healthy? This will determine if you need a wearable device only, a wearable device with internet connectivity and linked to a fitness app or if an app on your smartphone would suffice. Consider additional needs – for example, if you want to use the device for swimming, it must be waterproof.
Budget
How much you can afford to spend will determine the type of device you can purchase. Prices range from R79 for simple step counters to R6,000 plus for more advanced smart and sports watches.
Capability
Before you select a device, make sure that you are happy with the features. Some devices are worn on the wrist, others clip on to the waist, can be worn around the neck or attached to takkies through the laces. Check battery life, device accuracy and wireless connectivity according to your needs.
Links to rewards programmes
Some devices can be linked to a fitness rewards programme through your medical aid. The device must have wireless connectivity and you must link the device to your profile as per instructions from your medical aid. Some may require you to download an app to your phone. Once you have linked your device, you can earn additional points as per your rewards programme.
Types of devices
Pedometer
A simple step counting device that you wear on your person to count the number of steps you take during the day. The aim is to increase the amount of walking you do to 10,000 steps per day. Simple devices cost around R80 to R350 while those with calculators for distance, time, speed and calories may cost more. Some devices also have a build in stopwatch and alarm to help you monitor the number of steps you take over a period of time.
Heart rate monitor
A heart rate monitor gives you real time information during your exercise session as to how hard your heart is working and allows you to make adjustments in your exercise. You can choose a device that includes a chest strap (transmitter) and wrist monitor (receiver) or a chest strap that transmits data to a compatible device, like your smartphone. Some devices can be worn on the wrist (without a chest band) but require you to touch your finger to the screen to record your pulse. Simple heart rate monitors will only provide details of your heart rate. More advanced devices include other data like highest and lowest heart rates during the exercise session, as well as average heart. Some models have notifications or alarms to allow you to monitor when your target heart rate is reached.
Sleep tracker
With more and more research suggesting just how important sleep is, many people are tracking their sleep patterns. A good night’s sleep isn’t only about quantity, but also quality. Wearable sleep trackers monitor sleep stages and use your heart rate to monitor what stage you are in. They are able to give valuable feedback about your sleep behaviour, providing you will information that can help you get a better night’s sleep.
Fitness trackers
Combination activity trackers allow you to track a number of different aspects of fitness and exercise on one device. These includes daily activity/exercise, heart rate, sleep, distance, time and speed spent on your exercise sessions. Some advanced devices have GPS and can track your route and altitude. Devices are usually compatible with health apps you can download on your smartphone and/or tablet – allowing you to access all your data in one place. Some models are waterproof for underwater use for swimmers.
Food and nutrition trackers
These are apps you download onto your smartphone – according to your individual needs. Apps can track kilojoules eaten, count carbs or points (weight loss diets) or remind you to drink water or do exercises. Reminders are set, but the user needs to remember to record the data. You can include goal weight and track your progress.
Examples of wearable tech
Safeway Pedometer
- What? Basic step counter
- Where? Clicks
- Cost? R79
- Features: Clips on the waist and counts the number of steps taken per day
Fitbug Orb
- What? Compact wrist wireless fitness, sleep and activity tracker
- Where? Dischem Pharmacies
- Cost? R360
- Features: track fitness goals and calories eaten. Connects via Bluetooth. Information available via your Fitbug profile on the app or website. Good battery life.
Garmin Premium Soft-strap Heart Rate Monitor
- What? Heart rate monitor worn around the chest, wirelessly transits data to compatible devices
- Where? www.shop.garmin.co.za
- Cost? R1130
- Features: strap adjusts to body size; can be used in busy areas (will only pick up your signal); strap fully washable.
Fitbit Alta HR
- What? All-day activity wristband tracker
- Where? Dischem Pharmacies/Takealot.com
- Cost? R2300
- Features: interchangeable coloured bands; tracks your activity, sleep and exercise, displays notifications and sends reminders. Tracks steps, distance, time spent exercising and calories burnt. Pairing via Bluetooth. Long battery life.
Apps compatible with wearable tech
Apple’s iOS Health App
Apple’s Health app tracks health and wellness in the categories of activity, sleep, mindfulness and nutrition. It works in conjunction with other Apple devices like the Apple Watch, iPad or iPhone and is compatible with some wearables and/or can be linked to apps on your smartphone. You can track your daily activities and calories eaten as well as record data like body measurements and weight, blood pressure, blood glucose readings and reproductive health. The latest update from Apple in the United States is a health records section that allows access to your personal health records through various partners.
Samsung’s Health App
The app supports all Samsung Galaxy Smartphones and Gear devices and can be installed onto any Android smartphone. The app acts as a central hub for all your fitness data and allows you to record and analyse your daily activities and track your progress. You can also manage your heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, stress, weight and others. The app can be linked to other apps and compatible devices.
Resources
- Livestrong, www.livestrong.com
- BuzzFeed, www.buzzfeed.com
- Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.com