Wearable technology is becoming increasingly popular in Australia. In fact, it’s estimated that approximately 20% of Australian adults use fitness trackers, smartwatches, or other apps for tracking physical activity.
Fitness Trackers - are they worth using?
These tools can be used to track simple data such as steps taken or distance travelled, or more sophisticated information including sleep tracking, heartrate monitoring, calorie tracking and more.
Smartwatches and other wearable technology can be used independently or integrated with apps to enable tracking of your progress.
But are fitness trackers and apps really necessary and do they provide any tangible health benefits?
Some studies have shown that fitness tracking can actually increase the amount of movement a person achieves in a day, especially when the tracking device allows you to set goals. Interestingly, this positive impact was achieved no matter which type of tracking device was used. As a motivational tool, simple pedometers appear to be just as effective as the most sophisticated smartwatches.
One of the key advantages of wearable fitness trackers is that they measure incremental movement as well as planned and structured exercise.
Fitness trackers can also be a powerful motivational tool when you can see positive and measurable improvements in the data captured. Having insight and information about your physical activity empowers you to make informed decisions and choices related to your fitness and health.
These tools can also provide a sense of achievement when goals are met or exceeded, which has a positive impact on wellbeing and encourages the development of healthy exercise habits.
Some fitness trackers and apps facilitate connection with friends or family, introducing a level of accountability which can further improve overall health and wellbeing.
However, for some people fitness trackers are a source of pressure, stress or guilt which can be detrimental to wellbeing and physical and mental health. If using a fitness tracker does not feel supportive and encouraging, then you should find other ways to maintain motivation and achieve satisfaction from your physical activity.
It’s also important to use a fitness tracker the way that suits you best. It’s perfectly fine to turn off notifications, for example, if they become a source of stress.
Whether you use a fitness tracker or not, hiring home fitness equipment from BeFit Hire is a smart choice. Our treadmills, manual and programmable cross-trainers, upright and recumbent exercise bikes, rowing machines and back inversion tables all provide data on your workout, which may include time, speed, distance, calories, heart rate and more. This information can be logged into your fitness tracker to help you monitor the progress you are making towards your goals.
Please contact your local BeFit Hire agent today to discuss which pieces of equipment are most suited to your exercise goals.
With free delivery to most of metro Adelaide and Melbourne for most hire periods, we’re confident that once you try home fitness hire, you’ll be ready to ditch the gym membership for good!
Photos from Shutter Stock
