Getting fit and staying in shape is good for the body and mind, and with the prospect of warmer weather on the horizon it’s time to get out and get moving with a smartwatch or fitness tracker.

In today’s high tech world, the humble wristwatch – like the phone – has evolved beyond its sole function. Checking the time has now become secondary to a plethora of features that monitor, measure and log vital health and fitness metrics for analysis by an app.

These clever devices count daily steps taken, measure heart rate, blood oxygen (Sp02) and stress levels, monitor how well we sleep, and keep track of our location via GPS.

And pairing a smartwatch or fitness tracker with a phone brings the convenience of taking calls, messages and notifications directly from your wrist while on the move.

It’s important to remember, however, that while smartwatches/fitness trackers are largely accurate in assessing your overall health and fitness levels, they’re not intended to replace advice from a professional.

A focus on health and fitness during the pandemic has driven a huge uptake in wearable tech, and there is now an abundance of different makes and models out there to choose from. So, let’s take a look at the prime points to consider when joining the wearable revolution.

Smartwatch or fitness tracker? While both keep track of daily activity and measure progress, steps, heart rate, Sp02, et al, the definition can be blurred. Each is basically defined by its feature set and functionality, so whichever you choose ultimately depends on your lifestyle, desired metrics and, of course, budget.

Smartwatches can feature bigger and brighter displays, more specialised tracking modes for a variety of sports and outdoor activities, and advanced location positioning. Consequently, they are likely to drain the battery faster than a fitness tracker with a low-power display and less specialised features.

Many fitness trackers feature smartwatch functionality, and many smartwatches are packed with fitness features, so you’re likely to find the best of both worlds in one device.

Meticulous monitoring Most wearable trackers measure the basics – steps taken, calories burned, heart rate and Sp02 – and many offer more advanced features for monitoring energy levels, body temperature and composition, respiration and hydration, as well as women’s health tracking and ECG (electrocardiogram).

Some include a range of preloaded sports apps and inbuilt workout modes, as well as safety and fall detection alerts that send a user’s live location to assigned emergency contacts.

Moreover, premium smartwatches with advanced GPS, GNSS and TopoMap support can locate the nearest golf course, ski slope and hiking trail, and include built-in sensors for a compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter for adventurous types.

Identify the key health and fitness data that you want to track, and the features you’ll use frequently and get the most benefit from.

Sleep well and stress less Tracking sleeping patterns is another popular feature of today’s wearables, with detailed analytics, sleep scores based on the quality of your kip, and progress reports accessed via the device’s respective app, along with data for SpO2, resting heart rate, skin temperature and snoring patterns.

Stress levels, both physical and mental, are measured using heart rate data and some wearables now include a special sensor for more targeted monitoring. In-app analysis will then assign a stress score, indicate patterns and triggers, and offer management techniques like breathing and mindfulness exercises.

A phone on your wrist When you’re in the exercise zone, extracting your phone to receive calls and notifications can severely disrupt the flow. Wearables pair with your phone via Bluetooth for quick and easy access to comms, music and voice assistants from the wrist. Make sure that the one you choose is compatible with your phone’s operating system.

Many also feature NFC (near field communication) support to facilitate contactless payments, as well as 4G/LTE (long term evolution) connection to a mobile network sans smartphone pairing – providing it’s the same carrier your phone uses. The latter can be more expensive, but is convenient when a Bluetooth signal is weak or the phone is out of range.

Powering on Decent battery life is always a must when choosing an on-the-go device, and can be variable when it comes to wearables. Most are designed to last for at least a week, but battery longevity is ultimately determined by how often you engage with the device and the features that you use – advanced monitoring, continuous GPS use and bright displays all consume more power. Solar charging can further extend the battery life and is offered on a range of watches from Garmin.

Making a splash Whether you’re caught in a sudden downpour or swimming laps of the pool, a wearable’s water resistance is paramount. Many models are designed to withstand a dunking in up to 50m of water for up to 30 minautes.

Always check the device’s IP rating – the higher it is, the better the protection.

It’s all in the app Wearables collect a lot of health and fitness data to give you the most accurate report on how you’re tracking. However, while these devices can show you real time stats and progress, they can’t show you the bigger overall picture and the nitty-gritty of the analytics.

That’s why many brands come with a companion app to provide a deeper dive into health metrics and what they mean in terms of your fitness levels and progress.

Devices automatically upload tracking data – as it’s measured during an activity or when it’s completed – which is analysed in the app.

The app on your phone or smart device then serves as a personal health record where you can view a detailed breakdown of your heart rate, blood oxygen, respiration and stress measurements, along with more advanced insights like sleep cycle analysis, body composition, women’s health tracking, and ECG graphs – the latter can even be sent as a PDF to your doctor!

Dashboards provide at-a-glance vital statistics and personal scores can be allocated for certain metrics, with progress reports and tips for management of problem areas. There are also options (where available) to download training courses and workout programs, along with mindfulness tools like meditation techniques, deep breathing exercises and soothing music to manage stress. You can even set challenges and compete against family and friends.

Think of your wearable’s app as being like the results your doctor would receive following a medical test. The detailed analysis and insights it provides is vital to an overall understanding of your health and fitness, allowing you change things up where necessary and recognise where and when you may be overdoing it. Moreover, a progress report provides the motivation to continue striving for your personal best.

There are free proprietary apps for all the big brands – Samsung Health, Apple Health, Garmin Connect and Fitbit – as well as subscription apps that offer more specialised analytics, virtual workouts and digital personal trainers, comprehensive sleep and stress insights, and a daily readiness score.

A wide variety of third party apps are also available to download, where compatible. Choose any fitness or sporting activity, however specialised or obscure, and there’s probably a dedicated app for it.

Check out all the latest and greatest Smart Wearables for 2022

Posted by Adam Colby | Oct 6, 2022 | LIFE TECH TIPS |

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