Do I need a fitness tracker and which one is right for me?

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting on your fitness journey, fitness trackers and smartwatches can provide valuable insights and motivation to help you reach your goals.

But with so many options out there, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start.

Benefits of a fitness tracker

Motivation and accountability: Seeing your progress in real-time can be incredibly motivating. Many devices offer goal-setting features and reminders to keep you on track.

Personalised insights: Fitness trackers can provide detailed data on your physical activity, helping you understand your strengths and areas for improvement.

Health monitoring: Some fitness trackers can monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and even stress levels.

Common features of fitness trackers

Activity tracking: Most wearables track basic metrics like steps and distance. We recommend looking for devices that offer advanced tracking for specific activities, such as running, swimming, or cycling to get most bang for your buck.

Heart rate monitoring: Continuous heart rate monitoring helps you gauge the intensity of your workouts and track your cardiovascular health.

GPS functionality: If you like to get out and about when exercising, a device with GPS can provide accurate tracking of your routes and distances.

Sleep tracking: Understanding your sleep patterns can help you improve your overall health. Many fitness trackers monitor sleep stages and provide insights into your sleep quality.

5 popular fitness trackers

1. Fitbit: Known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive fitness tracking, Fitbit offers a number of models to suit different needs and budgets.

2. Apple Watch: If you’re an iPhone user, the Apple Watch integrates seamlessly with iOS and offers a range of features from fitness tracking to health monitoring. The new Apple Watch Ultra 2 even features data and functionality required by scuba and free divers for descents down to 40 metres.

3. Garmin: While Garmin devices are often favoured by serious athletes for their accurate GPS tracking and advanced metrics, they offer a range of models for different sports and activities.

4. WHOOP: For those focused on performance and recovery, WHOOP provides in-depth analytics on strain, recovery, and sleep. It’s worth remembering WHOOP requires a subscription however.

5. Samsung Galaxy Watch: Compatible with both Android and iOS, the Galaxy Watch offers a mix of fitness tracking, health monitoring, and smartwatch features.

Do I need a fitness tracker?

Designed to help you monitor and improve your physical activity, a personal fitness tracker can measure various metrics such as steps taken, calories burned, heart rate, sleep quality, and even GPS data for outdoor activities. While a handy tool, the decision to use one is ultimately a personal choice and not at all required to enjoy an active lifestyle.

Starting on your fitness journey

If you have any existing health conditions, injuries or mobility issues, it’s a good idea to talk to your GP before starting a new exercise routine.

A physiotherapist can also guide you on the best ways to exercise to help you manage or prevent chronic illness or injury.