This post was written by Tiffany Patterson, lead performance specialist, Parkview Sports Medicine.
Wearable technology is exploding in popularity, offering a wide range of fitness tracking and the ability to connect with others. Weekend warriors and serious athletes alike are finding helpful intel, courtesy of brands like Garmin®, FitBit®, Apple®, Samsung Galaxy™, Whoop® and Oura®.
Which wearable is best for you?
It can feel overwhelming when deciding which wearable technology to purchase. Consider:
- Your budget
- Your activities
- What data you want out of it
These considerations can make the decision simpler. Maybe you’re a runner or walker and want accurate GPS and step count. Or maybe you’re a swimmer and need a waterproof device to track laps. Or a hiker who wants an altimeter or compass. Remember, battery life and device compatibility with your phone to sync your data are both important.
Are you really getting the most out of your wearable device?
Let’s dive into some strategies to maximize the benefits of your technology, as well as integrate it into your life.
- Set personalized goals of targets for: steps, sleep, active minutes, etc. These can be adjusted at any time.
- Explore the settings if you want notifications through your device and/or apps.
- Integrate your data with other popular apps such as Strava®, MyFitnessPal® or Google Fit™, if you’d like the opportunity to connect with others in your community.
- Most wearable technology offers insights on heart rate variability (HRV) and sleep stage analysis, which in turn gives insights on stress and recovery levels.
Taking advantage of these features can help you gain a better understanding of your mind and body so you can get the most out of your wearable device.
To see a full list of services through Parkview Sports Medicine, visit us here.
Source
Kang HS, Exworthy M. Wearing the Future-Wearables to Empower Users to Take Greater Responsibility for Their Health and Care: Scoping Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2022 Jul 13;10(7):e35684. doi: 10.2196/35684. PMID: 35830222; PMCID: PMC9330198.
