Fitness Wearables - The Gift That Keeps Giving This Holiday Season

Fitness trackers are all the rage among workout enthusiasts and are likely to be one of the most popular holiday gifts among adults once again in 2020. From industry forerunner the Fitbit to the Apple Watch, gadgets galore are available to help you optimize your workout regimen. But not all fitness wearables are created equal. And just like your exercise routine, if you’re not using the equipment correctly – you’re missing out on the benefits.

Here are some things to consider when purchasing fitness wearables:

• Purpose: Today’s fitness wearables can tell you so much about your physical activity in so many ways – from tracking your steps to monitoring your blood pressure, pulse, sleeping habits, and so much more. Make a list of the parameters that are important to your fitness routine, check it twice, and cross reference it with those listed on the packaging before you buy.
  
• Budget: Fitness wearables are not exactly the most economical of Christmas gifts. Even the most basic will set you back a cool $50 to $75, and you can expect the price to increase exponentially in conjunction with the number of features included. Our advice? Set a budget, do your research, and don’t be swayed by bells and whistles you don’t necessarily need.
  
• Comfort/Convenience: On the wrist or on the waistband – that is the question you will need to ask yourself, while taking the device’s primary use into consideration. Waistband trackers are a bit trickier to use, for example, but are believed to be more accurate when measuring one’s steps.
  
• Features: As technology continues to advance by leaps and bounds, fitness wearables have only gotten smarter and more sophisticated. Be sure to take stock in the following features
  
  • Display – Some people prefer a built-in readout to track their progress, while others enjoy integrating the functionality of their fitness wearables with their smartphone so that they can review their data at their leisure after the workout.
    
  • Battery – Be sure to check how long your fitness wearable will hold a charge before needing to be plugged into an outlet or USB port. This can potentially have a tremendous bearing on the duration and efficacy of your workout. Don’t trust the manufacturer’s claims – be sure to read reviews.
    
  • GPS – Do you really need one? It depends. If you’re going to be running, jogging, or hiking away from home in terrain that’s unfamiliar to you, and you don’t plan on taking your smartphone (probably not the wisest decision) – then … maybe?
    
  • Water resistance: This feature is pretty straightforward. If you are a swimmer or a rower, waterproof wearables are the way to go. However, if you’re simply monitoring your heart rate and tracking your steps, there’s no huge reason to splurge.

Higher end features such as customized workout integration, and smart notifications that alert you to a new text or email, are also possible – and also add significantly to the price. Perhaps the biggest question to ask is are you truly searching for a fitness wearable that can help you make the most of your workout, or are you simply longing for another digital toy to tinker with?

Keep in mind: while high-tech fitness wearables continue to be trendy fashion accessories and increasingly popular holiday gifts, they can not replace the expert guidance of a personal trainer combined with some old-fashioned stick-to-it-ness from you.

At Fitness Together Ellicott City, we wear our enthusiasm for healthy exercise on our sleeves. Our team provides the key combination of aerobic exercise and strength training, complemented by a common-sense nutrition program based on science. Ready to get started? Call (410) 750-2228 or contact us today to get started on your fitness journey.