Health and Fitness Trackers: Do They Help…or Hurt?

From smartwatches to fitness bands to sleep sensors, health and fitness trackers have exploded in popularity in recent years. The ability to quantify steps, calories, heart rate and more with wearable devices provides data that we hope will optimize our lifestyles. But is this technology as beneficial as it seems? In some cases, trackers may do more harm than good.

In this article, we will dive deep on both sides of the tracking debate. We’ll explore potential pros and cons, examine what the research says, and provide tips for using devices in a healthy way. The goal is to help you make an informed decision about whether incorporating wearable trackers into your routine will enhance your progress or lead to pitfalls. Let’s break it all down.

The Rise of Health and Fitness Tracking

First, a quick look at how we arrived at this tracking-saturated era:

– 2009 – Fitbit launches its first wearable tracker, pioneering the consumer fitness tech market.

– 2011 – Jawbone UP band debuts mood logging and basic smartwatch features.

– 2014 – Apple launches its first Apple Watch with robust activity tracking.

– 2016 – Trackers expand features to heart rate, sleep stages, blood oxygen, ECG and more.

– 2020 – 451 million wearable devices are sold globally as the market explodes.

– 2021 and beyond – Even more sophisticated metrics like blood glucose, blood pressure, respiratory rate and biomechanics emerge.

This rapid innovation shows no signs of slowing down. But does more data equals better health? Maybe not in all cases. Let’s analyze the up- and downsides.

Potential Benefits of Tracking
Here are some proposed ways that health and fitness trackers may support users:

– Increased awareness – Seeing concrete data makes you more aware of behaviors and patterns.

– Motivation boost – For some, tracking numbers encourages trying to beat PRs and goals.

– Improved accountability – Sharing data socially pushes some to work harder and follow through.

– Health insights – Metrics can reveal connections, like how alcohol impacts deep sleep.

– Early illness detection – Changes from baseline may indicate developing issues to get checked out.

– More informed decisions – Data guides choices on nutrition, workouts, stress management, etc.

– Enhanced diagnoses – Doctors incorporate data from trackers to uncover health conditions.

With these upsides in mind, it makes sense why so many are eager to strap on the latest tracking tech. However, the reality may be more complicated.

Potential Downsides of Tracking
On the flip side, some concerning drawbacks of excessive tracking include:

– Obsession and compulsiveness – For some, hitting certain targets becomes all-consuming.

– Anxiety from data – Seeing “unfavorable” metrics provokes stress.

– False sense of control – In reality, we can’t fully control outcomes no matter how much data we collect.

– Diminished intuition – Numbers override internal body cues like fatigue or hunger.

– Loss of enjoyment – Spontaneity decreases when all actions become about desired metrics.

– Reduced self-esteem – Quantifiable achievements become tied too closely to self-worth.

– Disordered behaviors – For those prone, tracking patterns may encourage eating disorders or excessive exercise.

– Privacy concerns – Personal data from trackers creates security and exploitation risks.

As with most things, moderation and balance are key. Too much focus on data can clearly lead to detrimental mindsets for some individuals.

What the Research Says
Scientific studies on trackers reveal a mixed bag as well. For example:

– A 2016 study of 470 people over 6 months found fitness tracker users lost less weight than the control group without trackers.

– A 2-year study on 800 people showed those using activity trackers didn’t increase fitness levels or reduce BMI compared to non-users.

– But a 2021 study reported trainees using workout trackers lifted heavier weights and had greater strength gains than non-tracker users.

The conclusiveness on whether trackers yield significant, lasting improvements to health remains questionable. Much may come down to the psychology of the individual using them.

Tips for Using Trackers in a Healthy Way

If you do choose to incorporate a fitness tracker, these tips can help avoid pitfalls:

– Set limits on checking data – Don’t become hyperfocused on getting a certain number of steps or staying in a heart rate zone every single minute.

– Use as one input, not the only input – Take tracker data as helpful information, but listen to your body first and foremost.

– Customize notifications – Turn off any non-essential notifications to avoid technology overload.

– Remember tech can have errors – Don’t take tracker results as gospel. Use more than one data point before concluding something about your health.

– Note how you feel without it – Periodically do workouts or behavior tracking mentally without the device to stay connected to your innate body wisdom.

– Keep perspective – Don’t base your entire self-image on what app notifications you get each day. You are far more than just data points.

– Be mindful of obsession – Note if you feel compelled to continuously check a tracker and aim to shift that mindset.

– Seek balance – Make time each day away from technology to simply be present and tune into how your body feels.

With boundaries, trackers can be a constructive tool rather than a detrimental crutch. As with all technology, be wary of over-reliance.

Should You Use Fitness and Health Trackers?
So, should you incorporate wearable tracking technology into your routine? Here are some questions to help decide:

– Why do you want to start tracking? Is it for increased awareness, motivation, or accountability? Or do you hope it will give you a sense of control?

– Can you set usage boundaries for yourself? Will you get obsessed with certain metrics?

– Does data tend to provoke anxiety for you? Or are you able to take it as helpful information without self-judgment?

– Are you prone to compulsive behaviors around food, exercise or productivity? Is there risk of trackers exacerbating those?

– How tech-dependent are you currently? Will one more device lead to information overload?

– Are you able to balance tracker use with listening to your body’s direct signals about rest, fuel, stress levels, etc?

The bottom line is trackers themselves are not inherently good nor bad. It comes down to your unique psychology and relationship with data. With mindful boundaries, they can positively supplement your health journey. But if they seem to feed obsessiveness or objectify your behaviors, it may be healthiest to ditch the devices altogether.

Know yourself, and choose what supports (not hinders) your highest wellbeing.

About The Author