Wearable fitness devices continue to keep popularity as a tool for motivation
By Rebecca Berfanger // Photography submitted
On her daily bike commutes to work, Southside-Indy resident Meredith Jones will often track her progress using a Fitbit, something that she prefers to other fitness trackers based on the price and knowing it will synchronize with her employer’s wellness program, so she can earn credit for her activity.
She has been using fitness counters for almost 20 years, starting with an analog pedometer about 20 years ago.
“I bike to work as much of the year as weather and my schedule allow,” Jones said. “I live less than two miles from my office, so the ride home is my real workout. Ideally, I stop at the Y (YMCA) on my ride home and lift weights a couple of days each week, and other days I ride farther — some days as far as 20 miles. In the winter, I ride indoors on my spin bike. I am generally not good at sitting still, so I move a lot. I take a lot of walking breaks at work. I also love to hike and play pickleball. I usually always have my Fitbit on unless I am in water, or it is charging.”
Meanwhile, Johnson County resident and Franklin attorney Ashlee Melton has been using her Apple watch since 2019 — after starting with a Fitbit in 2015 — to earn points to be used toward health care benefits provided by her employer and to compete with her coworkers.
Initially, Melton started tracking her fitness activities around the age of 30. Her self-monitoring efforts ramped up as the time for her wedding drew near — she called it, “sweatin’ for the weddin’.” Even after having children and during COVID-19, Melton kept using a fitness device. Today, she uses an Apple watch to help maintain her health through weight training and walking.
“The Fitbit alone hasn’t encouraged me to work out,” she said, “But it’s definitely a helpful tool. A co-worker has a Fitbit, and we have a competition to see who can get in the most steps or earn the most points. I always win because I’m very competitive.”
According to a 2023 study reported by the National Institute of Health, Melton and Jones are among the more than one in three Americans who use a wearable fitness device, items that have continued to keep their popularity year over year.
But do experts think these devices promote healthier habits?
“I think so. They definitely tend to help you realize how much or little you move. There are different goals you can set for yourself in terms of steps, etc., and challenges you can join to compete against friends with certain fitness trackers,” said Sara Wisehart, ambulatory dietitian for Community Health.
“These have definitely become more popular over recent years, and it seems like the data which they track has definitely expanded. When these first came out, they were solely tracking steps and/or calories burned. Now, a lot of them do track things like sleep, recovery and HRV.”
Bryana Schreiber, a fitness instructor and founder of Uplifting Fitness, agrees.
“Fitness trackers are meant to help you build a habit,” Schreiber said. “What I’ve learned is consistency is key. Everybody has off days, but just showing up is the main thing. For many people, fitness trackers can be motivating. They help to have group support and accountability, you can see the progress you’re making, you know the steps you’re doing, and you know the calories you’re burning.”
She also said seeing the steps and not just the results are inspirational.
Fitness trackers are not new: in the 1600s, Leonardo Da Vinci envisioned a step counter. By the 1960s, Japanese engineers and doctors were credited with inventing and promoting a “10,000-step meter” to encourage more physical activity. By the mid-1990s, before smart phones, Polar watches were used to measure heart-rate variability, and fitness classes were widely popular.
Even as options and functions of wearable fitness devices have increased in the last decade, not to mention compatible apps, a fitness device is not only a watch but used to read texts, answer calls, check the weather or pay bills — many of the original functions are still popular among users.
“I would say counting steps and using the reminders to get up and move are the two most common things I hear when I talk with people,” Wisehart said.
However, Schreiber cautioned against anything that makes someone feel bad about themselves, and even went as far as to say it’s okay to forget to use a device occasionally.
“There are certain things a fitness tracker can measure, but don’t kick yourself if you forget to wear it, and never be afraid to get back on track. Don’t let it be something that is frustrating for you. It’s meant to be a tool for encouragement,” Schreiber said.
She added that she encourages fitness enthusiasts to track their goals on something as simple as a paper in case the fitness device isn’t on. A good backup, she added, is a smart phone.
“Even if you’re not wearing a fitness band, there’s a good chance you’re still carrying your phone around with you,” she said.
Schreiber also encouraged those who wear a fitness device during a fitness class to ask for help if they’re not sure about what setting to use. In fact, she admits to usually announcing at the beginning of a workout which mode to use. She even makes it a habit to let students know when to hit “start.”
While it’s great for motivation, Wisehart said she wants people to be cautious about relying on wearable fitness devices too much.
“There is a margin of error with these devices, meaning steps, calories burned, etc., can vary between devices, and the accuracy also can vary depending on the technology,” Wisehart said.
“Certain devices can detect things like irregular heart rhythms, and that would certainly be a reason to consult a medical professional,” she added.
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you notice any of the warning signs of health concerns – chest pain, cold sweat, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, or even a sharp pain in the neck, arm or back, be sure to seek emergency treatment, even if your fitness tracker isn’t reporting anything unusual.
When deciding which device to get, whether as a holiday-season gift or as part of a New Years’ resolution, Wisehart said, “That really comes down to personal preference, but factors to consider might include what data they would like it to track, appearance, durability, compatibility with other technology, and cost. For some devices, it’s a one-time fee, while others have a subscription-based service.”
For Jones, who recently needed to replace her Fitbit, she plans to keep active with or without the Fitbit but appreciates it as a tool.
“I am trying to bike and walk on as many roads and trails as possible,” Jones said. “I love exploring places I have not been before, especially on foot or bike.”