The Nurturing Well by: Jill Starbuck
Tracking fitness levels is not a new concept. It has just become easier and more high-tech. In fact, it has become quite the rage. Today, you can spot countless people wearing plain wristbands in various colors. Typically, they are wearing the Fitbit, which is a fitness tracker that requires the push of a button to reveal data regarding activity level. This is the “hip” version of the old-fashioned pedometer. And it is a hot item. By 2018, an estimated 60 million people will own them.
While not the most appealing accessory, wearable technology is certainly convenient. It is a constant reminder to get up and move more often. And it is not just for fitness fanatics. Due to ever-increasing sedentary lifestyles and obesity rates, Americans continue to desperately seek the latest fads to help them stay active and lose weight. Even dedicated exercisers may not get enough activity in a day. They may exercise for an hour, only to spend the rest of their day sitting. According to Tom Rath, author of the best-selling book Eat Move Sleep, Americans now sit more hours than they sleep.
For some, wearable technology may provide just the right motivation and reminder to get moving. Devices today can track a number of important health-related criteria. Some of which include sleep patterns, heart rate, calories burned, steps taken, miles completed, sweat rate, body temperature, and more. Tracking health data can improve overall general fitness and health levels for many people. Studies suggest that prolonged sitting increases risk of chronic health conditions and death, not to mention back, shoulder, and neck pain. Therefore, it is vital to find ways to get Americans to move more often.
Although fitness devices have many positive features, many people still question their accuracy or become frustrated with their reliance on other types of technology such as tablets, smartphones, and computers to view results. Others balk at the price. The Fitbit Flex costs about $100, but wearable technology prices can climb substantially higher depending on brand and device.
Despite these cons, wearable devices provide easy and constant reminders of activity level that may be enough to convince consumers that they are worth purchasing. And as studies indicate, they do help consumers become more aware of and increase their activity level. Therefore, these cons may be negligible in the overall scheme of things. After all, spending $100 seems a drop in the bucket compared to the medical costs associated with preventable health issues that arise from lack of exercise.
Jill Starbuck has 20 years of experience as a business writer, editor, and market research analyst. She is a certified health coach through the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America. She is also the co-owner of a running business. She can be reached at jillstarbuck@hotmail.com
