Are you looking to keep track of your health and fitness? These days, most fitness enthusiasts and hopefuls like to opt for fitness wearables to measure their progress and plan their routines. While there's no harm in using technology, how you use the information determines its effectiveness. 

Whether you spring for the latest Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Whoop Strap, Fitbit, or any other wearable health technology, the data is only valuable if you put it to use. 

Some devices only track our steps and give us the time of day, while others can even measure blood sugar. Before investing in a fitness wearable, determine what information will benefit your lifestyle and fitness level best.

Influence On Your Passion and Progress 

There's no one-size-fits-all way to work out because every person has different characteristics based on their fitness goals, gender, and genetics. But for most people, a fitness routine might not be a priority. 

Nevertheless, when you're focused on tracking your progress and keeping yourself motivated, opting for fitness wearables is a good approach. 

So, does wearing a fitness tracker actually make us smarter about our health? Here are the pros and cons.

Pros 

Motivation  

Whether you're facing work-related stress or a health condition, lethargy is a common symptom that influences motivation levels. A common misconception among people looking to start their fitness journey is that motivation must be present before they plan to do something. However, motivation manifests as a result of deciding to act on your will. In this case, fitness wearables work as handy motivators that can remind you of your fitness goals and ambitions. 

Real-Time Activity Check 

Using fitness wearables can help you measure various aspects of your health in real-time. Sure, you can do so with individual instruments, but no one wants to waste time wearing a blood pressure cuff when they can easily track everything through a smartwatch. 

We cannot improve what we fail to measure. For that, fitness wearables can be valuable tools.

Timely Indicators and Movement Signals 

Smart fitness wearables can provide alerts and send notifications, helping us stick with a routine. When integrated with smartphones and laptops through intelligent application software, fitness wearables can remind us about our schedules and fitness routines. 

If we miss out on physical activity, our device lets us know. If we remain inactive for an extended period, a beep or buzz notifies us that it's time to get moving.

Cons

Poor Recommendations 

A wearable is a handy tool if the goal is boosting our workout and going the extra mile toward goals. Fitness wearables like smartphone integrated watches and trackers can also provide numerous recommendations and suggestions. However, these recommendations are not suitable for everyone.  

In the end, individual differences play a role in whether it's healthy for you to follow the suggestions or not. So, consult your doctor or a professional trainer before you get into a self-debate about whether you should walk 10,000 or 15,000 steps per day.

Inaccuracy 

The problem with fitness trackers is that each individual differs from a physiological standpoint. How accurate is the data these devices provide?

Have you ever gone for a run with a partner, and even though you jogged side-by-side, her Fitbit says 12,000 steps, your Garmin only measured 10,200? How about having a great night's sleep only to read how poor it was the following day?

In the case of fitness trackers, the numbers can lie. They should come with a warning to use for general information purposes only.

Data Obsessiveness 

Using data to track your progress is helpful but often leads to an obsession with the numbers. Oh no, I only had 43 minutes of deep sleep last night, yet I feel great. I didn't get my steps today, so I'm going to walk in circles around the living room while watching TV with my family. I'm only going to eat half an avocado for dinner because it says I burned 212 calories in my workout.

When we become obsessed with numbers, our health and well-being suffer.

To track or not to track 

The chances are that if you wear a fitness tracker, you'll pay more attention to your health. You'll be more likely to eat better, move more often, and take dietary supplements. 

Unless it's merely a fashion statement, a fitness wearable does have positive effects. But, remember that a fitness wearable is a tool and not a life support system. Use it for tracking and motivation. Avoid relying too heavily on inaccurate data, unhealthy recommendations, and constant information. 

Anther. Male wellness where it counts.