Wearable tech has emerged as a growing trend in the health and wellness industry over the past few years. From recreational athletes to elite performers, gym-goers, and anyone looking to monitor or improve their health, many individuals now rely on wearable devices to gather comprehensive data. As these products continue to evolve, research is striving to keep pace with their advancements.
Wearable tech and future trends
Wearable tech and fitness trackers come in various forms, such as watches, rings, straps, glasses, or earbuds, equipped with sensors that monitor your heart rate, breathing, and physical activity. These devices utilize collected data to provide insights across different aspects of fitness:
Step Counters: Pedometers, or step counters, have been around for some time. They track the number of steps you take, both during workouts and in daily life.
Heart Rate Monitors: One of the oldest wearable technologies, heart rate monitors measure your heart rate during rest and exercise, helping you gauge workout intensity.
Sleep Trackers: A more recent addition, sleep trackers offer data on your overall sleep quality, including how often you wake during the night.
Recovery Tracking: Recovery has become a key focus in fitness. Devices like the WHOOP strap, Fitbit, Garmin, and Oura ring provide readiness and recovery scores, combining metrics such as heart rate variability and sleep duration to guide your fitness efforts.
Smartphone Apps: While not technically wearable, several apps can track some of these metrics using your smartphone. Though wearables may offer greater accuracy, apps still provide a general overview of your health stats.
Understanding your current fitness data can create the awareness you need to build healthier habits. Once you know where you stand, you can set small, achievable goals to work toward your desired fitness and wellness outcomes. Wearables offer a practical and engaging way to make informed decisions about your health and progress.
