The final blog is the last in our What’s Your Wearable Campaign and offers professional insight on the impact of fitness watches for exercise. We asked qualified personal trainer, Hannah Dillon, her thoughts on wearable devices and if she recommends them to her clients to support their training.
Hannah said:
“Personally, I use an Apple Watch and find it quite beneficial. It assists me in tracking my workouts, timing my rests, and serves as a helpful tool for monitoring calories burned, especially during periods when I’m focused on dieting and tracking steps. However, it’s important to note that while fitness watches are useful for tracking purposes, their calorie tracking functionality may not be entirely accurate. Factors such as sensor accuracy and individual variability can affect the reliability of these metrics. It’s crucial to view the data they provide as a rough estimate rather than absolute gospel, so here’s some fitness watch pros and cons to bear in mind:
Pros:
- Smartwatches offer comprehensive workout tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring, step counting, and distance tracking, enhancing the overall workout experience.
- They can serve as motivational tools, encouraging users to stay active and reach their fitness goals through features like activity reminders and goal setting.
- Data collected by smartwatches can provide valuable insights into fitness progress and patterns, aiding in the optimisation of workout routines.
Cons:
- While smartwatches strive for accuracy, discrepancies in data may occur due to factors such as sensor accuracy and device placement.
- Battery life may be a concern, as continuous use of fitness tracking features can drain the battery relatively quickly.
- Comfort and fit during physical activity may vary, impacting workout performance and user experience.
Recently, I read some literature that brought up additional considerations regarding the use of fitness watches for gym activities. Based on this I set a few guidelines that I share with my clients so they can navigate the world of wearable devices with ease and ensure they support their training effectively.
- Users should view smartwatches as complementary tools for fitness tracking, rather than relying solely on their data.
- Calibration of smartwatch sensors and settings can help improve accuracy and reliability.
- Educating users about the limitations of smartwatch data is essential for managing expectations and promoting informed decision-making.
- Regular maintenance of smartwatch firmware and sensors is recommended to ensure optimal performance during workouts.”
Thanks to Hannah sharing her thoughts with us, you can understand the limitations and benefits of fitness watches to support your training goals instead of rely on for success. As with all fitness based goals we recommend asking any of the personal trainers we have in club for their expertise if you’re unsure on what’s right for you.
By Connie Summerfield and Cheltenham Personal Trainer, Hannah Dillon
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