Fitness Trackers for Better Health - Parents & Kids (parentsandkids.com)

FITNESS TRACKERS FOR BETTER HEALTH

Posted by Parents & Kids Guest Writer | Apr 4, 2023

Spring is in the air here in south Mississippi, and many are getting outside and getting active! Now is a great time to renew your 2023 resolutions to get more fit. 

A survey conducted by statistica.com lists health goals in the top three resolutions made by over 50-percent of people. In fact, weight loss, better food choices and exercising more have topped resolution lists for many for years. If you have fallen down on your goals and have already given up, never worry…simply use the coming of spring as a time to revive that commitment. 

To achieve these goals some will join gyms, seek out a personal trainer, or take part in a weight loss program. About 20-percent said they would use fitness trackers. 

Fitness trackers come in various forms, including apps and wearable devices such as watches, bands or pedometers. There are a variety of fitness trackers to provide info you may need to make your fitness decisions. Here are some options on the market, and what they have to offer. 

WEARABLE DEVICES 

Fitbit 

Fitbit has a variety of options at varying price points. The Fitbit Charge 5 is also compatible with Windows, Android and Apple and includes gps tracking, move reminders, guided breathing exercises, multiple sport modes, and provides a cardio fitness score. The cardio fitness score is a measure of how efficiently your heart is working during exercise. A lower number means that the heart is working at its maximum capacity at lower levels of intensity in exercise, suggesting a healthier heart. The cardio fitness score can be tracked to see how exercise over time has improved your heart health.  

The American Heart Association recommends adults participate in 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise, including walking, swimming, running or cycling. This type of endurance exercise helps condition your heart, lungs and circulation for overall fitness improvement.  

“I use my Fitbit to help track my steps,” said user Alice Wallace. “This helps me reach my daily step goal.” 

The Apple Watch  

The Apple Watch also provides gps tracking while allowing for messaging and phone calls from the device, along with a step counter, calories burned tracker, and meditation programs. It will also stream music, so you can put on your favorite workout playlist to accompany your exercise. Apple watches also allow you to connect with others to build an accountability group, to motivate you to continue moving towards your goals. 

The Garmin Forerunner 235  

The Garmin Forerunner 235 is Android and Apple compatible, offering cardio fitness tracking, a step counter, move reminders, and tracking of your level of exercise intensity. It can also offer personalized exercise suggestions. Through an app on your Android phone, it will play music and allow you to respond to messages with a few preset responses. 

APPS 

Fitness apps make your phone able to operate like wearable devices. Apps allow for tracking of foods, steps, and can be used to set up accountability groups among other things. Here are a few available to date. 

– My Fitness Pal provides space to track diet and exercise. It also provides a personalized diet profile in the free version. It can be linked with other fitness apps so more data can be tracked. 

– Noom focuses primarily on food choices. Geared at the psychology behind food choices, Noom aims to retool your thinking to make weight loss less about following a strict diet plan, and more about adopting a healthy lifestyle overall. Noom also offers tips on exercise choices to support your stated goals. 

– Future is a resource offering a virtual coach to provide personalized workout plans based on your goals. 

– Peloton offers a variety of exercise and movement programs. It also provides meditation classes. Classes are available at every skill level and for various lengths of time, with some as short as ten minutes, to allow flexibility to incorporate it into your schedule.  

“I use the app when traveling,” said Angela Fadahunsi. This is because it is easy to use in any setting. 

Fitness tracker options are plentiful, so there is likely one that meets you where you are on your fitness journey. Test and try one or two–or even a few–to see which one might best help you meet your goals. 

Best of luck in this season of renewed 2023 health resolutions! 

Alicia Stevens, a resident of Pearl River County, is a freelance writer, wife and mother of two who enjoys traveling with her family and friends.