I finally got my first wristband activity tracker this winter and thought I had caught up with the technical fitness world. Just as I was falling in love with my wristband, a leading company scaled back their hardware development in April, leading to concern that activity trackers, especially wristbands, were a thing of the past. The company's CEO since then has suggested an affiliation with Apple to create software to enhance some future Apple device (iWatch?!? Wish I knew!) In the meantime, I hope that wristbands or something just as simple and functional, are here to stay.
I admit that after 5 months of wearing my own wristband tracker, I am pretty smitten with it. I have used many models of pedometers over the years and consistently recommend tracking steps to my patients. (At least 10,000 steps a day goal, folks!) So, I am always trying to learn what’s out there. I look for devices that are easy to use, affordable for the average person, and are functional enough to be used reliably and consistently. If you are considering getting a fitness tracker, I thought I’d share my experience with my wristband and welcome others’ comments on their experiences.
The Not-So-Great:
Let’s get the major flaw out of the way – accuracy, or possible lack of. I acknowledge all the reports stating that they are somewhat inaccurate, and on my limited experience with them…I would agree! If you need a precise measurement of steps, such as when mapping out a race course or setting up a large-scale activity challenge or competition in your workplace, I’d think twice about relying on these devices. When a few steps matter, then these devices are probably not going to give you a high degree of confidence in your results. For example, as a hopeless “hand talker”, I’ve had more than a couple nights where after an animated (but sedentary) ½ hour conversation at dinner, my tracker buzzes that I have reached my 10,000 steps for the day. Hmmm…obviously my hands are racking up some steps!
It’s no diamond bracelet. My tracker is a plain, black band. Nothing fancy, and it sticks out like a sore thumb when paired with a little black dinner dress. But let’s face it – I don’t ever get to wear my little black dinner dress so…I’m ok with that. My Mom-clothes work just fine with it.
So if they aren’t completely accurate or elegant, what are the positives?
No toilet fishing. I have seen more than one pedometer take a fatal leap from my waistband right into the toilet over the years. (A pager or two have taken the same route.) This is not fun for me to fish out, and not fun to fork out the money to replace them. Even if my wristband chose a similar fate, it is waterproof and, I assume, could handle a good antiseptic scrub.
It’s a secret club. Almost everywhere I go, I see one on another wrist. Maybe not always the same brand, but it doesn’t matter if you’re in the club. It almost always opens a warm conversation. I’ve met fellow trackers of all ages, races and fitness level, just by holding up my wrist and saying “Hey, we match! How are you doing so far today?” I call them my Wristband Clubbers.
Helps me cheerlead. Directly related to the secret club concept, the wristbands mean I can immediately spot people who are trying to be/get/stay fit. As a doctor and mother, I know how hard it is to make change and keep with it over time. So any chance for me to pinpoint these folks in the throes of behavioral change – and support them – I will take. Even when I don’t have a clue who they are.
No paper. No logging steps or minutes of exercise in a journal. No forgetting to reset my device each day to track. It effortlessly tracks, then automatically connects by wi-fi to my phone app and desktop when I come near them to do the logging for me.
I know it’s not human…but I’ll still take the love and encouragement. Those supportive emails when I earn a “badge” for a great day of exercise are nice, because they we all can use a pat on the back.
So, despite some important accuracy glitches, I love my wristband tracker. I know that even better things are coming with wearable trackers and I can’t wait. In the meantime, track on Wristband Clubbers!
Ann Liebeskind is a pediatrician, internist and lipidologist in Wisconsin and owner of Mobile Health Team (under Coraggio, LLC), a medical practice blending traditional and telehealth to reach more patients wanting wellness. While she is not particularly good at learning new technologies, she really loves it and believes in the mHealth movement. Her views are her opinion only and not medical advice or endorsement. Please see your own healthcare provider before making your personalized medical treatment