Healthcare Technology Featured Article

November 01, 2016

Fit or Fad: The Secret Behind Fitness Trackers


The word ‘fitness’ has the suffix ‘ness’ added to fit; so fitness trackers, therefore, must essentially concentrate on getting their wearers ‘fit.’ However, recent studies have proved that these ‘fitness trackers’ do more harm than good. In this gadget oriented world, we are tempted to pick up those cute activity trackers before joining the ever important weight loss programs. In a research study conducted over the course of two years, 400 obese adults were given a diet sheet. Half of them were handed fitness trackers, which claimed to maintain their activity stats. At the end of the research it was found that those who did not own fitness trackers lost more weight than those who did. Shocking, yes, but it proves that there’s a lot more to losing weight than just buying a fitness tracker.

Food for Thought

While exercising without the help of a tracker, we are unaware of the loss in calories. However, fitness trackers provide us with live updates of how much calories we burned, with the result of us falling into the trap of thinking that a plate of fries would be alright after a workout. This results in losing a part of the effort of burning fat, so it essentially negates what we are after: the goal of a healthy body.

A Co-Dependent Relationship

Although we may rely on our gadgets for everything, when it comes to fitness trackers, scientists agree that staying away is beneficial. Fitness trackers instill a sense of co-dependency in your daily exercise routine. While it may help you achieve a goal, it does not help you at all if you forget it at home or lose it. With the loss of fitness trackers, some people lose the will to walk, which results in abandoning your health routine.

Simply Walking? Not Good Enough

Fitness trackers are based heavily on the number of steps you have taken. Health experts warn that walking alone will not provide ample exercise for your body. Just like our fingerprints, our bodies are different, and each one needs their customized form of exercise. Old people and young children benefit from walking, sure, but a budding athlete does not. While it is definitely encouraging people to walk more, it fails to encourage them to do something else.

The Weight Loss Factor

Weight loss is not a simple thing. Exercising alone won’t help decrease the weight. There is an eating component that is often overlooked by wearers of such devices. A device that measures your pulse rate won’t tell you what to eat and what to avoid, so that entirely depends on the consumer alone. Paired with the fact that obesity-stricken individuals need special diets and immense self-control, and fitness trackers fall really short in helping them maintain their diets.

It’s Not All Bad

To say that fitness trackers don’t help would be wrong, because they absolutely do. They encourage people to work out and monitor their health, which in itself is wonderfully motivating and clever. While it may not be a complete success and cannot replace the gym or the personal trainer, it certainly is a step towards making the planet a healthier and a health-conscious place.

About the Author

Dylan Moran holds Bachelor degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication from GGSIPU University. He has managed Web content as a content writer and coordinator and has extensive experience in community management, social media consultancy, child safety and crisis management.




Edited by Alicia Young
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Dylan Moran, Content Writer ,




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