Drawbacks or Disadvantages of Fitness Trackers ➨ Some devices do not provide results with the desired accuracy. There are possibilities for errors, injuries and inaccurate dietary information. Calories are a hot topic related to fitness trackers that can't be ignored. For some people, having access to that number at all times can be a motivation or even more information.
For others, however, it could be a challenge. There is a risk that knowing what your body burns on a daily basis could lead to an unhealthy relationship with calories, especially since we know that this information is not entirely accurate. It's so easy to get obsessed with performance. Your fitness tracker won't help, but it will even make it worse.
Once you see numerical data, you can become obsessed with it. Trying to improve your performance is not a problem. However, losing the joy of exercising is. So keep this risk in mind and don't get too obsessed with numbers.
Many people are very attached to their wearable fitness tracker. It has been proven in research that they are effective tools to encourage physical activity, which can fuel an addiction. However, these devices are not for everyone. For many people, the large amount of data that is produced leaves room to analyze and think too much, which can negatively affect mental health and end up being more harmful than useful.
For those with a history of eating disorders or excessive exercise, it is best to stay away from these devices, as a lot of this data and the pushing of your device can be very triggering. Although these trackers can be useful, they are not essential to achieving good health and fitness. Unfortunately, there is also a downside to using a fitness tracker. Some study participants suggested that the positive aspects came at a cost.
For example, many reported that if they forgot to use the device, they were less inclined to exercise, mainly because they would not receive any “credit” for their efforts. Worse, some described feeling controlled or pressured by the device, or guilty if they didn't achieve their goals. And, taking motivation to a new extreme, some revealed that they developed an obsession with their statistics to the point that they became alien to their environment (which can be dangerous, especially outdoors). For many people, exercising blindly without any way to track your progress can be frustrating.
It can be hard to find the motivation to get going when you have no way of knowing if your efforts are working. Wearing a fitness tracker allows you to see your progress in real time and make adjustments. If you keep track of 5000 steps a day, you can set the goal of gradually increasing to the recommended 10,000 steps per day. It can be motivating to see your numbers improve, making it easier to stick to your routine.
A randomized trial in the Journal of American Medicine found that people who didn't use a fitness tracker actually lost about 8 pounds more on average compared to their counterparts who used devices. Fitness trackers in general are a great way to monitor your health and wellness behaviors on a daily basis. However, if you have a tendency to obsess over small details or don't need the extensive data that a fitness tracker provides, another option might be better to track your progress. Many fitness trackers come with built-in reminders for this exact reason, helping you remember to get up and move during the day.
This reason, among many others, prevents physical activity trackers from also being completely accurate about the number of calories burned in a day. A recent study showed that most participants reported using their fitness trackers constantly (with the exception of the time needed to recharge the battery). Speaking of research, there is a growing clinical interest in testing the reliability and validity of wearable fitness devices, which can be a challenge when it comes to any type of technology. In short, there's no doubt that a fitness tracker can provide valuable motivation if you need a push or are working toward a specific goal.
Portable fitness trackers estimate calories burned based on your BMR and your daily detected activity. But are fitness trackers really a good thing for you in the long run? Keep reading to discover the pros and cons of one of the latest fitness trends. Wearable fitness devices aren't right for everyone, nor are they necessary to meet your fitness goals. Surveys have shown that about 1/3 of people who buy fitness trackers stop using their devices after six months.
When used correctly, a fitness tracker can be a useful tool that offers detailed information about your body's activity level and other aspects of your health. For those who are not used to using fitness trackers, they can help them start walking a few extra steps a day or sleep a few more hours. . .
