Bulldog Weight Loss The Benefits of Canine Fitness Trackers
Activity trackers: Can they really help you get fit?
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Lately, I've been checking the number of steps I take each day. It's not hard to do. My phone tracks it without me even asking it to. It also tracks the number of flights of stairs I've climbed and the number of miles I covered. And there are other options: I could track how often I stand up, how many calories I've burned by being active, and how many minutes I've engaged in brisk activity.
Even my employer has gotten into the act. As is common in many workplaces, one of our hospital's wellness programs has organized "walking clubs" with teams comparing and competing with each other based on the number of steps team members take each week. Some companies offer prizes, financial incentives, or reductions in health insurance premiums if an employee participates in such a program.
Why all this monitoring?
Technology we carry around with us our phones, watches, or other gadgets allows enormous amounts of data to be collected about us every day. It's important to keep in mind that there is a purpose to all of this. The point of activity trackers is to become more aware of how much (or how little) activity we're doing so that we can make positive changes. Since the health benefits of physical activity and the health risks of being sedentary are well established, increasing activity is a health priority (or should be) for millions of people. Activity trackers are the first, um, step (sorry, couldn't resist).
Do activity trackers really improve health?
My guess is that most people take for granted that activity trackers are helpful in promoting more physical activity, but that's based mostly on assumption. That's why researchers at Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School designed a study to compare full-time employees who used activity trackers with those who did not. Each of the 800 employees enrolled in the study paid the equivalent of $7 to enroll and then were randomly assigned to one of four groups for one year:
- use of a Fitbit Zip, a popular clip-on activity tracker (with payment of $3/week to continue in the study regardless of the number of steps taken)
- a Fitbit plus a cash incentive ($11 for taking 50,000 to 70,000 steps each week, or $22 for more than 70,000 steps/week)
- a Fitbit plus a payment to a charity (which was larger with increased activity)
- a control group that did not use an activity tracker; this group also received the $3/week for participation regardless of activity levels.
Researchers monitored more than just the number of steps taken. Study participants also had monitoring of more vigorous exercise and physical activity, weight, blood pressure, fitness levels, and they were asked about quality of life as well.
So, what did they find?
First, the good news
The group receiving the cash incentive increased their daily steps compared to the start of the study. This group was more active than the control group at six months, and 88% of them were still using their Fitbits (compared with about 60% of the Fitbit only and charity incentive groups).
Say it isn't so!
When incentives stopped, only one in 10 study subjects continued to use the Fitbit. And after a year, with incentives stopped, activity levels fell in the groups receiving an incentive compared to when they started. This is disappointing indeed, especially considering that the participants in this study were probably more motivated than most to focus on their activity levels. They went to the effort and expense of enrolling in the study and agreed to put up with all the monitoring. In addition, most people in the real world probably have no direct financial incentives to maintain a certain level of activity each week.
This study follows another one from the University of Pittsburgh that found less weight loss among young adults who used fitness trackers compared to those who didn't.
What's next?
As technology evolves and research provides more information about what works (and what doesn't), I think we'll see a new generation of devices that are more customized to individual needs and medical conditions. For example, a person with diabetes might monitor physical activity to provide information about how to coordinate insulin injections and meals.
In addition, activity trackers can do more than simply spit out information about how active you've been. A good example comes from another recent study in which activity trackers were incorporated into a competitive game, complete with signed commitments to specific activity goals, an elaborate point system, and reliance on team cooperation and rewards. The study found that those using game-based activity trackers were more active and achieved activity goals more often than those using activity trackers without the game. The study lasted only 12 weeks and improvements waned somewhat after it ended, so the long-term impact of such a program is uncertain.
Physical activity trackers have quickly become a multimillion-dollar product category. I don't see them going away any time soon. But, to actually get people moving and have a positive impact on health, we'll probably need to use them in more innovative ways. And if they claim to improve your health, we'll need high-quality research to back that up.
Wearable fitness trackers may aid weight-loss efforts
News briefs
If youre starting a weight-loss plan, consider wearing a fitness tracker like a smartwatch or bracelet that tracks steps, speed, and calories burned, and allows you to set goals, program reminders, and monitor your progress. A review published online March 17, 2021, by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found the devices helped overweight or obese people with chronic conditions (such as heart disease or diabetes) reduce body weight and lower their body mass index (BMI). Researchers pooled data from 31 studies, involving more than 2,200 people. Studies required participants to wear a fitness tracker (many types were included) and set and meet weekly goals based on daily steps or minutes walked. Exercise programs that lasted at least 12 weeks were most effective. People who wore research-grade fitness trackers (not available to the general public) lost the most weight (10 pounds), compared with people who did not use fitness trackers. People who wore commercially available fitness trackers (Like Fitbit or Jawbone) lost an average of 6 pounds and two BMI points. Researchers say wearing a fitness tracker is a constant reminder to pursue health-related goals and be active.
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Weight Loss Trackers
The New Year is a perfect opportunity to assess where we are in life and to determine what goals wed like to achieve in the coming twelve months goals that will make us happy, healthy, and prosperous.
While we have many, many free printables to help you get organized (printable planners, free printable calendars, or to-do lists, anyone?) and even printables to help you get your finances in order (we have monthly budget planners, savings trackers, and debt trackers, just to name a few!) wed also like to offer free printables for a very popular goal on everyones list when a new year begins: weight loss and health.
We know there are many reasons for wanting to shed a few pounds. For some people, the indulgence of the Christmas season can make them feel sluggish, and starting a new exercise and healthy eating regimen is just what is needed to initiate a good start to the year. For others, it may be health-related issues that require losing weight in order to relieve many painful symptoms. There truly are countless reasons why a person would be motivated to lose weight, but regardless of your reason for wanting to become a more fit person one thing is certain: even small improvements in your health and weight will reap many positive benefits!
Below, we have 29 free printable weight loss trackers (over a third of them include daily, weekly, and monthly versions for whatever interval you want to track) to help you on your weight loss journey. If you prefer to see a visual of your progress by coloring in mini goals or increments, or you like charts or calendars to track your momentum, or even if you want to make a game out of it or have some kind of reward for all your effort, weve got the weight loss tracker template for you! With so many layouts and designs were sure youll find one you love and that is just right for motivating you to start and to keep going!
Printing these weight-loss trackers is pretty straightforward: simply click on the image of the tracker youd like to use, download the PDF file to your computer, and print!
Thats the easy part now that hard work begins! But we know you will stick to it and youll be seeing great results by years end!
Weight Loss Trackers
The colored background of the 10 images in this section is just to illustrate what is available in each PDF download. For these trackers, there is a daily, weekly, and monthly printable for each of the 10 designs.
Colorable Weight Loss Trackers
Rewards-Based Weight Loss Trackers
Weight Loss Calendars
Weight Loss Gamified
The Best Fitness Trackers For Heart Rate, Sleep Quality, and More
We receive free products and receive commissions through our links. See
disclosures page.
Professional athletes, avid gymgoers, and probably even your grandmother are using fitness trackers: These wrist-worn pieces of tech track different health metrics to optimize performance and even general wellness. Fitness wearables are so popular that the entire industry was estimated to be worth $12.4 billion in 2022. (1)
These devices can track steps, heart rate, sleep quality, and/orheart rate variability. Some can receive calls, send texts, and stream music. That said, not all fitness trackers are made equal. Some are designed with workouts in mind, while others are a bit more practical. Below, we walk you through our list of the best fitness trackers on the market today.
Best Fitness Trackers
Editors note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. None of these fitness trackers are meant to diagnose or monitor any disease or condition. If you have or feel as though you may have any condition such as a heart problem please seek out a medical professional.
Best Fitness Tracker Overall
The best fitness tracker is the one that offers up not just a slew of complete data, but in a digestible way that lets the user understand their metrics. This one even has an app and behavior journal to track all aspects of wellness.
WHOOP Strap 3.0
WHOOP grades how strenuous your workout was, your workout preparedness, and your sleep quality. Theres also the new WHOOP Live, which allows the user to embed their real-time workout metrics onto videos and to share and save. With this tracker, you can chart just about all areas of wellness like sleep, stress, and even caffeine intake making this much more than simply a workout tracker.
WHOOP Strap 3.0
The WHOOP Strap 3.0 is the perfect tracker for the active individual that loves analyzing daily performance and recovery metrics. Use code "BarBend" at checkout to save $30.00!
As a bonus: WHOOP offers five-day battery life and the option to build teams and compete with other members of the WHOOP community. Whats not to like? Well, the $30 per month membership fee can add up, which some people may not like. If you prefer to pay the membership fee yearly or biennially then the price can be as low as about $16 per month.
Who Should Buy WHOOP Strap 3.0
- Extremely active people who want access to in-depth health metrics.
- People who may need a reminder to take it easy (or to turn it up a notch).
- Restless sleepers who may benefit from WHOOPs sleep coaching.
Who Shouldnt Buy WHOOPStrap 3.0
- Folks who dont want to pay a monthly membership fee.
- People who want more than fitness metrics from their tracker.
WHOOP is a step forward in the fitness tracker industry and is reflective of the shift from simply working out to thinking of a more all-encompassing view of wellness. If you want to track many areas of your lifestyle habits then this is the wearable for you.
Best Fitbit Fitness Tracker
One of the OGs of fitness trackers, Fitbit is known for producing an array of quality, useful products. Their best tracker is also one of their most utilitarian with more features than ever before.
Fitbit Charge 4
The Charge 4 has a bit of something for everybody. This tracker can lead you through guided breathing sessions, set real-time paces and map your runs, track your sleep, and, for women, track menstrual cycles. It also has more general features, such as the ability to download apps, make payments, and stream music.
Best Fitbit Fitness Tracker
Fitbit Charge 4
The Fitbit Charge 4 is great for those who want in-depth fitness and workout metrics. It offers sleep tracking, running routes and pacing, guided breathing sessions, and the ability to stream music.
The utility that this device provides is far above and beyond that of a simple step or workout tracker and more akin to a full-fledged smartwatch at a fraction of the price of major competitors. It also looks sleek and doesnt read like a fitness tracker at first glance, so you can wear it just as comfortably at the gym as at an upscale function.
Who Should Buy Fitbit Charge 4
- Fitness fanatics who want sleep and other metrics, but also with more in-depth cardio and running functions.
- People who also want breathing and stress management guidance from their tracker.
- Those who want a fitness tracker with smartwatch-like functionality will appreciate the features in this device.
Who Shouldnt Buy Fitbit Charge 4
- People who dont necessarily need or want in-depth running metrics.
- Athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want more of a pure fitness tracker.
Fitbit has outdone themselves yet again with the Charge 4. The amount of features that have been put in this device while still keeping the cost affordable is sure to make this a shoo-in for your favorite fitness tracker out there.
Best Fitness Tracker for Any Workout
Whether you want to trybodybuilding, increase your one-rep max, or just count your macros and lose a little weight you want a wearable that can track all of your efforts.
Garmin Vivoactive 3
What makes Garmins smartwatch stand out is that it comes with 15 pre-downloaded sports apps, so you can track the pacing, distance, and location of your activity of choice. You can also track your Vo2 max, stress levels, and calorie burn.
Best Fitness Tracker for Any Workout
Garmin Vivoactive 3
This tracker comes with over a dozen different activities programmed into it, and you can even upload your own custom workouts.
This tracker also comes with the standard accouterments of a smartwatch apps, contactless pay, customizable watch faces, and its waterproof for swimming. The downsides are the battery life is less than other models 13 hours when using the GPS and you cant stream music.
Who Should Buy Garmin Vivoactive 3
- People who like to stay active through multiple sports.
- Those want the options to access apps and pay through their watch.
Who Shouldnt Buy Garmin Vivoactive 3
- People who want to stream music on their fitness tracker.
- Folka who want longer battery life.
Whether youre trying to track bodybuilding workouts, map your runs, or chart your daily steps the Garmin Vivoactive 3 is a solid choice with over a dozen pre-downloaded sports apps. It can also track key metrics like stress levels, calories, and VO2 max making it ideal for athletes.
Best Smartwatch Fitness Tracker
Smartwatches, generally, offer far more functionality compared to a general fitness tracker. Sometimes, this can be at the cost of worthwhile fitness information, but we found a well-rounded smartwatch worth your money.
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple revolutionized the computer, the phone, and now the smartwatch. The health functions alone are tremendous. The sleek Apple Watch Series 6 can take an ECG (electrocardiogram), measure your blood oxygen levels, help you establish a better bedtime routine, and track basic workout metrics.
Best Smartwatch Fitness Tracker
Apple Watch Series 6
Advanced health metrics such as ECGs and blood oxygen level paired with the usual Apple apps (maps, Apple Pay, and Siri), make this smartwatch one of the most complete devices on the market.
With those functions also come the typical array of Apple apps maps, texts, Siri, and Apple Pay. Of course, all of this comes at a hefty cost of $500. It is also designed and optimized to work with Apple products like iPhones, so if youre an Android user, you may not have the best possible experience with this device.
Who Should Buy Apple Watch Series 6
- People who want new health features such as access to an ECG or their blood oxygen levels.
- Apple fans who are familiar and happy with the brands current host of essential apps (maps, Apple Pay, text, Siri).
- Folks who want a stylish watch.
Who Shouldnt Buy Apple Watch Series 6
- Penny pinchers, as this watch is $500.
- People who want more robust workout-specific applications and metrics such as recovery and HRV.
- Anyone who doesnt use iPhones for their smartphones.
If youre an iPhone user and looking for a fitness tracker, you cant go wrong with an Apple Watch. The digital infrastructure that Apple has developed to support wellness tracking for their watch is vast with a workout on-demand streaming service, tracking for tons of variables, and intuitive use.
Best Budget Fitness Tracker
A good fitness tracker doesnt need to be an expensive one. Hone in on your needs, and look for a device that meets them it wont be the fanciest piece of tech, but it gets the job done.
Fitbit Charge 3
For just a little more than $100, the Charge 3 tracks your calories burned, resting heart rate, and has a battery life of seven days. Its waterproof, and you can receive calls, texts, and weather updates on it (though the screen is narrow and small).
Best Budget Fitness Tracker
Fitbit Charge 3
For the money, you won't do much better than the Charge 3. This device tracks the essentials calories burned, your resting heart rate, and it can hold a charge for seven days.
While this is a great device for the money, you will miss out on in-depth metrics, and actionable advice (which Apple and WHOOP both provide). Also, this tracker is pretty cheap compared to the others making it a great choice if youre looking to dip your toes in the fitness tracker water without too much commitment.
Who Should Buy Fitbit Charge 3
- People on a budget.
- Those who require very basic fitness and health info.
- Anyone looking for a waterproof fitness tracker will find it here.
Who Shouldnt Buy Fitbit Charge 3
- Folks who want more apps and metrics from their fitness tracker.
- People who care to own a more aesthetically pleasing watch.
- People who want to text and make calls on the device.
If youre unsure whether youre going to be a fan of using a fitness tracker or have the ability to stay diligent with charging and wearing it, then this cost-effective model is likely the right choice. It allows you to test the waters without shelling out a mountain of cash only to find that its not for you. The Charge 3 is a solid tracker in its own right too for those on a budget.
Benefits of Fitness Trackers
There are many potential benefits of fitness trackers, but those are dependent on what youre using them for. Many people use fitness trackers for simple tracking tasks like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and more. Others prefer more detailed tasks, which higher-end trackers can perform like route tracking for runs, workout tracking, and even acting as an extension of your smartphone. Fitness trackers can be useful in ensuring you achieve your step goals each day and maintain your target heart rate when working out.
How We Chose the Best Fitness Trackers
Fitness bands are inherently personal devices. They can track individual movements, measure calories burned, record heart rates, and monitor sleep patterns. Theyre also worn around ones wrist all day, every day. As a result, you want a device that looks as good as it performs, and that can keep up with your activity level. Heres what we considered when cultivating the picks above.
Style
Fitness trackers sit on your wrist 24/7. Theyre no longer novelty items worn by the wealthy or fitness-crazed. Like a traditional watch, these bands are a statement piece that will be seen by the people you meet for dates, for job interviews, and fellow gymgoers who watch you rep out pull-ups. For that reason alone, the style and design of each fitness tracker may be one of the key determining factors for many users.
The devices themselves typically have a small face and a standard band. The faces of these devices can have different visual screen options, but the main aspect of the tracker that will stand out is the band. The more prominent brands have loads of options, from leather to woven and even metal bands. This is where customers can find a way to make their fitness bands match their aesthetic.
App compatibility
The functionality of these fitness trackers is mostly determined by the different applications that they are compatible with. Some manufacturers also design proprietary apps that track, graph, and map fitness data such as step counts, calories burned over time, and routes of favorite running paths. In other words, apps enhance your fitness tracker experience.
Other apps include streamed workouts, such as Apples new Fitness+, and communities, like the one offered by WHOOP, where users can challenge and motivate friends while trying to climb to the top of individual leaderboards. There are also fitness trackers that arent beholden to one app and can be synced to several different options. If you already have favorite fitness or sleep tracking apps, make sure they are compatible with any potential purchase.
Cost
Depending on the brand, fitness trackers can cost anywhere from around $100 up to half a grand. Those who want the basics can safely opt for the more affordable options, as these have functionality that should satisfy most users. The more expensive devices possess extra features such as more robust metrics, an extensive selection of apps, and the ability to text, call, and make contactless payments.
Durability
To indeed be considered a dependable fitness tracker, the device will need to withstand everyday use. If it fails to do so, it will be losing critical data that the athlete (casual or professional) may help track specific fitness goals.
You want a tracker that is waterproof or, at the very least, water-resistant. This way, you can use it while swimming or running in the rain. And if you forget to remove your tracker before taking a shower, its not an issue. Another critical aspect of durability is the devices battery life. You dont want to charge your tracker every day, as you may forget and then neglect your device overall.
How Much Do Fitness Trackers Cost?
Fitness trackers have a reputation for being either extremely cheap and breaking easily or exorbitantly expensive preventing many people from considering them. Theyve come a long way, and you can now purchase very high-quality and reliable devices for rather affordable prices, though more comprehensive trackers still cost more.
| Best Fitness Tracker Overall | WHOOP Strap 3.0 | $30.00 for the device with required membership starting at $15.93 per month |
| Best Fitbit Fitness Tracker | Fitbit Charge 4 | $149.95 |
| Best Fitness Tracker for Any Workout | Garmin Vivoactive 3 | $249.99 |
| Best Smartwatch Fitness Tracker | Apple Watch Series 6 | Starting at $359.99 |
| Best Budget Fitness Tracker | Fitbit Charge 3 | $139.99 |
You can pick up fitness trackers for pretty cheap, but some of the more inexpensive ones may require a monthly subscription so theyre cheaper up front but end up costing more over time. You can pick up a fitness tracker for as little as about $30 with subscriptions costing anywhere from $15 to $30 per month. On the higher end, prices can go up to around $250 or even $360 for more intricate and multi-faceted ones.
What to Consider Before Buying Fitness Trackers
Not sure which fitness tracker is right for you? Here are some questions to ask yourself that may help guide your purchase.
What type of exercise do you do?
If you are a swimmer, then obviously, there needs to be some level of water resistance to your fitness tracker this also applies to those who run, rain or shine, and forgetful folks who may take a shower with their band on.
Or, if youre a lifter who is constantly grinding through tough training splits,make sure the fitness tracker and the corresponding app can track that specific type of exercise. Certain activities like golf and weightlifting are noticeably absent from some fitness trackers capabilities though that is changing.
Which metrics are most important to you?
Some customers may be shopping for a fitness tracker to monitor their heart rate while working out. Others may want an in-depth review of their sleep patterns, workout performance, and recovery ability. But remember, the more data analyzing tools and social compatibility desired, the more expensive the fitness tracker will be.
Are you comfortable with watches?
Youre going to be wearing this device a lot, like probably all of the time. That said, you need to assess if youre more comfortable with a smartwatch, which is generally a bit snugger, or a fitness tracker, which have softer, silicone bands. Its a small detail, but one that will determine how often you use your tracker.
Final Word
These trackers have evolved over time from what was once an expensive and obscure novelty item to commonplace. Theyre now as common in the gym as they are in professional settings as fitness culture has become more pervasive. The market has become much more competitive and trackers are now rather affordable for nearly anyone who wants to add them to their wellness routine.
Fitness trackers are a great way to potentially keep yourself on track with steps, sleep, and more with built-in sensors. Not only can you track the simple things but more complex data like heart rate and some can access the GPS data of the device its connected to for run mapping. Certain devices have the ability to download apps, stream music, and more capabilities that are more akin to full-fledged smartwatches.
FAQs
What is the best fitness tracker?
With so many options in a flooded market, it can be difficult to discern the right tracker for you, which is why we wrote this list. Our favorite fitness tracker at the moment is the WHOOP Strap 3.0. The upfront cost is very low at around $30, though there is a monthly subscription fee. It can track a ton of important metrics including the usual suspects, like heart rate and steps, as well as others like stress, caffeine intake, and sleep.
How much do fitness trackers cost?
Fitness trackers can range rather widely in price depending largely on the peripheral features that they have. Some of the more cost-effective ones can be as little as $30 while the more expensive ones can cost upwards of about $250 or $360. We should mention that some of the very inexpensive trackers may require a monthly or yearly subscription fee to realize their full potential usefulness.
Should I wear my fitness tracker all the time?
For the most accurate results, youll want to wear your tracker as much as you possibly can. Unless youre going into the water with one that isnt waterproof or otherwise engaging in an activity that would make wearing it uncomfortable you may want to keep the tracker on all the time if possible.
