Doesn’t it seem like everywhere you look, from social media to the gym, people are raving about using fitness trackers for sleep and activity monitoring? In today’s fast-paced world, fitness trackers have become indispensable tools for many of us. As a Pilates instructor and someone passionate about health in general, I know how important it is to keep track of both our physical activity and sleep. In this blog post, we’ll explore how these devices work, the benefits of fitness trackers for sleep and activity, and a comparison of fitness trackers so you can pick the one that’s right for you!
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Fitness trackers are wearable devices designed to monitor various aspects of your health and activity levels. They come in various forms, including watches, rings, and clip-ons, with each type offering a unique set of features. Fitness trackers measure steps, heart rate, calories burned, and sometimes even more advanced metrics like VO2 max and stress levels. These devices are incredibly useful because they provide real-time feedback and insights into our daily habits, which helps us stay motivated and informed. I know I personally wear my Apple Watch every day to help ensure I’m getting in enough steps and to track the quality of my sleep. At this point, I’d be totally lost without my smartwatch!
One of the most intriguing features of fitness trackers is their ability to monitor sleep. Using built-in motion detectors, they track your movement and heart rate to estimate sleep stages. While the data isn’t 100% accurate, using a fitness tracker to monitor your sleep can give you valuable insight into your sleep patterns. For example, you’ll be able to see how much time you spent in different stages of sleep and how many times you woke up during the night. You’ll also be able to see if you’re getting enough sleep overall (seven to nine hours a night is optimal). Imagine waking up to a detailed report on your night’s rest, complete with deep sleep cycles and REM phases—that’s the magic of sleep tracking!
When it comes to choosing the best fitness tracker for sleep, there are several factors to consider. Look for features like heart rate variability, oxygen saturation monitoring, and comfort, especially if you plan to wear it overnight. Some top contenders in this category include the Fitbit Charge 6, Whoop 4.0, and the Oura Ring. (The New York Times named the Oura Ring and the Whoop 4.0 the best sleep trackers of 2024!) If you’re on a budget, don’t worry—there are plenty of affordable options that offer excellent sleep tracking capabilities. Additionally, many of these devices are waterproof, so you can wear them in the shower or during a swim.
If you’ve read this far, you know there are lots of benefits to using fitness trackers for sleep and activity. Fitness trackers offer valuable insights into your health, which can help you make informed decisions about your lifestyle. Better sleep quality, more physical activity, and improved management of health conditions are just a few of the advantages. That said, a fitness tracker is only as effective as your commitment to using it. In other words, all the data and metrics in the world won’t make a difference unless you actively apply them to enhance your health and wellness. Another consideration when choosing a fitness tracker is the price. While some models can be a bit pricey, they often come with extra features. Fortunately, there are also many affordable options that provide valuable insights without breaking the bank, making it easier for everyone to find a tracker that fits their budget.
Monitoring sleep isn’t the only purpose behind fitness trackers, of course. As the name implies, they’re also great for tracking physical activity. Fitness trackers provide a comprehensive look at your daily activity, including steps, calories burned, and active minutes. For example, they can detect the swinging motion of your arm and estimate your step count based on the length and frequency of your stride. They can also estimate the number of calories burned by analyzing your basal metabolic rate, activity level, and heart rate. Some even have digital rewards to keep you motivated, and they will remind you when it’s time to get moving. Those who love running, swimming, or cycling can get trackers with built-in GPS to track your distance and route. What’s more, most fitness trackers sync with various apps (like Apple Health, Google Fit, or Strava) to give you even more information and insight into your health.
Some fitness trackers, such as the Garmin Vivoactive, can record Pilates workouts as a specific activity. And for many of the ones that don’t, you can still add your Pilates sessions as a custom workout. Of the devices on our list, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the best fitness tracker for swimming, but the Fitbit Charge 6 and Garmin Vivoactive are also great choices. With its more advanced metrics, the COROS Pace 3 is an excellent choice for serious runners and cyclists.
Fitness trackers are great for helping you understand your sleep and activity habits, but it’s important to keep in mind that they have their limits. Think of them as tools for spotting trends and making tweaks to your lifestyle, rather than as the final word on your health.
While fitness trackers offer valuable insights, they cannot replace the detailed analysis provided by medical sleep studies. If you’re looking for a deep dive into your sleep patterns, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional or even consider a sleep study.
The best place to wear a fitness tracker depends on the type of device. Wrist trackers should be worn on your non-dominant wrist. (So if you’re right-handed, wear your smartwatch on your left wrist, and vice versa.) It should fit snugly but comfortably to avoid interference with sensors. If you have a smart ring, wearing it on your index, middle, or ring finger will give the best readings.
Yes, there are many budget-friendly options that offer reliable sleep tracking features. Granted, they don’t have all the bells and whistles of the more expensive trackers, but they offer a good balance between cost and functionality, making them excellent choices for tracking sleep without breaking the bank.
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The Fitbit Inspire 3 is an affordable and feature-rich fitness tracker with a bright AMOLED color display. It offers excellent battery life, lasting up to 10 days on a single charge. The device tracks steps, heart rate, sleep, and various activities, making it ideal for those new to fitness tracking or seeking a simple, lightweight option. While it lacks built-in GPS, the Inspire 3 provides good value for its price point and serves as a solid entry-level fitness tracker.
The RLQA Sleep and Activity Tracker is a budget-friendly option that offers basic fitness tracking features such as step counting, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking. It provides smartphone notifications and has built-in GPS for mapping your outdoor activities. While it may not have the advanced features of more expensive trackers, it can be a good starting point for those new to fitness tracking.
The Fitpolo Fitness Tracker is another affordable option that includes heart rate monitoring, step tracking, and sleep analysis. It offers a color display and basic smartwatch features like call and message notifications. Additionally, it has GPS connectivity and it’s waterproof. This tracker is suitable for users looking for essential fitness tracking capabilities without a significant investment.
The Fitbit Charge 6 is a more advanced fitness tracker compared to the Inspire 3, featuring built-in GPS and additional sensors like ECG and stress tracking. It offers a larger display and more comprehensive health monitoring capabilities. The Charge 6 is suitable for users who want more detailed fitness data and smartwatch-like features without the bulk of a full smartwatch.
The Garmin Vivoactive series combines fitness tracking with smartwatch features, offering built-in GPS, multiple sport modes, and smartphone notifications. It typically provides longer battery life than most smartwatches and includes Garmin’s advanced fitness and health tracking features. The Vivoactive is a good choice for active individuals who want a balance between sports tracking and smart features.
The Apple Watch SE is a more affordable alternative to the Series 9, offering many of the same fitness tracking features in a slightly less advanced package. It lacks some high-end health sensors but still provides excellent activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and smartwatch functionality. The SE is a good option for iPhone users who want Apple Watch features at a lower price point.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is a premium smartwatch with advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities. It offers features like GPS, ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and a wide range of workout types. The Series 9 is ideal for iPhone users who want a comprehensive smartwatch with top-tier health and fitness features. (I still use my Apple Watch Series 4 and love it!)
The Whoop 4.0 is a unique, screenless fitness tracker that focuses on recovery and strain metrics. While it does not offer GPS, it provides detailed sleep analysis, workout intensity measurements, and personalized recommendations for training and recovery. The Whoop is subscription-based and is popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want deep insights into their body’s performance and recovery needs.
The COROS Pace 3 is a multisport GPS watch designed for serious athletes, particularly runners and triathletes. It offers advanced training metrics, long battery life, and durability. The Pace 3 is known for its accurate GPS tracking and comprehensive performance analysis tools, making it ideal for endurance athletes seeking detailed data on their training and races.
The RingConn Smart Ring is a discreet wearable that tracks various health metrics in a compact, ring-sized form factor. It monitors sleep, activity, and heart rate. Smart rings like the RingConn are ideal for users who prefer a less obtrusive fitness tracker that can be worn continuously without interfering with daily activities or other wrist-worn accessories. RingConn is not subscription-based.
The Oura Ring is a premium smart ring that focuses on sleep tracking and overall wellness monitoring. It tracks sleep stages, body temperature, and activity levels, providing detailed insights and a readiness score. The Oura Ring is popular among those who prioritize sleep quality and want a sophisticated, unobtrusive wearable for continuous health monitoring.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with fitness trackers—feel free to share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
Your Friend & Pilates Expert,
Kayla Brugger
Founder of PILATESBODY by Kayla
Founder of PILATESBODY On-Demand
Hi, I'm Kayla Brugger. Certified Pilates Instructor & Minnesota Mama of 2.
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