Sufficient exercise is important for our health. For example, consider walking. A useful tool for this is an activity tracker.
Activity tracker literally means activity tracker. It’s a device that tracks your exercise and health progress for you. This makes it easier to achieve a health goal, such as taking 10,000 steps a day. There are different types of activity trackers, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Pedometer
A pedometer is a simple device that is only aimed at keeping track of your steps and works independently without a smartphone.
Advantages: You already have one for 15 euros. No contact with your smartphone necessary. Small and easy to carry.
Cons: Not very accurate. You cannot measure other functions, such as your heart rate. You cannot track your progress in the long run.
Smartphone app
There are a lot of different apps that allow you to track your steps and measure and record other bodily functions as well. For example, the quality of your sleep. The built-in instruments in your smartphone, such as the GPS, are used for measuring. Well-known activity tracker apps are Google Fit and Strava.
Advantages: Cheap (free up to a few tens per year). No separate activity tracker or smartwatch needed. Also the other possibilities of your smartphone at hand, such as receiving messages and listening to music.
Cons: Works less precisely than special equipment such as a smartwatch or activity tracker. You should always carry your smartphone with you.
activity tracker
An activity tracker is a device that is specially aimed at keeping track of all kinds of physical activities, such as counting steps and measuring heart rate.
Advantages: Can measure different activities. Measure precisely. Lighter than a smartwatch. Cheaper than a smartwatch.
Cons: Can do a lot less outside of sporting activities than a smartwatch.
Smartwatch or sports watch
A smartwatch or sports watch is suitable for keeping track of all kinds of physical activities, but also has all kinds of other functions. Sportwatches look a lot like smartwatches, but are better suited for sports, among other things, because of the material of the wristband. They can often measure less than a smartwatch outside of sportsmanship and health. More about smartwatches >>
Advantages: Can measure all kinds of activities but also has extra functions, such as playing music and receiving messages. Measure precisely.
Cons: Heavier than an activity tracker and the most expensive option.
Collaborate with a smartphone
Activity trackers and smartwatches can track and store data themselves. But a smartphone is often needed for setup and for more extensive processing of the data with an app. You can then track your progress, set goals and possibly also store your data on the internet in the cloud with the app. Every brand of activity tracker and smartwatch has its own free app for this.
Usually the built-in Bluetooth connection is used to exchange the data, but some devices also have WiFi. In any case, you do not have to make contact with the internet for this and therefore do not use your data bundle.
It is best to use WiFi at home to process and store the measured data in an account on the internet. After all, that’s free.
Connection on the go
Also, no internet is required for a connection with the activity tracker or smartwatch on the go. Bluetooth is sufficient for that. This is different if you want to be able to receive messages, such as text messages, or if you want to listen to music from the internet. Your data bundle is required for this.
If you want to avoid internet use on the road but still want musical accompaniment, buy a smartwatch on which you can store music, so that you no longer need an internet connection. You can also leave your smartphone behind on your sporty journey if you wish. Then buy a smartwatch or activity tracker with built-in GPS, accelerometer and heart rate monitor.
