Fabulous Fitness Trackers
Strong—and stylish—options
Look around the gym, the office or the mall, and you’ll notice that more people are wearing fitness trackers. They’re designed to help you get more activity throughout the day, challenging you to take the stairs instead of the elevator or burn enough calories to have that extra slice of pizza. “They motivate you to do more each day by tracking your steps, activities, calories and sleep,” said Lisa Cummins, a certified athletic trainer at the Georgia Regents Sports Medicine Center, who wears her fitness tracker daily.
There are many options, from Fitbit® trackers and Jawbone UP® wristbands to Shine™ sensors. Before spending your money on an activity tracker, consider the following.
Clip-on or Wristband?
The most common type of activity tracker is one that you wear on your wrist. You just put it on and go. Most of these trackers will record your steps and track your calorie intake with an app.
If watches and bracelets bother you, consider a clip-on model. These measure distance, steps, and more while staying snugly clipped to your pocket, belt or bra.
Trackers for Swimming
For the pool, invest in a waterproof tracker. Note that there is a difference between waterproof and water resistant. Trackers that are labeled “water resistant” are safe for wearing in the rain, but not for swimming.
Style and Substance
No matter how impressive the other features of the tracker seem to be, you won’t wear it if it isn’t comfortable and stylish. Pay attention to design, color and how it feels before you make your purchase. Also, if you use apps such as Runkeeper or MyFitnessPal, make sure to check that the tracker you choose is compatible.
Stay on Track
Our Sports Medicine Center offers sports-specific clinics to help you get fit and prevent injury. Make an appointment today by calling 706-721-PLAY (7529).
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