Technology is great when it works but is the technology worth the money we pay and are there better options out there?
One of the newest and most crazed sports technology has to be the smart/sports watches. Sporty-looking and often quite bulky they stand out and make you look like the activity goer you are! Are they any good? In my opinion yes. So unlike normal watches they need charging and they are often not the sexiest of things to be accessorising with, however they remind us to stay active and this is one of the best things about them. I have found that the step counting is not incredibly accurate – especially when exercising, or the heart rate monitor, but they both serve as a constant reminder to get off your backside and do some walking/running and that is always a good thing!! Staying focused on exercise – this way it will more often than not help to promote a healthier lifestyle all round. Don’t rely on the Kcal and step counting for precision accuracy and instead use the watch as a reminder to add more steps to your day, each day! My own sports watch is pretty good for GPS runner tracking and pace-setting and the battery life can last about 3-4 days with general use. I find the HR monitor is accurate except when doing any exercise – when it would be most needed. The step counter is way off. This matches a lot of other reviews I have read. Obviously the accuracy varies from product to product…
If accuracy is what you are looking for then look more towards the heart rate monitor straps. Giving a far more accurate reading will allow your apps to calculate a closer to truth Kcal burned and allow for far more efficient heart rate zone training. They work well when using software/ apps which track your weekly activity levels/ output where you can push yourself against your friends 👌🏻
Latest apps allow for distance/ pace/ route tracking and are handy when on your phone. Creating a network of fitness fanatics allows you to go hard and see how you fare against others in your area whether that is with specific routes or just smaller segments. Some apps are definitely worth downloading (just be wary of forming patterns; running/ cycling at the same time of day everyday as it has been reported that some have had issues with people getting hold of all logged info and so they can find when you are out of the house etc.)
Another recent craze is the ab pads that show you will get a six pack if you sit, chill out and turn on your “stomach shocker”! Often adorned by ‘that footballer’ from the TV this has to achieve amazing results just like his. His abs have nothing to do with years of precisely planned meals and exercise routines (I think they do!) however if it is on the TV it must be true! In my own opinion I am not convinced! I personally have never seen any evidence to prove how these provide the results portrayed. Muscles contract under shock as opposed to the conscious side of our brain causing deliberate contractions/ movements. Time under tension and your mind-to-muscle connection is next to nothing while watching that final episode of your favourite reality TV show! Instead… go for a run and follow it up with some good old-fashioned, well-formed crunches!
In my opinion watches are good for reminding you to stay active. Heart rate straps appear to be more accurate but slightly less practical. As for ab pads, I would rather get up and do some real exercise!
If you agree/disagree get in touch and let me know your thoughts 👍🏻
Cheers
