Low on Motivation? These Editor-Tested Fitness Trackers Will Give You the Push You Need (2024)

FAQs

Do fitness trackers help with motivation? ›

Past studies have shown that users of wearable devices, ranging from smartwatches to wristbands, may make positive health changes in the short term, but motivation can quickly wane, with one-third of consumers no longer wearing them after six months.

Researchers who have studied the impact of wearables on behavior have indeed found a correlation between using them and increased movement.

Some researchers found that self-presentation in fitness apps stimulates users' interest in sports and motivates them to show their exercise and fitness achievements to compete with others, improve users' wellbeing (25). However, some scholars have pointed out its negative effects.

Enhanced motivation — Tracking your workouts offers tangible evidence of your progress and achievements. It serves as a powerful motivator, helping to instil a sense of confidence as you see your progress improve over the weeks.

Making exercise or physical activity more internally motivating might be a practical way of enhancing persistence to exercise. There are many intrinsic motivators to exercise, such as improved health, enhanced personal skill and ability, increased energy, and decreased stress.

When Do Fitness Trackers Become Problematic? “Tracking devices have the potential to reinforce negative behaviors by fostering obsessive tendencies, leading to anxiety and disordered eating patterns,” says Haley Perlus, a sports and performance psychologist.

Fitness trackers can be useful tools for monitoring health data and setting fitness goals. However, if taken to an extreme, they can also have negative side effects. Fitness tracker addiction can contribute to concerns like overtraining, anxiety, obsession, and more.

Getting you moving and keeping you moving

Their findings suggest activity trackers do improve physical activity, body composition and fitness, with approximately 1800 extra steps taken per day, 40 extra minutes of walking and a daily six-minute increase in moderate to vigorous physical activity (HIIT workout, anyone?).

Start slowly and gradually build back up to your previous level of activity. Ask your family and friends for support. Keep track of your progress. Make an exercise plan and don't forget to reward yourself when you reach your goals.

'Using the tracker to self-monitor activity levels can, for example, raise awareness of current activity levels in relation to physical activity guidelines, which may in turn motivate people to change their activity levels,' Dr Ridgers concludes.

What motivates people to be fit? ›

Exercise behavior is determined more by health and fitness motives and also by appearance/weight concerns than by participation in sport. In contrast, social engagement and enjoyment motives were found to be less associated with fitness training, but more motivating for sport participation (Cagas et al., 2015).

Using a fitness tracker can raise your awareness of your activity throughout the day. Some apps remind you to move, let you set personal fitness goals or suggest workouts tailored to you.

A fitness tracker lets you watch and record your heart rate, daily burned calories and step counts. Self-tracking allows you to stick to a healthier diet, exercise more and sleep better. Regular use of fitness tracker boosts your daily workouts and makes them achievable.

“Fitness trackers are a great tool for heart health,” says Johns Hopkins cardiologist Seth Martin, M.D., M.H.S. “Being more active and changing your habits is important, but it can be difficult. Tracking likely helps a lot of people when combined with a clear goal to shoot for.”

'Using the tracker to self-monitor activity levels can, for example, raise awareness of current activity levels in relation to physical activity guidelines, which may in turn motivate people to change their activity levels,' Dr Ridgers concludes.