Get Your Fitness on Track: Summa Health answers your top questions about fitness trackers
Posted October 08, 2025
Fitness trackers can come in handy this time of year, as many people are looking to achieve New Year’s resolutions. But you may be wondering: How effective are they? How accurate is the data? Do they actually encourage more movement?
Summa Health answers these questions and explores how to maximize the benefits of wearable fitness trackers to improve your health. After all, the more you move, the better your chances of living a longer, healthier life.
How do fitness trackers work?
Fitness trackers are compact wearable devices typically designed to be worn on the wrist. They use various sensors and algorithms to monitor and record a variety of physical activities and health metrics.
These devices detect motion and orientation to count steps, log workouts, and measure distance, pace, and duration. They also monitor heart rate and workout intensity by detecting increases in blood flow through light-based technology. Some trackers even measure body temperature and blood oxygen levels.
The tracker’s software integrates all the data it collects on motion, heart rate, activity type and duration, along with your age, weight, height and gender, to estimate energy expended and calories burned.
In addition, many can even track sleep patterns by monitoring movement throughout the night to distinguish between stillness and restlessness. Quality sleep is essential for overall health, particularly heart health. Studies have shown that insufficient sleep can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, getting enough restorative sleep each night can help regulate blood pressure, reduce stress, and promote heart health.
Syncing with a smartphone or tablet provides users with more detailed analysis and progress tracking, offering valuable insights to help maintain and promote an active lifestyle.
Is the information accurate?
When worn correctly, fitness trackers are generally accurate and can provide a reliable baseline for tracking activity. They excel at counting steps, monitoring physical activity, and tracking heart rate. However, they can sometimes lack precision with more complex metrics, such as calories burned and sleep patterns. While technology has improved significantly, experts recommend using fitness trackers as a guide rather than an absolute measure.Do fitness trackers actually motivate people to move more?
Fitness trackers have been found to be a useful tool for encouraging physical activity!Research shows that fitness trackers can effectively encourage physical activity. A recent study found that activity trackers led participants to take an additional 1,800 steps each day—nearly 20% of the recommended 10,000 daily steps, which is linked to various health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, better weight management, and improved mental health.
What are the benefits of fitness trackers?
Here are 6 common benefits of fitness trackers:
- Motivation: Trackers provide reminders and real-time feedback, helping you stay on track and celebrate progress when you hit your goals.
- Accountability: Many fitness trackers offer a sharing feature on social media so others can see your stats. This can be great for accountability and staying on track.
- Activity Awareness: Trackers help you become more mindful of your daily activity patterns, enabling you to identify areas for improvement.
- Goal Setting and Progress Tracking: Set personal goals for daily steps, calorie burn, and distance, and track your progress over time to celebrate victories or adjust your fitness routine.
- Maximize Training: Fitness trackers monitor your heart rate so you can train within your target zone to maximize your training effectiveness.
- Health Alerts: Advanced trackers monitor vital metrics like heart rate and sleep patterns, alerting you to any potential health concerns. If an unusual heart rate or sleep disturbance is detected, the tracker may prompt you to consult with a healthcare provider.
How can I maximize their effectiveness?
To get the most out of your fitness tracker, wear it correctly. The heart rate sensor should be comfortably positioned against your skin, about a finger’s width from your wrist. For consistency, wear it on the same wrist each day.
Also, be sure to keep the sensors clean. Sweat, dirt, and skin cells can build up on the sensors, making it more difficult for accurate measurements, especially for heart rate tracking.
Additionally, update the software regularly to access the latest features and ensure optimal performance. If possible, set automatic updates to stay current.
Customize your settings and fitness goals to reflect your unique needs, rather than relying on default settings. Start with achievable goals and gradually increase them to maintain motivation and avoid discouragement.
The Importance of Physical Activity
Fitness tracker or no, regular physical activity is imperative for good health. In fact, it’s proven that regular physical activity can:
- Help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of diabetes.
- Promote heart health.
- Improve your mood and reduce your risk of depression.
- Increase your sleep quality.
- Boost your energy and flexibility.
- Keep your brain sharp and reduce your risk of dementia.
On the other hand, prolonged sitting has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers. The more sedentary you are, the higher your risk for these conditions.
Fortunately, regular movement doesn’t require intense exercise. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week to reduce the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Is that motivation enough to get moving? A fitness tracker might be the tool you need to turn exercise into a daily habit. If you have questions or want personalized advice, reach out to Summa Health for expert support on your fitness journey here.
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