CAN WORKOUT GADGETS HELP YOU GET FITTER?

Discover how the latest tech could boost your progress with these insights from those in the know

- ERYN BARBER

I'm returning to fitness after a break and I want to get a basic activity tracker or fitness watch to keep myself motivated.

What sort of features should I be looking for?

When you're returning to fitness, you don't need an activity tracker that has an extensive number of features. These are usually unnecessary and can leave the user feeling confused about what they should be monitoring and tracking. If general health and fitness is your priority, having a step counter on your activity tracker is a great way to make sure that you're doing enough movement in the day (also known as non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT for short). Track your daily steps for a week and from here, aim to gradually increase your step count over time.

Another measure that is useful to track is your heart rate. Your resting heart rate and how quickly your heart rate returns to baseline after exercise are both indicators of your fitness level. Usually, a lower resting heart rate coincides with better health. Likewise, having a general idea of your heart rate during different types of activity, especially cardio, is a great tool to measure the level of intensity you are working at.

Features such as sleep scores, VO2 max and fitness age are less reliable and can be more of a hindrance than a tool to help you track your performance and recovery.

Finally, being able to monitor your exercise is also a great tool to stay motivated. Being able to see the consistency of your training can help keep you working towards your goals, especially when you feel like you're falling off the wagon.

CHLOE THOMAS

Chloe is a PT and women’s health and mindset coach with eight years of experience coaching over 700 women worldwide. Find out more at chloeinspires.com

What gadgets would you recommend for gym-goers who are looking to boost their strength and cardio progress?