Activity trackers

[houjix]

Went through 2 Fitbits over the years. An older one before the display style and the infamous Charge 5 that had issues that they chose to basically ignore and push out the Charge 6 as fast as they could.

Been using a Samsung Fit3 for a couple of years as it more fully integrates with my Samsung phone. Has enough "smart" features that I didn't feel the need to go with the more expensive true smart watch.

 

[pourcyne]

I get the skepticism.

Not skepticism, really, just honest curiosity about the appeal.

Also wondering if people think this will actually save their lives. Basing this partly on the fact that my mom had a Life Alert (I know, not the same, but still...) and she died anyway. Alone.

I do ask the same question about other behaviors, like tats and piercings. Or having lots of kids.

End of the day, I'm always asking, "Why???" Just trying to understand motivations. No judgment.

 

[Clonehomer]

Help a geezer out here.

What exactly is the appeal of these devices?

I'm asking, because if I'm tired and sleep well through the night, I know I got enough exercise that day.

To me, It’s for those of us that get busy and without a way to track our exercise wouldn’t make the time to do it. Having the ability to see how often we’re getting our heart rate up is good know if we need to make a larger effort to keep active and healthy.

I guess if you have a set routine that provides you enough exercise and you don’t vary from day to day, maybe it’s not necessary.

As far sleep, I know that there are more factors for me than just whether I got enough excersize that day. Tracking sleep to understand how work stress is affecting you for example, is nice. Forces you to think that maybe it’s time for a long weekend to decompress.

 

[pourcyne]

To me, It’s for those of us that get busy and without a way to track our exercise wouldn’t make the time to do it. Having the ability to see how often we’re getting our heart rate up is good know if we need to make a larger effort to keep active and healthy.

I guess if you have a set routine that provides you enough exercise and you don’t vary from day to day, maybe it’s not necessary.

As far sleep, I know that there are more factors for me than just whether I got enough excersize that day. Tracking sleep to understand how work stress is affecting you for example, is nice. Forces you to think that maybe it’s time for a long weekend to decompress.

Interesting. Thank you for your response.

Another question: Would you seek out genetic testing as a tool to verify your future health or is that too inconvenient/invasive/expensive?

 

[Bigman38]

Not skepticism, really, just honest curiosity about the appeal.

Also wondering if people think this will actually save their lives. Basing this partly on the fact that my mom had a Life Alert (I know, not the same, but still...) and she died anyway. Alone.

I do ask the same question about other behaviors, like tats and piercings. Or having lots of kids.

End of the day, I'm always asking, "Why???" Just trying to understand motivations. No judgment.

I had a heart thing, turned out to be nothing, but the cardiologist said they advise all their patients to have one.

Mostly for me I'm a stats guy, I like seeing the numbers/trends etc. Same reason I track all my walks/runs.