More than two thirds of studies into the effects of fitness trackers note a positive increase in activity levels. There’s no doubt that smart trackers have revolutionized the way we train but what’s better: to train with or without tech? We put it to the test…
Training with or without your favorite playlist
Headphones On: The stamina boost you get from your Spotify playlist is not to be dismissed. Music can reduce perceived fatigue by 10% – and it’s more potent when you’re mentally drained.
Headphones Off: Running in silence leads to better body awareness, which can improve your pace, breath control and movement efficiency. Try tuning in, not out, on your next 5K.
Virtual or In-person Exercise Classes
In Person: Community is king. Studies show a weekly group fitness class can improve emotional well-being and reduce perceived stress more efficiently than a solo effort*.
Online: Virtual friends have benefits: a study* found live-streamed workouts led to bigger improvements in mental health and exercise motivation than pre-recorded sessions.
The Data Metrics Available Are Staggering, but Are They Causing You a Headache?
If your stats cause you stress, remove the watch: a Colorado College study found that just hearing negative feedback about your sleep habits can trigger mental fatigue. Data’s fun to have, but a Spanish review saw no significant boosts to stamina or power when participants used heart-rate variability stats to guide workout decisions.
Beyond Measuring the Day-to-day Metrics, What Benefits Are There to Long-term Progress?
The Great Outdoors: Men who trade Technogym’s finest for outdoor cardio sessions end up logging an additional half hour of exercise each week, found one report*.
Virtual Race Day: In a Michigan State University study, cyclists who competed against a virtual partner whose progress they watched on a screen lasted twice as long as solo riders.
MH Verdict: Analogue Wins!
Don’t get us wrong – we love our tech. But it’s best viewed as a cool accessory, not relied upon as a crutch. Our prescription? Aim to go screen/app/data-free for one workout a week to focus on how your body feels. And don’t sweat the small stats.
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