How Can A Sports Band Help You Track Progress?

As far as tech devices go, a sports band can be one of the most helpful tools when it comes to tracking your progress while exercising. We dare say that these have become a must-have for many athletes and health enthusiasts. What’s a sports band, you ask? A sports band is a small, portable device that can clip onto your wrist and provides you with real-time information about your physical activity. It’ll monitor your heart rate, steps taken and distance traveled as you exercise. With its Bluetooth capability it can easily sync with other devices, such as your phone or laptop. You can also access a variety of fitness apps to get the most out of this handy device. But like most tech devices, the sports band can be overwhelming when you’re first introduced to it. To help make sense of all this information and get the most out of it, you will need our comprehensive guide. Not only will this guide walk you through the benefits of a sports band, but it will also show you how to use the device properly and track your progress in real-time. So, let’s get started.

How Can My Sports Band Help Me Track Progress?

There are many benefits of having a sports band, but one of the greatest ones is that it helps you track your progress over time. 

With this device you can easily view important data on your physical activity and performance, such as how many calories you burned during a workout, your average heart rate, and the distance you traveled (11). 

What you do with this information is up to you. You can use it as motivation to push yourself harder, or simply take in the data for use in adjusting your routine for better results.

Below are some important features of a sports band that will help you track your progress: 

Monitor Your Heart Rate

A sports band can monitor your heart rate in real-time, which is useful for gauging the intensity of your workout. Knowing your heart rate can also help you understand how hard you’re pushing yourself and adjust your routine accordingly. 

Knowing how hard you’re working is important for two reasons; an intense workout can give better results, but it can also stress your body and have undesirable effects e.g. fatigue, exhaustion, and poor sleep. 

Imagine this scenario; you’ve hit a plateau in your weight loss journey. No matter how hard you work out, the scale won’t budge. Or, your progress is disheartening because you don’t think you’re putting in enough effort. 

Having a sports band on your wrist can help you understand the intensity of each workout and adjust accordingly. It is scientifically proven that exercise intensity is a major factor when it comes to achieving results (12).

Here’s another scenario; you notice that you’re having a hard time falling or staying asleep on days you’ve exercised close to bedtime. 

Knowing your heart rate and how hard you’re pushing yourself can help you adjust your pre-bedtime workout routine to avoid this problem in the future. It is scientifically proven that exercise intensity can affect sleep quality (5) (10).

A sports band is also helpful for athletes who must know how hard they’re working during a competition (4). For example, a runner can use the device to check their maximum heart rate and adjust their pace accordingly.

Read More: Winter Fitness Challenge: 6 Things To Do To Get Fit This Winter

Monitor Steps Taken And Distance Traveled

Another great feature of a sports band is that it can track the number of steps you take and how far you travel in a day. This is especially helpful for those who want to stay active and improve their fitness. This device can also be used to set goals and track progress toward those goals. 

For example, a person who is trying to increase their daily step count can set a goal of 10,000 steps and use their sports band to track their progress each day. Over time they can adjust their goal until they reach the desired level of activity. 

Monitor Calories Burned

Weight loss and maintenance is essentially a calorie game; to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume (3) (13). However, many of us fall into the trap of overestimating how many calories we’ve burned during exercise and underestimate how much we eat. 

For example, a person might think they’ve burned 500 calories during a 30-minute workout, but in reality, the number may be closer to 300. Thinking they have an extra 200 calories to eat, they may eat more than they should.

But with a sports band, you’ll get an accurate measurement of the calories you’ve burned. This can help you make better decisions about what to eat and when allowing for more mindful eating habits. 

Monitor Sleep Quality

Sleep quality refers to how well you sleep and how much restorative rest you get. According to sleep experts, quality sleep consists of light and deep sleep (7). 

During light sleep, your heart rate and breathing slow down, while during deep sleep, your body repairs and regenerates itself. Without proper sleep, you may feel tired during the day and lack energy for physical activity (9).

Your sports band can track your sleep quality, helping you understand how much deep sleep you get each night and why. For example, if you find that you don’t get enough deep sleep on nights when you exercise close to bedtime, you can know how to adjust your routine accordingly. 

Conversely, if some yoga or stretching before bed helps you get more restorative sleep, you’ll notice that too.

Poorly timed intense exercise isn’t the only reason why you might suffer from sleep deprivation; stress, medical conditions, and other lifestyle factors can also play a role (6) (8).

A sports band can help you track your sleep quality and identify the root cause of the problem, allowing you to make the necessary changes.

BetterMe app will kick you out of the mental funk, shake off your extra weight, rid you off your energy-zapping habits, and help you sculpt the body of your dreams. Intrigued? Hurry up and change your life for the better!

Monitor Nutrition And Lifestyle Habits

In addition to tracking the intensity of your workouts, the number of steps you take each day, how many calories you burn, and how well you sleep, a sports band can also be used to monitor your nutrition and lifestyle habits. This applies when a sports band syncs with a health or fitness app. 

For example, the BetterMe band syncs with the BetterMe Health Coaching App (1) (2). The latter is an invaluable tool for those who want to monitor their nutrition, lifestyle habits, and physical activity. 

For one, it helps you track your food intake, making it easier to stick to a balanced diet and avoid overindulging. Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the app also provides personalized guidance to help you develop healthy habits and make positive lifestyle changes. 

Secondly, you can track your water intake, which is important for overall health and wellness. The Drink Water Challenge in the app helps you create a drinking schedule so that you stay hydrated throughout the day. 

Last but not least, it allows you to monitor your progress and stay motivated. The app gives you daily feedback, provides tailored reminders to help you stay on track, and cheers you on for achieving your goals. 

Combined with professional guidance from a certified health coach, it’s an effective way to achieve your fitness goals. 

Which Sports Band Is Right For You?

Now that you know the benefits of using a sports band, it’s time to find one that meets your needs. When shopping for a sports band, look for one that:

Offers Relevant Features

Choose a band with features that are useful for your fitness goals. Generally, it should have the ability to track your steps taken, heart rate, and sleep quality. Consider getting one with extra features like calorie tracking, activity reminders, and nutrition tracking. 

Uses Accurate Technology

Make sure that the sports band is accurate and reliable. This means checking its accuracy ratings as well as the quality of its sensors. 

Inaccurate data can be misleading and even detrimental toward your fitness goals. At the very least it could prevent you from seeing the full picture of your health and wellness. 

Is Comfortable To Wear

A sports band should fit comfortably and securely. Choose one with adjustable straps or a watch-band style that fits your wrist size. 

Some bands come with extra straps and accessories, which can be useful if you plan on wearing it for a long period.

Read More: Fitness Coaching Online: Does It Really Help?

Is Easy To Use

The last thing you want is a sports band that’s difficult to use. It should be intuitive and easy to navigate. Choose one with a clear LCD display and just a few buttons or touch controls. Additionally, look for one with an accompanying app that’s easy to use and regularly updated.

Is Reasonably Priced

When it comes to tech, you get what you pay for. However, that doesn’t mean you have to splurge on an expensive sports band if your budget won’t allow it. Look for one that provides good value for money and isn’t overly expensive. 

Is Waterproof

If you plan on wearing your sports band for activities like swimming, it should be waterproof. This would ensure that your device stays safe and protected from water damage. 

At the very least, your band should be able to withstand some sweat and light rain without getting damaged.

About The BetterMe Band, And Why It’s The Best

The BetterMe Band is the perfect choice for those who are serious about their health and fitness. It is the ultimate tool for tracking your progress and helping you stay on track with your fitness goals (1). 

The BetterMe Band offers:

• A heart rate monitor – track your heart rate and other vital signs during workouts 
• A step counter – keep track of all your daily steps 
• An activity tracker – stay motivated by tracking your progress over time 
• Sleep tracking – get a better understanding of your sleep patterns and how they can affect your health. 
• Access to the BetterMe Health Coaching App – get personalized advice and guidance from a certified health coach 
• Comfortable, lightweight design – comfortable to wear all day and fits snugly around your wrist 
• 10-hour battery life – stay connected for longer periods without having to recharge 

The BetterMe Band takes the guesswork out of fitness tracking. It is an intuitive device that helps you stay motivated and consistent with your fitness routine. Plus, its sleek design makes it a stylish accessory to wear on all occasions.

Lean and toned up body isn’t just a far-fetched fantasy. Check out the BetterMe app and watch it propel your weight loss journey into high gear!

Making Sense Of The Data On Your Sport Band

Once you’ve chosen the right sports band, it’s time to start tracking. The data collected by your device can be overwhelming, so you’ll need to take the time to make sense of it. 

Look for patterns and track your progress over time. Consider setting milestones that you can strive for. This will help you stay motivated and keep moving towards your goals. 

Finally, use the data gathered from your sports band in combination with your own knowledge and experiences. This will help you make more informed decisions about your health, leading to the best results possible. 

Be careful not to rely too much on the data from your device. It is only one part of a larger picture and should be interpreted in context. Additionally, be sure to understand how your device collects and interprets data so that you can make more accurate assessments. 

Note that the data collected is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It should always be used to supplement, rather than replace, any medical treatment or diagnosis you may have received from a qualified health professional. 

If you suspect you may have a medical condition, use this data to start a conversation with your doctor, who will be able to make a more accurate diagnosis. 

The Bottom Line

It’s easy to see why a sports band is an indispensable tool for leading a healthier lifestyle. It provides accurate data, helps you make better decisions about what to eat and when, tracks your sleep quality, and monitors your nutrition and lifestyle habits.

All of these benefits combined make it an invaluable tool for achieving optimal health and wellness.