Are Fitness Tracker’s Worth It?
You’ve probably seen them everywhere – on wrists at the gym, when you’re out walking, even at the store. Fitness trackers have become the go-to gadget for anyone wanting to “take control” of their health. But are they worth it, especially for women in midlife and beyond?
Whether you’re aiming to move more, sleep better, or manage your energy, wearable devices can feel like a helpful nudge. But they can also create pressure or confusion, depending on how you use them.
So let’s break it down.
The Upside: What Fitness Trackers Can Do Well
Fitness trackers are brilliant at one thing: bringing awareness. Step counts, heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity minutes all give you a snapshot of how your body’s behaving day to day, not just how it feels.
This can be powerful. Hormonal changes in perimenopause and beyond can shift how your body responds to exercise, sleep, and recovery. A tracker can help spot patterns you might otherwise miss, like poorer sleep around your cycle, or recovery dips after intense workouts.
Some trackers also help with:
- Daily movement goals (great if your life means you’re more sedentary)
- Sleep tracking (highlighting restless nights or early wakings)
- Heart rate trends (useful for stress, overtraining cues, fitness level improvement)
- Menstrual cycle and menopause awareness (on some models)
- Accountability (via reminders or friendly nudges)
The Downsides: Where They Can Backfire
That said, data isn’t always empowering, especially if you have a perfectionist streak or tend to over-analyse. Many women report feeling judged by their trackers, or guilty for taking rest days. The risk? Letting numbers override how your body feels.
Some devices also:
- Overestimate or underestimate calories burned
- Misclassify movement (housework vs. workouts)
- Struggle with sleep accuracy
- Encourage an “all or nothing” mindset (e.g. step goals = good day vs. bad day)
Bottom Line
A fitness tracker can be a useful tool, but it’s not your coach, doctor, or boss. If you treat it like a curious companion, it can help you reconnect with your body in a more objective way. If it starts making you feel guilty, obsessive, or less in tune, it may be time to step back.
If you’re curious, start light. Wear it for a week, gather insights, and decide what matters. You’re still the expert on your own body – at every age.
The Pros and Cons of The Major Tech
There are so many wearable fitness options to choose from. We wanted to break down some of the main positives and negatives of each for you. Let’s take a look at the main options in the market.
- Oura Ring: Best for sleep, recovery, HRV; Pros are comfortable, long battery, good readiness data; Cons are expensive, not ideal for workouts
- WHOOP Band: Best for recovery, strain, HRV; Pros are continuous tracking, deep analytics; Cons are subscription based, bulky
- Apple Watch: Best for general health, movement, workouts; Pros are versatile, intuitive, ECG feature; Cons are batter life, weaker sleep tracking
- Garmin Venu/Forerunner: Best for runners, serious athletes; Pros are GPD, VO2 max, long battery; Cons are more technical, complex interface
- Fitbit Sense/Charge 5: Best for general wellness; Pros are affordability, stress/sleep tracking; Cons are less accurate HRV, short lifespan
- Amazon Band/RingConn: Best for being budget friendly; Pros are decent features for the price point; Cons are limited support, lower accuracy
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