In 2017, the proliferation of wearable technology is going to hit new highs, but the big question is will everyday users get the most out of their tech? In the end, myself and my team at Heart Zones, Inc, believe that the answer to that question lies in the ability of brands and fellow industry leaders to educate and empower end users.
The keys to data driven fitness
While in recent years more and more end users are sporting wearables, there has still remained a key disconnect that limits how useful the wearables truly are. What is that disconnect you ask? The disconnect is between the data that wearables display and how individuals use that data to tangibly improve their fitness.
How many people do you know that own a Fitbit? Odds are quite a few. How many of them (or you for that matter) look at the number of steps you take each day and say, “awesome, I got to 10,000” or “darn, I was lazy today and only got 6,000”? As days, weeks, and months go by you don’t see any tangible improvement in your physical health and are left wondering why you purchased the Fitbit in the first place, apart from looking cool that is. This is where the keys to data driven fitness come in. These keys help repair the disconnect between the data, and the fitness regimens that the data leads you towards.
How do we make these keys happen?
This is where the rubber meets the road. Connecting these dots is no small task, but it is one that I believe must be accomplished. A few things need to happen for the true power of wearables to be seen:
- Sound science – Brands and thought leaders need to take the time to educate users on what the data means. This means we have to have sound scientific explanations for what pieces of data mean, and that we need to be able to clearly and simply communicate those explanations to end users.
- Personalization – Secondly, we need to be able to educate users on the importance of personalization, and enable them personalize their data through the wearable. There is no one-size-fits-all measuring stick for individuals to follow when it comes to their health and fitness. It is critical for the wearable industry to enable personalization that adapts to the needs of different users.
- Interpretation to programs – Lastly, and most importantly, if the wearable industry is going to reach its full potential, end users ultimately need to be provided with tangible programs to improve their health and fitness. These programs would be an output of points #1 and #2 through sound science and personalized experiences, yielding an accurate and personalized program with the best chance to help the end user become healthier, fitter and happier.
Conclusion
The TLDR (too long didn’t read) of this post is that the wearable technology industry must reach a final destination of providing personalized programs for end users that help them improve their quality of life. Right now users are simply putting on a device and seeing a number, but they are not improving their fitness and they don’t know how to. In an era of consumers expecting technology to do the work for them, the world of wearables must do the final bit of work to fully connect the dots and make positive impacts on the lives of their consumers. I believe that if we can focus on the three keys of sound science, personalization, and interpretation to programs then entirely new worlds of possibilities exist.
Check out our Heart Zones Threshold Training methodology, our FREE Heart Zones Training App and information about our Heart Zones Move Solution, all of which encompass these three keys to data driven fitness.