50. Fitness Wearables: How Accurate Are They?
Wearables are everywhere, Apple Watches, Fitbits, Oura Rings, Garmins, WHOOP bands, but how much can you actually trust the data they give you? In this episode, we break down what these devices are really measuring, what they're merely calculating, and where the accuracy starts to fall apart. We cover step counting accuracy across devices, how optical heart rate sensors work, the massive variability in calorie burn estimates, and why sleep tracking caps out around 75% accuracy even on the most hyped devices. Along the way, we get into a lively debate about perceived exertion versus objective data, the dangers of letting a number dictate your meals or your training, and why one host's Apple Watch told her to "work out today" while she was mid-set on the leg press. The bottom line: let the data inform you, follow trends over absolute numbers, and always remember, you are not a number. 5 Key Takeaways Basic measurements are the most accurate. Steps and heart rate are directly measured by sensors, while sleep scores, recovery, and calorie burn rely on algorithms, meaning the more advanced the feature, the more room for error. Don't base your diet on your wearable's calorie estimates. Studies comparing wearables to lab-grade gas exchange equipment show massive variability, both over- and underestimating. Adjusting your meals around an estimated burn throws too many variables into a carefully planned nutrition approach. Follow trends, not absolute numbers. Whether it's steps, sleep, or heart rate, the change from your personal baseline is far more meaningful than the raw number. A dip in sleep consistency is a useful cue to investigate, the exact hours of "deep sleep" reported may not be accurate. Oura Ring significantly overestimates step count. One client saw 16,000 steps on her Oura Ring versus 10,000 on her Apple Watch, finger and hand movement inflates the count. If accurate step tracking matters to your goals, Apple Watch, Fitbit, or Garmin are better choices. Watch out for black-and-white thinking. A low recovery score doesn't mean you should skip training, and a poor sleep score doesn't mean the day is ruined. As one host's nursing school lesson put it: sure, the oxygen reads 70, but did you look at the patient? How you actually feel matters more than what the device says. "These numbers and markers, they are a tool, but you are so much more complex than a tool. You are not a number." - Emily Connect with Emily and AJ: Website: https://www.emilylevercoaching.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedellever/ References https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s44410-025-00011-9 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31377851/ Enjoyed the Episode? If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who's stuck in the start-over cycle. Your support helps more people find the podcast and build healthier habits that last. Until next time—keep showing up, stay consistent, and remember: small steps add up to big change.
