Physical activity is essential for good health, but many of us don't get as much as we should. About one-third of adults worldwide, roughly 1.8 billion people, didn't meet recommended activity levels in 2022. For some, the solution may be to start small. A walk around the block - even a quick trip up and down a few flights of stairs, can be a good starting point.
Fitness Trackers For Beginner Walkers: What Are Fitness Trackers and How Do They Work
Many fitness trackers can count steps taken, monitor heart rate, and track sleep. Some also measure how much time the wearer spends sitting and how active they're throughout the day. Most fitness trackers are waterproof and can measure swimming and other water activities. Some can also track blood oxygen levels.
Most fitness trackers are wristbands or watches that you wear 24 hours a day. Some clip onto your clothing. You can usually connect fitness trackers to smartphones, tablets - or computers using mobile apps. Many devices also work without being connected to a smartphone.
FDA regulates some fitness trackers as medical devices to make sure they're safe and provide accurate results. These fitness trackers have been cleared or approved for uses such as monitoring heart rate or measuring the amount of oxygen in your blood. Other fitness trackers are considered "general wellness products." This means they don't need FDA clearance or approval, because they don't pose a risk to users if they don't work as intended.
How Fitness Trackers for Beginner Walkers Can Help With Motivation
Wearable activity trackers offer significant potential for supporting physical activity among a broad audience. Young adults reported that the motivation to reach a step goal was a key driver in helping them to increase their activity levels.
Users of physical activity trackers reported a sense of achievement, validation, and motivational feedback that aided adherence. Activity trackers can also show progress toward goals, which may also help motivate some people to be active. Tracking progress and staying motivated can be hard. If worn consistently - a wearable device can help with both.
Some fitness trackers allow you to set goals and track your progress over time. Some also provide alerts and notifications that remind you to move. Remember, before starting any new exercise program, talk to your health care provider about what activities are right for you.
FDA-Regulated Medical Devices Versus General Wellness Products
FDA regulates some fitness trackers as medical devices to make sure they're safe and provide accurate results. These fitness trackers have been cleared or approved for uses such as monitoring heart rate or measuring the amount of oxygen in your blood. Other fitness trackers are considered "general wellness products."
This means they don't need FDA clearance or approval, because they don't pose a risk to users if they don't work as intended. On January 6, 2026 - FDA updated its guidance document entitled "General Wellness: Policy for Low Risk Devices." FDA encourages manufacturers of general wellness products to follow the recommendations in the final guidance to ensure that their products are legally marketed.
Three Top Fitness Trackers for Beginners Compared
The Fitbit Air is the best screen-free tracker we've tested. It's a lightweight, affordable screen-free fitness tracker that delivers strong sleep and heart rate tracking plus standout AI coaching. The Fitbit Inspire 3 is listed as "Best for beginners" in a major testing site's guide to cheap fitness trackers. The Fitbit Inspire 3 offers a straightforward selection of health and fitness tracking at an appealingly low price.
The Fitbit Charge 6 remains a top pick for its integrated GPS and color display. Although it lacks a screen, the Fitbit Air has more than a week of battery life and delivers incoming call, text, and notification alerts via vibrations.
Things To Know Before Buying a Fitness Tracker
As with any new device - there are some things to consider before buying a fitness tracker. First, think about why you want to use a fitness tracker. Are you tracking your steps for fun or to help you manage a health condition? Understanding how you plan to use the fitness tracker will help you learn what device might be best for you and help you find a tracker that fits your budget.
Second, make sure that the features of the fitness tracker you choose fit your needs. Keep in mind that trackers with more features might cost more money. Third, FDA encourages you to consult with your health care provider about any questions or concerns you may have about your health, including whether a fitness tracker could be useful to you.
References
- 1.8 billion - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- updated its guidance document entitled - triagehealthlawblog.com
