Monitor Your Metrics

For years now, trends in fitness have included wearable devices.  Why?  Because wearable technology offers immediate access to information like heart rate, steps, sleep quality, even stress levels.  They can help with accountability which can help us commit to fitness and recovery.  It can be like a coach on your wrist day in and day out.  Additionally, wearables can help reveal subtle changes in your body’s patterns - sometimes before symptoms appear which can empower early lifestyle adjustments.    Many wearables offer HRV (heart rate variability) and breathing metrics to understand when the body is under stress and when it’s ready for effort.  

Here are some of our favorite wearable options.  

1. WHOOP 4.0  (what Jackie & Jason wear) 

• Tracks: Heart rate variability (HRV), sleep stages, recovery, strain, respiratory rate, and skin temperature.
  
  

• Why It’s Great: WHOOP provides daily insights into your readiness and recovery—not just activity. Excellent for training optimization and stress monitoring.
  
  

• Bonus: No screen = less distraction, and it’s subscription-based for continuous coaching.
  
  

2. Oura Ring (Gen 3)

• Tracks: Sleep quality, HRV, resting heart rate, temperature trends, activity, and recovery.
  
  

• Why It’s Great: Ultra-comfortable, discreet ring design with highly accurate sleep tracking and personalized readiness scores. Great for overall wellness insights, including early illness detection.
  
  

3. Garmin Venu 3 / Fenix 7 Series

• Tracks: Heart rate, stress, sleep, SpO2, fitness age, GPS activity, and energy via “Body Battery.”
  
  

• Why It’s Great: Durable, multisport-focused smartwatch with robust data and long battery life. Syncs with Garmin Connect for deep health insights.

4. Xiaomi Mi Band 8

• Price Range: ~$40–$60
  
  

• Tracks: Heart rate, sleep stages, stress, steps, SpO2, and basic workouts.
  
  

• Why It’s Great: Extremely budget-friendly with surprisingly good accuracy and battery life (~16 days). The companion Mi Fitness app is simple and useful.
  
  

5. Amazfit Bip 3 Pro

• Price Range: ~$60–$70
  
  

• Tracks: Heart rate, sleep, SpO2, stress, GPS activity, and PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence).
  
  

• Why It’s Great: Lightweight with long battery life (up to 14 days) and onboard GPS. Offers great value for general fitness monitoring.
  
  

6. Fitbit Inspire 3

• Price Range: ~$85–$100
  
  

• Tracks: Heart rate, sleep quality, activity levels, stress management, and SpO2.
  
  

• Why It’s Great: Slim design with strong Fitbit ecosystem support, great app experience, and motivational features. Fitbit Premium (optional) unlocks deeper insights.

Need some help choosing the best option for you?   Here is a bit more information to help you decide: 

🧠 High-End Wearables (Whoop, Garmin, Oura)

These devices offer advanced metrics, long-term insights, and specialized tracking ideal for serious athletes or biohackers.

• Whoop: Subscription-based, no screen. Focuses on strain, recovery, and sleep using heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate, and skin temperature.
  
  

• Garmin: Known for multi-sport GPS tracking, VO2 max, pulse ox, and performance metrics. Ideal for runners, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
  
  

• Oura Ring: Tracks sleep, readiness, recovery, and stress. Minimalist design, highly focused on circadian rhythm, HRV, and sleep efficiency.
  
  

🔬 Science-backed and ideal for long-term behavior optimization.

💡 Affordable Wearables (Mi Band, Amazfit, Fitbit Inspire)

Great for users who want daily motivation, core health tracking, and budget-friendly functionality.

• Provide basic metrics like heart rate, sleep, steps, and activity tracking.
  
  

• Less precise but sufficient for general health goals.
  
  

• No or limited HRV, recovery, or advanced stress/sleep readiness scores.
  
  

💰 Best for casual users or those starting their fitness journey.