If you own an Apple Watch, your wrist holds one of the most accurate fitness wearables out there.

Researchers recently tested the accuracy of a number of wearable fitness trackers. The Apple Watch proved the most effective wrist wearable of the group in terms of measuring heart rate.

A recent study circulating around the web has led to criticism of fitness trackers, suggesting they aren’t as accurate or effective at helping people reach their goals as we thought. When it comes to heart rate, a wrist wearable still isn’t always accurate. But it can give you a general measure of your heart rate as you go about your daily activities.

It’s when you start doing more intense exercise that wearable trackers tend to fall short. Trackers use heart rate to estimate how many calories you are burning while performing a specific activity, which is why so many people still struggle with their weight and fitness goals even when wearing a fitness tracker. They often end up eating more calories because their trackers give them an inaccurate number of calories burned off.

Still, the Apple Watch seems to be the closest we’ll come in the near future to a more accurate measure of heart rate during physical activity. If you already own and use one, you just might benefit.

MP’s Take: We’re not at a point yet where a tiny device on our wrist can tell us everything we need to know about our bodies. Not accurately, anyway. We don’t necessarily need to be. It’s a cool idea. The more you rely on numbers to track your health, though, the easier it is to forget more important metrics. Things like the type of exercise you’re doing; how long you’re doing it for; which foods you’re eating; how many servings of that food you’re having. Numbers aren’t everything. They can help you stay on track, but don’t neglect other factors that tell you how well you are – or aren’t – progressing toward your goals.

Source

http://www.health.com/fitness/accurate-wearable-apple-watch-fitness-tracker