If you use this information as merely a single data point, the precise number on the screen might not matter much.īut if you use the calories burned to account for a caloric deficit and figure out how many calories you have left for the day, accuracy is very relevant.įitness tracker brands haven’t shared the science behind their proprietary algorithms with the public, so we don’t really know about everything they rely on to measure calories burned. When you’re done with an intense workout or a long walk, you might turn to your fitness tracker to see how many calories you’ve burned. How Accurate Are Fitness Trackers Really? However, many fitness experts suggest that staying active throughout the day is more important for overall energy expenditure and weight loss than occasional fitness workouts. The bottom line is that a fitness tracker is designed to detect a gym session with ease but won’t pick up every daily activity.

But they will have a harder time picking up less “normal” cadence.įor example, when it comes to walking, they will have an easy time registering that you’re on a hike but less likely to pick up steps if you’re merely shuffling around your bedroom.Īge also plays a role here because children move much differently from the elderly, so the trackers may be biased against them. Modern fitness trackers are very effective in measuring intentional or purposeful walking or lifting. One of the most important aspects of fitness trackers and their ability to measure calories burned relates to understating the concept of purposeful movement. The hormonal and environmental factors and overall physical health are even more challenging to account for, and the trackers sometimes ignore them. How much you sleep and if you eat enough are important parts of the equation too.

If you have more muscle mass, you’re more likely to burn more calories. For example, body composition is a significant factor. However, how many calories you’ll burn depends on other factors not usually requested by fitness tracking apps.

Daily calorie tracker