How Tracking Fitness Can Support Older People
What are the benefit of tracking fitness?
As we age, staying active becomes more important than ever.
Regular exercise helps maintain mobility, balance, and overall health, reducing the risk of falls and illness. However, knowing whether we’re moving enough can be difficult—this is where a fitness tracker for elderly people comes in.
Whether it’s a high-tech wearable or a simple step counter, tracking physical activity is an easy and motivating way to stay fit in later life. For those who need extra support, visiting care can help ensure regular movement remains part of daily life.
Fitness tracking provides several key benefits, especially for older adults:
Motivation and accountability
Seeing progress in real-time can be encouraging, whether it’s steps taken, calories burned, or minutes of exercise. You can even buy an activity tracker for seniors that offers reminders to move.
Improved health awareness
Some trackers monitor heart rate, sleep patterns, and even oxygen levels, helping older adults stay aware of their overall health and detect potential issues early
Encouraging regular movement
By setting daily goals and seeing progress, it becomes easier to build a habit of regular movement, which supports joint health, cardiovascular fitness, and mental well-being
Weight and nutrition monitoring
Some devices help track calories, hydration, and food intake, which can be particularly useful for those managing their weight or specific health conditions
Why is this so important in old age?
As we get older, we naturally lose muscle mass and our metabolism slows down. Keeping as active as possible is essential for maintaining strength, mobility, and balance. Regular exercise can help prevent chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as other medical complications. It can also improve mental health by reducing the risk of depression and cognitive decline.
For many older adults, inactivity can lead to reduced independence. Tracking fitness ensures that movement remains a part of daily life, reducing the risk of falls and keeping people self-sufficient for longer. Moreover, fitness tracking can be a great confidence booster. Knowing that a daily step goal has been achieved or that heart health is improving can be incredibly empowering.
What are the Best Fitness Trackers for the Elderly?
There are many fitness trackers available, but for older adults, simplicity, comfort, and clear displays are key. Here are some great options:
Fitbit Inspire 3
Lightweight, easy to use, with step counting, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking software
Garmin Vivosmart 5
Features a bright screen with large text, heart rate tracking, and inbuilt fall detection software
Apple Watch SE
More advanced but very user-friendly, with fall detection, heart rate alerts, and emergency SOS
Omron Walking Style
A simple pedometer with a clear, user-friendly screen and no need for smartphone connectivity
Are there simple trackers and websites?
You don't have to be tech-savvy or spend lots of money to track your fitness effectively.
Simple pedometers and online tracking tools can often be the best fitness trackers for seniors, and are great alternatives to high-tech wearables which might feel slightly too confusing for an elderly loved one – particularly if they’re living with a type of dementia.
Some of the more simple tracking options include:
Basic pedometers
Devices like the Omron Walking Style IV or 3DFitBud offer step counting without the need for smartphone apps or complicated features.
Smartphone apps
Apps like Google Fit and Pacer allow users to track activity without a separate device. Simply carrying a smartphone in a pocket can track steps.
Website-based trackers
Some people log their activity manually on websites like MyFitnessPal or MapMyWalk. These sites allow users to track progress over time.
Do you have to connect a tracker to a smartphone?
No, not all fitness trackers require smartphone connectivity.
While many modern devices sync with apps for detailed data, you may be looking for a fitness tracker for seniors without a smartphone—and these are readily available. For example, pedometers display step counts directly on the screen without needing an app. Some fitness trackers, like the Fitbit Inspire 3, allow users to see basic stats without opening a phone app. However, smartphone connectivity can be useful for tracking long-term progress, setting goals, and receiving health insights.
For those who don’t use smartphones, a fitness tracker for seniors without a smartphone, such as certain smartwatches like the Apple Watch, can operate with built-in displays, showing key information without needing to be connected to another device.
What exercise can be tracked?
Fitness trackers can monitor a range of activities, from daily walks to more structured workouts.
The most common types of exercise tracked include:
Walking and steps
Most trackers count steps, making it easy to set, monitor and achieve daily movement goals
Heart rate and cardio
Devices can monitor heart rate during a range of activities such as brisk walking, cycling, and swimming
Sleep patterns
Many fitness trackers assess sleep quality, helping users understand their rest habits and improve sleep health
Strength training
Some advanced trackers can estimate calorie burn and activity levels during weightlifting or resistance exercises
Swimming
Waterproof trackers like the Fitbit Charge 6 or Garmin models can monitor swimming distance and duration
Mindfulness and relaxation
Certain devices, like Fitbit and Apple Watch, include breathing exercises and stress-tracking features
More tips from Helping Hands
If you'd like support staying fit in later life, we'd love to hear how we can help.
Based across England and Wales, our friendly care teams are here to help you remain independent, happy and healthy as you embrace your later years. We firmly believe that age is just a number, and definitely should never be a barrier to living well. Whether you require assistance with mobility, advice with fitness technology, help with physiotherapy exercises or just about anything else, we’ll be alongside you every step of the way. Contact us today for an informal chat about your support needs.