Fitness watches, heart rate monitors, and sleep trackers—they’re everywhere. If you’ve ever considered investing in a wearable, you’re not alone. But the real question is: do they actually help you make better choices? At CrossFit Yarmouth, we believe the value of wearable tech depends on one key thing—how you use it.
Are You Driven by Data?
Some people love numbers. Seeing how many steps they took or how well they slept motivates them to get moving, drink more water, or get to bed earlier. If this sounds like you, a wearable could be a great tool for creating change. But if data stresses you out or gets ignored, the device might just become an expensive bracelet.
Try This:
- Start with one metric that matters to you—like steps, sleep, or heart rate.
- Set a simple goal (e.g. 7,000 steps a day) and track it for a week.
- Notice how it makes you feel—motivated, overwhelmed, or something else?
Using Data to Guide Your Habits
Data is just information—it’s what you do with it that counts. We encouraged members to use their wearable data to spot trends and make small, sustainable changes. For example, noticing a drop in sleep quality during a stressful week might lead you to wind down earlier, second coffee or take the RPE of your workout down a notch.
Practical Tips:
- Recovery scores low? Take a rest day or dial back your training intensity.
- Sleep consistently poor? Set a regular bedtime and unplug an hour before.
- Step count down? Park farther away or take a short walk after dinner.
My Story: How I Used My Oura Ring
I’ll be honest—I was tired all the time. No matter how well I thought I was sleeping, I never really felt recovered. So I decided to give the Oura Ring a shot to help me figure out what was going on.
What I found surprised me and didn’t:
- Even though it felt like I was falling asleep quickly after putting on a show, the data showed it was actually taking me over 30 minutes to fall asleep.
- My deep sleep was way below what I needed for real recovery.
- I was waking up 3-7 times a night!
With that info in hand, I started testing small habit changes. I swapped HGTV for a book before bed. I stopped squeezing in another hour of work late at night and started going to bed earlier and took up refuge in the guest room from the dog moving around and my snoring partner. I also cut back on alcohol and moved my occasional drink to happy hour instead of closer to bedtime.
None of this was rocket science, but I needed the data to truly see the problem. And seeing the impact of those new habits—how they actually helped my recovery scores and how I felt in the morning—kept me motivated to stick with them. Over time, those changes became habits.
I haven’t worn the ring for a few months now, and the habits are still going strong. I’ll probably start using it again this fall when I prep for a HYROX race to dial things in, but I don’t plan to wear it forever.
To me, it’s like tracking macros—I’ll track for a week or two, once or twice a year, to check in and course correct if needed. But I don’t rely on the data to tell me how I feel. I use it to help build my own awareness and give me that extra nudge to make shifts when things get off track.
Getting to Know Yourself vs. Relying on the Tech
Wearables can give helpful insight—but they shouldn’t be the boss of you. Sometimes, your watch says you’re “recovered,” but you feel sluggish. Or it says you’re “not ready,” but you’re full of energy. That’s why it’s important to check in with yourself, too.
Check In with These Questions:
- How do I feel this morning—physically and mentally?
- Am I energized, tired, sore, or focused?
- What habits have been helping (or hurting) lately?
Let your wearable enhance your self-awareness—not replace it.
So, Is It Worth It?
If you’re motivated by numbers, curious about your habits, and ready to make small changes based on what you learn—yes, it might be worth the investment. But if it becomes a distraction or a source of stress, you’re better off sticking to old-school methods like journaling, goal setting, and honest check-ins with your coach.
Want Help Making the Most of Your Fitness?
If you’re wondering how to use data to support your goals—or you’re just looking for some extra guidance—schedule a No Sweat Intro. It’s a free 20-minute chat with a coach, no workout required.
Click here to book your No Sweat Intro
Already a member!? Reach out and let’s chat about your wearable data and how to make it work for you!