Wearable Fitness Technology: How to Use It Effectively in Your Sai Kung!

Smart watches are useful, but are there downsides?

Wearable fitness tech promises to revolutionise your workouts, but is the convenience worth the potential cost? While these devices offer motivation, personalised insights, and training optimisation for trail runs and water sports, they come with hidden drawbacks. 

Beyond accuracy issues and data obsession lies a deeper concern: constant EMF exposure against your skin may disrupt your body's natural energy systems. Use these tools mindfully—take breaks, utilise airplane mode, and remember that true fitness wisdom comes from listening to your body, not just the numbers on your wrist. 

Read on to discover how to harness the benefits of wearable tech while protecting your body's natural balance in Hong Kong's most beautiful outdoor playground.

So, you’ve seen them everywhere, right? Those flashy wristbands, sleek smartwatches, and even those clever little rings. Everyone from your hardcore trail-running neighbour in Sai Kung to your colleague who’s just trying to get their 10,000 steps in seems to be sporting some kind of wearable fitness technology. And you’re probably wondering, “Are these things really worth the hype, or just another techy distraction?”

Well, let’s dive into the world of fitness tracking and smart training with these wearables. As someone who’s always looking at health from a holistic perspective, I’ve got a few thoughts on how these gadgets can be a friend or foe to your well-being, especially when you’re trying to make the most of our stunning Sai Kung backyard.

What Are We Talking About, Exactly?

When we say wearable fitness technology, we’re talking about a whole range of devices. You’ve got your popular ones like:

• Fitbit Charge 6 or Inspire 3: Often seen as great all-rounders for tracking daily activity, sleep, and workouts.

• Apple Watch (whatever the latest series is!): The super-smart option that does a bit of everything, from heart health monitoring to keeping you connected.

• Garmin devices (like the Venu or Forerunner series): These are often a favourite for serious athletes and outdoor adventurers, packed with GPS and advanced training metrics – pretty handy for those MacLehose trails!

• Amazfit- My personal favourite for cost effectiveness and charge length.

• Oura Ring: A more discreet option that focuses heavily on sleep quality and recovery.

They all promise to give you a window into your body’s workings. But what’s the real deal?

The Upside: Why Your Wrist Might Thank You

I’ll admit, there are some pretty compelling reasons why people are strapping these things on. When used mindfully, they can offer some genuine boosts to your health journey, especially when you are just getting started.

• Hello, Motivation! Let’s be honest, sometimes we need a nudge. Seeing your step count, getting a reminder to move, or tracking your progress on a challenging hike up Sharp Peak can be really motivating. It’s like having a little cheerleader on your wrist.

• Know Thyself (A Little Better): These gadgets can give you insights into your sleep patterns (or lack thereof!), your heart rate during that intense HIIT class, or how your body is recovering. This kind of fitness tracking can help you tune into what your body needs. I remember when I first started paying attention to my sleep data; it was a real eye-opener and pushed me to improve my sleep hygiene.

• Smarter Training, Not Just Harder: If you’re into smart training, knowing your heart rate zones can help you optimize your workouts. Are you pushing yourself enough, not enough or are you pushing too hard too often? For us in Sai Kung, GPS features are brilliant for mapping out new running routes or tracking how far you’ve kayaked.

• Sai Kung Specific Perks: Think about it – tracking your elevation gain on those hilly trails, checking your pace as you run along the waterfront, or even using a water-resistant tracker while you’re out paddleboarding. They can definitely enhance our unique outdoor playground.

I’ve had clients who’ve found them incredibly helpful for building awareness and making positive changes. One lady, for example, realised she was barely moving on her work-from-home days and used her tracker to build in short walks, which made a huge difference to her energy levels.

But Hold On… It’s Not All Sunshine and Smart Data

Now, before you rush out and buy the latest model, let’s put our naturopathic hats on and look at the other side of the coin. Because, like anything, there are potential downsides.

• Accuracy? Hmm…: These devices are clever, but they’re not infallible. Step counts can be off, calorie burn is an estimate at best, and even heart rate monitors can have their moments. They’re not medical devices, so don’t treat their data as gospel. I’ve seen people get really stressed because their watch said they had a “bad” sleep score, even when they felt fine!

• The Data Obsession Trap: It’s easy to get a bit too fixated on the numbers. Are you listening to your body, or just chasing stats on a screen? Sometimes, the best fitness tracking tool is your own intuition. If you’re tired, rest, even if your watch says you’re “recovered.”

• Privacy, Anyone? These devices are collecting a LOT of personal data about you. Where is it going? Who’s using it? It’s worth a thought in our data-driven world.

The Big One: What About EMFs and Your Body’s Energy?

Okay, this is where my naturopathic ears really prick up. These wearables are constantly using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and sometimes cellular data. That means they’re emitting Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) – and they’re strapped right against your skin, often 24/7.

Now, the official line from many authorities is that the levels are low and within “safety limits.” But here’s what I think, drawing from a more holistic understanding of the body: our bodies are fundamentally energetic systems. We have our own natural electromagnetic fields. Constant, close-proximity exposure to man-made EMFs, even at low levels, is something we need to be mindful of. Think about it – if your fish tank is full of sick fish, do you just keep adding more chemicals (or in this case, energetic disruptors) or do you try to clean the water and reduce the stressors?

Some research and many holistic practitioners raise concerns that long-term EMF exposure could potentially:

• Disrupt Cellular Function: There’s talk about EMFs affecting things like mitochondrial health and calcium channels in our cells. Our cells are the foundation of our health!

• Mess with Hormones: Our endocrine system is delicate. Could constant EMF exposure be an uninvited guest at the hormone party?

• Impact Sleep (Ironically!): While you’re tracking your sleep, is the device itself subtly interfering with your body’s natural rhythms and melatonin production?

• Contribute to Vague Symptoms: Some people report headaches, fatigue, or a general feeling of being “off” that they associate with EMF sensitivity.

I’m not saying throw your tracker in the bin immediately. But, like with anything that could disrupt our body’s natural balance, it’s about awareness and making informed choices. Remember, true health comes from working with our body’s innate intelligence, not constantly bombarding it with external influences that might throw it off kilter.

Making Wearables Work for You (Especially in Sunny Sai Kung)

So, if you choose to use wearable fitness technology, how can you do it effectively and mindfully, particularly when enjoying our active Sai Kung lifestyle?

1. Be the Boss, Not the Other Way Around: Use the data as a guide, not a dictator. Check in with how you feel. If your watch says you’re ready for a hard workout but your body is screaming for rest, listen to your body!

2. Purposeful Tracking: Use it for specific things. Tracking your hike on the Dragon’s Back (oops, wrong side of HK, I mean our beautiful Sai Kung East Country Park trails!) or monitoring your heart rate during a specific training block can be great. But do you need it on 24/7?

3. Give Your Body a Break: Consider taking it off at night. Your body needs to rest and repair without potential EMF interference. Maybe designate “tech-free” times during your day.

4. Airplane Mode is Your Friend: If your device has an airplane mode, use it when you don’t need it to be constantly syncing or searching for signals. This can reduce EMF exposure.

5. Focus on the Experience: When you’re out on a stunning Sai Kung trail, or enjoying the water, don’t let the tech overshadow the actual experience. Soak in the nature, the fresh air, the feeling of movement. That’s where the real magic happens!

6. Listen to Ally (That’s Me!): If you’re concerned about the EMF aspect or just want to find a more balanced approach to your health and fitness tracking, let’s chat. There are so many ways to tune into your body and improve your health that don’t involve a battery.

   
   

Final Thoughts: Friend, Foe, or Just a Tool?

Ultimately, wearable fitness technology is a tool. Like any tool, it can be used well, or it can create more problems than it solves. The key is to approach it with awareness, a healthy dose of scepticism, and a commitment to listening to your own body’s wisdom first and foremost.

Don’t let the pursuit of data overshadow the joy of movement, the peace of being in nature (hello, Sai Kung!), or the importance of genuine rest and recovery. Use these gadgets to support your journey, not define it. And always remember, the best smart training comes from understanding your unique body and its needs, something no gadget can ever fully replicate.

What am I doing right now? I’m taking my smartwatch off more than I wear it these days. It has its uses but I don’t live my life by it. I’m also actively looking for a good non-smart Sportswatch!

Interested in exploring how to optimise your health naturally, with or without the tech? Get in touch – I’d love to help you on your path!

Ally van de Pol is a Strength & Conditioning Coach, PPSC Pain Free Performance Coach, PPSC Pain Free Knees Specialist, Senior Exercise Specialist, Health & Wellness Coach, Certified Naturopath, Certified Iridologist, Certified Healing Diets Coach, Certified Herbal Medicine Therapist  

Keywords: wearable fitness technology, fitness tracking, smart training, Sai Kung workouts, EMF disruption