Wearable Fitness Trackers: Accuracy of Steps, Heart Rate, and Calories
The NASM-CPT Podcast With Rick RicheyShow Notes
Are wearable devices like Fitbits, Apple Watches, and fitness trackers really worth it? In this episode of the “NASM CPT Podcast,” host Rick Richey dives deep into the science and practical truth behind modern wearable tech.
🎧 Listen as Rick covers:
· The REAL accuracy of step counts, heart rate, and calorie burn measurements
· Surprising research on whether wearables motivate you to move more
· Why calorie tracking with wearables might be misleading (study-backed!)
· The psychological impact of fitness trackers: does tracking help or harm motivation?
· Rick’s expert advice on when wearable tech is helpful—and when it can steal your joy
📝 Cited studies include:
· Systematic reviews on device accuracy· Evidence on activity increase in adults vs. youth
· Sleep quality tracking reliability
Whether you’re a fitness pro, personal trainer, or just getting into wellness gadgets, this episode will help you make smarter choices about wearable tech. Don’t let tech ruin your love for movement—get the full picture here!
Show References:
Fuller, D., Colwell, E., Low, J., Orychock, K., Tobin, M. A., Simango, B., Buote, R., Van Heerden, D., Luan, H., Cullen, K., Slade, L., & Taylor, N. G. A. (2020).
Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8(9), e18694.
https://doi.org/10.2196/18694 Germini, F., Noronha, N., Borg Debono, V., Abraham Philip, B., Pete, D., Navarro, T., Keepanasseril, A., Parpia, S., de Wit, K., & Iorio, A. (2022). Accuracy and Acceptability of Wrist-Wearable Activity-Tracking Devices: Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of medical Internet research, 24(1), e30791.
https://doi.org/10.2196/30791 Srivali, N., & Cheungpasitporn, W. (2026). Concordance of wearable device sleep metrics with patient-reported sleep quality: A systematic review. Sleep medicine, 144, 108941.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2026.108941 Longhini, J., Marzaro, C., Bargeri, S., Palese, A., Dell'Isola, A., Turolla, A., Pillastrini, P., Battista, S., Castellini, G., Cook, C., Gianola, S., & Rossettini, G. (2024). Wearable Devices to Improve Physical Activity and Reduce Sedentary Behaviour: An Umbrella Review. Sports medicine - open, 10(1), 9.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-024-00678-9 Chen, X., Wang, F., Zhang, H., Lin, Y., Zhu, S., & Yang, Y. (2025). Effectiveness of wearable activity trackers on physical activity among adolescents in school-based settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC public health, 25(1), 1050. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22170-z
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The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM.
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