The future of wearables
Wearables are expected to move towards personalised, real-time coaching, but for now that is mostly a projection. Today, trackers are linked with more steps, and they seem to work best with feedback or support. Treat one as a helpful tool, not a requirement.
At a glance
- Trackers help on average: across age groups they are linked with about 1800 extra steps a day1.
- Support seems to matter: in adults aged 60 and over, a tracker used alone gave small or non-significant effects, while feedback or professional support looked more promising2.
- The expected next step is personalised coaching built on your wearable's data, but this is mostly a projection3.
- Staying with a device is the hard part: a conservative estimate is that one in three people stop using a tracker within 6 months5.
What's next for wearable technology?
The expected direction is towards personalised, real-time coaching built on wearable data, but this is mostly a projection for now. New tools such as wearables, apps and virtual reality are expected to bring more help for exercising at home, including programmes that adapt to you as you go3. Machine learning is seen as a workable way to predict and personalise daily activity, and coaching may come from a virtual coach rather than only a real-life one4.
Here is where things stand today. Across age groups, trackers are linked with about 1800 extra steps a day1. In adults aged 60 and over, a tracker used alone gave small or non-significant effects. Adding personalised feedback, professional support or a digital platform looked more consistent, though this picture is still early2.
What will good feedback look like?
Feedback that works is given in real time, is personalised and relevant to you, and is easy to take in without much effort5. Early results from an AI virtual coach are encouraging: most people stayed with it and no harm was reported. Even so, the results can't yet be confidently put down to the programme or shown to last6.
Keeping going
Devices and apps need to be enjoyable and self-reinforcing, and ideas such as incentives, games and social networks may help5. If you're less confident with technology, extra support, clear instructions and some training can stop you giving up on a device7. Older adults seem to benefit in particular from structured feedback, professional guidance and clear instructions8.
Wearables are small, so they are easy to lose, and the health information stored on them could then be seen by others. Take care with where your health data is kept, and be cautious about anything that asks for payment or personal details5.
When to check with a health professional
If you're starting exercise after a long break, it's always a good idea to see your doctor first.
For an injury or a health condition, see a health professional, such as your doctor or a physio.
Call your local emergency number for chest pain or pressure (or pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, especially with sweating or feeling sick), severe breathlessness, fainting or collapse, signs of a stroke, a serious injury, or someone who isn't safe.
For a sore muscle or joint, ease off, and see a doctor or other health professional if it persists or gets worse. If you notice unusual tiredness, get it checked by a doctor.
A tracker's numbers are a rough guide, not a medical check. Pedometers can underestimate steps in people who walk slowly, and they can't capture how hard you are working. If you are worried about symptoms, see a doctor rather than relying on a device9.
Quick answers
Do I need a wearable to get more active?
No. Any movement counts, with or without a device. A wearable is one helpful tool among several. If you like the idea, start from the step count or activity you do now and build up gradually, rather than aiming straight for a big target.
How can I use a tracker if I'm not confident with technology?
Pick something simple that you find easy to use. Ask a friend, a family member or a professional to help you set it up and show you the basics. Clear instructions and a little training make it much less likely you'll give up on the device.
Related guides
- GuideUsing a tracker well, and its limitsA tracker helps most people move a little more, especially if you're not yet active, and it works best with one small goal and some support. Treat its numbers as a rough guide, look at trends rather than single days, and expect your interest to dip.
- GuideUnderstanding your dataTreat tracker numbers as rough guides and look at patterns over time, not single days. Heart rate can help you judge effort, but the talk test works without a device. Wrist heart rate is fairly dependable, sleep stages are the roughest reading, and sleep apps are no substitute for tested treatment.
- GuideWhat Twikka does with your health dataApps should ask your permission before they read data from Apple Health or Health Connect, and you choose what to allow. Who else sees your data depends on the app, so read what it says about sharing. You can take permission back later, but that may not delete data already collected.
- GuideTracker accuracyTrackers give rough guides, not exact figures. Step counts can be off in either direction, wrist heart rate is the most dependable measure, and calorie estimates are the weakest. Use them to watch your own pattern over weeks, and go by how your body feels.
- GuidePrivacy and your health dataWearables and health apps often collect and share more of your data than you might expect, and removing your name doesn't make data fully anonymous. Read the privacy information, choose the most private settings, protect your phone with a password, and don't treat a high rating as proof an app handles your data well.
- GuideChoosing a fitness trackerChoose a tracker you find comfortable and easy to use: a clear screen, buttons you can press, a strap that suits your wrist and battery life you can manage. Steps and active time are its most dependable numbers; treat calories, sleep and score figures as rough guides.
Sources
- Ferguson T et al. (2022). Effectiveness of wearable activity trackers to increase physical activity and improve health: a systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The Lancet Digital Health.
- FĂ©lix J et al. (2026). Use of wearable technologies for physical activity promotion in older adults: A systematic review. Ageing Research Reviews.
- Zhou T et al. (2025). Digital technology integration in home-based exercise: a systematic review of research evolution, applications, and impact mechanisms. BMC Public Health.
- Dijkhuis TB et al. (2018). Personalized Physical Activity Coaching: A Machine Learning Approach. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland).
- Sanders JP et al. (2016). Devices for Self-Monitoring Sedentary Time or Physical Activity: A Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research.
- Maher CA et al. (2020). A Physical Activity and Diet Program Delivered by Artificially Intelligent Virtual Health Coach: Proof-of-Concept Study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth.
- Moore K et al. (2021). Older Adults' Experiences With Using Wearable Devices: Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-synthesis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth.
- El Kinany K et al. (2026). Digital communication tools used to promote healthy lifestyles: an overview of reviews from the BRIDGE project. Frontiers in Digital Health.
- Cooper C et al. (2018). The impact of wearable motion sensing technology on physical activity in older adults. Experimental Gerontology.
General information to help you get active, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or symptoms, check with a health professional.
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