07. Fitness Trackers: Helpful, Harmful, or Just Overhyped?

Functionally Speaking

Are fitness trackers helping your health or quietly harming it?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re getting real about wearables: who they’re actually helping, when they’re causing more stress than support, and what to consider before recommending them to a client (or using one yourself). We share our own experiences with devices like the Oura ring and Garmin, unpack the pros and cons of tracking steps, sleep, HRV, and calories, and talk through what it means when someone is too attached to their data. We also explore how fitness trackers can become disordered tools when awareness turns into obsession—and how practitioners can screen for red flags and guide clients toward a healthier relationship with their bodies and their data.

If you've ever wondered whether fitness trackers are worth it—or how to help your clients use them without going overboard—this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• 03:22 Should you recommend fitness trackers to your clients?
• 03:40 Our personal experiences with Oura, Garmin, and other wearables
• 04:20 The upside: sleep, step tracking, and building awareness
• 05:42 How data helps (or hinders) clinical work and client outcomes
• 10:36 The line between helpful insights and unhealthy obsession
• 14:11 Listening to your body vs. outsourcing it to tech
• 16:02 Who should use a fitness tracker (and who probably shouldn’t)

Links and resources:

• Listen to Episode 05. Is Cycle Syncing Supportive or Just Another Form of Control?: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506559/episodes/17694954

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

The content shared by Unconventional Collaborative is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.