If you’re a regular here, you know I’m big on tracking sleep and activity. I don’t adhere to what most would consider a healthy lifestyle for sure — I smoke and I eat whatever I want. I try to offset those bad habits with a bit of exercise, an occasional diet, and a constant battle to get more sleep.
Like… you have to do something to offset this, right?
I consider myself a fitness technology expert. (Sort of.)
I can sort of claim that I can provide expert advice because I’ve worn some type of fitness technology over several years and those devices were manufactured by a variety of companies. From Jawbone’s UP band to no fewer than 10 Fitbits… and from multiple Apple watches to my Samsung Galaxy watch… and even some off-brand tech like Garmin and more in between — I’ve formed opinions on what I like and don’t like about them all.
After 2+ years, the one device that remains my overall favorite is the Oura Ring.
The Oura ring doesn’t just count steps. It doesn’t just give you sleep insights. It doesn’t just tell you when you should be active. It doesn’t just track your respiratory rate and body temperature. It doesn’t just know your body’s stress level. This ring does all of that and so much more! The app is perfectly laid out making it easy peasy for the user to review all data collected.
Oura might also be psychic!
The “readiness” score provided every morning is awesome! For example, say I get up and feel awful. I check my Oura ring and it already knows how I feel… it tells me why I’m feeling that way… and it provides suggestions on what I should do about it. There have been times my overly dramatic self translated the evaluations to read, “You slept like shit; your heartrate didn’t lower; and you should take it easy today because you’re about to croak.“
It’s crazy how a ring knows what your body is already telling you if you only listen…
My final suggestion is…
If you can only have ONE piece of fitness technology, let it be the Oura Ring. Buy a Walmart special if you need a watch and don’t want to go out on a limb and wear two types of health tracking devices. You’ll thank me later. I promise.
Did I mention?
The Oura Ring stays charged for 5-7 days and you can get it wet — you can wear it while bathing and swimming.
TIL (Today I Learned): Heinrich Hoffmann was Adolf Hitler’s official photographer. He received royalties from all uses of Hitler’s image, even on postage stamps, which made him a millionaire over the course of Hitler’s rule.