50+ Wearable Fitness Tracker Statistics 2021

Wearable fitness trackers are becoming increasingly popular in the fitness industry. They allow people to monitor their health and fitness without having to rely on traditional methods, tracking daily activities and exercise routines.

To better understand the state of the fitness tracker industry, we researched, analysed, and compiled over 50 stats on wearable fitness trackers that you should know in 2021.

Top fitness tracker industry statistics for 2021

• The fitness tracker industry revenue for 2021 is approximately $41.94 billion, up from $36.34 billion in 2020
• The fitness tracker market projected value in 2028 is approximately $114.36 billion - expecting to grow 15.4% each year from 2021-2028
• In 2020, more than 445 million wearable fitness devices where shipped to consumers, with fitness tracker revenue growing more than 31% due to the pandemic.
• Roughly 20% of American consumers used a fitness tracker regularly as of 2019
  • The global penetration rate for fitness trackers reached 2.57% in 2021 and is expected to double by 2026 
• Each user provides an average revenue of $69.66 to the industry

Regional fitness tracker industry statistics

• As of 2020, 42% of the global fitness tracker revenue comes from North America due to the greater awareness and spike of adoption 
  • In 2019 alone there were 51.1 million units of fitness trackers (smartwatches + fitness bands) sold to consumers in the US
• Asia is expected to be the fastest-growing market from 2021-2028 due to:
  • Fast growth of health and fitness industry in these markets
  • Increasing interest from working-class populations
  • Rise in income levels of the average citizen 
  • Availability from brands in the region as well as the explosive growth of e-commerce in the region

Global fitness tracker market share by application

As of 2020, the breakdown of revenue market share by the use case of fitness trackers were:

• ~40% used for running
• ~25% used for sports
• ~20% used for heart rate tracking
• ~15% used for glucose measurement, sleep tracking, or cycling tracking

Despite being one of the smallest segments, glucose measurement is estimated to be the fastest-growing use-case over the next 7 years. 

Fitness tracker market share by device type

When analysing what devices consumers are using for fitness tracking, the market share breakdown is:

• 43% used a fitness band
• 28% used smart watches
• 12% used smart clothing
• 11% used smart glasses
• 2% used other options

Where consumers purchase their fitness trackers

As the online retail industry continues to grow, so do the sales of fitness trackers online. As of 2020:

• 61% of fitness tracker sales occurred online
• 39% of fitness tracker sales occurred in stores

Fitness tracker demographics

Age and gender

• Women are 38.88% more likely to wear a wearable fitness tracker than men
  • 25% of women responded positively to wearing fitness trackers
  • 18% of men responded positively to wearing fitness trackers
• Women 55 years of age or younger are the most likely to use wearable fitness devices while men above the age of 55 are the least likely

Income

• 31% of those earning $75,000 or more / year use a wearable device for fitness tracking
• Only 12% of those making $30,000 or less per year use a wearable fitness tracker
• ~50% of upper income households use fitness trackers and health apps
• ~33 of middle-income households use fitness trackers and health apps
• ~25% of low-income households use fitness trackers and health apps

Education

• College graduates are significantly more likely to wear a fitness tracker device than those who only have a high school degree or less

Race and ethnicity

• Hispanic adults use fitness trackers the most (26%)
• Black adults come in 2nd with 23% using a fitness tracker
• White adults are the least likely to use a fitness tracker (20%)

Geographical location

• Those in cities and suburban areas are more likely to use a fitness tracker or smartwatch with fitness tracking capabilities (35%) in comparison to those in rural areas (30%)

Pros and cons of fitness trackers

Benefits of fitness trackers

Studies and surveys have shown that:

• Fitness trackers that provide feedback on progress, allowed users to set goals, and sent reminder messages produced the best results for users
• Wearing trackers help raise baseline levels of motivations of their users
• Overweight women given a fitness tracker increases their average time spent exercising by 38 minutes / week in comparison to a group that were given pedometers who saw no increase
• 30% of users ranked fitness trackers as being very helpful in achieving their health or fitness goals and another 46% stating they were "somewhat helpful"
• Respondents explained that their fitness trackers helped them better understand their overall health, measure and understand their progress toward their goals, and train more effectively

Drawbacks of fitness trackers

Studies and surveys have shown that:

• Fitness trackers can provide inaccurate results when it comes to measuring metrics outside of steps
• Those who learn to track their diet and activity without the aid of fitness trackers tend to have greater long term success
• 1/3rd of users lose interest in their device in 6 months, which leads to a breakdown of habits built on the back of fitenss tracker use
• The focus on data and numbers can become an obsession, detracting from the importance of listening to how exercise makes you feel and if it is actually improving your health

FAQ

 Do Fitness Trackers Actually Improve Your Health?

Yes, fitness trackers do help you lose weight, reduce stress, and increase energy levels. However, they don't necessarily improve your health. The main problem is that most fitness trackers measure only one aspect of your health, such as heart rate, calories burned, or sleep quality. They also don't provide any feedback about how healthy your diet is, or whether you're getting enough exercise.

What is the average cost of fitness trackers?

The average price for fitness trackers ranges from $50 to $100. However, some fitness trackers can be found at a lower price point.

Are Fitness Trackers Worth the Money?

Fitness trackers are worth the money because they help you lose weight, keep you motivated, and provide feedback about your progress. However, fitness trackers are not for everyone, and they should be used as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Could a Fitness Tracker Boost Your Heart Health?

A fitness tracker could help you lose weight and keep track of your daily activities. However, it is important to note that these devices do not replace exercise, but rather they provide motivation for you to be active. The best way to lose weight is to eat less and move more.

Why are fitness trackers so popular?

Fitness trackers are very popular because they help people keep track of their physical activity. They also provide feedback about how much exercise you do, which helps motivate you to continue exercising. The best fitness trackers are those that connect to smartphones and allow users to upload data to the cloud for analysis.

How do fitness trackers work?

Fitness trackers work by measuring physical activity and sending data to a smartphone app. The app then sends the information to a website where users can view their progress. Some fitness trackers also measure sleep quality, heart rate, and calories burned.

What is wearable fitness technology?

Wearable fitness technology is a new category of devices that track health data such as heart rate, blood pressure, sleep patterns, and activity levels. These devices are worn like a watch, and they connect wirelessly to smartphones and other devices. They provide real-time feedback about how well you're doing, and help you achieve your goals.

What is the difference between an activity tracker and a fitness tracker?

An activity tracker is a device that measures physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, etc. Fitness trackers measure heart rate, calories burned, distance travelled, and other metrics. Both types of devices are popular among athletes, and they are also used for general health monitoring.

What kind of data does a fitness tracker collect?

A fitness tracker collects information about how much you move, how long you sleep, and what you eat. The data collected by these devices is then used to help you lose weight, gain muscle mass, and improve your overall health.

What kind of fitness trackers are there?

There are two main types of fitness trackers: smart watches and activity trackers. Smart watches are small devices that connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth. They usually display notifications from your phone and allow you to control music playback. Activity trackers are wearable devices that measure your physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, etc. They usually use sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS to record your movements. Some activity trackers also include heart rate monitors, pedometers, sleep tracking, and calorie counting.

What are some of the most popular fitness trackers?

The most popular fitness trackers include Fitbit, Jawbone UP, Garmin Vivofit, Nike Fuelband, Withings Pulse, and Apple Watch. 

What to look for in a fitness tracker?

Fitness trackers are great tools to help you lose weight, monitor your health, and keep you motivated. There are several types of fitness trackers available, such as smart watches, wristbands, and activity monitors. Most fitness trackers measure heart rate, calories burned, and other physical metrics. Some trackers also include GPS technology, which allows them to record your location. When looking to buy a fitness tracker you should consider:

• Battery life - How many days can I wear this without charging my watch or band?
• Waterproofing - Can I swim while wearing this? Is it water resistant?
• Display size - Does it have an easy way to view time/date?
• Heart Rate Monitor - Do I need one? What type will work best for me?
• GPS Tracking - Will I be able to see where I've been?
• Sleep Monitoring - Am I going to get enough shut eye
• Calorie Counter - Are they accurate?
• Activity Tracker - Do I really need one?
• Smartwatch vs Fitness Band - Which would suit me better?

References