5 Reasons to Wear a Fitness tracker on Your Ankle

Fitness trackers have become increasingly popular as people look for new ways to monitor their activity levels and stay healthy.

While wrist-worn trackers are the most common, another popular option is to wear the tracker on your ankle.

There could be several reasons, but it mainly comes to these 5 reasons to wear a fitness tracker on your ankle.

Let’s see what those are.

5 Reasons to Wear a Fitness tracker on Your Ankle

“Bare below elbow” policy

In many healthcare settings, a “bare below elbow” policy is in place to reduce the spread of infection. This policy typically requires staff to remove any jewelry or watches they wear.

However, this can pose a problem for those who rely on smartwatches/fitness trackers or other wearable devices to keep track of their health data.

One solution is to wear the device on your ankle. This way, you’ll still be able to track your activity levels and monitor your fitness metrics while remaining compliant with the policy.

You’re a professional runner

If you’re an experienced runner, you know that every stride counts. And if you’re looking for the most accurate data possible, you should consider wearing your running device on your ankle.

That’s because devices worn on the wrist can sometimes be inaccurate due to factors like arm swing and body movement. But when you wear your device on your ankle, you can be confident that it’s measuring your strides accurately.

Additionally, wearing your device on your ankle frees up your wrists so that you can focus on your form and technique.

You’re a cyclist

For a cyclist, wearing a watch or tracker on the wrist can be a bit of a hassle. Not only can it be uncomfortable, but it can also become a distraction in some scenarios.

That’s why many cyclists choose to wear their watches on their ankles. This way, they can still track their progress without worrying about it getting in the way.

You need to track your sleep

If you wear a wrist-based fitness tracker at night, there’s a good chance that you’ll find it uncomfortable and annoying. After all, sleeping with something strapped to your wrist is not exactly natural.

Wearing the tracker on your ankle instead can help you avoid this issue and may even lead to improved sleep quality, thanks to the fact that you won’t be constantly aware of its presence.

Watch itches on your wrist

If your watch itches on your wrist, wearing it on your ankle can help relieve the itchiness. This is because the skin on your ankles is thicker than on your wrists.

This thicker skin provides a barrier between the nickel in the watch and your skin, which can help to reduce or eliminate the itchiness.

Another reason that doesn’t fall under the umbrella of legitimate reasons for someone to wear the fitness tracker on their ankle is that: they just like it.

Yes, it’s important to point out that some people prefer wearing their fitness trackers on their ankles for no reason whatsoever.

Perhaps they don’t like how it looks on their wrist, or maybe they find it more comfortable wearing on the ankle.

Again, there’s no right or wrong way here; it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Benefits of Wearing a Fitness tracker on Your Ankle

If you lead an active lifestyle, you know wrist-based fitness trackers tend to fall off during intense workouts.

However, this isn’t an issue with ankle-worn trackers, as they’re much less likely to budge no matter how much sweat or movement you have.

The ankle’s supportive structure means there is less movement of the tracker, which leads to more accurate tracking of steps taken and other fitness metrics.

Additionally, because the ankle is further away from the hand, there is less interference from hand movements, making it easier to get a clear signal from the tracker.

Finally, wearing a tracker on your ankle may also help you stay more comfortable during extended periods of activity, as there is less pressure on the wrist when the watch is worn in this position.

Are There Any Disadvantages to Wearing a fitness tracker on Your Ankle?

There could also be a few potential disadvantages to wearing a fitness tracker on your ankle.

1. When worn on the ankle, the tracker’s display is often hidden by clothing, making it difficult to track your progress throughout the day.
2. The tracker’s position on the ankle can make it hard to press the buttons necessary to view the information.
3. It can be uncomfortable and interfere with normal movement, especially when you’re not used to wearing the watch on your ankle.
4. The ankle strap can rub against your skin and irritate it.
5. Ankle-worn fitness trackers/smartwatches are more likely to come into contact with dirt and water, impacting their accuracy.
6. You could easily scratch or damage the screen if you’re not careful when putting the watch on or taking it off.

Why not browse our blog on the best ankle fitness trackers and determine if one of these devices fits you?

Final Words

When it comes to fitness trackers, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people prefer to wear their tracker on their wrist, while others find that an ankle band is more comfortable. Ultimately, it all comes down to your preference.

That said, if you fall under these 5 criterias mentioned above, then wearing a Fitbit on your ankle might be worth it.

FAQS

Are ankle fitness trackers accurate?

It depends on what you want to use the tracker for. For example, if you’re mainly interested in tracking your step count and monitoring your sleep, then the ankle fitness trackers can be accurate.

However, if you’re planning to use the tracker for other activities, such as monitoring your heart rate or counting burned calories, it might not be as accurate as in the previous case.

Can you wear a fitness tracker on your ankle?

Yes, you can wear a fitness tracker on your ankle, as long as you feel comfortable enough to have it on your ankle.