**While our forebears depended on their senses to gauge their well-being, we increasingly turn to devices.**

Nowadays, if you’re inquisitive enough, you can monitor your heart rate, your step tally, your workout intensity, and your sleep quality—often all from one stylish gadget. In optimal scenarios, these gadgets create a link between how you subjectively feel and what you can objectively quantify. This is typically a really impressive and remarkable aspect. Our personal feelings and evaluations are significant, but they’re not always the most dependable. We humans are simply not particularly adept at measuring our experiences and actions with stark accuracy.

Consider a colleague of mine as an example. He was convinced he was consuming calories within a tight range, but after meticulous tracking, he found out he was indulging in an extra 500 calories each day—thanks to barbecue sauce. That said, some individuals excel more than others. Ben Johnson, the Canadian sprinter, was said to be capable of estimating his 100-meter time to within a tenth of a second of the stopwatch reading. That’s definitely exceptional performance, to be sure, but it still raises the question:

**How well can you evaluate yourself?** And, how can you enhance your precision with the smart application of technology—like fitness trackers—to assist you in making better health choices? In the article that follows, we’ll examine the above points and also discuss:

– **How precise are data trackers** in the beginning?
– **When is tracking beneficial?** (And when isn’t it?)
– Can you educate yourself to **more accurately evaluate things by sensation?**

Let’s dive in.

### First, how precise are data trackers, really?

**Not all data is of equal quality.**

Certain brands manufacture superior products compared to others. This pertains not only to hardware but also to the quality of their software and datasets. Furthermore, not everything is equally straightforward to quantify. For instance, heart rate and step count data are generally trustworthy, but many other data types—from calories consumed to movement speed—have significant margins for error. The subsequent chart illustrates the reliability of various tracking devices. (If you’re interested, we delve into the precision of various progress indicators in greater depth here: **[Are Fitness Trackers Worth It?](https://www.precisionnutrition.com/are-fitness-trackers-worth-it)**)

### Next, when is tracking truly beneficial?

The positive: Tracking devices provide us with more insights into our behaviors and bodies than ever before. The drawback: Tracking devices provide us with more insights into our behaviors and bodies than ever before. “What’s genuinely astonishing,” states Samantha Kleinberg, a computer scientist who researches decision-making, “is that even a small amount of extra information can have a significant negative impact on our decision-making.” This is the tracking paradox: **Insufficient details complicate making the right choice, but so does excessive information.** This can be represented as an inverted U, with the optimal point at the peak of the curve.

**Today, it’s surprisingly simple to have an overload of information.**

Imagine the analysis paralysis that hits you after perusing countless reviews of various taco establishments in your area. (All you wanted was a decent *el pastor,* but now you’re confused about which *taqueria* to choose!) Unearthing just enough information to make sound decisions is an art form—particularly in the realm of health and fitness, where it feels like everyone is competing to offer more science, greater customization, and added complexity. But when all that information becomes a blur with no distinct direction, what should you do?

To start, you can pose yourself a straightforward question:

**Does tracking enhance my wellbeing and performance?**

If the answer is a definite yes or no, you know the next step. (Either keep tracking as you have, or set the gadget aside and move on.) If you’re somewhat uncertain, here are three indicators to look for that will help you identify whether tracking is beneficial—or not.

### Sign #1: Tracking is reducing your stress and affirming your method(s).

When Zak’s trainer praised the merits of zone 2 cardio, it seemed logical. But when he hit the pavement, Zak questioned everything. Zak took pride in his toughness and simply didn’t trust that something that *felt* effortless could also be effective. Yet, the data was honest. Over the weeks, Zak observed his resting heart rate decline—along with the time it took him to recover from intense runs. With that confidence, Zak gradually eased up on the process—and his resting heart rate plummeted further. Zak hadn’t trusted his instincts, but he *did* trust the statistics from his heart rate monitor.

Utilizing a tracking device allowed Zak to fine-tune his perceptions so they became more accurate and realistic. If you’re a coach with a client like Zak who’s high