Wearables – A New Kind of Health Companion
From steps to insights: How today’s wearables use artificial intelligence to make sense of your health.
New beginnings don’t have to wait for a new year; smart health and fitness devices empower fresh starts any day. By quietly tracking daily habits and connecting the dots between sleep, movement, body composition, and heart health, today’s wearables make it easier than ever to build healthier routines that last.
AI to the Rescue
Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed smart devices into sophisticated yet simple tools. Instead of overwhelming users with isolated data points, today’s wearables analyze patterns over time to deliver practical, personalized health insights through user-friendly interfaces. This shift proves especially valuable for older adults seeking helpful guidance without wrestling with complicated technology. This is a gamechanger for users who want helpful guidance without the tech headaches.
Forget deciphering complicated data. AI-powered wearables now answer everyday questions:
- Did I sleep well last night?
- Am I getting enough rest?
- How active should I be today?
- Is my heart rate normal?
The Expanding Wearables Landscape
Wearable devices have exploded in popularity over the past decade. Smartwatches dominate the market, but smart scales, rings, and fitness bands are catching up fast. An Accenture study found that nearly one in three American adults now own a wearable device — over 90 million people tracking their health daily, and 76% to 90% are willing to share wearable data with their physicians.
The momentum isn’t slowing down. According to a recent forecast, the global wearables market is set to surge by more than 76% by 2034, driven by breakthroughs in AI, health monitoring, and user-friendly design.
Top Smart Wearables and Devices
Watches
- Apple Watch (iOS | $399–$799+)
The market leader offers comprehensive health and fitness tracking, including ECG monitoring, blood oxygen measurement, and fall detection. Apple Fitness+ subscription is optional. - Samsung Galaxy Watch (Android | $390–$549)
A top choice for Android users, offering sleep tracking, body composition analysis, and seamless integration across Samsung devices. - Garmin (Android | $200–$3,000+)
Renowned for advanced fitness metrics, exceptional battery life (up to 14 days), and models ranging from casual fitness to serious athletics.
Want to win your very own Apple Watch? If you take in-person classes with Senior Planet at one of our main locations, ask your local Trainer how you can participate in the Senior Planet Loyalty Program. This quarter, we’re giving away an Apple Watch Series 11! After taking 10 classes and filling up your punch card, complete an entry form and share what tech skills you’ve learned. Find all the details in our Winter 2026 Program Plan.
Scales
- Withings Body+ ($75–$100 | Optional subscription)
Provides comprehensive insights into full-body composition, including fat, muscle, water, and bone mass. - Fitbit Aria Air ($40–$50 | No subscription)
Acquired by Google in 2021, the Aria tracks weight, BMI, and body fat percentage for users who prefer simplicity. - Hume Health Body Pod ($150–$230 | Optional subscription)
Offers advanced body composition analysis, including fat, muscle, water, and bone mass, with insights designed to help users understand metabolic health and long-term trends.
Rings & Bands
- Oura Ring ($249–$499 | Subscription required)
A leading smart ring known for sleep, recovery, and wellness tracking. - RingConn $199-$299 | No subscription
Comprehensive health monitoring, 10–12-day battery life, and lifetime access to data.
- Fitbit Inspire 3 Band ($99 | Premium subscription required)
Designed for everyday activity and sleep monitoring with a simple interface. - Garmin Vivosmart 5 Band ($149 | No subscription)
Offers in‑depth health metrics in a slim, easy‑to‑wear band.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next
The future of wearable technology looks promising. Upcoming devices may predict health issues before they arise, integrate seamlessly with electronic health records, and use voice-based AI to answer health questions in a conversational manner. These advancements aim to make health tracking feel supportive rather than overwhelming.
Want to know more about wearables? Join Senior Planet’s talk February 20 on Wearables at a Glance. Details are here.
Bottom Line
Wearable technology has evolved far beyond simple step counting. Today’s AI-powered devices help users understand their health holistically and make informed choices that support daily wellness. For older adults, especially, modern wearables serve as friendly, reliable companions — keeping them informed, motivated, and thriving.
YOUR TURN
Do you use any wearables or smart scales? Leave a comment and let us know about your experience. We’d love to hear from you.
Deborah Reale is a digital marketing and communications consultant specializing in social media, analytics, content writing, and editing. Ms. Reale has written for Business Development Magazine, Construction Industry Today, and quoted in Investor’s Business Daily and the book Social Media in Action. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a graduate degree in business administration.
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Comments
I wear the fitbit versa 2 that has the sp02 that I like and also has the weather on it. I have a subscription for it also. I would like to find a new health watch but I would like to have both of those on it. If anyone knows a health watch that has both of those on it. I would love to here about it but it needs to be on the lower side of money because I am a elderly woman who is on a fixed income.
I have been in search of a wearable tracker that has continuous sp02 monitoring along with other metrics. I have ILD (aka interstitial lung disease). Does anyone have a tracker that has good to excellent sp02 monitoring?
THANK YOU.
Hello John. Some smartwatches are able to do on demand spO2 monitoring and continuous, such as the Garmin Venu 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. They continuously monitor during sleep and on demand monitoring during the day. If you want continuous medical grade monitoring, the Masimo W1 and OxyKnight Watch provide exceptional tracking. Three other wearables that are specifically designed for O2 monitoring are . Wellue O2Ring, Wellue SleepU, and the EMAY Sleep Oxygen Monitor.
I have a Samsung Galaxy 7 smartwatch. I find it interesting to follow my health and helpful in achieving some goals. I particularly like the sleep information and the AGES index.