The Death of Free Fitness Trackers: An Era of Subscriptions
The Negative Impact of Subscriptions on Fitness Trackers | ENBLE
Subscriptions ruin fitness trackers ENBLE.
Image: Joe Maring / ENBLE
Once upon a time, there was a world where you could buy a fitness tracker like a Fitbit, slap it on your wrist, and live your life to the fullest. A magical companion app would sync with your tracker, granting you a deep dive into your daily activities, health stats, and even your sleep patterns. And the best part? All of this data was available for free! You just had to buy the tracker itself, and voila, you were good to go. One and done.
But alas, dear reader, things have taken a turn for the complicated. While smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch can track your activity and health metrics, there is now a vast universe of dedicated fitness and health trackers. These little wonders can provide even more in-depth data about your well-being. However, much to our dismay, many of these trackers have shifted to subscription-based models. Yes, my friends, they now demand a toll for that juicy data. And let me tell you, the free tiers they offer are about as valuable as a coupon for reheated leftovers.
Gone are the days of buying a simple device to track your health. Now, you must brace yourself for the era of subscriptions.
The Current State of Fitness Tracker Subscriptions
Image: An Oura Ring next to an iPhone and Apple Watch Andy Boxall / ENBLE
When we think of health wearables, our minds tend to wander to the familiar realms of the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. Ah, those glorious smartwatches that double as health trackers. And you know what’s even more surprising? They don’t demand an additional tribute for their health benefits. They’re like noble knights fighting for your well-being, free of charge (well, except for the initial purchase, of course).
Now, personally, I’ve been loyal to my Apple Watch for eons. Currently sporting a first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, it’s been my faithful companion through thick and thin. But, being the adventurous soul that I am, I decided to explore other devices as well. An Oura Ring, a Withings Body+ scale, and a Withings Scanwatch joined my entourage. You know, to keep things interesting. But let me tell you, dear reader, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The market is teeming with options like the Whoop band, an array of Fitbits, the Google Pixel Watch 2, and countless watches hailing from Garmin’s kingdom. But wait, there’s a catch! Most of these wearables strongly recommend a premium subscription for unlocking their full potential. (In the case of Whoop, the hardware is free, but they’ll have your soul in exchange for a required subscription.) It’s like being teased by a treasure chest that can only be opened with a golden key.
And let’s talk numbers, shall we? Brace yourself for the impact, my friend. These subscriptions range from a humble $6 for the Oura Ring to a hefty $30 for the Whoop band. When you combine these prices with the cost of the hardware itself, the total expense can make even the most stoic of tech enthusiasts break into a cold sweat. Take the Oura Ring, for instance. It starts at $300, but depending on your design preferences, it can climb up to a perplexing $549. Add 11 months of subscription (you get one month free with purchase), and you’ll find yourself reaching a grand total of $615. That’s enough to make you reconsider the cost of your own well-being.
In a world consumed by subscription models for streaming services, apps, and everything in between, the burden of adding a health/fitness subscription seems to demand some serious soul-searching.
It’s Not as Simple as ‘Just Don’t Subscribe’
Image: Oura Ring Horizon Andy Boxall / ENBLE
Here’s the plot twist, dear reader: while none of these wearables outright demand a subscription (except for Whoop, the rebel of the bunch), the free data they offer is usually so scarce that it’s as worthless as an umbrella made of tissue paper.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on my tale. I’ve been proudly wearing an Oura Ring since the second generation blessed the world with its presence. When the third generation, Oura Ring 3, arrived, so did the winds of change. The company decided to switch to a subscription model. Now, if you don’t subscribe, you’re left with a measly glimpse of your three daily Oura scores, battery level, and basic profile information. It’s like receiving an invitation to a lavish feast but being offered only a single crumb. The real data, the juicy stuff, like heart rate, stress levels, body temperature, blood oxygen levels, HRV, and more? Hidden behind the Oura membership gates. If you don’t dance to the subscription tune, the Oura Ring becomes nothing more than a shiny trinket on your finger. Being the curious soul that I am, I subscribed to Oura because I find its insights valuable. There’s something oddly satisfying about knowing your nightly body temperature and stress levels, wouldn’t you agree?
On the other hand, Withings still maintains a degree of functionality even without subscribing to its premium service, Withings+. With this subscription, it’s all about personal guidance and motivational goals based on your health and activity data. It’s like having a virtual sidekick cheering you on in your quest for wellness. While it’s a nice-to-have for those determined to achieve their goals, it’s by no means necessary to make the most of your current Withings devices.
Now, let me share with you the tale of the Google Pixel Watch 2, the shiny new contender in the battle for our wrists. This mighty warrior relies on the Fitbit app for all its health and fitness tracking. Yes, you guessed it, basic features like daily steps/activity and sleep scores are available for free. But dare to venture beyond the bare necessities, and you’ll stumble upon paywalls. Oh, the horror! Features like the new Stress Management feature, in-depth sleep analysis, and your Daily Readiness Score are all locked away, waiting patiently for you to surrender your hard-earned dollars, or in this case, your precious subscription fee of $10 a month. It’s a bit scummy, if you ask me. And even though Google throws in six free months when you buy a Pixel Watch 2, the whole setup feels like a cruel joke.
This Subscription Madness
Image: Andy Boxall / ENBLE
Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we’ve reached a tipping point. Everything these days seems to demand a subscription. I find myself submerged in a sea of streaming services, app payments, and subscriptions to cloud storage. It’s an endless cycle that offers fleeting moments of joy amidst a sea of transactions, and don’t even get me started on the horrors of subscription fatigue. Money seems to evaporate into thin air faster than you can say, “Enble, save me!”
What makes health and fitness subscriptions an even greater burden is the hardware required to unlock the full potential of these services. It’s like entering a labyrinth with no exit. The decision-making process becomes more complex than deciphering a treasure map. Should you invest in the Oura Ring, the Fitbit, the Garmin, or dive into the Google Pixel Watch 2? The options taunt us, tempting us with promises of well-being, all while demanding an extra tribute. Plus, let’s not forget that to truly benefit from these devices, you must wear them day and night, like a modern-day superhero with a secret identity.
Sure, fitness subscriptions aren’t entirely new, but it feels like every brand wants a taste of the subscription cake these days. I, for one, was oblivious to the existence of Withings+ until recently. While I’m grateful that it’s not a prerequisite for unlocking the data I crave from my Body+ scale and ScanWatch, I can’t help but wonder, how many other secrets are lurking in the shadows of the subscription world?
As for me, with my trusty Oura Ring nestled gracefully on my finger, I will carry on with my Oura membership. But let’s be honest, it’s incredibly absurd how useless the ring becomes without that magical subscription. Without it, you’re left wandering in a desert of meaningless data, with no oasis in sight. Ah, those were the days when you could simply buy a fitness tracker and be done with it. No added fees, no subscriptions, no paywalls. Just buy, wear, and revel in the delightful world of data. I find myself yearning for simpler times, my friends. Subscription fatigue shows no signs of fading away, and quite frankly, I’m exhausted.
So, dear reader, as I conclude my saga, I ask you this: how do you navigate the treacherous seas of subscriptions? Do you surrender to the demands of the health and fitness overlords, or do you stand strong, refusing to be shackled by yet another payment? I eagerly await your response, as we venture forth into this brave new world of subscriptions and technology. Together, we can conquer the wild lands of wellness, armed with knowledge, a sprinkle of skepticism, and perhaps a pinch of humor to keep our spirits high.
