Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Lifestyle
Sarah Lumley

Top 10 things Brits will track - with step count topping the list

Brits are fast becoming a nation of trackers, examining at least seven different areas of their lives.

A study of 2,000 adults found monitoring their step count comes in at number one, closely followed by tracking exercise levels and energy use.

Others keep an eye on their heart rate, weight and how much they’re sleeping.

Meanwhile the most popular tracking devices people use are online banking, weather forecast apps and smart meter displays.

Of those who have a smart meter, it helps 59% keep track of the amount of energy they use at home. It also helps 38% find ways to reduce energy use.

The findings have been brought to life in a Top of the Pops-style video, showing the "top tracks" across the country.

Brits will also use trackers to monitor calories burnt, energy usage and sleep (© 2021 Yiu Yu Hoi/Getty Images)

The survey and video were commissioned by Smart Energy GB, whose spokesperson, Victoria Bacon, said: “Technology is really useful when it comes to staying motivated and keeping track of your lifestyle.

“There are so many devices people use to stay on top of their life and accomplishments - from telling you how far you’ve run to monitoring your heart rate, and smart meters to show energy use around the home.

“With the cost of living rising so fast, it’s no wonder that tracking technology is becoming popular with more and more people.”

The survey went on to find three quarters (74% of Brits now use tracking technologies as part of their daily lives, up from 69% a year ago.

In particular, nearly a quarter (23%) now track our energy use at home, compared to 15% in February 2022.

With one in 10 using technology to monitor their life multiple times an hour.

And two thirds don’t believe they will ever give up keeping tabs on parts of their lifestyle, showing how ubiquitous this tech has become.

Eight in 10 that use tracking technology feel more on top of being more conscious of their wellbeing (Getty Images)

The research went on to find nearly four in 10 (39%) believe technology keeps them in control of certain areas of their life.

Furthermore, 34% think monitoring things makes them feel more motivated, and a third (33%) use this technology in a way they find helpful.

Health is a huge area for tracking tech - eight in 10 of those that use tracking apps for health feel more conscious of their wellbeing.

The same amount are more likely to notice issues with their heart rate, sleep and fertility quicker than without keeping an eye on themselves.

And 57% of those who monitor their fitness are motivated by seeing how other people are doing.

A further 67% feel more competitive with themselves in terms of saving money and fitness when they can see results in real time, according to the stats by OnePoll.

Victoria Bacon added: “It’s no wonder tech helps people feel in control and stay motivated when you can see real time results - and improvements. If you saw you ran 5km, you may want to run 6km next time.

“It’s also helpful when it comes to saving money. On your smart meter’s in-home display, you can see how much energy you’re using in near-real time, which can help you find ways to save.

"The smart meter also sends meter readings to your supplier automatically, ensuring you only pay for the energy you use.”

TOP 10 THINGS BRITS TRACK:

  1. Steps
  2. Exercise
  3. Energy (gas/and or electricity) use at home
  4. Heart rate
  5. Weight
  6. Sleep
  7. Calories burnt
  8. Spending habits
  9. Screen time
  10. Blood pressure

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.