It seems every training apparel company has jumped on the wearable fitness tracker bandwagon recently, promising to be the most effective tool for maximizing your workout routine. Nike, Reebok, Jawbone, Samsung, and Fitbit have blazed the trail for other companies looking to cash in on the newest innovation combining technology and exercise. In spite of the claims these companies make in marketing their product, many fitness and health care experts argue whether spending upward of $100 on a wristband is worth the supposed benefits. Opponents on both sides of the activity tracker debate cannot deny their popularity, but what should we know about fitness tracking technology before purchasing our own wearable device?

According to a recent Endeavour Partners survey, one out of every 10 Americans over the age of 18 owned a fitness activity tracker in 2013. However, a third of the people who purchased fitness trackers stopped using the device within six months. Part of the reason people become so bored with their activity tracking wristband is obvious. With a fixed schedule of places to be and people to see, the amount of steps you take and calories you consume can become repetitive with no foreseeable change on a day to day basis. This is the exact industry paradigm fitness band manufacturers are looking to move away from. Take for example InvenSense, Inc., a company responsible for the MotionTracking sensors found in wearable fitness wristbands that are doing most of the heavy lifting in tracking our daily activity log.

“The problem with the current wearable fitness tracking market is that all of these devices are doing the same thing – counting steps,” Sam Massih, director of Wearables, InvenSense Inc., told Medical Daily. “After three months the user is bored with the device because they start to know how many steps they are going to take on any given day. With Automatic Activity Recognition (AAR) technology our upcoming Sharkband device will not only know when you are active, but also what activity you are performing. Instead of how many steps you take, it will know if you’re biking, on the elliptical, rowing, or swimming. It will even be able to tell which stroke you are performing (i.e. breaststroke or freestyle).”

It’s worth pointing out some of the current advantages certain fitness band users say they get from their device. After all, what works for some people won’t always work for others. For many fitness enthusiasts the sheer motivation behind owning a gadget that can track how many steps you take, the amount calories you consume, and how much time a day you spend active is enough to encourage walking home from work instead of taking the bus or climbing a flight of stairs over the elevator. Another advantage is the competitive aspect offered by that constant reminder on your wrist. Whether you’re competing against a friend’s goals or looking to beat your personal best, a fitness tracker can add a little extra inspiration to your workout.

“Wristband fitness trackers can be incredibly motivating and effective for workout enthusiasts,” certified personal trainer Joshua Duvauchelle told Medical Daily in an email. “For example, it can help you pinpoint exactly how active you are (many people overestimate or underestimate how hard they're exercising), and some trackers game-ify fitness. For example, Nike's wearable technology lets you ‘race’ against other runners, which competitive people can find very effective at getting them out onto the pavement.”

The biggest problem consumers run into when purchasing their own wearable activity tracker is choosing the right one that suits their training needs. Duvauchelle has also offered some notable features to look for when choosing your own wristband fitness tracker:

1. Data usage

What features does the product offer in terms of cataloging your workout? For the best results, look for a product that lets you download your workout data to your computer or monitor it through an online dashboard. Some of the cheaper wristbands just display the data on the actual device, which is limiting in its practicality.

2. Comfort

For the best results, you need to wear these trackers every day, all the time. Look for a product that fits well, doesn't get in the way of your day, and is subtle enough to work with your wardrobe, whether you're in the office or at home.

3. Additional features

With these devices running $80+, get the most bang out of your workout buck and look for products that offer additional health monitoring besides just exercise intensity, duration, or speed. For example, some products help you track your heart rate and your sleep patterns.