In a new study, researchers followed 400 healthy adults for six months and found that when people used activity monitors without a specific goal in mind, their activity declined and their heart health failed to improve. Researcher Dr. Luke Burchill notes, “When paired with activity goals—such as 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day or 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week—these trackers can be powerful tools for increasing physical activity.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, December 2017