The future of wearable technology is here, reshaping how we work, live, and thrive. From advanced health monitoring, lifestyle and fitness watches, gaming, and workplace innovations, wearable tech is becoming ubiquitous and necessary in some industries. Smart technology such as these helps us improve our health and boost productivity at home and in the office, and wherever you wear it on your body, the latest trend will take you to the next level.
Advanced Health Monitoring Devices
Wearable technology is revolutionizing health monitoring. Devices like continuous glucose monitors, blood pressure trackers, and advanced sleep analysis tools go beyond basic metrics, providing actionable data to enable individuals to manage their daily health. Health monitoring devices are important because they allow patients or customers preventative, diagnostic, and management capabilities, putting their health in their hands.
The following are key categories of advanced health monitoring devices:
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Fitness trackers and smartwatches
Fitness trackers and smartwatches can monitor physical activity, sleep patterns, and heart rate; some can even detect cardiovascular issues.
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Continuous Glucose Monitoring
CGM devices help save lives daily by helping diabetes patients track blood glucose levels in real time.
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Blood pressure trackers
Physicians can monitor patients remotely (and patients can monitor themselves) to check where their blood pressure is at any given time.
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Wearable biosensors
In remote patient monitoring and critical illness management, individuals can continuously track physiological data like body temperature, respiratory rate, and hydration levels.
There are even smart wearables for neurological monitoring for those with seizure disorders. The list of advantageous tracking and monitoring devices continues. Technology is truly on our side going into 2025!
In an article by BCC Research, the author discusses market trends and innovations in the wearable medical device market to pay attention to.
He shares, “The global market for wearable medical devices was valued at $35.6 billion in 2023. This market is estimated to grow from $45.0 billion in 2024 to $151.8 billion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.5% from 2024 through 2029.”
Current trends shape the health monitoring device market.
Integrating AI and machine learning is driving advancements in wearable devices, enabling predictive analytics, personalized care, and early disease detection. Companies are innovating with miniaturized, user-friendly designs and improved battery life to enhance functionality and usability.
Additionally, there has been an increase in designs that monitor mental health and seamlessly integrate with health platforms like EHRs, enabling more body and mind care.
These innovations pave the way for a future where personalized healthcare is always within reach.
Fitness and Lifestyle Wearables
Wearable trends now focus more on holistic wellness, including stress management tools, hydration reminders, and personalized fitness coaching. These advancements provide users with proactive, tailored support for overall health and well-being.
The health and wellness market is worth over $400 billion in America. In an article from McKinsey & Company about wellness trends and insights, the author discusses its research:
“Eighty-two percent of US consumers now consider wellness a top or important priority in their everyday lives…this is especially true among Gen Z and millennial consumers, who are now purchasing more wellness products and services than older generations, across the same dimensions we outlined in our previous research: health, sleep, nutrition, fitness, appearance, and mindfulness.”
That said, fitness and lifestyle wearables are trending upward as technological advancements make them more accurate, versatile, and accessible, appealing to a broader range of users.
Examples of some of the best fitness trackers from 2024, discussed by Live Science, include:
- Amazfit Balance
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Garmin Fenix 7
- Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9
- Garmin Forerunner 965
In addition, the Oura Ring 4 (most recent version) provides precise sleep, heart rate, and activity tracking in a compact, stylish design, offering personalized insights and early health alerts.
If we look forward to 2025, wearable technology and data-driven training technology will be the top trends.
The American College of Sports Medicine posted an article on the top fitness trends for 2025, and each trend received expert commentary.
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Wearable technology
“Wearables are getting smarter each year, and it is important we leverage these enhancements to motivate and inform our clients” (Cayla McAvoy, PhD, ACSM-EP).
“With access to more and more data, exercise professionals should work to educate clients on how to interpret and apply the data to drive improvements in health behaviors like physical activity, sleep, and even recovery” (Rachelle Reed, MS, PhD, ACSM-EP).
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Data-driven training
“Clients are desiring instant feedback on their training so that they can adjust or modify to maximize outcomes and reduce injury…” (A’Naja M. Newsome, PhD, ACSM-CEP, EIM).
The rise of wearable technology reflects a growing consumer demand for tools that support holistic wellness and data-driven insights. They are imperative in empowering individuals to make informed health, fitness, and overall well-being decisions.
Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR)
The technology in VR and AR has progressed so much over the last few years that it’s almost time to replace bulky headsets with smart glasses.
Augmented Reality (AR) glasses are wearable devices that overlay digital information, images, or holograms onto the real world through transparent or semi-transparent lenses. They combine the physical and digital worlds, enabling users to interact with virtual content while maintaining awareness of their surroundings, slightly different from the VR experience.
AR-enabled glasses, especially ones with enabled AI, benefit individuals by enhancing productivity, gaming, and navigation, bringing digital interactions closer to daily life.
A fantastic example of these glasses is Meta’s Orion, their “first true augmented reality glasses.” Orion is much more advanced than their current AR glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta.
According to their site, “Orion combines the look and feel of a regular pair of glasses with the immersive capabilities of augmented reality – and it’s the result of breakthrough inventions in virtually every field of modern computing.”
In addition, Microsoft, Apple, Snapchat, and Magic Leap each have their version of AR glasses.
How smart AR glasses can benefit industries
Individuals use smart glasses for navigation, remote collaboration, training, gaming, and accessibility, with applications ranging from professional workflows to entertainment and education.
In the healthcare industry, surgeons can use AR glasses to display patient vitals or surgical blueprints in real time, while students can perform surgical procedures in virtual simulations.
AR glasses are an indispensable product for education and training. Students can immerse themselves in historical events, and engineers can explore virtual models of structures in a classroom setting. They also improve professional training, enabling realistic flight simulations for pilots or practice scenarios for emergency responders. In these two realms, the benefits of smart glasses are almost limitless.
In manufacturing, smart AR glasses can provide step-by-step instructions or schematics directly in a worker’s field of view or enable remote expert support for troubleshooting equipment.
They truly are a trend to keep watching.
Wearables for the Workplace
It is important in the workplace to stay ahead of and embrace technological innovations. Smartwatches, augmented reality (AR) glasses, and wearable sensors aren’t just tech trends; they are transformative tools that improve workplace safety, communication, and efficiency, ultimately reshaping businesses’ operations.
In the workplace, employees are using wearables to stay safe. AR glasses can give real-time hazard alerts and allow for hands-free navigation, emergency guidance, and better collaboration between co-workers, experts, and off-site management.
Health and safety experts at the CDC use construction as an example of how wearable technology is useful. The tech comes in different forms: glasses, clothing, watches, and helmets. It can help detect something environmental or physiological that may cause a worker to be in danger or assist in navigating or finding necessary equipment.
In an office setting, AR glasses redefine how teams collaborate and communicate, bringing efficiency and innovation to everyday tasks.
Virtual meetings take on a new light where team members can interact in 3D, increasing communication and efficiency. Language barriers are broken down with real-time subtitles and translations, and presentations are more interactive, allowing participants to visualize data, charts, and prototypes more easily.
Smart rings, brain-tracking headbands, posture-correcting trainers, smart clothing, and smartwatches are all additional examples of wearable tech that benefit employees in an office setting.
Wearables for the workplace are no longer just a convenience; they create a safer, smarter, and more connected workplace across industries.
Sustainability and Customization in Wearables
As with many technologies, wearable tech manufacturers focus on what materials they use in their products. Concerned individuals and businesses are taking responsibility for how they use these products and what they do with them at the end of their lives.
Companies are investing in innovative solutions like biodegradable plastics, recycled materials, and eco-friendly manufacturing to minimize their environmental impact. By prioritizing energy-efficient designs that use rechargeable batteries, wearable devices are built to last longer, promoting sustainability and reducing electronic waste.
Modular design in wearable tech is a type of customization that allows users to select and interchange parts of their product personally. For example, fitness enthusiasts can prioritize advanced health-tracking modules, while office professionals can focus on productivity enhancements like AR displays.
A modular wearable device is eco-friendly because users can easily replace certain parts instead of discarding the entire wearable device. Users can also upgrade without having to purchase another product.
Personalization options are also key selling points in the wearable tech market. Wearable technology offers numerous ways to tailor devices to fit styles, preferences, and needs.
Some great examples of wearable personalization options include customizable hardware (think bands, colors, modular hardware), watch faces and widgets, health and fitness settings, notifications and apps, style integration, accessibility features (think visual, audio, translations), and more.
Conclusion
The wearable tech industry is revolutionizing lifestyle, health, and fitness management, as well as safety, collaboration, and communication. By blending innovation, personalization, and sustainability, wearables are more than tools—they’re essential companions in modern life. As advancements continue to evolve, the possibilities for wearable tech are limitless, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of our connected future.