For decades, health-conscious individuals sought to collect personalized health data to better understand their bodies. For many, it started with a simple pedometer to track daily step counts. Next on the market was the Fitbit, a minimalistic wristband that served as a pedometer and eventually evolved to add heart rate and sleep tracking to its repertoire. Apple Watch had its big break soon after, allowing users to have access to a wealth of health metrics on a small wrist screen.
The strides that tech companies have made towards accessible health data are truly incredible. However, these watches often leave much to be desired in the fashion department. They can be clunky and aren’t cohesive with classier outfits.
In comes the Oura Ring to fill the style void!
Put a Ring on It
The first generation of the Oura Ring was released in 2015 but has recently gained traction due to social media representation. The features of this simplistic, classy ring are unrivaled by other technology.
The Oura Ring’s inconspicuous sensors provide detailed charts of your REM cycles and track your total sleep minutes and the efficiency percentage of your sleep. It also offers recommendations for optimizing your sleep time to ensure you start your morning as your most rejuvenated self. All you need to do is link the ring to your phone via Bluetooth to access information on the Oura app.
Another attribute of the Oura Ring is its ability to effortlessly track physical activity. The ring detects when you start a workout and stores all data so you can see trends and improvements over time.
Some of the most unique aspects of this ring are its during-the-day functions. Constantly monitoring heart rate, blood oxygen, body temperature, skin temperature, stress levels, cardiovascular age and more make this ring an extremely versatile and valuable piece of health technology.
The ring comes in two styles, one having an octagonal shape and the other having a completely smooth exterior. Color options include silver, gold, rose gold, shiny black and matte black. The ring retails for $299-$549 depending on style and finish.
So, Who’s Wearing This Thing?
Many health influencers have hopped on the Oura Ring train in the past year and now advocate for the invaluable health insight it provides its users.
Renee Noe, model and founder of the Noe Bad Vibes Run Club, sports her Oura Ring on her daily runs. Renee announced in a TikTok that one of her favorite ways to use her Oura Ring is to track her menstrual cycle. The ring connects to an app called “Natural Cycles,” which utilizes health metrics from the ring to create personalized cycle predictions. She wears the sleek style “horizon” in the silver finish.
Another influencer that uses the Oura Ring is Penn State’s own Katie Feeney. She wears the “horizon” style in the gold finish. Watching Katie’s social media content, it is evident that she is a health-conscious individual. Thus, her support of the ring influences like-minded people to buy the product.
The Oura Ring is a testament to the development of the smartwatch industry. Who knew all of that tech could fit in a thin band? And the best part is, it’s just as chic as a Cartier ring.
Would you invest in an Oura Ring? Let us know your thoughts @VALLEYmag on Instagram.
