This is why the Oura Ring 4’s readiness metric is so important to me

When it comes to maintaining my fitness routine, I’m harder on myself than any other workout trainer I’ve worked with. Even when I’m feeling a little sore, tired, or don’t have enough time to stretch or warm up, I still often force myself to get in a workout.

The Oura Ring 4, which isn’t cheap at $350 for a $6 monthly subscription (hopefully checking out the Black Friday sales), helps me overcome the guilt that comes with skipping a workout accompany. This wellness tracking ring can measure everything from activity to heart rate to stress levels, but in my opinion it’s the way these metrics are presented in Oura’s app that sets this ring apart from other wearables.

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Oura not only provides a score indicating how well rested I am, but also gives me advice on how to put those scores into context – so I feel like the app is giving me guidance, not just spitting out data. This advice also includes telling myself when it’s time to take it easy.

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Oura’s Readiness Score Explained

To be clear, Oura’s Readiness Score is not new; It’s been a staple of the Oura app since the first-generation Ring debuted on Kickstarter in 2015. Oura isn’t the only wearable tech maker trying to provide more context about what the deluge of data on our devices means, either. For example, Apple introduced an Apple Watch feature called Training Load that allows users to see how exercise can affect their bodies over time. Samsung’s Energy Score metric is similar to Oura’s Readiness Score in that it analyzes various metrics to assess your physical and mental readiness for the day.

But I still think Oura’s metric is best for giving me meaningful information about my body and not just highlighting trends.

Oura’s Readiness Score takes into account factors like sleep, activity, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and body temperature to get a sense of whether you need rest or are ready to hit the gym. On days when I’m feeling a little exhausted and burnt out, a low Readiness Score gives me the extra confidence I need to take a break instead of rushing into a run.

For example, on a recent Saturday when my Readiness Score was pretty low (53 out of 100), the app told me that my resting heart rate was elevated and that I should have a “lot of fun” relaxing time. It was also mentioned that Oura members often experience increased resting heart rates on Saturdays, which was useful context that could help allay concerns about such metrics.

But it’s not just about telling me to relax when I’m tired. In early October, I developed a mild fever and sore throat, and my Oura ring detected my rise in body temperature and encouraged me to prioritize rest.

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That is, the Oura Ring 4 is anything but perfect; It’s the same price as many smartwatches, and you’ll need a $6 subscription to access most features. Automatic training detection works for certain exercises, such as: B. Indoor cycling, not always, and certain finishes of the ring cost more than others.

It may not be the best choice for people who care most about exercise tracking and monitoring their workout performance. But for people who want a holistic health tracker to ensure they’re getting enough sleep and activity, the Oura Ring won’t disappoint.

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Will the Oura Ring be on sale on Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday?

Although the Oura Ring 4 isn’t on sale – we’re keeping an eye on it – there’s still good news. The Oura Ring 3 is on sale for Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday. On Oura’s website, you can purchase the silver heritage version of the Oura Ring Gen 3 for $249, which is $100 off the usual price. The rose gold finish price, which normally starts at $549, is currently down to $349.

Although Oura just released the Oura Ring 4, Get the Gen 3 at a discount is a great offer. The Oura Ring 4 has a slimmer design and an improved sensor system, but you get the same features and health metrics as the Gen 3.

For more gift ideas, we found 22 of the best fitness gifts and 13 fitness gifts under $50. Also check out all our great Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday deals to shop this holiday season.