Exercise, Tech and Diabetes: How Getting Fit Has Changed in the Digital Age 

Today, technology plays an important role in exercise– especially for folks living with diabetes. From apps to wearables, new tech is making it easier for people living with diabetes to monitor their health in real time, adjust workout intensity, and keep track of important data that can inform both daily decisions and long‐term treatment plans.  

Let’s explore the relationship between exercise and technology! 

Why Exercise is Important for Diabetes 

Exercise helps your body use insulin better, which keeps your blood sugar at a healthy level. It can also help you maintain a good weight, lower your stress, and improve your overall health. When you exercise, your muscles use more sugar for energy. This means that regular activity can help lower your blood sugar levels and make your body more sensitive to insulin. 

Diabetes-Friendly Exercises 

There are many types of exercises that are friendly for people living with diabetes, including:  

• Walking: A simple daily walk can help keep your blood sugar steady. 

• Swimming: Spending some time in the pool is gentle on the joints and works the whole body. 

• Cycling: Riding a road, mountain or stationary bike helps strengthen your heart and muscles. 

• Yoga: Yoga can reduce stress and improve flexibility. 

• Strength Training: Lifting light weights or doing resistance exercises can build muscle and improve insulin use. 

How Technology Helps 

• Checking Your Blood Sugar in Real Time: Devices like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) let you see your blood sugar levels right away. For people living with diabetes, it is important to monitor blood sugar levels when exercising to avoid dangerous lows or highs. 

• Staying Safe: Many devices have alerts that warn you if your blood sugar is getting too high or too low. This lets you adjust your workout or have a snack to keep levels in range. 

• Keeping Track of Your Health: Smartphones and apps can collect data about your blood sugar, heart rate, and exercise over time. This information helps you and your healthcare providers make better plans for your health. 

• Staying Motivated: Fitness trackers and mobile apps can help you set goals, remind you to exercise, and even join challenges with friends, keeping you motivated to stick to your routine. 

Technology That Supports Exercise 

• Wearable Devices and Apps: Smartwatches and fitness bands can count your steps and track your heart rate. They often work with diabetes apps to show all your health data in one place. 

• All-in-One Health Apps: Many apps let you log your meals, medications, and workouts in one spot. This helps you see how food and exercise affect your blood sugar, so you can make better choices. 

• Remote Monitoring: Some tools let your doctor check your exercise and blood sugar data from a distance. This means your treatment plan can be updated quickly, sometimes without a visit to the doctor. 

• Using Your Data to Make Better Choices: Tracking your progress helps you see how your body responds to different exercises, so you can choose workouts that best suit you while staying safe. 

Suggested Fitness Apps and Tips for Staying Active 

• MyFitnessPal: This app helps you track your meals and exercise. It can show you how your diet and workouts affect your blood sugar. 

• Fitbit or Other Fitness Trackers: These devices track your steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns. They can remind you to move if you have been sitting too long. 

• Google Fit or Apple Health: These apps collect data from various devices and give you a clear picture of your overall health. 

There are little things you can do to optimize your fitness tech setup. Set daily reminders on your phone to take a walk or do a short exercise routine. Use a fitness tracker to set small, reachable goals like 5,000 steps a day. Keep a journal on your phone to record how you feel after each workout. 

No Need to Break a Sweat! 

For people living with diabetes, technology is more than just a convenience—it’s a key tool for safe exercise. It gives you real-time updates, alerts you when your blood sugar is off, and provides useful information to help you and your doctor plan the best treatment. With these tools, you can exercise with confidence and see better results. Remember to start slowly and celebrate every small victory. 

Author: Mary Houle, MSN, RN, BC-ADM, CDCES | CCS Health       

This site is for educational purposes only. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health.