An Apple Watch is more than just a watch.

As an obsessed Apple Watch user, I am going to tell you why you need one too. My watch is more than a watch that I wear daily. It helps me achieve my wellness goals— the phone alerts are just a plus! This article is for the one who is on the fence about buying an Apple Watch, doesn’t know the amazing capabilities of it, or is curious to learn more! Here are five reasons why you should invest in an Apple Watch.

1. Endless features

With any watch, you can always have the time on your wrist. There are so many other uses to the Apple Watch than just using it to keep track of time. You can set a timer or alarm, text, check your email, find your iPhone, change your music, track your workout, set a reminder, use the Walkie-Talkie, monitor your heart rate, record a voice memo, and so much more.

2. Highly customizable

One of my favorite things is how customizable it is. The watch can be personalized to fit each wearer’s interests, hobbies, and passions. First, the home screen is customizable just like an iPhone. The icons can be rearranged and sorted to your liking. You can download apps that appear on your home screen. The watch doesn’t have an App Store; apps are downloaded through the Watch App on the iPhone.

Second, the watch bands are interchangeable. Personally, I have a white rubber watch band that I use to workout in as well as a nice, professional watch band for daily wear. It’s like my watch has two personalities! There are millions of bands on the market and can be purchased online and in store. Finally, the control center icons are also customizable. You can add, subtract, and move the symbols around. To do this, swipe up on the screen, scroll to the bottom, and press edit.

3. Tracks steps and exercise

This is the main reason of my purchase (and I am sure I am not the only one!) Health has always been important to my lifestyle. Tracking my workouts and steps helps me stay accountable. If you are on the fence, consider this: an Apple Watch is not just a watch. There is SO MUCH MORE! For me, it is not about the popularity; it is about staying aware and focused on wellness.

4. Fitness Goals

If you know one thing about an Apple Watch, it is probably the well-known “rings.” I am obsessed with closing my rings. If you do not know, each Apple Watch has 3 rings each representing various goals to accomplish each day. These goals are customizable and can be adjusted by scrolling down on the activity screen.

Pink is the Move ring. It represents the active calories burned. Blue is the Stand ring— achieved throughout the day by standing at least one minute each hour. Finally, Exercise is green. This goal tracks the time, in minutes, you have spent exercising or being active. In order to close all of your rings, you have to complete all of your goals. From experience, it is a rewarding feeling to feel the vibration and visually see the celebration on your wrist.

An Apple Watch has over 25 workouts to choose from. These workouts range from walking to cycling, HIIT, strength training, and dance. Selecting the workout you are completing improves the accuracy of calories burned. You can also set goals for each work out type. Fun fact: the watch doesn’t just track your activity for a day and then it is lost. You can find a calendar of activity in the Watch app on your phone and track your goals over a week, month, or extended period of time.

One awesome way to stay accountable is to share your workouts with friends or family. When you do this, you will receive a notification when they complete a workout, receive a badge, or close their rings.

5. Always in the know

The watch is connected via Bluetooth to your iPhone. Whenever you get a notification on your phone, you will receive that notification on your watch as well. In addition, you can answer phone calls and texts. Depending on if you have the cellular version, you have to be within a certain distance of your phone or connected to Wi-Fi.

One downside to this is the innate feeling of getting a notification even if you aren’t wearing your watch. Now that I have worn my watch for years, I have found myself lifting my wrist to check my watch even when I am not wearing it.

An Apple Watch is a great way to track fitness goals, stay in the know, and check the time. There are so many amazing features of this Apple product, but remember, there are pros and cons to every purchase. Maintain financial wellness by evaluating all aspects.

Ditch the regular watches for an Apple Watch (you’ll thank me later!)

Be Well, Auburn.

Disclaimer: it is important to remember that your workouts count even if your watch is dead or leave it at home one day. Do not let the absence prevent you from being active!