Wearable fitness trackers have become a popular way to encourage people to exercise. Some workplaces hand them out to keep their employees motivated to move throughout the day. There are many types of trackers to fit your needs. Some just keep track of basic activities, like the number of steps you take in a day. Some are able to monitor the amount of sleep you get at night, or your heart rate throughout the day. Many trackers sync to your phone or computer so you can see the data they collect. Some even have GPS tracking, so you can run through your neighborhood and get an accurate map of your run.

All of these capabilities are great, but they do have their limitations. Recent studies have found that the optical heart rate sensors on watch-type fitness trackers are not nearly as accurate as wearing a chest strap. The amount of calories your watch says you’ve burned may not be accurate either. And even the best fitness tracker isn’t going to put on your walking shoes for you so you can reach your goal.

So, how do you get the most benefit out of wearing a fitness tracker? Here are a few tips.

Get a baseline reading. When you get your fitness tracker, just put it on and go about your normal routine for a couple of days. After you’ve synced it to your device, take a look at the data you collected for those days. Check how many steps you took. If you have a heart rate monitor, see if you brought your heart rate up at any point in the day. The idea is to get a snapshot of your typical day.

Set realistic goals. After you’ve taken your baseline readings, set a small goal that is achievable. For example, if you see that you take about 6,000 steps per day, try to increase that by 10 percent for a total of 6,600. Decide where you might get those extra 600 steps. You could take the stairs rather than the elevator. You could take a short stroll at lunch or after dinner. As you meet these goals, keep increasing them.

Take on a challenge. Many fitness tracker apps allow you to join challenges. When you join a challenge, the app will automatically log your information and let you know if you are on track to meet your goal.

Find a friend. Get a group of friends or coworkers together for a friendly challenge. Your employer might even set challenges that your team could join. Having a partner keeps you motivated.

Remember, your fitness tracker is one of many tools you can use to increase your fitness level. It is a great way to get a big picture of how much you move throughout the day. Keep challenging yourself to the next level!