Back-to-back workouts, busy days, and midlife sleep changes have me wondering if I’m actually recovering as well as I thought. I wanted better insight into my sleep, recovery and daily habits—without another screen buzzing me all day.
What is the Oura Ring?
Oura Ring is a smart ring that tracks sleep, activity and recovery using heart rate, heart rate variability, movement and body temperature data.
How I found it:
I searched for things like “Is the Oura ring worth it?” and “Oura Ring vs Apple Watch”, watched a few unboxings, looked at reviews and talked to friends who already wore one. THE Oura Ring Gen 4 it continued to emerge as a quieter, friendlier lifestyle choice. After some curiosity—and some skepticism—I decided to give it a try.
After wearing it Oura Ring Gen 4 for over a yearthis is my honest review from real life.
Find the Right Oura Ring App (This Matters!)
Before wearing Oura Ring full time, use the sizing kit. This step is more important than you think.
I originally wore mine on my left hand because that’s often recommended, but it just didn’t feel right. i switched to mine right index and never looked back. I also sized up slightly, knowing summer swell was coming.
And here’s a big one: you have to wear it to bed to get the full benefit. I can’t sleep with anything tight on my toes, so comfort was a non-negotiable for me.
What I like about Oura Ring Gen 4
Sleep awareness rose
I’ve always valued sleep, but this ring made me really prioritize it. Seeing my REM, light, and deep sleep patterns helped me determine what was helping—or hurting—my rest. Small changes added up quickly.
Sleep quality is so important, especially as we get older. You might also enjoy these strategies for getting better sleep and the sleep gadgets that really made a difference for me.
Readiness rating keeps me informed
The readiness score combines sleep, activity and heart rate variability to estimate how recovered your body is. I don’t always agree with him—sometimes I feel great even when the score suggests rest—but it has made me much more aware of my habits.
Stress-free activity tracking
Oura Ring tracks steps, daily movement and estimated calories in a very non-judgmental way. I can glance at my activity score and know I’ve moved without feeling overwhelmed.
Battery life is a win
I charge the ring about once a week, usually while I’m in the shower. It’s fast, simple and stress-free.
All my health data in one place
Skin temperature, blood oxygen, resting heart rate and HRV are stored in one app. I especially like the quarterly health summaries—it’s motivating to see patterns over time.
As a personal trainer, this kind of feedback is incredibly valuable.
My daily experience with the Oura ring
Unboxing & First Impressions
The ring is elegant, light and minimal. Once I had the right size, it felt natural almost immediately.
Setup & First Use
Setup was quick—download the app, pair the ring, and you’re good to go. No hiccups.
How does it fit into my routine?
I wear the ring day and night, but often take it off during trainingespecially strength training, to avoid scratches. I recently added silicone ring coverswhich were a great solution when lifting.
Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch
I still use my Apple Watch for workouts and real-time heart rate. Outside of workouts, I’m back to wearing a regular watch.
What I love most is less buzz and fewer distractions. My Apple Watch workouts sync seamlessly with the Oura app, so all my movement still counts.
The step counts aren’t always identical, but they’re close enough — and I don’t sweat the small stuff.
The Triple Crown Challenge
One of my favorite motivations is something Oura calls a Triple Crown Day.— when your Readiness, sleep and activity scores all hit 85 or higher.
It has become a little personal game for me. Not an obsessive idea – just neat.
When I win a crown, it tells me I’m doing the basics right: moving my body, prioritizing rest and allowing for recovery. The hardest crown for me to win? Readiness. That’s where listening to my body still matters most.
Oura Ring Gen 4 Review: Worth It For Women Over 40?
As women go through menopause and menopause, sleep quality, recovery, and energy levels can change dramatically. Here is where the Oura Ring Gen 4 really stood out to me.
Instead of pushing harder, he helped me listen to my body—especially on days when poor sleep or higher anxiety showed up on my readiness score. While not a medical device, it provided valuable insight into patterns I would have otherwise ignored.
If you’re a woman over 40 who cares about strength, longevity, and everyday feel—not perfection—this kind of feedback can be incredibly helpful.
Not sure if a fitness tracker is right for you? Check out my guide to the pros and cons of fitness trackers for middle-aged women!
Cycle monitoring for younger women
Although cycle tracking is no longer relevant to me, I love that this feature exists. I wish I had a tool like this in my 20s, 30s, and 40s—it’s a powerful way to gain body awareness.
Do you need the Oura subscription?
The ring technically works without a subscription, but the $5.99/month subscription unlocks important knowledge.
If you want detailed trends, personalized recommendations and long-term data, I think it’s worth it.
Good to know: You can use FSA or HSA dollars to pay for the ring itself.
Accessories I actually use
These little additions made everyday use easier and more enjoyable.
What to consider before you buy
- Cost: An investment, not a necessity
- Use: Works best with daily and nightly use
- Lifestyle Fit: Perfect for everyday life and travel
- Learning curve: Very minimal
- Possible disadvantages: Requires subscription. The readiness score doesn’t always match how I feel
Final thoughts on the My Oura Ring Gen 4 review
I started out as a skeptic, wondering if I really needed another wellness gadget. After nine months, I can confidently say that Oura Ring Gen 4 he has earned his place in my routine.
It’s not about perfection – it’s about awareness.
For me, this smart ring was like one quiet little coachgently nudging me towards better sleep, smarter recovery and more mindful movement. And that’s exactly the kind of technology I can get behind.
Oura Ring Gen 4 FAQ
It uses sensors to track sleep stages, movement, heart rate, heart rate variability, and body temperature, and then converts that data into daily scores.
Like all wearables, it’s not perfect, but it’s consistent and very useful for spotting trends.
If sleep, recovery, and long-term health are important to you—and you want information without a bulky device—it can be very useful.
Night attire is most important. Day wear improves activity tracking but is flexible.
Yes. Apple Watch workouts sync seamlessly with the Oura app.
Yes, a monthly subscription is required for full access to the information.
Oura Ring is generally safe for everyday use. It is not a medical device. always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
