What is the ‘smart ring’ that Gareth Southgate, England Euro 2024 team & Kim Kardashian wear? Oura benefits explained
GARETH Southgate has been keen on introducing developing technologies to aid his side during his eight-year spell as England boss.
One such gadget is the celebrity endorsed Oura smart ring — here’s everything you need to know about the device.
The England boss was spotted wearing an Oura ring on his left index finger
What is a smart ring?
Smarts rings are compact wearable electronic devices combining mobile technology with features for convenient on-the-go use.
They are typically designed to fit on a finger like a traditional ring and offer functionalities like mobile payments, access control, gesture control, and activity tracking.
There are also a number of models aimed at the health and wellness market, featuring biometrics to help monitor your wellbeing, sleep and exercise etc.
Three Lions’ players and staff have turned to a celebrity-endorsed wellness tracking ring in their bid to become Euro 2024 champions.
Earlier this year the FA took up a partnership with Google Cloud to add interactive ‘Player Profiling System’ technology to England’s preparations, which profiles how players react to being substituted or benched.
Who has been spotted wearing the Oura smart ring?
England stars including Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi were spotted wearing the high tech jewellery during training in the week leading up to their opening Euro 2024 fixture against Serbia on Sunday, June 30.
Defender John Stones is also a fan, as he told Face Magazine in 2023: “The first thing I do once I’m out of bed is check my Oura ring to see how I’ve slept — it’s addictive.”
While some players have worn them during training, it appears unlikely that they would be asked to wear them during matches.
Marc Guehi wearing the Oura ring during training ahead of Euro 2024
The ring is also popular with some of the most high profile celebrities on the planet.
Prince Harry was snapped wearing the device during a reception at Government House on October 18, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.
Kim Kardashian, Gwenyth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston have all also been pictured wearing the sophisticated tracker.
John Stones says the Oura ring is ‘addictive’
What does the Oura smart ring do?
The smart gadget monitors sleeping habits and reads more than 20 biometrics — including body temperature, heart rate and blood oxygen levels.
It then turns these health insights into three daily scores, which in effect tell you when you need more sleep, when you might be getting sick and when it’s time to push yourself.
Explaining how the ring can boost performance, the Oura website writes: “Whether you’re managing a professional sports organisation or training elite forces, ensure your team is always performing at the highest level with precise biometrics.
“Use accurate, continuous data to prioritise rest, adjust training schedules, monitor recovery, and detect signs of illness, injury, and fatigue.”
Prince Harry photographed wearing an Oura ring on October 18, 2018 in Melbourne, AustraliaGetty
How much is the Oura smart ring?
Oura Rings are priced up to £500, with the cheapest set at £277.
The Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon starts at £349 for a silver finish or £499 for gold, and the Heritage design starts at £299 for the silver finish
In addition, there is a monthly membership fee of £5.99 a month — but thankfully the first month is free.
GettyJennifer Aniston was pictured wearing her Oura ring at Paramount Studios, LA in June 2024[/caption]
Where can I buy the Oura smart ring?
In an exciting development, the Oura 3 is now available to buy from John Lewis.
This is the first time the Oura ring has been available anywhere other than the Oura website — but now you can purchase your tracker from any of 34 John Lewis stores across the country.
Explaining the move, Doug Sweeny, chief marketing officer at Oura, said: “Both ŌURA and John Lewis value the power of technology to enrich lives, and this partnership allows us to bring the benefits of ŌURA to even more people across the UK.”
“What this means in practice is you can see and try the ring before buying, using the in-store sizer for a perfect fit.
“There’ll also be stock in store so you can take your Oura 3 home with you without having to wait for delivery.”
If you prefer, the Oura ring is also available from John Lewis online — and of course you can continue to buy the wearable tracker from the Oura website.