Whether you’re reading this because you love working out, or because the air fryer isn’t making you as healthy as you thought, one thing’s for sure. But choosing a model to suit your specific fitness needs can be tricky. So we do the tedious work of research and pass on our wisdom.
To get you started, here are some helpful pointers.
Need a fitness tracker?
Proactively monitoring your fitness progress isn’t just for athletes or people training for runs in your local park. Health is an element that people incorporate into their daily lives. The best fitness trackers are those that let you check in not just during your workout, but for the rest of your day. Most apps track your sleep quality, heart rate, body temperature, as well as casual activity tracking to let you know if you’ve been exercising too much. All of these contribute to optimal performance and overall health.
The positive impact these high-tech bracelets and other wearable fitness gadgets have on your overall lifestyle is pretty amazing.
At this point in the game, most relatively good fitness trackers have screens, and by syncing with your phone, you can at least get calls, text notifications, and music streaming. It will have some health-oriented features beyond activity tracking, like sensors.
What is the difference between fitness trackers and smartwatches?
A fitness tracker is basically a bracelet with sensors that send data to your phone to give you a complete picture of the data it collects, and you usually also need a GPS and a phone for music.
A smartwatch is basically a cell phone, but you wear it on your wrist. No need to carry a mobile phone. It has built-in GPS (sometimes using cellular data and usually acts as an extra line on your smartphone bill) and you can download apps from Spotify to Tinder. With something like the Apple Watch, you can send voice messages, answer calls, and have full conversations via iMessage.
In other words, being stranded in the middle of nowhere with your Apple Watch, even without your phone, wouldn’t be too confusing. But for those who are strictly focused on black and white fitness metrics, or who want a hands-off tracker that doesn’t require a very complicated setup process or daily charging, a high-end connectivity-free fitness tracker Claims to be a smarter, more cost-effective option.
This list includes both fitness trackers and smartwatches.
Are all fitness trackers waterproof?
A good tracker should be able to accompany you in the rain without breaking down. At this point, nearly all trackers have reached a 5 ATM rating beyond splash and sweat resistance. This means the device can withstand up to 50 meters (164 feet) of pressure. These are fine to wear in the shower, ocean, or hot tub.
Swimmers have a little more to consider than a waterproof rating. Look for a GPS-equipped tracker that not only tracks you underwater, but also tracks your laps and pace accurately. Modes dedicated to pool swimming and open water swimming are ideal. Even the most rugged, swim-friendly watches and trackers are probably not suitable for extreme water sports or activities that involve high-velocity, deep immersion.
What’s the best fitness tracker for you?
There are so many models to consider, there’s something for everyone and every budget. I looked up things in(opens in new tab)samsung(opens in new tab)fitbit(opens in new tab)garmin(opens in new tab).
These are the best fitness trackers in 2023.
