Staying fit isn’t only good for your physique, but for your overall health as well. However, it can be challenging most especially when you are busy with adulting. Regardless, your diet and physical activity should be at the top of your priority list, and if you need reinforcement – fitness trackers can be your companion.
You might have seen your family or friends wearing fitness trackers. But, what do they do? Would they be an advantage if you plan to embark on a workout journey?
What are fitness trackers?
Fitness trackers are devices that people wear on their wrist. Most of the latest models look the same with the traditional, digital watch. The only difference is that they have a digital display. Many of them monitor steps, heart rate, stress level, workout intensity, and sleep patterns.
This technology continues its popularity and every year, manufacturers release a new brand that would leave you with a pool of choices to pick from. If you are scoring a fitness tracker for the first time, what are the features that you should eye for?
Must-have Features
- Heart rate monitor
The importance of monitoring your heart rate should not be set aside. This will give you a picture of how well you’re doing burning calories daily. This can also serve as a guide in the intensity of your workout routines. - Exercise log ins
One of the best functions you should get from a fitness watch is a workout tracker. Even non-athletes can use this to measure how active their lifestyle is, or if they are moving enough, so that they could set realistic goals for their progress. - Smartphone connectivity
The compatibility of the smartwatch to your phone is an integral function that you should check before checking out a fitness tracker. There are models that are easy to integrate, while some may be restricted to Android. - GPS function
GPS adds dimension to your tracking as it maps your routes and provides details on your distance and pace. If you are a walker, swimmer, runner or a cyclist, you’ll accurately measure the distance you’ve covered in your exercise. - Battery life
The last thing you’d want is a device that has a short battery life that it can’t keep up with the demands of your activities. So, before choosing a smartwatch, make sure that you read the reviews pertaining to this feature. Otherwise, you might end up with an underperforming smartwatch that can’t handle your routine.
In this article, Cognitive Health and Wellness Institute lists down the top picks for fitness trackers available in the market. Who knows? This might be just what you need to help monitor your progress in your journey to optimal health. Read on!
The best fitness trackers of 2021
The best fitness trackers are your friend in getting more sleep, active, and productive. They will track your progress and guide you in achieving your goals.
In this blog, we created a shortlist of the most competitive fitness trackers that you can get from the market. Here are some of them:
1. Apple Watch Series 7
(rating: 4.7 out of 5)
Apple dubs this fitness tracker and smartwatch as the ultimate device for a healthy life.
The Apple Watch Series 7 performs above the limitations of having a device on your wrist. It instantly becomes your fitness partner the moment you wear it, as it precisely measures your movement, and provides you with relevant health insights that could guide you on your fitness journey.
This fitness tracker remains to be one of the superior choices in the market all thanks to its enhanced durability, faster charging, and larger screen. It also comes with a top-tier sensor for blood oxygen, heart rate, and GPS, and the basic exercise data that are important for people who have an active lifestyle.
2. Garmin Forerunner 245
(rating: 4.5 out of 5)
Garmin Forerunner 245 has managed to balance functionality and price. This watch is well-built, yet light enough that you won’t feel it in your wrist at all. It has updated its Elevate optical heart rate sensor and GPS chip which are now more accurate in delivering data you’ll find useful in your fitness routine.
Millions of runners will definitely agree that this is the most reliable running watch too. Casual users will also not be intimidated by this fitness tracker for it is easy to use, and it has the Body Battery feature that shows body energy levels. It also comes with Pulse OX and menstrual tracking that are supported with a long battery life.
3. FitBit Charge 5
(rating: 4.5 out of 5)
Most reviews commend FitBit Charge 5 for putting together all the best features of FitBit and incorporating them in a more affordable and updated smartwatch.
This is one of the best fitness trackers that the Google-owned brand offers. The FitBit Charge 5 is a more affordable option that still gives you the same fitness and health features from the more expensive FitBit models. This is the tracker for those who don’t need a voice assistant, music storage or massive screen.
More than just gathering your data, this tracker has a Daily Readiness Score so you can interpret your activity. The app will tell you if you have met your goals, or if you are ready to workout. Once you subscribe to premium, you’ll have access to a more personalized recommendation.
4. Xiaomi Mi Band 6
(rating: 4.5 out of 5)
If you are looking for a best value fitness tracker that covers everything you’d need in a smart band, the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 got you covered. This is a competitive watch that includes modern features all packed in a larger AMOLED display, which isn’t a bad deal for less than $50.
This band is an interesting choice with its reasonable tag price, long battery life, functional smart features, accurate data readings, and different sports tracking modes that are ideal for workout beginners and pros.
Xiaomi is known for updating its Mi Band line everytime it releases an update, and it’s interesting that the company does this without hiking the price of the watch up. There’s not much change in the design as well, as it is the same from the previous Xiaomi bands.
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
(rating: 4.4 out of 5)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 captures the ultimate Android smartwatch experience! This pioneers the Google Wear OS – a collaboration between Google and Samsung. This is compatible with Google Play apps that make it a smooth entry to the Google ecosystem.
This smartwatch is compatible with the Google Fit, and as well as other fitness apps but if you want to monitor your health, the Samsung Health is available for features including ECG or electrocardiogram, and there is a bioelectric impedance sensor that is effective in the analysis of body measurement.
6. Coros Apex
(rating: 4.4 out of 5)
Coros Apex is another competitive option from the market of fitness trackers as it goes with an excellent and accurate display, simple yet integrative design, sophisticated and easy to use interface and a generous feature set all for $300.
Endurance athletes will find this brand a breath of fresh air for its unpretentious make up. You are unlikely to discover any groundbreaking updates on the maps and navigation, but you probably won’t need them with the reliable battery life, trail map, sensor, and temperature, heart rate, barometric pressure tracker.
This is a stand out because it comes with the right features that are focused on tracking fitness and activities for athletes. The navigational capabilities are exceptional for active people who are determined on their interval training.
7. YAMAY Smart Watch Fitness Tracker SW022
(rating: 4.3 out of 5)
Go to Amazon and it’s not hard to see reviews praising the YAMAY SW022. This is one of the trending budget smartwatches that you can buy online. Is this stylish-looking band worth it?
If you are only after the basic daily goals, and notification displays, the YAMAY fitness tracker is a value for money that is supported by a long battery life that will enable you to maximize its features. For people who don’t mind a solid music player, message display, and the lack of GPS or voice assistant, this should work.
Needless to say, this waterproof offering from YAMAY focuses on its wearable design, comfortable build, basic tracking functions, and a long battery life. You can put this on your wrist and workout all day long without discomfort.
8. Huawei Watch Fit
(rating: 4 out of 5)
The Huawei Watch Fit is a solid entry from Huawei that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It is lightweight, comfortable, and affordable without compromising its features. This is a simplified fitness tracker for anybody who has just started to embark on a more active lifestyle.
This watch is a budget-friendly option, and is a serious running smartwatch. When it comes to function, it’s not that far from Huawei’s solid offering – the Watch GT 2 and Watch GT 2e. The only difference is the limitations this watch has on its software.
The large AMOLED screen gives an Apple Watch feel to it, with its brighter and easy-to-use display. You also won’t have to worry about leaving your phone in the midst of short workouts because this device is GPS compatible.
9. Whoop 4.0
(rating: 4 out of 5)
Whoop is a high-tech fitness smartwatch that can also go neck-to-neck with Apple Watch. This is a comfortable device that you can wear 24/7. It can accurately track your strain, sleep and heart rate.
Most reviews attest that Whoop is not your usual tracker. You don’t have to wear it if you are not in the mood to. It comes with an advanced sensor that becomes a technical garment you can attach to leggings, bralette, or shirts. If you don’t mind constantly interacting with your device, this may be an innovative gadget you can incorporate in your active lifestyle.
This fitness tracker benefits elite athletes who don’t mind much about their steps displayed on a screen for their constant monitoring. This watch focuses more on strain, performance, and recovery metrics that you can check to improve your training and overall performance.
10. Polar Ignite 2
(rating: 4 out of 5)
Wrapping up this list is Polar Ignite 2 which is another serious workout tracker that gives high importance to recovery in a routine. This device is uncomplicated, yet it is filled with features that have become a benchmark for fitness watches in the market. Polar Ignite emphasizes the essence of sleep and recovery in your routine, and it provides insights that are beneficial to your program.
This is a running watch with a twist. While it also monitors cycling, swimming, and other physical activities, what makes this brand a stand out is that it isn’t pretentious. It sticks to a simple yet attainable goal – to get you into shape. It sports a decent display, battery life, and smart notification.
Its advancement lies on its sophisticated training recommendation that goes beyond mere data presentation. Polar Ignite also thrives in its recovery tracking feature that would let you value the role of resting in your workout sessions.
Should you invest in these trackers?
Jumping on a fitness journey needs commitment and discipline. If you are busy, but determined to make a change, owning a smartwatch may help you achieve your wellness goals.
Whether you want to move more to lose weight, or strengthen your immune system, you’ll need to set the results you want and monitor your progress.
Would you find activity-tracking helpful? Is buying only an impulsive decision and are you still not sure if it’s going to make a difference or not? At the end of the day, the answer to the question of whether you should invest in a fitness tracker or not is within you.
Cognitive Health and Wellness Institute wants you to stay motivated in your journey to optimal health. Hence, fitness trackers may be a good companion for you to visually monitor your accomplishments and progress along the way. This may help you stay more committed to exercising every single day, not missing a step, and tracking your food and calorie intake.
Though the stats don’t necessarily give 100% accuracy, fitness trackers are still a good way to support your fitness routine. It’s all about enjoying the process while staying accountable to yourself. So, stay active and keep going!
References:
https://www.techadvisor.com/test-centre/wearable-tech/best-fitness-tracker-3498368/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-fitness-tracker#our-picks
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/10/15/best-fitness-trackers/?sh=2bea52382d32