Best Fitness Trackers in 2022
When it comes to the best fitness trackers, you really are spoilt for choice. In fact, it can feel like a major brain work out session just to get up to speed on how they work and what all those functions mean. So, when it comes to the dizzying array of activity trackers, fitness bands and workout smart watches that are currently out there, how do you choose the one that’s actually right for you?
Simple, let Gear Hungry help.
The fitness tracker movement originally started way back when, with the simple pedometer clocking our steps to remind us to get up and keep moving. The 10,000 steps a day mantra has since been totally outgrown, with new smart devices seemingly coming on to the market every day, promising to track, monitor, measure and improve every aspect of our active (and not so active) lives.
Used properly, activity trackers can really be your health’s best friend. Whether it’s to simply make sure you are moving enough each day to counter the hours spent at the computer or on the couch or the latest smart watch technology to keep your Ironman training and high-performance levels on track, they really are a useful tool. Make the right choice when picking an activity and fitness tracker and this small bit of wrist tech can have you living healthier and feeling awesome. And, that’s where we come in… with our official best fitness trackers of 2019 guide.
The Best Fitness Tracker
1Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker
The Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness tracker comes in a very stylish design. With this device, you can keep track of the number of steps taken, calories burnt, and distance covered during a workout session. What’s more, this tracker is able to calculate your heartbeat rate, even while asleep. And although it does not have an inbuilt GPS, it can still map out your location when you connect it to your smartphone. Besides, even without activating your phone’s GPS, this fitness tracker can still measure your distance covered accurately and features an inductive button that responds with haptic feedback. Another great thing about the Fitbit Charge 3 is that it is completely waterproof. This makes it a terrific option for swimmers. They can record the number of laps covered during a swimming session and considering the sterling qualities of the Fitbit Charge 3, it is mind-boggling to know that it still comes at a pocket-friendly price. In fact, it is one of the cheapest swim-proof fitness trackers available.
As for the display features, the Fitbit Charge 3 has a capacitive LED touchscreen that is large enough to display messages and notifications without the need of side-scrolling. Moreover, you can view two applications simultaneously on the screen which is a feature that is not in its predecessor, the Fitbit Charge 2 tracker. Furthermore, even though the Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness tracker lacks a full-color display, its images and texts are available in 16 shades of gray. Its color options are great because they are very legible, unlike reflective screens which can be difficult to see, especially in the morning. What’s more, if fully charged for two hours, this fitness wristband has a battery life of up to one week. You may also like some of these cool smart rings from our list, so check them out.
Waterproof
2 hours charging time and one-week battery life
Capacitive touchscreen
15+ workout modes
- BrandFitbit
- ModelFB409GMBK
- Weight3.2 ounces
2Garmin vívosmart HR+ Regular Fit GPS Activity Tracker
The Garmin Vivosmart HR Tracker bagged the award for the Fitness Tracker of the Year, at the 2016 Wearable Tech Awards. Garmin has a reputation for making long-lasting and high-quality fitness wristwatches and prides itself with the release of the Garmin Vivosmart HR Tracker. This watch comes with a 160 x 68-pixel monochrome touchscreen display and is offered in a variety of colors, should you desire to switch from time to time. What’s more, it has a conventional wristwatch buckle strap that ensures it does not pull off when exercising. And even though it is not exactly the lightest fitness tracker out there, it is still very portable and boasts of a sturdy build and water-resistant body. In fact, it has a water resistance depth of 50 meters, so you don’t have to take it off when taking a swim or shower.
When it comes to the battery capacity, the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ can last for over five days without interruption. However, if the GPS is enabled, the tracker can only last for roughly eight hours. Furthermore, the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is fitted with a 3-axis accelerometer for tracking movement and an altimeter for elevation measurement and it is worth noting this is one of the few fitness trackers that boasts of an inbuilt GPS. And considering the display quality of the Garmin Vivosmart HR+, it’s safe to refer to it as a hybrid smartwatch and is able to display texts, calls, social media and emails seamlessly. What’s more, it keeps users connected across all digital platforms and similar to most Garmin fitness trackers, the Vivosmart HR+ can be synchronized with the Garmin Connect App. Overall, this is a great fitness that wristband can help monitor your heart rate, distance, and calories burned and it is compatible with Android and iOS devices.
Inbuilt GPS and Bluetooth connectivity
Compatible with Android and iOS devices
50 meters water resistance depth
Five days of battery support
- BrandGarmin
- Model010-01955-37
- Weight1.6 ounces
3Fitbit Versa 2 Health & Fitness Smartwatch
The Fitbit Versa 2 has a great feel to it, just like the Original Versa. In fact, it is arguably the most comfortable fitness wristwatch you can find. This is why it can be worn throughout the day without the need to take it off, even when bathing or swimming. It is built with a single interactive button, unlike its predecessor, which has multiple buttons and comes with an OLED display touchscreen, which is bright and colorful. Even if you are under direct sunlight or wearing polarized sunglasses, you can still see the screen clearly. And regarding the battery support, the Fitbit Versa 2 boasts of an impressive five days lasting power. If you decide to use the always-on mode of the wristwatch, the battery life will only drop by half. No doubt, this is one of the best battery support you can get from any smartwatch.
Another astonishing inclusion to the Fitbit Versa 2 is a microphone, which has some impressive voice control features and even though there is no speakerphone, it can be paired to a smartphone so that your speech can be converted into texts. Furthermore, the microphone works with the Alexa inbuilt technology and to operate, you simply have to long-press the side button and it will be opened. You can then ask a question or carry out a command for any Alexa-enabled task to be operated. However, note that you can’t instruct it to do things you might have easily done with Siri on an Apple Watch like: send a text or make a call from your smartphone. This is because Fitbit claims that these limitations are to conserve its battery life. Nevertheless, the Fitbit Versa 2 fitness tracker is one of the best smartwatches available, even though it lacks an inbuilt GPS radio.
Inbuilt Amazon Alexa technology
Compatible with Android devices
OLED display touchscreen
5 days battery support
- BrandFitbit
- ModelFB507BKBK
- Weight0.16 ounces
4Fitbit Inspire HR Heart Rate & Fitness Tracker
The Fitbit Inspire HR fitness tracker is primarily a slim and spruced up model of the Fitbit Charge 3. It is extremely light, which makes it almost unnoticeable when worn. The Inspire HR retains its brand’s iconic look with rounded edges that gives a comfortable and sophisticated feel. And just like every other Fitbit fitness tracker, the bands of the Inspire HR are replaceable, giving you the luxury of swapping the sweat-resistant silicone strap with either an aluminum mesh or saffiano rubber bracelets.
As for its functionality, the Inspire HR has a monochrome OLED display touchscreen with a highly responsive and easy-to-use user interface, which comes in handy when you want to monitor your health statistics, read notifications, set alarms and much more. To navigate on the home screen of the Fitbit Inspire HR, swipe up to view your workout and health statistics and swipe down to access applications, timers, and system settings.
Furthermore, although the Fitbit Inspire HR may be advertised as an entry-level tracker, its performance can rival that of the best fitness tracker. This fitness device can be used for over 15 different indoor and outdoor events such as hiking, swimming, running, cycling and weightlifting. And with a water resistance depth of 50 meters, it can be comfortably worn during a swimming exercise to monitor your progress. What’s more, the exercise display option and audio cue are customizable, so users can have everything they need at their fingertips. Overall, the Fitbit Inspire HR fitness tracker is perfect for those who want a functional yet pocket-friendly fitness wristband. And with proprietary SmartTrack Automatic Technology, it can monitor and record your fitness activities on its own. This way, if for any reason you have to stop exercising, the auto tracker will pause its recording.
Waterproof
SmartTrack automatic tracking technology
120 hours battery life
Monochrome OLED display touchscreen
- BrandFitbit
- ModelFB413BKBK
- Weight0.64 ounces
5Fitbit Charge 2 Fitness Tracker
Fitbit’s bestselling Charge 2 tops our Best Fitness Tracker list as it delivers what it promises. It may not have the full-on smart technology of the more high-end models, but as a day-to-day activity tracker that is easy to use and can step up when you do, it’s first past our finishing line.
It’s priced pretty well too, and if you use it every day, you will get your dollars’ worth out of this slim, fit dude. The Charge 2 comes in the recognizable Fitbit design, although with improved functionality over its previous incarnation, the display screen is a bit larger and the wristband thicker so it’s not as compact or streamline as some other fitness bands in the Fitbit stable. But the display is clear and is touchscreen too, making it very intuitive to use.
The rubber strap is nice and comfortable and doesn’t irritate, which is a good thing as you really need to wear the Charge 2 all the time, to get the very best out of its tracking abilities. In return you get continuous heart rate monitoring and heart rate zones, sleep quality tracking as well as the usual all-day activity tracking like steps, distance, calories burned, floors climbed and active minutes. The Charge 2 also synchs all your stats wirelessly to IOS, Android and Windows devices.
The main downside to the Charge 2 is you can’t take it in the pool but for everyday activity tracking (it’s splash-proof in the rain) we can forgive it for not liking to get its feet wet. If you like diving, make sure you check out our dive watches review.
PurePulse continuous heart rate monitor
Max your workouts with simplified heart rate zones
Personalized Cardio Fitness Score
Connect to GPS via Fitbit App
Call, text & calendar notifications
- BrandFitbit
- ModelFB407SBKL
- Weight1.28 ounces
Nice big screen for a slim band
Sleep tracking easy to use
Multi-sport tracking
It’s not waterproof
Vibration notification could feel a bit stronger
6Apple Smart Watch Series 3 Fitness Tracker
Coming in at a starting price of $250, the Apple Smart Watch 3 is inevitably one of the most expensive in our best fitness trackers review, but it really is a premium product and the ultimate hybrid: a fantastic looking smart watch that is also prepared to become your health and fitness best friend.
The 3 simply looks great and with changeable straps and customizable display screen, you can make it totally your own. And many of the fitness and tracking features are built-in so you are not totally dependent on being in close proximity to your smartphone.
The Apple Smart Watch 3 performs all the smart tech magic you would expect – you can take calls, check emails and texts as well as receive notifications. You can also stream your music library direct to your wrist, perfect for your own personal workout soundtrack and synch with your iOS fitness apps. Add to this a built-in heart rate monitor, GPS, barometric altimeter to name just a few, and you can track your movement, activity and workout performance all day long. Oh, and it’s a waterproof fitness tracker too. The Apple Smart Watch 3 is the ultimate multi-tasker sports watch that when it comes to tracking your health, is fit for the job.
Bright, clear OLED display
Accelerometer and gyroscope, heart rate sensor
Displays Notifications and Runs Apps
Take calls via your smartwatch
Stream your workout music direct to your wrist
- BrandApple
- ModelSmrtWatc 27 – 38mm
- Weight4.8 ounces
Built in GPS so you don’t need to be near your phone
Impressive fitness features and can go in the pool
Rather decent smartwatch battery life
Only iPhone compatible
7Fitbit Versa Smartwatch Fitness Tracker
The Versa is one of Fitbit’s recent forays into the smart watch/activity tracker hybrid market, and they’ve done a decent job, offering a nice-sized watch with some nifty functions, all for under $200. On price alone, it beats the Apple 3 hands down. But is it as good? Well, not quite, as there is no built-in GPS but it does have a wide user appeal. From heart rate monitoring and simple 24/7 activity tracking to specific activity modes and personalized on-screen coaching, it also offers wellbeing support, including sleep tracking and guided breathing. It is water resistant so as one of the best waterproof activity trackers, it is good for the pool too.
You can connect your Versa to make it smart and add GPS, receive notifications and download music and access apps, either on iOS or Android plus it has a great battery life for a smart watch – up to four days on one charge, although you will drain more of this battery if you leave the Versa on continual connectivity. The Versa is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable, quality activity tracker with all the spec to help you achieve your fitness goals, that also happens to be a smart watch. Our guide to the best sleep trackers features more great products like this.
Personalized on-screen coaching
Track your all-day activity, 24/7 heart rate & sleep stages
Use 15+ exercise modes like Run or Swim
Stores over 300 songs for your workout soundtrack
Access your favorite apps for sports and fitness
- BrandFitbit
- ModelFitbit
- Weight5.1 ounces
Really comfortable to wear
Superior battery life for a smartwatch
Works with iOS and Android
GPS not built in
8Garmin Vívoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch Fitness Tracker
This is a tough smart watch from GPS specialists, Garmin which offers a host of smart technology packaged into a versatile fitness and activity tracker you’d be more than happy to be seen wearing.
It’s not cheap, coming in at just $50 less than the Apple 3, but with the rugged good looks of a solid sport watch and the sport tech-spec you’d expect from Garmin, you get quite a few bells and whistles with the Vivoactive.
Pre-loaded with an impressive GPS system plus more than 15 sports apps, this smart watch/health tracker keeps step with you, whatever your activity and is customizable so you can create your own workouts. There’s an effective heart monitor onboard too and the Vivoactive’s whole set up is very much geared towards the hardcore active. But it’s also a smart watch that cares about your wellbeing too, with an easy to use sleep and stress tracking monitor, as well as the usual tracking functions you would expect. The Vivoactive also holds its own against the other high end fitness trackers, with great connectivity, notifications, super battery life and onboard payment function so you will never be caught short.
In all, this is a fashionably oversized smart watch that is worth the investment if you are serious about your sport. It’s also probably one of the best activity trackers for running we have reviewed. If you love the brand, check out the our review of cool Garmin watches of 2018.
Create your own custom running, cycling, cardio or strength workouts
Daily fitness, heart and stress monitoring
More than 15 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps
Garmin Pay™ ready lets you pay and play
Up to seven days battery life
- BrandGarmin
- Model010-01769-00
- Weight9.6 ounces
Good-looking circular face design
Pre-loaded GPS and heart monitor
Advanced workout tracking
No music storage option
Not as many apps as the Apple
9Amazfit Bip Smartwatch Fitness Tracker
The Amazfit Bip smart watch is amazing value for money and is a more affordable alternative to the Apple or Fitbit smart activity tracker devices. OK, it may not have the design finesse of the more high-end fitness trackers but where it lacks in overall styling, it more than makes up in functionality and bang for your buck.
Unlike the Fitbit Versa, the Bip has a built-in GPS and one of the best battery lives in this best fitness trackers review, potentially up to 30 days on one single, 2.5 hour charge. This is one totally competent fitness tracker that allows you enough connectivity to your smartphone to boost all your workouts. With real time tracking, built in heart monitor, sleep tracker mode and a lovely touch screen, it really is super easy to use and gives you just the right amount of feedback and sport modes to play with. Perhaps not as robust as the Garmin or the Apple, this is still a stylish smart watch/activity tracker hybrid that represents excellent value for money. We really like!
Real-time tracking plus extra sport modes
Heart rate monitor and built-in GPS
One-way text, email and call notifications
30-day battery life on one charge
Lightweight and super comfortable to wear
- BrandAmazfit
- ModelA1608
- Weight1.1 ounces
Amazing value for a smart watch
Simple, stylish design
Quick charge and great battery life
Display a little on the small side
Some compatibility issues with iOS apps
10Moov Now Fitness Tracker
Back to the straight up fitness and activity trackers, we’ve thrown a total curve ball into the mix, with the rather unconventional looking Moov Now. Unlike the rest of the devices in our best fitness trackers guide, the Moov has no display screen, and relies on your smart phone to convey all the visual feedback data you need. The Moov, however, is your ‘on the go’ virtual coach, giving you real-time audio feedback on your performance, monitoring your motion, your progress and motivating you to go on and achieve your fitness goals. It even remembers how well (or not) you did in your last session and can up the ante to keep you winning. There’s also a built-in heart rate monitor and the Moov can go in water so can be your swim companion too.
While its unconventional looks may take some getting used to, the Moov Now fitness tracker is a flexible little thing, designed to be worn on your ankle as well as your wrist, making it a good device for most sports and is tough enough to ride out any bumps and knocks. And with an amazing battery life – around six months – you can wear it 24/7 without missing a beat. The Moov’s battery is not rechargeable though, so make sure you always have a spare. Synch it with the Moov Now app via iOS or Android, and you can also download your music to play as you get a sweat on before you sit down and review all your stats on your smartphone, ready to plan your next fitness session. Quirky but it works, and the price is right too. Be sure to also check out our list of the best waterproof watches for more great waterproof options like this.
Two strap sizes – for wrist and for ankle
Tracks your active minutes throughout the day
Comes with its own built in ‘motivational coach’
Ability to track seven different activities
Works with both iOS and Android
- BrandMoov
- ModelM1508-bk-mov
- Weight0.32 ounces
Great budget tracker with a lot of spec
Phenomenal battery life
Tracks a great range of sports and activities
No conventional display screen
Not the best-looking tracker out there
11Fitbit Alta HR Fitness Tracker
Fitbit’s slimmest design yet, if you are looking for a minimalist activity tracker that gives a maximum service for the price, then the Alta is certainly one to check out. Coming in at around $120, it is a bit of an investment for its size, but the Alta HR is an eye-catching device that does an excellent job of every day health and fitness tracking. Its previous incarnation was a tad simplistic, but Fitbit have bulked up the functionality on the Alta HR without packing on the extra weight.
Ok, there’s no GPS and it’s not waterproof which is a shame, but the Alta HR does have a rather good heart rate monitor and can also track your sleep. It effortlessly synchs with the Fitbit health and fitness app on both iOS and Android so you can review your progress and tailor your workout plans. The Alta HR is a slimline, comfortable heart rate fitness tracker that can be personalized with a range of interchangeable colored wristbands to match your own look and style. Designed to be worn 24/7, this is a well-performing activity tracker that is happy to be with you every step of the way towards achieving your fitness and health goals. For more fitness related stuff, check put pur list of fitness gifts and find the right one for you.
Heart rate monitor with three workout zones
Sleep stages powered by PurePulse heart rate
Automatically track your steps, distance, calories burned
Fitbit’s slimmest design; very lightweight
Easily synchs with Fitbit Health & Fitness app
- BrandFitbit
- ModelFB408SBKS
- Weight0.8 ounces
Super slim, comfortable design
Effective sleep tracking
Battery lasts over a week on one charge
A little difficult to read in bright light
No GPS
12Garmin Vivomove HR Sport Hybrid Smartwatch Fitness Tracker
With Garmin’s Vivomove HR you really do get the best of both worlds: a physical, ticking watch with proper hands plus a clever touchscreen and discreet smart tech display. It may not have the high spec of a serious runner’s Garmin or the ‘bring it on’ attitude of its bigger brother, the Vivoactive, but this lovely looking smart watch hybrid embraces its fitness tracker role with subtle but effective panache.
It doesn’t have all the apps as the Vivoactive, but for every day activity and recreational sports it does have the essential elements and functions you need to keep on your health track and is slightly cheaper.
The Vivomove HR includes a heart rate monitor, step count and sleep tracking, as well as smart functions like notifications. It works on Android and iOS and has 50-meter water resistance so great for the pool as well as an impressive weeklong-plus battery life. The touch screen could be a little on the small side if you have large fingers, but it is intuitive to use; although with bright, natural light its readability dips a little. The heart rate monitor works well and can even track stress level estimations and to keep you motivated, it can also act as a music remote.
This is a super-looking watch/fitness tracker hybrid which is very light, and its plastic strap fits well, meaning you can wear it all day as it merrily masquerades as a normal watch. All in all, a good-performing fitness and sleep tracker that would really come into its own in the gym, but then turns on the charm as you head out for a post-work out beer on the town. Our handy guide to the smart scales features more great products like this.
24/7 heart rate monitoring with Elevate technology
Wellness and stress monitoring tools
Crystal touchscreen with a discreet display
Includes fitness monitoring tools such as VO2 Max
Can be used in the swimming pool
- BrandGarmin
- Model010-01850-12
- Weight1.44 ounces
Attractive round watch design
Good selection of health programs
Impressive battery life
No built-in GPS
Touchscreen a tad fiddly
13Nokia Steel HR Hybrid Smartwatch Fitness Tracker
The Steel HR is cellphone giant Nokia’s foray into hybrid smart watch territory and with a classic looking analog style watch plus smart technology, it has a nice little fitness tracker on its hands. Perhaps a tad pricy for what it actually offers, but nevertheless its styling and quality could well win you over. This is also a great activity tracker if you don’t want your new fitness band to really look like one but can then turn on the health tracking pizazz when it needs to.
Design-wise, the Steel HR does have a slightly smaller face than you’d expect, but it is nice and slimline. You interact with the smart watch tech via a small button on the side, and the essential tracking data appears in a small screen on the top of the watch display. Tap to scroll through and read heart rate, steps, distance, alarms and battery life, which is impressively long. At the bottom of the watch face there is another small dial window for the percentage indicator, where you can keep tabs on how much you are actually achieving throughout the day.
The Nokia Steel HR does have limited fitness features when compared to similar fitness trackers, but it does automatically and continuously track the essentials so is a good alternative to the more obvious ‘look at me’ activity trackers out there. And all the data tracked on the Steel HR can be reviewed on the associated app via your smartphone. For a classy looking device, the Steel can also be taken in the pool, so all-in-all a good, solid fitness tracker for every day activity. You may also like to check our guide to the best triathlon watches for more great watches like this.
Round the clock activity tracking
Instant information at a glance
Smart Wake-up for optimal sleep
Water resistant to 50m
Long-lasting battery life of up to 25 days
- BrandNokia
- ModelHWA03-36black-All-Inter
- Weight1.4 ounces
Classy-looking hybrid tracker/smartwatch
Impressive battery life
Accurate heart rate monitor
A little limited in extra fitness features
14Fitbit Flex 2 Fitness Tracker
And finally, we return to world of Fitbit for their rather chic-looking minimalist fitness tracker, the Flex 2. The Flex 2 is the first Fitbit you can actually swim with, which is a welcome addition to the well-established range. The Flex 2 is a solid, slim fitness band that takes a simple but effective approach to tracking your activity. It’s not exactly a cheap tracker as you are paying for the Fitbit quality and build rather than all-out functionality and it comes with the recognizable Fitbit style of LED display.
The Flex 2 tracks steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes as well as how well you have slept. It can also receive call and text notifications, has auto exercise recognition and isn’t afraid to give you reminders to get or keep moving. All the data can be viewed remotely on the Fitbit app. Designed like the other Fitbits to be worn 24/7, the Flex 2 also vibrates for alerts and it comes with a silent alarm. And while it is pool and swim friendly, there is no heart rate monitor.
There is a removable activity tracker within the strap, which you can pop into other jewelry style casings such as a pendant or bracelet to go incognito or you can simply put the Flex 2 ‘brain’ in your pocket. The battery life is workable and can be up to five days between charges, although this noticeably drops if you keep notifications switched on.
The best thing about the Flex 2 is you can put it on and forget about it, and let it just do its daily fitness tracker thing. It’s a good buy if you are just dabbling in fitness tech or are a low maintenance exerciser who is looking for simple motivation and feedback. Find more great products like this by checking out our minimalist watches guide.
Move reminders to get you going
Sleep tracker and silent alarm
Smart-Track auto exercise recognition
Removable tracker for use in pockets
Swim-proof in the pool and in the ocean
- BrandFitbit
- ModelMAIN-52980
- Weight0.64 ounces
Water resistant tracker
Comfortable and light to wear
Works with iPhone and Android
Battery life could be better
No heart rate tracker
Fitness Tracker Buying Guide and FAQs
How We Chose Our Selection of Fitness Trackers
Your new fitness tracker needs to be totally up to the active challenge, so we used the following checklist to help take the sweat out of deciding which device would step up to the (exercise) plate:
- Overall quality and design as well as extra features
- Brand and reputation
- User reviews and first-hand experience
- Value for money when it comes to functionality
Features To Look For In Fitness Trackers
Size – a well-fitting health and fitness tracker is essential as you will be hopefully putting it, and you, through the paces so it shouldn’t be too bulky on the wrist or made of material that could irritate when you get hot. Many fitness bands are also intended to wear 2/7 so size and comfort is important to ensure you can achieve continual tracking. Many trackers come in a slim design that sit simply and unobtrusively on your wrist, but if you have opted for a screen display or a smartwatch hybrid, then the size of the screen also matters as you need to be able to see it and easily use all the functions, even when you are on the go.
Design – the majority of activity trackers are designed to be worn on the wrist, although some come with a removable pendant that can be clipped onto you clothing or popped into a pocket or rucksack. Some can even be worn like a piece of jewelry around your neck, disguising it as an accessory. If you really don’t want your fitness tracker to look like a fitness tracker, then the smartphone hybrids or trackers designed to look like a conventional watch could well be your perfect design match.
Water Resistance – by the nature of getting active, you will encounter damp conditions - sweat, rain, splashes from the gym shower will all be difficult to avoid – so check how resistant your new fitness tracker actually is. Many devices can cope with splashes of water or your perspiration during an intense workout but cannot cope with a full-on plunge. If swimming is a key fitness activity, then look for fitness trackers that are waterproof – resistant to 50 meters/164ft seems to be the industry measure – and means the device has been built to take into the pool.(although the product blurb will still advise use for surface swims, so not necessarily scuba or snorkeling workouts!) These waterproof fitness trackers can continue to measure your activity in relatively shallow water and count towards your overall daily score. There are even some cool waterproof fitness trackers that can assess the efficiency of your stroke and can act as a virtual swim coach – check out the water-tastic Moov Now if you are a real water baby.
Features – virtually all fitness bands track two essentials: steps taken and estimated calories burned. Above and beyond that, it is down to what you want to do. Heart rate and sleep monitors are rapidly becoming standard on most quality models, while distance traveled and elevation gained are also more widespread, thanks to accelerator and altimeter technology being built in. Beyond this, look for the features and add-on apps that match your own personal health and fitness goals and, perhaps more importantly, ones that you will actually use.
If being part of a wider community and engaging in sharing and friendly online competition is your thing, then connectivity in your fitness tracker means you can share and track online, and this extra motivation could well be the way for you to go. Finally, depending on your specific sport discipline such as swimming, cycling or running, you should also look for tailored features such as GPS tracking (built-in or synch feature) and swim-modes that help to keep you performing at your peak.
Battery – you need your activity tracker to totally keep up with you so battery life – and recharging time – should be a key consideration when choosing your ideal fitness band partner.
Most trackers come with a rechargeable lithium battery or with their own USB charging cable. But the battery life between devices varies, from an average of five-ish days for a USB device and potentially several months on one charge for a battery. Of course, this is all dependent on the amount of function, time the device spent connected and added extras you have on your activity tracker and how punishing a fitness routine you put it and yourself through!
Price - there really is a fitness tracker to suit most budgets so look for value for money, as well as functionality, which ever product you choose. If it is basic activity tracking you are after, then there are some really good fitness trackers out there that won’t break the bank, and some have some surprisingly good spec for the price too. The best way to approach buying a new activity tracker is to decide why you want it for and what functions you will actually use. That way, whether you pay budget or high end it’s a real investment that will be used…and your health will thank you too.
Fitness Tracker FAQs
Q: What Is a Fitness Tracker?
A: Simply put, a fitness tracker is a device normally worn on your wrist that you can use to monitor your daily physical activity in terms of steps and calories burned as well as gather targeted data relating to your fitness or health. They can be simple band-style trackers you can also synch to your personal devices or a smart watch, with advanced fitness and sleep tracker options.
Activity trackers are great if you are on a health kick or need to lose weight or if you are already active and want to improve your performance as they effectively track your progress and keep you on your toes. Some models can even help you to get more Zen time in your busy life, with stress monitors and guided mediation apps to track your overall mood and wellbeing.
The easiest way to wear your fitness band is on your wrist like a watch, although trackers can also come in the form of pendants you can wear around your neck or pop into a pocket. Depending on the spec, most activity trackers will track your movement and allow you to set goals and activities that are tailored to your daily plan. They can also monitor your heart rate and cardio as well as your sleep patterns. Some health trackers are good all-round activity devices while others add extra data when it comes to specific sports such as swimming (for example, tracking laps and monitoring your stroke) and cycling (built in GPS). Many fitness trackers can also be synched via Bluetooth to apps on your smartphone or tablet, so you can connect with other activity tracker users and share your progress with the wider world.
Q: Does a Fitness Tracker Monitor Blood Pressure?
A: No, not blood pressure as such – that would need a sleeve on your arm to measure effectively – but tracking your heart rate is a feature of many fitness and activity tracker devices.
These fitness trackers use a sensor on the back that sits next to your skin to track heart rate, effectively keep a digital finger on the pulse of your resting and active heart rates. The system works by measuring the amount of blood pulsing through your veins to estimate the rate at which it’s pumping to your heart. This optical monitoring uses light to measure blood flow, with LEDs on the underside of the device shining light onto your skin that then interacts with the blood flow through your wrist to provide a relatively accurate result (less light reflected back indicates a higher blood volume). Algorithms within the heart rate fitness tracker device then work to produce understandable pulse readings.
With most models that come with heart rate monitors, if you wear your fitness band constantly, they will do continuous heart rate monitoring, with some (see the Fitbit range) combining the information with your fitness and activity data to give you what they refer to as your Cardio Fitness Score.
Q: What Does The Activity Tracker Track?
A: All activity trackers originally started out as the now pedestrian-looking pedometers for step counting but have since evolved to become your essential gym and fitness buddy. In fact, with smart technology cracking on a pace, the question will eventually be – what doesn’t the fitness tracker track! But even now, there’s an impressive range of information a health tracker can glean, from the basic to the full-on fitness bells and whistles.
For a basic fitness band, you can expect to be able to check your daily movement (steps, distance, elevation equivalent to flights of stairs) and calorie consumption. From here, the tech starts to get really impressive. Heart rate monitors are rapidly becoming a standard feature on even entry-level fitness trackers and many are also embracing the health and wellbeing vibe – with sleep pattern and stress level trackers as well as mediation apps all part of the package. Then you can choose trackers to suit your particular fitness or types of activity – waterproof fitness trackers will count the laps of the pool and even the efficiency of your swim stroke while those with built in GPS can log distance, route times and elevation when you take your fitness goals out on the road, either on foot or by bike.
Q: On Which Hand To Wear a Fitness Tracker?
A: At the end of the day it is a personal thing, but most experts do recommend you wear your new fitness tracker friend on your non-dominant hand (so, if you are a right-hander, go left with your fitness band). The main reason for this is movement, or to be more specific, false movements. Wearing it on your non-dominant hand will improve the accuracy of the activity tracker by preventing ‘false steps’ being recorded as you tend to move your writing hand more than the other. When setting up, some fitness trackers will even ask you which wrist you will be wearing your device, so it can distinguish between normal arm movements (such as using a pen) and actual steps. Clever, huh?
Q: Should I Buy a Fitness Tracker With a Screen?
A: Activity trackers come with some form of display, so you can obtain the core information you need at the tap or press of a button, although they can be LED basic. If you are considering a fitness tracker with a full display screen, then yes, they do look cool and give you a lot of visual tech, but it does also depend on what you want to use it for.
Full on watch-like screens take you into smart watch-tracker territory, bringing you arguably, the best of both worlds. Activity trackers with a screen or smart watches that also perform as a fitness band can be worn as a normal watch and can be much more interactive and multi-functional as well as looking less obviously like a tracker. Connected to your smartphone or smart device, you will be able to receive text, email and phone call alerts during your workout and with some models, even take the call. You are also connected to a wide range of associated fitness and health apps by which you can tailor your fitness tracker and monitor your workout session in different ways.
This is all impressive stuff, and an activity tracker with a full screen, such as a smart watch can really up your workout and support you in personalized plans to get you to a fitness or health goal. But they are more expensive. If you are looking for something simpler – and perhaps less intrusive when it comes to your workout schedule – then one of the slimmer, lightweight and more affordable activity trackers with a basic display screen may be the way for you to go.
Q: What Should You Know About Your Heart Rate Data?
A: The first thing to do is to read your fitness tracker’s instructions and check the settings so you understand how your device measures your heart rate and interprets the data. Remember, the technology cannot always be 100% accurate but it a baseline guide that can give you some really useful markers when it comes to tracking your own fitness and health as well as your overall progress. To make the most of what your activity tracker’s heart rate monitor is trying to tell you, check in with the following as you work, rest and play:
Your resting heart rate: this will give you a baseline as to your overall fitness and recovery time. Taken when not exercising, it can also give you an overall check on your fitness and stress levels.
Heart rate during exercise: your fitness tracker will be able to keep tabs on your maximum heart rate as your activity increases and can also show when you are in the aerobic or fat burning zones, so you can adapt your exercise intensity to match your goal. Your heart rate can also indicate exercise intensity and whether you are pushing it too far for your current fitness levels.
After exercise: a heart rate monitor on your fitness band will enable you get a rough idea as to your recovery rate after exercise and how long it takes to get back to ‘normal’. This is a good indicator of not only how fit and healthy you are but also if your workout is at the right level for you.
Sleep heart rate: your heart rate is slower when you sleep so a monitor on your fitness tracker can also help to show just how good – or poor – your sleep has been.
Q: How To Choose an Activity Tracker?
With so many types and functions out there, how do you decide which activity tracker to make your new health and fitness bestie? As a starter, all fitness trackers share one common aim – you set a goal as to how active you want to be, and they will give you an overall guide as to how successful you are. It’s what you want them to do after that – as well as how much you want to spend – which will broker the fitness tracker deal.
If you simply want to track your day-to-day activity levels and get an overall idea as to how much you are moving and how many calories you are burning as a result, then one of the entry-level fitness bands would serve you well. But adding extra functions needn’t mean extra mega bucks, shop around and you should be able to get useful add-ons such as heart rate monitors or a waterproof fitness tracker device without busting the bank.
If your health and fitness goals are more full-on or you have a specific sport or event you need to train for, then look for an activity tracker that is tailored to what you need to achieve or can keep you extra motivated – built-in GPS, Bluetooth-enabled so you can share and compare, swim coaching, stress management, sleep support guru…there’s a health tracker out there for you.
And finally, if you want all of the above but you also want to keep connected with multi fitness apps and functionality as you exercise – or if you get withdrawal symptoms if you have to leave your smartphone in the gym locker while you put the time in on the treadmill – then check out the tracker/smartphone hybrids. Or go full on with a smart watch that doubles up as a tracker – yes, the price will be the higher end of the fitness tracker spectrum, but you do get a lot for your money. Oh, and you can tell the time with it too….