Fitness tracking has gone a long way since the days of clip-on pedometers. While they were the greatest options we had back in the day, their results were often inaccurate—not to mention exceedingly limited.
Thankfully, technology has developed greatly, and fitness trackers can now give information on a more diversified array of wellness markers. Steps can still be tallied, but many trackers now additionally measure statistics like heart rate, workout duration, oxygen levels, and heart rhythm. Some have GPS for tracking location during runs, hikes, and bike rides, while others track sleep and recovery. Many fitness devices are also capable of recording menstrual periods and other health data, as well.
The data they collect are supposed to make your life, habits, and health better, frequently in tandem with exercise. As a refresher, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of intense activity every week. Fitness trackers, with their ability to evaluate effort based on heart rate, make tracking your exercises a cinch.
“There is no greater motivation than witnessing more oxygen consumption, lower heart rate, greater endurance, and enhanced performance, all data that can be gained via fitness trackers,” says Lance C. LaMotte, MD, FACC, interventional cardiologist and owner of TITLE Boxing Club of Baton Rouge.
Regardless of your exercise goals, the detailed stats fitness trackers report can help you reach them, and can serve as overall wellness boosters.
1. Series 7 GPS
This Apple Watch is not inexpensive, but it is jam-packed with exercise and wellness features. Additionally, the Series 7 is the brand's most durable model to date, featuring an appealing and timeless design and a crack-resistant front crystal that will withstand vigorous wear.
This Apple device measures your blood oxygen levels, monitors your heart rate for abnormalities, and encourages you to stay present via a mindfulness app.
Additionally, you will be able to monitor your sleeping habits, your tai chi and Pilates routines, and your overall daily activity. Additionally, you can sync your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks with this Apple Watch and pay for items quickly with Apple Pay.
Buy: Series 7 GPS
2. Band 5 Activity Fitness Tracker
This Amazfit Band is an excellent value, boasting an astounding array of bells and whistles. You'll be able to interact with Alexa by asking questions, setting alarms and timers, controlling home gadgets, and checking the weather. Additionally, the Amazfit measures blood oxygen saturation, assists you in tracking your heart rate during high-intensity exercises, and allows you to analyse your daily HR highs and lows. Additionally, this device will monitor and evaluate your sleep.
There are 11 built-in sports modes that allow you to track distances, speed, heart rate changes, and calories burnt during your workouts. Additionally, women can track their cycles and receive reminders when they are due.
Buy: Band 5 Activity Fitness Tracker
3. Series 6
Whatever your feelings about the brand — or lack thereof — the Apple Watch Series 6 is one of the most trustworthy and useful fitness trackers available. You may not only measure basic workout data, but also your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate, courtesy of red and infrared light technologies. If you take a hard fall, the Apple Watch will detect it and automatically phone 911.
If you're goal-oriented, you'll also love the tracker's easy-to-read rings that indicate your progress.
Additionally, this version includes sleep tracking. Additionally, you may make and receive calls and texts directly from your wrist.
Buy: Series 6
4. Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker
We're huge Fitbit supporters. While the Charge 4 is marketed as an activity tracker, it also monitors health parameters such as blood oxygen saturation. It includes an integrated GPS that can be programmed to track seven distinct forms of activity (like running and biking). Additionally, the device supports contactless payments with Fitbit Pay, Spotify, and Sleep Score, which measures the quality of your sleep and the amount of time spent in light, deep, and REM sleep cycles.
The Fitbit is compatible with mobile devices and smartphones and runs in temperatures ranging from -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 to 60 degrees Celsius).
Buy: Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker
5. Sense Advanced Smartwatch
If your entire health is as important to you as your daily step count, this is the tracker for you. The Fitbit Sense goes beyond basic fitness tracking (despite the fact that it includes more than 20 workout modes) to monitor skin temperature, blood oxygen levels, and sleep quality. It will even allow you to check for atrial fibrillation—a type of irregular heart rhythm—and share the data with your doctor.
Additionally, it promotes stress management and mindfulness through the use of an EDA Scan app, which calculates a daily Stress Management Score based on your skin temperature (which increases when you're extremely stressed). And non-fitness benefits such as Fitbit Pay, Sleep Score (which tracks the quality of your sleep and the amount of time spent in light, deep, and REM sleep cycles), and Smart Wake alarm (which helps you calculate your optimal morning time based on your sleep patterns) are frosting on the cake.
Buy: Sense Advanced Smartwatch
6. Galaxy Smart Watch
If you're looking for an excellent fitness tracker but don't want to advertise your use of one, consider this Samsung Galaxy Smart Watch. The model even features a rotating bezel, a feature that is uncommon in the fitness monitoring world. Additionally, if you own a Galaxy phone, you can obtain SpO2 and FDA-approved ECG readings (just like on the Apple Watch).
Everything is controlled via the Samsung Health app, which keeps track of everything from your weight and calorie intake/burn to coffee consumption, sleep, and blood glucose levels. Additionally, the Samsung Health app allows you to share a PDF report of your ECG recordings with your doctor. Additionally, this device features smartphone technology, including the ability to make and receive calls, text messages, stream music, and receive notifications via Bluetooth connectivity.
Buy: Galaxy Smart Watch
7. Inspire 2 Health & Fitness Tracker
If you're serious about calorie tracking, this Fitbit device has you covered. It allows you to track your progress toward weekly goals and examines not just your daily activity but also your hourly activity, allowing you to determine the number of calories burned. Additionally, the 24-hour heart rate monitor monitors your resting heart rate. Additionally, the Fitbit Inspire 2 measures your time in light, deep, and REM sleep, allowing you to have a better understanding of your sleep quality.
The 10-day battery life enables you to follow your progress without constantly charging. This Fitbit also includes a one-year free trial of Fitbit premium, which adds even more value to the wallet-friendly price.
Buy: Inspire 2 Health & Fitness Tracker
8. Vivofit Fitness Tracker for Kids
If you and your children are resolved to spend more time together, this is an excellent watch to get them started. This engaging, interactive watch features apps that take children on a world tour and introduce them to interesting new places. (However, this requires that the Garmin Jr. app be installed on a parent's compatible smartphone.)
Additionally, the rugged, swim-friendly Garmin includes a big color display with a variety of watch face selections. This fitness tracker encourages children to accomplish their daily active minute targets by rewarding them with fun features in the app when they do.
Additionally, this watch may be used to assign tasks, set notifications, and reward children with access to app features for good behavior. Additionally, there is a "in case of emergency" widget that allows children to access emergency contact information.
Buy: Vivofit Fitness Tracker for Kids
9. Alta HR
If you want a precise fitness tracker but dislike the cumbersome design of many of them, the Fitbit Alta is a terrific option.
With a beautiful bracelet-like profile, this Fitbit monitors your heart rate throughout the day, calculates your calorie burn, determines your optimal workout mode (fat burn, cardio, or peak), and tracks your time spent in light, deep, or REM sleep. If you're planning to travel without your phone, this Fitbit provides access to call, text, and calendar notifications. Additionally, the app syncs with over 200 iPhone, Android, and Windows devices.
Buy: Alta HR
