These days, health and fitness are all the rage. This is because people are becoming more and more aware of their health. Now we always want to find ways to support our healthy lifestyles. One way to do this is to use a fitness tracker. With this device, you can accurately and effortlessly monitor your health and fitness activities. You can think of a fitness tracker as an electronic finger placed on your pulse. It will constantly measure your step count, sleep quality, vitals, and more.
Nowadays, the fitness market is flooded with superb fitness trackers but if you want to purchase one, make sure that you find the best. In this article, we’ll review some of the best fitness trackers in 2018 for you. And later on, we’ll discuss more information about these devices so by the end of the article, you would have a better idea of what to look for.
[go_pricing id=”amazon_5b1_5b36d85821992″]
Fitbit Alta HR
This fitness tracker has the slimmest design. But it’s powerful enough to keep track of your heart rate continuously all day even while you’re working out. When you know your heart rate, you can measure your calorie burn better. Also, you can use the different zones namely Peak, Cardio, and Fat Burn to determine the appropriate workout intensity for your fitness goals.
The Fitbit Alta HR can help you enhance your health by comparing the trends of your heart rate with your activities. This device also tracks your sleeping patterns automatically whether you’re in light, deep or REM sleep. With this information, you can take the necessary steps toward a better night’s rest.
Use this fitness tracker to keep track of your calories burned, distance and steps taken, and your active minutes automatically. Its battery life lasts for up to 7 days depending on specific factors. For the style factor, you can change the bands of the tracker by purchasing the metal, classic or leather options.
Pros
- Has a slim, stylish design and awesome features.
- You can use it to measure your calorie burn as well as to find the ideal workout intensity for your fitness goals.
- Also, you can use it to track your sleep aside from your fitness.
Cons
- It won’t function accordingly if the server is down.
- Some say the sleep tracking feature isn’t too accurate.
Fitbit Flex 2
Here’s another excellent product from the same brand. With this fitness tracker, you can track your steps, calories burned, your distance, as well as your active minutes. It’s very versatile device as it comes with both large and small-sized bands. It also has a LED display which lights up to show your progress towards your daily fitness goals.
The Fitbit Flex 2 is an ultra-thin fitness tracker which is removable. This means that you can hide it in your pendant, bangle, or band. It’s a swim-proof product which you can use for tracking while swimming. It’s also life-proof so you can wear it in the shower, pool, ocean, and more.
The SmartTrack feature recognizes your selected workouts automatically. then records your workouts to the Fitbit app. You can also receive text and call notifications with the device with the unique LED lights which are color-coded as well as the vibration patterns. You can also use this device to track the length and quality of your sleep.
Pros
- Use this fitness tracker to track distance, steps, active minutes, and calories burned.
- Has a removable tracker that’s ultra-thin.
- Life-proof and swim-proof so you can use it for different kinds of activities.
Cons
- Some issues with the recording and syncing.
- Battery life isn’t very long.
Apple Watch
This fitness tracker is convenient as you place it on your wrist like a watch. The Apple Watch will allow you to receive notifications instantly. As soon as the apps or the people you care about have to say something, you’ll be notified through a gentle tap. During the day, this fitness tracker will track your activities, measure your workouts, and help you follow healthy routines. And the best part is, this device is designed to reflect a huge range of styles and designs.
Pros
- Has a gorgeous, stylish design and an anodized aluminum case.
- Also, has a heart rate sensor, gyroscope, and accelerometer.
- Water-resistant fitness tracker which you can use for different kind of exercises.
Cons
- Some customers aren’t satisfied with the battery life.
- Tends to overheat.
Misfit Ray – Fitness + Sleep Tracker
This fitness tracker will provide you with excellent performance in its purest form. This tracker has a minimalist design but it’s extremely versatile. The Misfit Ray – Fitness + Sleep Tracker will allow you to keep track of your fitness as well as your sleep. This will help keep you motivated as you try to reach your daily fitness goals. It’s also water-resistant and it doesn’t need to be charged.
Pros
- Has vibration alerts, alarms, and movement reminders.
- Also, has a multicolor LED which displays your progress.
- The batteries are replaceable, non-charging, and will last for up to 6 months.
Cons
- Vibration is fairly weak.
- Some customers don’t appreciate the app.
Samsung Gear Fit2
You can reach your fitness goals with this clever tracker. The Samsung Gear Fit2 is swim-ready and durable too. It comes from a well-known brand which continuously produces high-quality devices. The fitness tracker can be synced with fitness apps, can play music, can keep track of your stats, and more. It’s water-resistant for up to 50 meters so you can use it while swimming, running in the rain, and showering too.
Pros
- Water-resistant which means you can also use it for swimming or running in the rain.
- Monitors your heart rate continuously.
- Compatible with different fitness apps.
Cons
- Performance may decrease after some months.
- Doesn’t track all kinds of water sports.
Samsung Gear Sport Smartwatch
Here’s another great product from Samsung. It’s also swim-ready and water resistant for up to fifty meters. With the Samsung Gear Sport Smartwatch, you can get precise, all-day tracking for your fitness activities. You can also use it for personal coaching as well as simple calorie entry. It’s even compatible with Samsung Pay NFC so you can make payments right from your wrist. Also, you can check updates, receive, and reply to texts and calls with this device.
Pros
- Water-resistant for up to 50 meters and swim-ready too.
- Has a personal coaching feature as well as easy calorie entry.
- Can also be used to check updates, receive and reply to texts and calls.
Cons
- The pedometer isn’t always accurate.
Amazfit A1603
This device was made by award-winning designers. It’s a high-end product which has a battery life for up to 20 days at a time. With the Amazfit A1603, you can check your stats immediately just by tapping the OLED touchscreen. Then the information will instantly synch with the free Android or iPhone app. The Arc will keep track of the calories you’ve burned, the distance you’ve traveled, your heart rate, and even your deep sleep.
Pros
- Tracks steps, calories, distance, sleep quality, and heart rate automatically.
- A single charge will provide you with a battery life of up to 20 days.
- Dust and water-resistant.
Cons
- The heart monitor’s performance might decrease after a few months.
- Doesn’t work as accurately with a treadmill.
Nokia Steel HR Hybrid Smartwatch
Monitoring your heart rate will be easier with the Nokia Steel HR Hybrid Smartwatch. It will track your heart rate continuously even while you’re working out. This will help you monitor your heart rate day and night and optimize your training too. Over time, you’ll notice that your health is gradually improving. It has a long-lasting battery as well as a power-reserve mode.
Pros
- Tracks the heart rate continuously for better monitoring.
- Has a long-lasting battery life.
- Also, very useful for tracking different activities.
Cons
- Might not connect well with the app.
- You have to manually activate the heart rate monitoring feature.
Garmin vívosport Smart Activity Tracker
With this fitness tracker, you can perform activities indoors and outdoors thanks to the GPS that’s built into the device. With the Garmin vívosport Smart Activity Tracker, you can accurately keep track of all your fitness activities. It comes with tools that will help you monitor your fitness such as fitness-made estimates and the Vo2 Max. It’s also compatible with Windows, Android, and iPhone. The all-day stress tracking feature can help you stay in touch with your body in response to potential stressors.
Pros
- Can be used for tracking activities indoors and outdoors.
- Comes with tools for fitness monitoring.
- Has a slim profile and a Garmin chroma display.
Cons
- The strap isn’t very durable.
- GPS tends to lag.
Garmin Forerunner 645
Finally, this is another product from Garmin for you to consider. With this device, you can download up to 500 different songs easily. You can even connect the device with Bluetooth headphones for a more convenient listening experience. The Garmin Forerunner 645 also has a Garmin Pay feature which will allow you to make payments conveniently. In smartwatch mode, the battery will last for up to 7 days. But in GPS mode with music, it can last for up to 5 hours.
Pros
- You can download up to 500 songs into the device easily.
- Will provide you with advanced running dynamics when you use with a compatible device.
- Battery lasts from 5 hours to 7 days depending on the usage of features.
Cons
- Some issues with software upgrades.
- Also, some issues with connectivity to iPhones.
[go_pricing id=”amazon_5b1_5b36d85821992″]
Who Needs Fitness Trackers?
Fitness trackers are convenient and versatile devices which are designed to be integrated into our daily life. Having a fitness tracker may encourage you to make healthier lifestyle choices by making you more aware of the activities you do each and every day. Of course, you need to find the best device available if you want to get the most out of it.
There are different reasons why people would decide to start using a fitness tracker. For one, you may need to monitor your heart rate and other biometric levels in order to maintain your health. Or you may also want to monitor your progress in terms of fitness so that you know that you’re reaching your goals.
There are various fitness trackers available out there and they’re suitable for different kinds of users. These are ideal for those who want to lead a healthier lifestyle as well as for fitness enthusiasts who want to level-up their fitness. Therefore, it’s important for you to check all the features and specifications of the product you’re planning to choose. Do this to make sure that you’re getting the best device to suit your needs.
What Are The Benefits Of Fitness Trackers?
Fitness trackers are very useful especially for those who want to stay sporty or healthy. You can use it as your own personal motivation to help you reach your fitness goals. If you want to stay as fit as can be, tracking your health and fitness is a big part of that. Such devices don’t just serve as a wellness device, but they have a lot of other benefits too.
First of all, the fitness tracker can continuously keep track of your heart rate. Your heart is a vital organ and it’s basically responsible for all the things that happen inside your body. That’s why it’s important to track your heart rate especially if you’re working out. And since basically, any fitness tracker can do this for you, it’s a huge benefit.
According to research, when you have a low resting heart rate, this shows that your heart is in a healthy condition. But when it’s high, this can be an indication of some cardiac problem. So whether you’re healthy or not, you’ll benefit a lot from monitoring your heart rate all the time with the use of a fitness tracker.
Another benefit of such device is that it can make counting steps a lot easier. Counting steps is a trend nowadays especially for those who want to lose weight. There are different apps out there which you can use for this, but a good fitness tracker has this capability as well. Then all you need to do is check your progress whenever you want to.
Aside from this, when you always know how many steps you take each day, it will serve as a motivation for you to improve your goal for steps taken daily. Since the fitness tracker will always provide you with the latest update, you’ll feel more inspired to keep on going.
Sleep is an important part of life if you want to maintain your health. Therefore, it’s also very beneficial for you to track your sleep. Some excellent fitness trackers available can help you keep track of the length as well as the quality of your sleep. In doing this, you would know when you need more sleep and when you don’t have to catch a few extra hours of shut-eye.
As you see these benefits, you’ll realize that fitness trackers can help you form healthy habits. We all want to do this but more often than not, we just can’t seem to get started! But when you have a fitness tracker, it will serve as a constant reminder for you. After some time, you’ll notice that you have already formed healthier habits and you’ll also find it easier to stick with them.
Fitness trackers are also very beneficial when it comes to goal setting. In fact, this is one of the key features of such devices, With some models, you can set your fitness goals at the beginning and keep track of your progress as time goes by. And the closer you get to your goals, the more inspired you’ll be to keep on going.
Finally, there are also so many fitness trackers out there. This is another great benefit because this means that no matter what your needs, preferences or budget are, there’s a product out there for you. All you need to do is read the specifications of the fitness trackers and choose the one which you think will suit you best.
What Are Fitness Trackers?
These days, a lot of people want to stay healthy at all times. And a fitness tracker can help you do just that. Small as they are, fitness trackers have a lot of functions. They can keep track of your steps, your heart rate, your sleep patterns, and more. But this doesn’t mean that you can choose just any device. Choosing the right fitness tracker will depend on different factors.
You may want to use the devices as a fitness tracker as well as a timepiece. If so, choose a product which comes in the form of a band that’s similar to a wristwatch. With this, you can either place the fitness tracker on your wrist or on your ankle while you’re performing different activities.
Keep in mind though that some fitness trackers can’t support too many apps. Although they do have similar functions as some smartwatches, most models out there have features which are geared towards fitness and health tracking because this is what they’re for. But a lot of them can be synced with smartphones in order to get the most out of the device.
Such fitness trackers will work alongside an app in your smartphone or other compatible devices. If the device has a good software support, this will make it a lot easier to keep track of your fitness goals. So if you want this feature, then search for a fitness tracker that you can use with your own smartphone.
Most of the time, these devices can break down fairly simple exercises such as cycling or running. Then, the device would be able to calculate the number of calories you’ve burned after you’ve worked out. Unfortunately, not a lot of these devices have the capability to analyze more complex kinds of exercise activities.
Some fitness trackers have advanced features which you can look forward to if you decide to choose them. Such devices may cost more but they may serve you a lot better if you’re a real fitness buff looking for a complex device. And since there are so many choices available out there, there’s definitely one for you.
What Are The Common Misconceptions About Fitness Trackers?
Although fitness trackers are becoming more popular now, there are some common misconceptions about them. Although we don’t really know where these fallacies have come from, they do exist.
For one, while a lot of fitness trackers available out there will help you record your fitness activities, they can’t really provide you with specific metrics from different sports. For instance, when you go for a swim, you’ll get information about your movement, your heart rate or the calories you’ve burned. However, you won’t be able to receive a specific breakdown of your performance during the activity.
Another common misconception about fitness trackers is about cycling and running. Unless the device you choose has the GPS feature, you won’t be able to accurately monitor your pace or the distance you’ve traveled. So if you only want to use the fitness tracker for the purpose of running, then you might find a running watch more beneficial.
Also, not all fitness trackers are attached to the wrist like smartwatches. You can also attach them to your ankle and some can even be clipped to the clothes or placed in your pocket. These even come with available accessories (which you may have to purchase separately) if you want to make yourself look more stylish.
What Features Should Fitness Trackers Have?
Do you want to wear your fitness tracker on your wrist or not? We’ve already established that fitness trackers can be worn in different ways. Some have built-in touchscreens while others are simpler in appearance but can be used with other devices for fitness tracking.
When choosing a fitness tracker, make sure that is has a heart rate monitor. Whether you’re healthy or not, this is a very important feature. Fortunately, this is a common feature in fitness trackers. In fact, this is gradually becoming a standard feature in the models which are coming out now.
Another feature the fitness tracker should have is a good battery life. Without this, you won’t be able to use the device well. Choose a fitness tracker which will provide you with enough battery life for the activities you’re planning to use it with.
Accuracy is another important feature. Without this, your fitness tracker won’t be very useful. No matter what type of fitness tracker you choose, it must be able to accurately record all your activities, so you can always get the right information. This is especially true for biometric information if you’re suffering from a medical condition and you need constant updates.
Important Factors To Keep In Mind
Purpose Of The Fitness Tracker
The very first thing you need to think about is your purpose for purchasing a fitness tracker. There could be different reasons for wanting such a device. Once your purpose is clear, this will help you narrow down your choices and have a better idea of which brand to invest in.
Fitness trackers are very useful as they can serve different purposes for fitness enthusiasts. Seeing the activity records and statistics can help boost morale while you’re trying to stay healthy and fit. With a good fitness tracker, you can set daily goals and work on meeting them each and every day.
You may be someone who needs a fitness tracker to always keep track of your health and fitness. Or you may want something more sophisticated which may provide you with more relevant information. Either way, make sure you have a clear purpose for the device before you even think about looking at different products.
Basic Features Of The Fitness Trackers
After you’ve determined your purpose for acquiring a fitness tracker, it’s time to look at the basic features of the device. These features are common in fitness trackers and they’re also very beneficial. First of all, you need to check if the fitness tracker is water-resistant. This is particularly important if you like doing water-based activities.
Since this is a very convenient feature, there’s a number of devices out there which boast water-resistance. This means that you can take these fitness trackers with you while you’re in the pool, so you can log record your swimming sessions. And this is just one example. Aside from being resistant to water, also check if the device is sweat resistant so you can keep on using it even if you’re perspiring while working out.
Another basic feature to look out for is GPS. Purchasing a fitness tracker which has a built-in GPS feature is a great choice especially if you perform a lot of outdoor activities such as running. So aside from logging your distance and the steps you’ve taken, the device can also record the exact route you’ve taken while running or jogging.
Next up, check the battery life of the device. This is an important feature to look out for when choosing a fitness tracker. Some trackers work for a couple of hours while others can last for up to a couple of days on a single charge. Also, some trackers need to be charged while others don’t. This is relevant information to check when reading the specifications of the different products.
Then there’s the sleep-tracking capability. While most people only want to track their fitness activities while awake, you may also want to keep track of your sleeping patterns. If so, there are fitness trackers available out there which you can use for this purpose. Just make sure that the details of the product include sleep-tracking capabilities.
Finally, check if the fitness tracker can be synced with an app on your smartphone. Some devices are compatible with different operating systems while others are specifically for Android or iOS. So choose the device which will be compatible to your own smartphone, so you can link your devices together and get the most out of your fitness tracker.
Form And Special Features Of The Fitness Trackers
Also, consider the form of the fitness tracker you choose. Wearables are becoming very popular these days because of their convenience. These are electronic gadgets which come in different sizes and shapes. They also have different functionalities. The best part about these wearables is that there’s a product for everyone!
First of all, there are smart watches. These are compact smartphones which you wear on your wrist. You can use them to track your health and fitness and they also have the basic smartphone functions. Fitness trackers are meant specifically for tracking your health and fitness goals. You can either wear these on your wrist or on your belt.
Sports watches, on the other hand, are usually equipped with sport-specific information for fitness. They can also have GPS capabilities, self-coaching, and more. Other wearables are VR headgear, smart clothes, smart jewelry, and implantable. However, these aren’t very useful when it comes to fitness tracking yet.
Wearable devices which have fitness tracking capabilities are usually packed with cool features. From the basics like monitoring your heart rate to the more advanced devices, there’s a fitness tool for everyone. You may want to monitor your basic functions to ensure that you’re always healthy. Or you’re a fitness enthusiast who wants to achieve your fitness goals daily, weekly or monthly.
We’ve already discussed the basic features to look out for, now let’s take a look at some special features. If you’re tracking your health for medical reasons, you may want to choose a fitness tracker which monitors your biometrics closely. Apart from the heart rate, choose one which will also track your blood pressure and more.
If you’re a real fitness buff, then you may want a device that’s lightweight but has high-functionality. One which you can use even under different environmental conditions. Also, accuracy and screen readability is very important features to look out for. And if you also need to stay in contact with your smartphone, there are certain features which will allow you to do just that.
If you have a poor eyesight, then you may need to look for a device with a good resolution and screen size. If you’re not very technological, then you can go for a fitness tracker that’s simple so it won’t make you feel too frustrated. Also, the style is another feature to look out for especially if you want to keep wearing the tracker no matter where you go.
Activities Tracked By The Fitness Tracker
A lot of people nowadays prefer to lead healthier lifestyles. Because of this, fitness trackers are becoming more and more popular. Before you choose the tracker to use though, think about what kinds of activities you’re planning to monitor with the device. This is the next factor for you to consider when looking for a fitness tracker.
For one, you may want to keep track of the distance you’ve traveled. Usually, any fitness tracker would do the job. Most devices would log your distance as well as the steps you’ve taken while performing your workout. However, the high-end fitness trackers also offer distance-tracking over larger time periods, so you can assess your progression in terms of fitness.
A popular feature people look out for is the calorie tracker. Again, most fitness trackers out there will keep track of how many calories you burn while working out. This is an important feature if your goal is to lose weight while performing your workouts. Some devices available also offer weight-tracking and caloric intake features.
Keeping track of the heart rate is a common feature people want to look out for. Heart rate monitors will allow you to gauge as well as control the intensity of your workouts. Finally, you may also want to track your sleeping patterns. For this, choose a fitness tracker which will also monitor the quality and the length of your sleep.
Price Of The Fitness Tracker
Finally, also consider the price of the fitness trackers. As you look at the different products available out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. They have different features and they all come in varying price ranges. So think about your budget and determine how much you’re willing to spend on the device.
Usually, the simple fitness trackers which don’t have many features are a lot cheaper than the feature-packed ones. If you’re not much of a fitness enthusiast, then these types of trackers would be enough for you. But for a true fitness buff, you may want to go for a more high-end device. Of course, if you’re looking for a lot of features in a high-quality gadget, you may have to spend more for it.
[go_pricing id=”amazon_5b1_5b36d85821992″]
Conclusion
Fitness trackers are clever and convenient devices. You can use it to keep yourself on track while going on with your daily routine. When it comes to choosing the right fitness tracker, there are a lot of things to consider. We’ve discussed some of the most important factors while also answering some of the common questions about them.
If you want to enhance your health and fitness experience, a fitness tracker can go a long way in helping you out. There are many different models to choose from and all you need to do is find one which has the design and the specifications you prefer. Then you can start using the device to your advantage wherever you go!
