Wearable devices are gaining popularity these days as many people are looking for a convenient and effective way to monitor their health. These devices have several features that can help them achieve their fitness goals and improve their healthy lifestyle.
However, with the wide range of wearable devices available, it can be difficult to choose the right one. So, below we outline some of the key differences between fitness trackers and the main things to consider when choosing the right one for you:
Types of wearable devices for fitness tracking:
No matter what fitness goal you're trying to achieve, there's a specific device in the wearable range that can help you achieve your goals. Here are some of the most notable wearables:
1- Fitness tracker:
With fitness trackers, you can monitor your physical activity, track your sleep, and be reminded to move when you're sedentary. On the other hand, many modern fitness trackers measure your heart rate and record other specific stats based on your activity.
Some of the most popular fitness trackers on the market include:
- Fitbit Charge 5 with ECG app to monitor heart health, sensors that let you know your daily Stress Management Score, and more.
- Garmin Vivosmart 4 device.
- The Xiaomi Mi Band 6.
2- Smart watchs:
Smartwatches, like fitness trackers, can track a variety of activities but have additional features like answering, making calls, texting, accessing apps, etc., but they are much more expensive than fitness trackers.
Common options include:
- Apple Watch Ultra.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
- Garmin vivoactive 4 watch.
3- Heart rate monitor:
While fitness trackers and smartwatches often have heart rate monitoring, research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association of Cardiology shows that standalone heart rate monitors provide more accurate readings, making them a favorite among athletes. Who needs accurate heart rate data to improve their training?
Some of the most popular heart rate monitoring options include:
- Polar H10 device.
- Wahoo TICKR X.
- Garmin HRM-Pro Plus.
4- GPS tracker:
For people who like outdoor sports like mountains, GPS trackers are suitable. It helps them understand where they are running or walking, especially in remote and unconnected areas, and provides detailed data on speed, distance traveled, elevation changes, and route details.
Some of the advanced options for GPS trackers are:
- Garmin Forerunner 945.
- The Suunto 9 Baro.
- The Polar Vantage M2.
How do you choose the right type of wearable device?
Before you buy a fitness tracker wearable, you should first assess your fitness goals and priorities. Then you need to consider the budget as the price of mobile devices can vary widely. It is also important to pay attention to the shape of the device and the comfort it provides when wearing it.
To help you choose the right wearable for you, here are some examples of the types of exercises and devices they work best with:
- If you enjoy sports such as jogging and cycling, then a heart rate monitor may be right for you because it provides accurate and continuous heart rate data, which is important for determining exercise intensity and duration. .
- If you are a hardcore athlete who loves to lift weights or do something else in the gym, then a fitness tracker is for you that can track your heart rate, exercise duration, and more. After your workout, your data syncs to your device's workout tracking app. You can also opt for smartwatches as they offer many of the same features as fitness trackers but are smaller and less expensive.
- If you are hiking, jogging, or mountain biking, GPS trackers are ideal for you as these devices can effectively track your route, speed, and elevation changes. These devices also have safety features that can alert emergency services if you are lost or injured.