For decades, companies have been marketing “innovative” products to miraculously help us lose weight and tone up. Some, like the Shake Weight, left us scratching our heads and gave us a chuckle. Others, like smartwatches, have not only revolutionized the centuries-old watch industry, they have become an invaluable tool in our quest to achieve our fitness goals.
Smartwatches have evolved quickly over the past several years and the latest variations include innovative technology that helps people gain insight into their overall physical activity. Studies show the more someone wears their fitness tracker, the more likely they are to increase their daily movements which results in a more active lifestyle. But smartwatches are evolving to become so much more than just fitness trackers.
These mini-computers on our wrists can record a large amount of information including geographical location, heart rate, steps, workouts, and even an individual’s sleep trends. Most smartwatches also include cellular technology so you can receive phone calls, text messages, stream music to your headphones, and access your favorite apps. When you are out and about, pay attention to people’s wrists, it seems like everyone is wearing some kind of smartwatch. And those, like yours truly, only take them off when they need to charge.
With so many options on the market, picking the right smartwatch to match your fitness goals and lifestyle can be confusing. We combed through the seemingly infinite variations on the market, to help make that decision a bit easier. Whether you are a purist at heart and need something basic, or want something with more bells and whistles, rest assured, there is a smartwatch out there that is the right fit for you! Following are our top picks.
1. The Runner – Garmin 945
The Garmin 945 is considered a premium running watch. The most popular features of the watch are the location-tracking and biometrics because they are both very accurate. 10-hour battery life while GPS and music are running helps you get the most out of your watch. The watch also features different training apps like Running Dynamics, Training Status, Training Effect, and Performance Condition to help you maximize your workouts.
Runners also love the high-performance silicone band and an ultra-durable Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX lens. The watch connects with iOS and Android devices using Bluetooth technology. The battery lasts up to 10 hours with GPS and Music running, or up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode.
Key Specs:
- Screen
- Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
- 240 x 240 pixels
- 1.2″ (30.4 mm) diameter
- Physical Size
- 47 x 47 x 13.7 mm
- Memory
- 200 hours of activity data
Price Point: Starting at $599
2. Exercise Tracker – Fitbit Charge 4
The Fitbit Charge 4 is by far the most popular smartwatch when it comes to overall exercise tracking and being budget-friendly. You are able to choose from 20 goal-based exercise modes with a feature that will auto-detect when you start jogging. The watch has a built-in GPS with full-color mapping, so you won’t need to bring your phone along when you are out for a run. The Charge 4 isn’t big or bulky with a screen size of about 1.57 inches. The tracker also includes all-day activity tracking steps, floors climbed, and calories burned. The device is also waterproof up to 50 meters.
The Charge 4 allows for up to 7 days of battery life which is considerably longer when you compare it to other brands out there.
Key Specs:
- Screen
- Greyscale Touchscreen
- 1.57 inches
- Physical Size
- 1.4in l x 0.9in w x 0.5in h
- Memory
- 7 days of detailed motion and heart rate data and 30 days of daily totals.
Price Point: $119.95
3. Overall Health and Wellness – Garmin Vivoactive 4
We all know being stressed out isn’t healthy. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 includes stress-management features including mindful breathing, sleeping monitoring, stress tracking, and motivating training plans. The smartwatch also features pulse oximeter readings, hydration, and respiration tracking while having a stylish design.
You can leave your phone at home with on-screen workout animations and playlists. The watch can last up to 8 days in smartwatch mode, or 6 hours in GPS mode with music.
Key Specs:
- Screen
- Color Touch Screen
- Garmin Chroma Display™
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens
- 1.3″ (33.0 mm) diameter
- Physical Size
- 45.1 l x 45.1 w x 12.8 h mm
- Memory
- 7-timed activities or 14-days of activity tracking data
Price Point: $349.99
4. Connection Obsessed – Apple Watch Series 6
The Apple Watch Series 6 is the latest smartwatch released by Apple. The watch is for the connection obsessed individual. You can receive and send text messages, take phone calls, listen to music or podcasts and use most apps you are able to use on your actual phone without actually needing your phone nearby. The watch will also track blood oxygen levels, sleep, a variety of workouts, and has GPS capabilities.
But the ECG app is really what sets the Apple Watch apart from others. The watch will provide an ECG to you detailing whether your heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation. Battery life on this smartwatch runs about 18 hours.
Key Specs:
- Screen
- Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display
- 44mm
- 368 by 448 pixels
- 977 sq mm display area
- 40mm
- 324 by 394 pixels
- 759 sq mm display area
- Physical Size
- 40mm
- Height: 40mm
- Width: 34mm
- Depth: 10.7mm
- 44mm
- Height: 44mm
- Width: 38mm
- Depth: 10.7mm
- 40mm
- Memory
- 32 GB internal storage
Price Point: Starting at $399
Smartwatches differ in shape, size, and features, but don’t let the number of options stress you out or keep you from purchasing. If you keep your goals in mind you will have no problem finding a smartwatch that is right for you. And if you’re like me, after wearing mine for a week, I wondered how I ever lived without it!