As technology advances every year, it is getting easier and easier to understand your body and how to train it. While there are many options, a wearable fitness tracker can only benefit any athlete who wants to monitor their workouts and increase performance in their sport. Below are our picks for the best wearable fitness trackers on the market.
Our number one pick for fitness trackers in 2022 is the Fitbit Charge 5. The Charge 5 is a sleek, sports-focused fitness tracker that does everything you need to stay in shape. The Charge 5 has an elegant screen and can track activities, GPS, heart rate, and battery life of 7 days. Charge 5 can also track health stats such as electrodermal activity and an ECG tracker.
Pros: OLED Screen, Built-in GPS, Tracks overnight HRV, breathing rate, SpO2, and skin temperature variations
Cons: No music controls, not as customization as other watches, higher price
Our next fitness tracker is the newest line of the Xiaomi Mi Band series. The Band 6 is a super light and conventional tracker that is a great budget pick with a battery life of up to 14 days. Not only does Band 6 track regular vitals such as steps, heart rate, and workouts; it also has a pulse oximeter that tracks blood-oxygen levels.
Pros: Bright display, lightweight, fantastic value, excellent battery life
Cons: Slower synchronization, straps can be uncomfortable
#3 Fitbit Sense
Fitbit Sense is next on our list. This watch offers a more stylish appearance while doing all the health tracking you will need. The Sense offers an emphasis on mental wellbeing as well as fitness tracking. It monitors stats like ECG and heart rate and a skin temperature sensor and stress monitoring option.
Pros: Detailed stress monitor, GPS availability for workouts, very comfortable
Cons: Expensive, smaller 3rd-party app selection, the touch screen could be better.
Arguably the most powerful smartwatch on the market is the Apple Watch Series 6. The watch has GPS capabilities, and with a 44m screen, it allows for many applications to use. Athletes can use this watch to monitor heart rate, including call and media buttons and sensors that display pulse and pressure. This particular model is also perfect for swimmers as it is entirely waterproof.
Pros: Excellent quality and performance, variety of functions, excellent GPS tracking
Cons: Expensive, battery life could be better
Our next pick is the Withings Move ECG watch. This watch offers a more modern design but fewer applications than the previous picks. This hybrid smartwatch tracks swimming, walking, and exercising. The battery life stands out from the rest in that it offers almost a year of battery life. However, on the downside, this tracker does not provide as many options as some of the rest on the list.
Pros: Stylish, long battery life, affordable
Cons: the screen is plastic, not a continuous heart rate reading
With a newly added GPS tracking application, the Versa 3 is moving in the right direction for wearable fitness trackers. Because it is more of a fitness tracker than a smartwatch, Fitbit dialed in on various exercises and sports applications. The Versa 3 is an excellent alternative pick to an Apple Watch if you want to save some money.
Pros: Comfortable and lightweight, oversized display screen, GPS Capabilities.
Cons: No Spotify support, no productivity applications.
#7 Fitbit Luxe
If you need a sleek, non-bulky fitness tracker, then the Fitbit Luxe is what you are looking for. It offers all the typical Fitbit applications, such as heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, and exercises, waterproof. The only thing lacking on the Fitbit Luze is its inability to provide GPS tracking.
Pros: Slim and stylish, sleep tracker, colored touchscreen
Cons: No built-in GPS tracking
The Polar Vantage M2 is perfect for our workout enthusiasts and committed athletes. They offer many workout programs and 24/7 health tracking sensors that prove the Polar Vantage deserves to make the list.
Pros: Stylish, extensive exercise options, 168-hour battery life
Cons: Can prove to be overwhelming for users, slow syncing
The Huawei Watch Fit is number nine on our list. It has a similar design to the Apple Watch but is more geared towards fitness and affordability. While this watch is packed with features, serious athletes looking for all the bells and whistles might want to look for something with more applications.
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to use, comfortable
Cons: Slow syncing, not as many workout options
#10 Garmin Vivofit 4
The Garmin Vivofit 4 is for those who want a great fitness tracker but do not need the large and bright touch screen display. The battery life and rugged yet practical design makes it perfect for those who play a sport where you will likely get dirty.
Pros: excellent battery life, inexpensive
Cons: No GPS or heart rate tracker, complicated user interface
#11 Amazfit GRT 3
The final pick on our list is Amazon's Amazfit GRT 3. The newest series of Amazfit technology brings an attractive and stylish watch that can track more than 150 activities.
Pros: Easy user interface, premium quality, and design
Cons: Does not pair well with IOS, software issues
However you get in shape, a wearable fitness tracker allows you to monitor your body to reach peak performance for competition. Whether you are about to start your season or looking to condition yourself, the following are the best options available as of 2022.
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* Originally published on May 6, 2022, by Mary Archibald
