Top 10 Fitness Trackers for College Athletes

Top 10 Fitness Trackers for College Athletes Top 10 Fitness Trackers for College Athletes

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 tracker can be a game-changer for any athlete who wants to monitor their workouts and increase performance in their sport. These are especially important for college athletes, when you're expected to train on-pace and run your own mileage on the weekend. Some coaches even require wearable trackers so they can see your progress in the off-. Below are our picks for the best wearable for college athletes based on applications, comfort, display, and value. 

Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#1 Garmin Vivoactive 3 $130-$150
The Garmin Vivoactive 3 is a versatile wearable with a sleek, stylish design and features that rival other high-end devices. It also offers smart notifications, GPS, activity tracking, and an integrated payment system. While there is a newer, Vivoactive 4 model, the two are virtually the same, except the Vivoactive 3 is now close to half the price!

Pros: GPS capabilities, heart rate monitor, tracks a range of activities, water resistant up to 50 meters
Cons: IOS users cannot respond to notifications, no music storage

Image source: Amazon

Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#2 Apple Watch Series 6 $230-$500
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. Athletes can use this watch to monitor heart rate, pulse, and pressure. The watch also has media and call buttons. It is less intuitive to use for working out, but its functionality as an every-day watch makes up for what it lacks in the activity apps.  

Pros: Excellent quality and performance, variety of functions, GPS tracking, cellular option, water resistant up to 50 meters 
Cons: Expensive, short battery life, not super intuitive activity app

Image source: Apple

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Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#3 Fitbit Sense ~$299
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 as well as fitness tracking. It monitors stats like ECG and heart rate and has a skin temperature sensor and stress monitoring option. 

Pros: Detailed stress monitor, GPS capability, very comfortable, water resistant up to 50 meters, ECG app compatibility, a 12-minute charge will give a full day of use
Cons: Smaller 3rd-party app selection, the touch screen could be better

Image source: Fitbit

Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#4 Fitbit Versa 3 ~$179.95
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 .

Pros: Comfortable and lightweight, large display screen, GPS capabilities, water resistant up to 50 meters, a 12-minute charge will give a full day of use
Cons: No productivity applications, does not have ECG, heart rate, skin temperature sensor, or stress monitoring options that sense has

Image source: Fitbit

Related: 5 Best Places to Find Affordable Workout Gear

Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#5 Polar Vantage M2 ~$299.95
The Polar Vantage M2 is perfect for our enthusiasts and committed athletes. This watch offers many workout programs and 24/7 health tracking abilities such as sleep monitors and a heart rate sensor.

Pros: Stylish, extensive exercise options, 168-hour battery life, waterproof up to 30 meters, has built-in GPS
Cons: Can prove to be overwhelming for users due to many applications and user interface, slow syncing, large watch face 

Image source: Polar

Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#6 Fitbit Charge 5 ~$129.95
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, can track up to 6 activities, GPS, and heart rate, and has a battery life of 7 days. The Charge 5 can also track health stats such as electrodermal activity and ECG. 

Pros: OLED Screen, built-in GPS, tracks overnight HRV, breathing rate, SpO2, and skin temperature variations, waterproof up to 50 meters
Cons: No music controls, not as customizable as other watches

Image source: The Verge

Related: Creating a Balanced Workout Routine for Sprinters

Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#7 Amazfit GTR 3 ~$179.99
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, waterproof up to 50 meters, has upgraded GPS tracking
Cons: Does not pair well with IOS, software issues

Image source: Amazfit

Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#8 Withings Move ECG ~$129.95
Our next pick is the 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, water resistant up to 50 meters, built-in GPS tracking
Cons: The screen is plastic, no continuous heart rate reading, few activity options

Image source: Withings

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Top 10 Fitness Trackers for Athletes

#9 Fitbit Luxe ~$149.95
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, and it's waterproof. The only thing lacking on the Fitbit Luze is its inability to provide GPS tracking. 

Pros: Slim and stylish, sleep tracker, colored touchscreen, water resistant up to 50 meters
Cons: No built-in GPS tracking

Image source: MobileSyrup

#10 Garmin Vivofit 4 Price: ~$79.95
The Garmin Vivofit 4 is for those who want a great fitness tracker but do not need the large and bright touchscreen display. The Vivofit 4 tracks distance, steps, calories burned, and sleep. The battery life (up to a year) 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, waterproof up to 50 meters
Cons: No GPS or heart rate tracker

Image source: Android Authority

However you get in shape, a wearable fitness tracker allows you to monitor your body to reach peak performance. Whether you are about to start your season or looking to condition yourself, the following are the best options available as of 2022. 

Have an idea for a story or have a question you need answered? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on March 8, 2022, by Mary Archibald

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