Whether you’re looking to improve your daily physical activities, your sleeping habits, or your overall lifestyle, the right fitness tracker can easily help you achieve all those things. But looking for the “right one” for you can be a daunting task. So to help you out, here’s a useful guide on buying fitness trackers with GPS this 2021.
From using the standard and traditional wristwatches, we have evolved so much. In this current era, fitness wearables are slowly becoming the norm. Watches no longer just tell time, they now also have features that help us engage in a healthier lifestyle.
Such features include built-in pedometers, heart and sleep monitoring, some even have support for music playback, SpO2 readers, and so much more. Honestly, these fitness companies just keep on pushing the limit by giving us something new with every product they release.
With that in mind, it’s understandable to get easily overwhelmed with the number of choices you have in the market right now. For some, it can even lead to stress! Because let’s face it, we all want the best of the best. We all want a fitness tracker that will do it all for you.
Fortunately for us, an endless supply of fitness trackers also means that we won’t have to worry about any shortages. So you will surely find one that will be most suitable for you.
When investing in a fitness tracker, I highly recommend doing a lot of research on the features you would like it to have. A common mistake a lot of people do is make impulsive purchases and this leads to them getting a model that they won’t be using in the long run.
So instead of getting blinded by flashy advertisements and flowery words, I’m here to help you out.
Fitness Trackers Vs. Smartwatches: Which One Is For You?
Another common mistake a lot of people do is mix up what a fitness tracker is and what a smartwatch does. This is totally understandable though. Even I was confused when I first got interested in wearables. In the blind eye, both of these devices have a lot of overlapping qualities that essentially make them the same.
But at its core, a dedicated fitness tracker puts your fitness and health first. This kind of wearable gives subtle nudges of encouragement when to get active or get your daily steps in when you’re becoming too sedentary. It also provides data regarding your heart rate, sleeping habits, daily steps, workouts, and other fitness activities.
While on the other hand, a smartwatch is more of a “do-it-all” device. The same way a smartphone can have a lot of functionalities and overlapping features with a computer.
With a smartwatch, you get the benefit of having access to your notifications, latest news, updates, and the ability to download apps within the watch and have a bit of fitness tracking in there as well. A smartwatch is for you if you prefer wellness and productivity over fitness and health.
To put it simply, not all fitness trackers are smartwatches or have the same capabilities and vice versa.
If you’re looking for a dedicated smartwatch, check out our buyer’s guide here instead and our top recommendations here.
Things To Consider And Look Out For
Once you’ve made up your mind between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch, here are some things you need to keep in mind before buying the former.
Fitness trackers come in a wide range of price points that can easily accommodate everyone’s budget. But keep in mind that the wearables who offer more high-tech features do come at a more premium price.
I highly suggest considering the features that will be most necessary and suited for your lifestyle rather than letting yourself get swayed with advertisements and gimmicky marketing plots. The last thing you want is to end up buying a fitness tracker with so many features that won’t even be used in the future.
So it’s best to set a budget you’re comfortable with and keep in mind the features you only need. But if money is no object and you want to treat yourself with the best wearable out there, I say go for it and splurge.
Your Fitness Goals
Aside from your budget, you also have put into account your fitness goals. With the right fitness tracker, it can be fairly easy to reach your desired fitness goals. But don’t expect a miracle product though. You won’t get any instant results in a matter of days.
A fitness tracker is more of a friend you can rely on that’s always there to gently remind you about your health and activity. They also provide you with information, data, and other insights regarding your current statistics. This way, you will be informed if you have anything to further improve on or just give yourself a challenge from time to time.
After all, the real benefit you get from a fitness tracker is knowing if you’re improving, underperforming, or exceeding the fitness goals you have set for yourself for your health’s overall improvement.
Built-In GPS
A built-in GPS is one of the most useful things you can have in a fitness tracker. With this helpful feature, you won’t have to constantly concern yourself with taking your phone out mid-exercise just to check how you’re doing in terms of your speed, distance, pace, and heart rate.
Personally, it’s always been quite a pet peeve of mine when I have to shell out my phone from my pocket when my hands are clearly preoccupied with other things. So I highly suggest picking a fitness tracker with its own GPS.
Not only does this help make things convenient for you, the built-in GPS also allows for more accurate data to be given to you in regards to your stats during and after your workout sessions.
Additional Sensors For Health Tracking
Not every fitness tracker are built equally. Some offer better features and some might be lacking or are just providing the most basic functions. But listed below are some pretty nifty sensors and features that you might be interested in when looking for a fitness tracker.
Heart Rate Monitoring.
Sleep Monitoring
SpO2 Readings
Step Tracking
Accuracy
After covering the sensors you might want to have in your desired fitness tracker, let’s talk about their accuracy.
When it comes to health tracking, it’s best to manage your expectations and be reminded that these wearables are not foolproof. Nor are they always 100% accurate in giving the correct data.
As I mentioned before, a fitness tracker with built-in GPS can definitely help provide you with more correct stats. But there are also wearables out there that have FDA-cleared ECG readings, decent heart rate monitoring as well as SpO2 measurements. It’s just a matter of finding the correct wearable with great precision with their sensors.
If you want more reliable devices for your health tracking, I would suggest getting devices with these specific functions instead.
Display
In terms of display, fitness trackers vary from a monochrome display to touchscreens with colored, OLED or AMOLED specifications. Though from my research, monochrome displays tend to dominate this sort of wearables. While the latter is more predominant with smartwatches.
Monochrome displays aren’t bad, though they do tend to become washed out under harsh lightings.
Battery Life
Depending on the fitness tracker, battery life tends to vary from a few days to a week. I have even seen some that can stretch for up to several months! But those kinds of fitness trackers usually have the basic functions that don’t drain a lot of battery.
The best fitness trackers from Fitbit or Garmin usually lasts from 3 days up to a week depending on usage. With certain features turned on, they might last a lot less.
Smart Features
Smart features are not just exclusive to smart devices. Some fitness trackers can give you notifications of incoming text messages or calls you’re getting in your smartphone from the comfort of your wrist. Other wearables even let you make quick replies or answer those calls conveniently without having to pick up your smartphone.
But it’s up to you whether you feel this certain feature is something necessary. Personally, I find this pretty useful in situations when my hands are currently full.
Style and Aesthetics
Like it or not, a fitness tracker also doubles as an accessory for us. Some of you don’t mind a classic rubber band design, while some would prefer something more flashy or elegant.
While this particular factor falls more on personal preference, I would still suggest giving this some thought either way. At least you’ll know whether your chosen wearables are appropriate for casual activities like dinner outside, going to the office for work, school, and other things.
Conclusion
To conclude this article, I only hope that my simple guide was able to help you make a decision on what kind of fitness tracker to purchase and that will suit your lifestyle.
Overall, a good fitness tracker varies on each person using it. So what might work for others, might not work for you. So rather than going with the mainstream product, choose one that is perfect for your necessities and fitness goals.
Do you already own fitness trackers with GPS? How is the experience for you? Did my article help you out in finding the right wearable? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!
As fitness wearables continue to rise in popularity and the demand for them just keeps soaring, you’ll find there’s no shortage of fitness trackers to choose from. So in this dedicated review, let’s take a closer look at the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ and how well it holds up on its own in a sea of competing smartwatches and fitness trackers.
If you’ve been a fitness fanatic or enthusiast for quite some time now, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of the brand, Garmin. If by some chance you’re unaware of them, they’re actually one of the leading and most popular brands when it comes to fitness trackers and wearables. So rest assured you can count on their products to be reliable.
The Vivosmart HR+ is not an exception to that rule.
While far from being perfect, this particular wearable is undoubtedly still packed with some great features that would be well-suited for a lot of you. Especially if you’re the type of individual who loves outdoor activities that go beyond the usual running, jogging, or walking.
Coming with its own built-in GPS, you no longer have to constantly fetch your phone to check your statistics. The GPS also helps so much when it comes to tracking and providing more accurate data regarding your stats and outdoor-related fitness activities.
In terms of durability, the Vivosmart HR+’s rugged design is pretty much built to withstand the conditions of any outdoor environment and perfect for people with active lifestyles. Yes, that includes underwater activities as well. This wearable has a 5 ATM water rating.
Aside from those terrific features, you’re also getting 24/7 heart monitoring, step tracking, as well as activity and sleep monitoring in one wearable.
Features & Specifications
Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 0.83 x 0.48 inches, 1.12 ounces.
Manufacturer / Brand: Garmin.
Screen Size: 2 inches.
Operating System: Garmin OS.
Band Width: 21 milliliters.
Band Material: Rubber.
Batteries Used: 1 Lithium Polymer battery used.
Battery Life: Lasts up to 5 days, depending on use.
Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth and GPS.
Compatibility: iOS and Android.
Interface Output: Monochrome touchscreen display.
Waterproof: Yes, with a 5 ATM water rating.
Heart Monitoring: Yes, with 24/7 heart monitoring.
Sleep Tracking: Yes.
Colors: Black, purple, and blue.
Extra Features: Fitness Tracker, Email, Messages, Social Media, Calendar, Pedometer, Time Display, Sleep Monitor, Phone, Alarm, Elevation Tracker, Heart Rate Monitor, Music Player.
Check out Garmin’s preview of the Vivosmart HR+ below!
What We Love About The Garmin Vivosmart HR+
Built-In GPS
The built-in GPS the Vivosmart HR+ is equipped is probably the most important thing in this wearable.
Any fitness enthusiast out there who has been stuck with a fitness tracker that did not offer this feature knows exactly how much of a pain in the backside it is to constantly pick up your phone just to check your fitness data. Sometimes, our wearables don’t even offer this feature at all even when connected to a smartphone.
Luckily for us, more and more brands have been putting out products with built-in GPS. The Vivosmart HR+ is one of them.
Now with this significant feature involved, getting the most accurate data on our location, distance, speed, and pace has never been better. Devices that don’t have GPS tend to rely on an estimated distance based on your step lengths which by now you know can sometimes provide inaccurate results.
Fitness And Activity Tracking
Aside from the built-in GPS, the Vivosmart HR+ truly shines in terms of fitness and activity tracking. As I’ve said before, if you love outdoor activities for reaching your fitness goals then you’ll love this device just as much. This certain wearable has a wide set of features to offer you.
The 24/7 heart rate monitoring will keep tabs on your heart rate on a daily basis. It will also use data regarding your resting heart rate to show any indications of improvement on your health or possible underlying problems you need to check into.
The Vivosmart HR+ also has step tracking which conveniently reminds you that it is time for fitness activities when you’ve been a little sedentary for a certain period of time.
On your first time, Garmin will have a set goal prepared for you, but not to worry. You can also customize the frequency of these reminders based on your preference within the Garmin app. In addition, this feature also provides you with data on how active you’ve been throughout the day.
As for sleep monitoring, your sleep data will be automatically tracked and recorded in the Garmin Connect app. So you’ll know your usual bedtime and how regularly you’ve been sleeping on time, as well as other sleeping habits. Even your nighttime bathroom breaks are saved in your data too!
Rugged Design
The rugged and slim design of the Vivosmart HR+ assures its users that it’s built for comfort and functionality.
With a simple and minimalist band, this particular fitness tracker offers a compact form factor around your wrist that is measuring about 20mm wide across, a thickness of around 13mm through the main body, before slimming into the strap.
The Vivosmart HR+ also uses a rubber body with a textured outer finish while the inside remains smooth. It’s pretty comfortable to wear overall but do keep in mind that the strap tends to run on the thicker and chunkier side. So people with smaller wrist sizes than average might find this a little awkward around their wrists.
On another note, this wearable is meant to fit snugly around the wrist. This is to ensure that the optical heart rate sensor on the back of the display detects your heart beats accurately without being disturbed by too much movement.
Notifications
Apart from the amazing fitness-related functions the Vivosmart HR+ has, it can also provide you with notifications that you get from your smartphone. This means you’ll be alerted in real-time of incoming calls and text messages without having to reach for your phone when your hands are currently preoccupied.
Personally, the narrow screen of the Vivosmart HR+ can sometimes feel a little too cramped to read notifications comfortably, but it’s better than nothing.
I know I complimented the Vivosmart HR+’s rugged design just earlier. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have any critiques over it as well. In terms of the design’s functionality, there are no complaints. However, for aesthetics? It is pretty basic, especially when you’ve seen the likes of Apple and Samsung’s wearables.
While the design of the Vivosmart HR+ may not be a big deal for some of you, it still plays an important factor for others. As more brands come out with more unique and eye-catching designs, you can’t help but make comparisons.
Overall, this fitness tracker doesn’t offer the prettiest-looking device in the market. It would have been great if Garmin allowed or gave us the option of interchangeable or customizable bands on the Vivosmart HR+. That would have been a huge plus. But if you prioritize substance over aesthetics, then this wearable is certainly for you.
Monochrome Touchscreen Display
Just like my qualms with the Fitbit Charge 4, the monochrome display on the Vivosmart HR+ can be a huge downside. For some of you, this isn’t much of a huge deal, and might actually prefer this type of display. But I just find the overall grayscale display quite boring to be frank.
It feels like they just took one, tiny step from the traditional digital wristwatches we are all familiar with and added fitness tracking features.
Not to mention, the monochrome tends to become almost hard to read or non-existent when you’re outside. Especially on sunnier days. If you’re in a room under harsh and bright lighting, the same issue occurs as well.
So if you encounter these same problems, let’s hope the next iteration of the Vivosmart HR+ has a colored screen. Or if you feel this is a deal breaker, you’d be better off with searching for smartwatches or fitness trackers that actually have colored screens.
In A Nutshell
Here’s a narrowed down list of the good and the bad with the Vivosmart HR+.
Pros
Decent 5-day battery life in a single charge depending on your usage.
Terrific fitness tracking features.
Built-in GPS allows for more accurate fitness tracking.
The ideal wearable for dedicated runners and fitness enthusiasts who love outdoor activities.
Waterproof and rugged design makes the wearable durable.
The rugged style might be suitable for people who like that kind of design.
Attractive mid-range price point.
Cons
The overall design and style of the wearable are somewhat pretty basic.
No interchangeable or customizable bands.
The monochrome screen can be improved.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is a wearable that is worth checking out and considering. Especially if you’re someone who loves outdoor workouts or activities besides the usual running and walking. It provides the right set of features for anyone who wants a wearable that can keep up with their active lifestyles.
Do you already own the Garmin Vivosmart HR+? Or are you still contemplating getting yourself one? Let me know what your thoughts and experiences are with this device in the comments section below! I’d love to hear your insights!
Fitbit has always been consistent when it comes to pumping out the best and our favorite fitness trackers in the market. The Charge 4 is no different. But how good exactly is their latest iteration of their Charge lineup? Well, let’s find out in our dedicated review of the Fitbit Charge 4.
Since its debut in 2014, Fitbit’s Charge line has seen and gone through a lot of changes. Now in its 4th generation, it’s safe to say that this is truly one of their best yet.
Despite the rise of smartwatches in the market such as the Apple Series Watches and the Samsung Galaxy Watches, Fitbit seems to have decided to forge its own path and continue towards its route in being the leader in terms of fitness trackers.
Admittedly, Fitbit has yet to put out a bad product. Why change something that isn’t broken, right? But what’s so exciting about the Charge 4 is the impressive features Fitbit has equipped it with.
Packed with the features we already know and love from the past models, the Charge 4 also now has built-in GPS, Active Zone Minutes which gives you very personalized heart rate data and to make sure you’re hitting your goals, improved sleep and health tracking sensors, Fitbit pay, as well as supporting Spotify music controls.
Even with all these improved and added features, you’d be very happy to know Fitbit decided not to make any price increases and kept it the same as the Charge 3. So you’re really getting a lot of value for that money.
The only thing I’d suggest for Fitbit right now is to add a colored screen in their future Charge models. While the monochrome screen has worked for them throughout the years, it would have been a lot better to see a colored screen in the Charge 4. So one can only hope to see this in future models.
Features & Specifications
Product Dimensions: 9.72 x 1.13 x 0.49 inches, 1.06 ounces.
Manufacturer / Brand: Fitbit
Screen Size: 1 inch.
Operating System: Android
Batteries Used: 1 Lithium Polymer battery used.
Battery Life: Lasts up to 7 days depending on usage.
Wireless Connectivity: NFC and Bluetooth.
Compatibility: iOS and Android.
Interface Output: Grayscale touchscreen.
Waterproof: Yes, for up to 50 meters.
Heart Monitoring: Yes.
Sleep Tracking: Yes.
Colors: Black, Black Granite, Blue, and Rosewood.
Extra Features: Active Zone Minutes, SpO2 sensor, built-in GPS, Fitbit Pay, Spotify playlist controls.
Here’s a preview of the Charge 4 on Fitbit’s Youtube channel.
What We Love About The Fitbit Charge 4
Design
When it comes to design and style, the Charge 4 has kept the minimal look its predecessor (the Charge 3) has sported. There were really no significant changes in the overall design and even on the display itself.
Personally, that’s neither a good thing nor a bad thing. I would love it if there were some improvements, especially on the display. But at the same time, the current design of the Charge 4 works.
Overall, it’s decent-looking, not too flashy, and still a pretty comfortable wearable to have around your wrist. Albeit, it could be just a tad thinner.
So if you always loved the minimalist and sleek look of Fitbit’s Charge lineup, then you’ll surely have no problem with the Charge 4.
Built-In GPS
One of the biggest disappointments with the Charge 3 was the fact that you had to avail the special edition variant in order to get a built-in GPS with your wearable.
But you’ll be happy to know that Fitbit has heard our pleas and included the GPS in the Charge 4 without having to buy the “special edition”. The built-in GPS in this fitness tracker helps immensely in providing you with more accurate data regarding your fitness routines and goals.
To be more specific, the GPS workouts gets your distance, speed, time, pace, and heart rate. These workouts include running (both on the street and on treadmills), walking, swimming, biking, and other outdoor exercises.
I’d dare say that this was one of the most anticipated upgrades we’ve been waiting for on Fitbit’s Charge lineup.
Gone are the days when you have to rely on having your phone with you just to have GPS during your workouts. However, it’s best to keep in mind that battery life is shortened to 5 hours when you’re using the built-in GPs on the Charge 4.
Activity Tracking
Aside from the built-in GPS, most of the upgrades the Charge 4 was equipped with were mainly for sports and activity tracking.
It definitely ticks all the boxes when it comes to the basics: counting steps, calories burned, floors climbed, heart rate monitoring, and distance. Thanks to the added GPS, these are also now measured a lot more accurately as well.
Apart from that, the Charge 4 also gives you a friendly reminder by buzzing gently when it’s time to get active. I find this pretty useful when it comes to getting my daily exercises in. The Charge 4 also tracks 20 different workouts and activities while giving you the option to include 6 programs for exercise shortcuts.
That’s pretty convenient when you have a routine or certain workouts you frequently follow.
Active Zone Minutes
Speaking of activity tracking, one new and exciting feature on the Charge 4 is called “Active Zone Minutes”.
Basically, this new metric measures how hard you worked during an activity or workout based on your age and heart rate zones. You earn one Active Zone Minute for each minute you spend in the fat burn zone and you get two Active Zone Minutes for time spent in the cardio zone. More information is found on Fitbit’s site here.
The recommended goal is to get 150 active minutes by the end of each week. But you can definitely customize this goal depending on your preference.
According to Fitbit, this metric can help prevent potential diseases, improve cognitive function, reduce anxiety, and sleeping habits, among other health benefits.
Battery Life
What I always found amazing with Fitbit products is how impressive their battery lives are. The Charge 4 has a battery life of 7 days and will last you 5 hours if you’re using the built-in GPS continuously. So they’re always so reliable to last you for up to a week or less depending on your usage.
When you’re someone with a busy schedule, the last thing you want is your fitness tracker dying out on you before the day has even started. With the Charge 4, you’ll only need to worry about charging this wearable once or twice a week depending on how you use it.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t completely hate the monochrome touchscreen on the Fitbit Charge 4.
In fact, I actually find the touchscreen display on this wearable pretty intuitive without being too overcomplicated with the controls.
The screen is quite responsive without lagging as well. Swiping right leads you to the wearable’s menu and settings, swiping up shows your daily statistics such as step counts, distance, and calories burned, and swiping down reveals your most recent texts and calls.
Meanwhile, the button can be pressed to either take you back to the previous screen or to the clock face display.
However, as much as I love how easy the controls are, the screen itself does lack brightness especially when you’re standing under harsh lights or if it’s too sunny outside. So you’ll find yourself squinting a lot and having a hard time reading the Charge 4’s screen during those instances.
Here’s to hoping that Fitbit makes a colored screen on their next iteration of their Charge lineup. Fingers crossed!
In A Nutshell
Here’s a narrowed down list of the good and the bad with the Fitbit Charge 4.
Pros
Active Zone Minutes gives great encouragement in reaching your target heart rates and provides personalized data.
SpO2 readings.
Built-in GPS.
Waterproof build for up to 50 meters.
Impressive battery life of 7 days.
Sleek and minimalist design.
No price point increase.
Fitbit Pay allows for contactless payments.
You can control your Spotify playlist from the convenience of your wrist.
Cons
The screen can be improved into a colored one and be made brighter to be seen better under harsher lights.
The overall design can also be improved.
Final Verdict
The Charge 4 is amazing in what it does. It’s an impressive fitness tracker from a reputable brand with terrific sensors that provides encouragements and helpful nudges or reminders when it’s time for you to get your daily steps in, how to improve your sleep, and give you insights into your heart rate data.
Plus, you also get a few perks that you can only see from smartwatches. The Fitbit Charge 4 builds on everything we loved about the previous models and further upgraded it in the latest iteration while adding other additional features to level up our fitness tracking.
Not to mention, they did all this without having to increase the price point.
Overall, the Charge 4 is an excellent companion if you’re looking to improve your health and your lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a wearable that prioritizes wellness first rather than fitness, then you’d be better off with a smartwatch that tends to balance between the two.
Already own the Charge 4? Or still on the fence about buying one? Let me know what your thoughts are about Fitbit’s latest iteration of their Charge lineup in the comments section below!
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If you’ve been looking to upgrade your lifestyle into a healthier one, I’ve got the right thing just for you. In this article, I’ll be recommending to you the best fitness trackers with GPS for 2021.
Fitness trackers are a great option for anyone who needs a gentle nudge or subtle reminders of ways to improve their health. These little encouragements can be in the form of taking a walk to get those daily steps in. Sometimes, it can also be just getting more sleep.
In any case, these small changes and habits can actually make huge improvements over time in your health. A dedicated fitness tracker will help you with that in the long run. So if you’re interested in investing in these activity bands, just keep on reading to find out my top recommendations for you.
Why Do You Need A Fitness Tracker?
Fitness trackers are not an absolute necessity for anyone. To some, it’s considered a luxury. But it is a very convenient device to have on the go. So if you want something that will help you improve your lifestyle and you can afford it, a fitness tracker is your best bet.
Since its introduction years ago, fitness trackers have risen in popularity and have taken over plenty of fitness enthusiasts’ favors. How could it not? It keeps track of your daily activities, monitors your sleep, how many steps you’ve taken, calories you’ve burnt, and so much more nifty features.
While I think these fitness wearables are worth the investment, I also understand a lot of them are quite the splurge. So before you make any impulsive purchases, you have to ask yourself first if you do need that extra push or motivation from a fitness tracker.
If your answer is yes, then scroll a little bit further down to see the best fitness trackers I can recommend to you.
My Top Recommendations
1. Fitbit Charge 4
Overview
Taking the top spot in our list of the best fitness trackers with GPS this 2021 is the Fitbit Charge 4.
This comes as no surprise as Fitbit was the first company and brand that introduced us to fitness trackers back in 2009. They’re actually one of the leading manufacturers of fitness trackers in the market.
They are dedicated to helping you improve your lifestyle and health by making it a fun experience for you through the use of their products.
What sets the Fitbit Charge 4 apart from its predecessor (the Charge 3) is the built-in GPS. The built-in GPS helps you see your pace and distance on-screen during your outdoor runs, rides, hikes, and more. Apart from that, you’ll also see a workout intensity map in the device’s app that shows your heart rate changes along your routes.
But aside from the GPS, the Charge 4 has a lot more interesting features that you will surely appreciate.
These features include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, Active Zone Minutes, which will notify you through a buzz when you reach your target heart rate zones during exercises, activity tracking, sleep tracking, skin temperature measurement, and SpO2 readings.
While admittedly, the screen is not as flashy as other fitness trackers you might come across in the market, the simple icons and menus for navigation are well laid out and easy to understand for anyone. So this particular wearable is most suitable for beginners as well.
Of course, when talking about the best fitness trackers with GPS for 2021, it’s impossible to leave out the Apple Series 6.
While it’s not a dedicated fitness tracker, this smartwatch still packs a punch with its equipped features and is at par with the likes of Fitbit, Garmin, and other fitness brands in the industry. And if you’re looking for a wearable that does it all, might as well pick the best of the best, right?
This particular wearable does not merely track your daily activities and workouts. It actually does a lot more for you.
From a faster charging time, SpO2 sensor app to measure your blood oxygen levels, an FDA-approved ECG app to check your heart rhythm to the “Always-On” Retina display, you’ll surely not see any smartwatch doing it like the Apple Watch Series 6 in the market as of writing this.
If that’s not enough to convince you, the Apple Watch Series 6 also has access to the App Store, which is one of the biggest libraries for apps out there. Not only that, but you also have the option to subscribe to Apple’s most in-demand streaming service for fitness enthusiasts, the Fitness+.
Now if you’re someone who wants the Apple Watch Series 6 but can’t quite afford it, the Fitbit Versa 2 is the next best thing. Though keep in mind that this alternative wearable is more of a fitness tracker with smartwatch perks and features rather than a smartwatch with fitness tracking features.
Nonetheless, it’s a near-perfect budget-friendly smartwatch you can find in the market right now.
Aside from the usual activity tracking such as sleep monitoring, heart monitoring, your daily steps, calories burned, and etc., the Versa 2 has Amazon Alexa built-in to the device. Which I find pretty nifty when it comes to the latest updates regarding the weather, the news, trends, and a lot more.
The Versa 2 also features a larger display that is always on so every information you need is just a quick glance away. Not to mention, this affordable wearable lasts up to more than 6 days with a single charge.
When your phone is nearby, you’ll also get notifications from text messages, calls, app notifications. What’s more, if you’re using an Android phone, you can also send out quick replies from the comfort of your wrist without having to pick up your phone.
Features & Specifications
Product Dimensions: 1.56 x 1.59 x 0.47 inches, 0.16 ounces.
Manufacturer / Brand: Fitbit
Batteries Used: 1 LR44 battery.
Battery Life: Lasts up to more than 6 days depending on use.
Wireless Communication: Bluetooth
Compatibility: Android and iOS.
Interface Output: Touchscreen.
Waterproof: Yes.
Heart Monitoring: Yes.
Sleep Tracking: Yes.
Colors: Black/Carbon, Bordeaux/Copper Rose, Navy & Pink Woven/Copper Rose, Petal/Copper Rose, Smoke Woven/Mist Grey, and Stone/Mist Grey.
The Fitbit Sense is the perfect hybrid between fitness and wellness. Calling this a dupe for the Apple Watch Series would be an understatement. personally, I think this is in a league of its own and competes fairly against the likes of Apple and Samsung.
While admittedly, the Fitbit still has miles to go in the smartwatch department, its efforts don’t go unnoticed and are still leading in terms of fitness tracking. But we already all know the latter. Fitbit is pretty much the pioneer of fitness tracking there’s really no surprise there.
When it comes to health and wellness, however, Fitbit has added a slew of features that are definitely familiar if you have used Apple’s or Samsung’s smartwatches in the past.
The Fitbit Sense is now equipped with sensors such as stress monitoring with the EDA scan app, blood oxygen level readings, temperature measurement, sleep monitoring, and as well as an FDA-cleared electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).
While these features are not anything new, it’s still pretty great for Fitbit to finally keep up and give you more options to choose from that are coming from different manufacturers.
If these don’t convince you, the Fitbit Sense has the most impressive battery life in smartwatches. While the Apple and Samsung wearables struggle to last for more than a day’s use, the Fitbit Sense can easily last up to more than 6 days depending on your usage.
Not to mention, the Sense has ultra-fast charging as well. This wearable gives you a full day’s use just by charging it for 12 minutes.
Features & Specifications
Product Dimensions: 1.59 x 1.59 x 0.49 inches; 1.06 Ounces
Manufacturer / Brand: Fitbit
Batteries Used: 1 Lithium Polymer battery.
Battery Life: Lasts up to more than6 days.
Wireless Communication: Bluetooth and GPS.
Compatibility: Android and iOS.
Interface Output: Touchscreen.
Waterproof: Yes.
Heart Monitoring: Yes.
Sleep Tracking: Yes.
Colors: Black only.
Extra Features: EDA Scan app, Fitbit ECG app, Always On screen, on-wrist skin temperature sensor, built-in GPS, supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, built-in mic and speaker.
Pros
Impressive battery life as expected from Fitbit.
You get detailed sleep analysis and results.
Supports Google Assistance and Amazon Alexa for getting the latest updates.
The screen and display are bright and vibrant.
The ECG is fairly easy to use.
Cons
No integrated music storage.
Interface is a little laggy compared to its competitors.
If you’re someone who loves to run as part of your daily exercise or just a fitness fanatic, you’ll absolutely love the Garmin Vivosmart HR+.
Garmin is a reliable company that is no stranger to manufacturing fitness devices that will help you improve your lifestyle. They’re dedicated to creating fitness devices like these wearables that you can use and integrate conveniently as part of your daily life.
The Vivosmart HR+ is one of those.
Personally, I think this particular model is an odd hybrid. While some companies and manufacturers are looking to create the next wearable that will overthrow the Apple Watch Series. A fitness device that balances between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker perfectly.
Instead, Garmin gives us a device that somewhat puts substance over the style first. Nevertheless, it’s still pretty solid for what it is. With built-in GPS, it has a waterproof and modest design that is made to last you for up to 5 days on a single charge, depending on usage.
Looking at just the pictures, the design looks quite sleek and simple, but for some of you who have smaller wrists, you might find this device a little chunky than expected. The Vivosmart HR+ also sports a 160 x 68-pixel monochrome display, which is touchscreen enabled.
For some of you, you might find the display pretty boring. It definitely lacks the flashiness the Apple Watch has or the Samsung Galaxy Watch. But if you don’t mind the thickness and size of this wearable, as well as the pretty basic design, then you’ll have no problem using the Vivosmart HR+.
But what this wearable lacks in design and style truly makes up for impressive GPS run tracking, smart notifications, and daily activity tracking. Which are its strongest points. After all, the Vivosmart HR+ is a fitness tracker first.
I find the built-in GPS is a terrific upgrade from its predecessor and helps you give accurate data regarding your daily steps. The heart rate monitoring runs 24/7 to keep tabs on you, and it also conveniently shows notifications your smartphone is getting.
Features & Specifications
Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 0.83 x 0.48 inches, 1.12 ounces.
Manufacturer / Brand: Garmin
Screen Size: 2 inches.
Band Width: 21 milliliters.
Band Material: Rubber.
Batteries Used: 1 Lithium Polymer battery used.
Battery Life: Lasts up to 5 days, depending on use.
Wireless Communication: Bluetooth, GPS.
Compatibility: iOS and Android.
Interface Output: Touchscreen.
Waterproof: Yes.
Heart Monitoring: Yes.
Sleep Tracking: Yes.
Colors: Black, blue, and purple.
Extra Features: Fitness Tracker, Email, Messages, Social Media, Calendar, Pedometer, Time Display, Sleep Monitor, Phone, Alarm, Elevation Tracker, Heart Rate Monitor, Music Player.
Pros
Impressive 5-day battery life.
Terrific fitness tracking features.
Great for dedicated runners and fitness enthusiasts.
Waterproof design.
The rugged design might be suitable for people who like that kind of style.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch is definitely one of the best wearables you can find in the market right now. It actually goes head to head with the Apple Watch.
Though personally, I prefer the Galaxy Watch’s take on the traditional wristwatch design. It just makes the overall appearance classy and attractive without it looking like a piece of technology around your wrist. The subtle design just makes it look like a high-end wristwatch due to its stainless steel case and stylized bezel.
But what really makes fans of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 happy is the ever fan-favorite rotating bezel. Mixing style and functionality, this helps you navigate through the smartwatch’s menu easily and without any fuss.
You also get two size variants of the Galaxy Watch. 41mm and 45mm. I would suggest getting the smaller variant as I find the 45mm option a little too big and chunky around the wrist. This wearable also comes in three different colors and two different finishes.
Unlike the Apple Watch’s mediocre battery life, the Galaxy Watch has stepped up and improved theirs with a battery that can last up to 3-5 days of use. This depends on your usage and the size variant that you’ve chosen. The bigger 45mm definitely lasts a few days longer.
When it comes to performance, Samsung’s core apps are included in the Galaxy Watch which is all pretty solid. Though keep in mind, when it comes to third-party apps you’ll notice this wearable tends to lag behind.
Nevertheless, I found this smartwatch a lot more fitness-focused than previous models. This is thanks to the additional sensors Samsung has included like SpO2 measurements, an improved and fairly accurate sleep tracker, and a revamped Samsung Health app.
Additionally, it automatically detects six of 39 exercises built into the watch while also helpfully nudging and reminding you when you’re too sedentary.
Now if you’re looking for more of a dedicated fitness tracker rather than a smartwatch, the Active 2 is perfect for you.
This is still, by all means, a smartwatch in my opinion. But definitely has a few upgrades and perks that make it a better fitness tracker than its sibling, the Galaxy Watch. The latter focuses more on being a traditional wristwatch with the added perks of a smartwatch.
As you can see, the Active 2 has a more sporty design along with the fan-favorite bezel. It’s also a lot slimmer and sports a more minimal and modern style.
But apart from the beautiful design, this wearable packs just enough impressive features and capabilities that rival the Apple Watch Series 6. Dedicated runners will definitely love this variant in Samsung’s smartwatch lineup. Though all of these come at a much steeper price.
Is it worth it though? Personally, I would stick with the Galaxy Watch 3. But if you love this design on a smartwatch, I’d say go for it.
Features & Specifications
Product Dimensions: 1.73 x 1.73 x 0.43 inches, 4.8 ounces.
Manufacturer / Brand: Samsung
Batteries Used: 1 Lithium-ion battery.
Battery Life: Lasts up to 5 days on a single charge, depending on usage.
Wireless Communication: Bluetooth.
Compatibility: Android and iOS.
Interface Output: Touchscreen and a rotating bezel.
Waterproof: Yes.
Heart Monitoring: Yes.
Sleep Tracking: Yes.
Colors: Silver, Black, Gold, Pink Gold, and Rose Gold.
Extra Features: Sleep Monitor, Phone, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor.
Pros
Great for dedicated runners and athletes.
Minimalist, sporty, and modern design is really attractive.
Has a rotating bezel for convenient navigation through the smartwatch’s interface.
Cons
Too pricey for the little upgrades you get.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10.
Where Can I Buy The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2?
Now that we have covered my top recommendations for the Best Fitness Trackers With GPS For 2021, let’s dive into a few things you need to consider before you finally purchase your chosen fitness tracker.
Simply searching up “best fitness trackers for 2021” on Google can sometimes give you overwhelming results. So let me help narrow it down for you.
Set Your Budget
As I’ve mentioned before, fitness trackers can be quite a splurge. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to burn a hole through your wallet just to get one.
Every now and then, these fitness trackers do go on sale and you might find the one you have been eyeing on fall into the price range you can actually afford. If you can’t wait for the sale season, there are definitely fitness trackers in the market that are budget-friendly and could go as low as under a hundred or even fifty dollars.
What’s important is you get a fitness tracker that is fully-functioning and checks the boxes in your criteria.
Activity Tracking
This is probably the most important thing to consider and the main reason why you are getting yourself a fitness tracker in the first place. With the abundance of fitness trackers to choose from in the market right now, there are so many options out there and each of these wearables offers unique ways to track your activities.
The most standard ones would usually just track the basics like your daily steps, your sleep schedule plus habits, your heart rate, calories burned, and of course, your workout sessions.
But something to keep in mind, if you want accurate results with these trackers, it’s best to pick a fitness tracker that has GPS built-in or at least supports it. Heart rate monitoring is also essential if you want accurate data on the calories you burned. Or else, your results will only be an estimate of your movement or steps.
Style
When it comes to a wearable’s style, it really all comes down to your preference. But don’t also forget functionality.
Fitness trackers comes in all shapes and sizes. Some have a slimmer build, some are square-shaped or have round-shaped displays, while the bands may either be leather, rubber, or woven fabric.
I fully understand if you tell me that the different styles of these wearables excite you. It can be overwhelming even. So to narrow down your options, try to base a style on the size of your wrist. Then pick one you think that will suit you the best.
These applies with the colors too. Choose one you can wear everyday, then play around with other colors over time. So many fitness trackers in the market offer interchangeable and customizable bands. Which I find pretty fun to mix and match. I think it’s easy to say, you’ll never run out of options in this department.
Display & Controls
Your fitness tracker’s display is an important part of your wearable. Obviously, it’s the one that will give you information regarding your daily activities and other stuff. Depending on what you’re looking for, displays vary a lot. Here is a range of options for you to choose from.
Touch screen display.
OLED or AMOLED display.
Colored screens or black and white screens.
Visibility of the display in various light conditions.
Side buttons.
Size of the screen and display.
Apart from these options, I also highly recommend choosing a fitness tracker with intuitive display and controls. Nothing is worse than finding out that the wearable you’ve picked has a buggy interface or a laggy screen or is hard to control.
Some wearables can have unique controls which takes a bit of time to get used to but can also be quite efficient once you’ve gotten the hang of it.
Battery Life
Your desired fitness tracker’s battery life is another important factor for you to consider. Most dedicated fitness trackers tend to last for several days. But that’s also because that’s their only purpose and the built-in features are not too demanding in general.
But if you want a smartwatch that doubles as a fitness tracker, you’ll find these devices last a lot less and will require more constant charging. However, you will be getting more functionality out of this. Such things might be Wi-Fi connectivity, music playback, voice assistance, better sensors for your health tracking, and a lot more.
If you feel you don’t need the added perks of a smartwatch, then I would suggest going for the former. They’re a lot more affordable and will last you longer in terms of battery life.
Extra Features
Aside from the mentioned things above, you might also want to check out if you would like your fitness trackers ot have these options or features as well:
Heart Monitoring
Usually, the most standard fitness trackers being sold right now have this feature already. But even so, not all of them are built equally. So you have to make sure that the fitness tracker you have chosen gives you accurate results.
Also, some wearables also offer 24/7 heart monitoring. While others only function when you activate them manually. It’s up to you which one of these you prefer.
Sleep Tracking
Just like heart monitoring, it seems to be the norm for fitness trackers to also have sleep monitoring features. Such feature does help in regulating your sleep cycles and knowing what areas you need to improve on.
Sleep trackers tend to rely on sensors to detect your physical movements and heart rate during your down time. If this is something that interests you, you won’t have any problem looking for a fitness tracker that has this option.
SpO2 Measurement
This is a fairly new sensor that manufacturers are integrating into their wearables. Especially with the rise of COVID-19 infections. It’s more important than ever to keep track of one’s blood oxygen levels to see if you would need to do a visit to the doctor’s office.
ECG Reading
Some wearables in the market today are coming out with FDA-cleared ECGs with their latest fitness trackers and smartwatches. This helps in keeping tabs on your heartbeat rhythms and possibly spot potential heart problems before they get worse.
Though keep in mind some of these ECG features are locked behind certain regions or countries.
Conclusion
Overall, fitness trackers are awesome in what they are supposed to do. They give users nice, little encouragements to help you keep up with a healthier lifestyle without being too pushy. Wearables like this are really great if you prefer making subtle changes over time that will improve your health in the long run.
Do you already own a fitness tracker? Did your favorite make it in our list? Let me know about your insights and experiences below in the comments section!
The Best Activity Tracker with Heart Rate Monitoring
Activity trackers are now a part of everyday life with more people focusing on fitness and wanting an easy way to track progress and set goals. Not all trackers are created equal and if you are looking for one that gives the full picture of your exertion throughout the day then you are better off getting a tracker with heart rate monitoring.
There are so many fitness trackers fighting for your custom; from the likes of Polar, Garmin, Apple, Fitbit, TomTom and so on. Looking for the perfect tracker to suit your lifestyle is not an easy task which is why I think Garmin Vívosmart HR+ is the ideal all-rounder.
The Vívosmart HR+ is reasonably priced and includes high-end features to cater for most sporting activities, working out in the gym and tracking steps throughout the day. We’ve already established that to get the most out of your tracker you want to buy one with heart rate monitoring and the Vívosmart HR+ records this automatically.
Intelligent Wrist-based Heart Rate
Vivosmart HR+ is equipped with Elevate wrist heart rate technology which combines all of your activity i.e. flight of stairs climbed, step count, exertion, calories burned and groups this data with your Heart rate reading and the inbuilt GPS to determine your distance, speed and provide you with the most accurate data.
If you remain sedentary for too long the tracker will nudge you to get up and move around, the MOVE bar is a great tool to keep you active throughout the day even if it’s just getting up from the couch or your desk to stretch your legs and take a short stroll.
Garmin Make it Easy to Connect
You can receive emails, texts, calls, social media, and calendar alerts without needing to interrupt your workout to reach for your phone. Non-urgent alerts can wait for later and if you receive an urgent alert you can gauge whether it’s worth pausing your exercise to give it your attention.
Once setup, Vivosmart HR+ will seamlessly send your stats to the Garmin app via your smartphone where you can view a detailed analysis of your activity and progress. The Garmin app is free to download and it is a great tool to plan out your exercise and to keep challenging yourself to surpass your previous achievements.
You can also connect with friends and family or meet other users through the app and get involved in various challenges. The app can be linked to MyFitnessPal so that you can log your food and assess your calorie intake versus your activity output.
Garmin Vívosmart HR+ Review
I’ve tried out my fair share of fitness trackers and usually, I’ve found that most will excel in certain areas but lack in others. Performance normally centres around key areas such battery performance, heart rate accuracy, screen responsiveness and syncing data between tracker and phone.
Having used the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ for a few weeks I had very little to complain about and rates it as one of the best activity trackers currently available. Here are some of the great features that I thought would be worth mentioning:
Garmin App and Tracker
Vivosmart HR+ and the Garmin app talk to each other very well. Both are easy to navigate and highly customisable to prioritise the data that matters most to you. Simply tap the tracker’s display to access more activity stats and gauge how you’re doing.
I sync the tracker 3 times a day i.e. when I wake up to analyse sleep (it will show you your sleep stages and how long you spend in each), at lunchtime to check my performance halfway through the day and last thing at night to see how I’ve done throughout the day. The battery is remarkable- one charge will last between 6-7 days.
Garmin Vivosmart HR+ Keeps Me Motivated
Let’s be honest, it is extremely easy to remain sedentary for long periods of time without realising. I like that the tracker reminds me to get up if I’ve been inactive for longer than an hour, during the day. It will vibrate and display a Move bar on the screen. You will need to complete 200 steps or climb 5 flights of stairs to clear the MOVE bar.
You will be commended with fireworks and a continuous buzz when you achieve a fitness goal such as completing your step count for the day or climbing up a certain amount of stairs. Garmin will award you with virtual trophies for each achievement. Take the tracker with you for a long hike and it will thank you for smashing your targets and make you feel awesome.
Garmin Vivosmart HR+ Weak Points
This review wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t point out the Garmin’s weaker aspects.
Size: The Garmin Vivosmart HR+ isn’t the largest device that I’ve tested but when it’s wrapped around the wrist you do notice that it’s there, more so with smaller wrists.
Make you sure that you get the correct size band when ordering otherwise you’ll be stuck with an oversized device that slides up and down your arm. You want the band to be slightly loose for comfort but not overly loose or else the heart rate accuracy will suffer.
Sleep: The sleep stages aren’t as intuitive as Fitbit but better than most. I normally sync the data in the morning after breakfast and have found the data to be accurate but sometimes, when I sync the device again, the sleep calculation is changed to suggest that I was sleeping for a longer period of time. This can be resolved by adjusting the sleep & waking times within the app. It doesn’t happen that often.
Climbing Stairs: Are you the type of person that always chooses the stairs instead of the elevator? The Garmin Vivosmart HR+ records the flights of stairs climbed but it isn’t always perfect, occasionally it will miss out a few stairs but this just gives me the incentive to make up for the missed numbers.
Other Points of Interest
Battery Performance: The battery can last longer than stated if you switch off the GPS and constant heart rate monitoring. I’ve managed to squeeze 8 days out of battery by doing this. The tracker will warn you when the battery is running low by displaying an empty battery symbol on the time screen which will stay there for about 15 hours.
The tracker will continue to track your steps on a low battery but the empty battery symbol will stay on the screen in place of the clock.
Silent Alarm: The silent alarm will gently vibrate around the wrist to wake you up gradually instead of an annoyingly loud alarm clock. If like me, you like to stay in bed for a bit longer you can snooze the alarm for 10 minutes.
Syncing: Syncing between Vivosmart HR+ and the Garmin app is relatively straightforward but if you experience any problems with this ensure that you log into the Garmin Connect website prior to pairing the device with your phone. Make sure that your phone’s Bluetooth is switched on and in pairing mode with an active internet connection. Once connected, your data should automatically sync as long as the app is open. You can sync manually using the sync icon on the tracker or through the app.
Garmin Vivosmart HR+ Product Rating
Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is an outstanding activity tracker that is equipped with most of the fitness functionality required to keep you on track to a healthier you. GPS and heart rate monitoring aren’t usually both included on trackers but with the Vivosmart HR+ you get them as standard.
Garmin users have enjoyed the strong performance offered by the Vivosmart HR+ and the reasonable pricing which ensures that it is affordable for most budgets.
Is Garmin Vivosmart HR+ the best activity tracker with heart rate monitoring? It sure is. I compared the heart data with Polar H10 chest strap and the results were almost identical, taking into account that wrist-based monitoring is not as accurate as chest-based monitoring.
Garmin is at the forefront of GPS tracking and it’s good to know that activity data is more accurate with distance and speed added to the mix. Syncing data between tracker and app is pain-free and the battery life is phenomenal.
Are you considering buying the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ or do you already own one? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by.
What is the Best Activity Fitness Tracker for the Gym?
Heading to the gym is a lot better with a fitness device strapped around your wrist. There are huge benefits to knowing your fitness progress and measuring your performance over time. For starters, it’s a great motivator and the Fitbit Charge 2 HR is one of the best trackers to help you stay on track in the gym.
Prior to the Fitbit Charge 2 HR I used its predecessor extensively and got sucked into the wonderful Fitbit ether. I’m a huge advocate of Fitbit because of their great motivational techniques to keep me engage with my fitness, so it goes without saying that the brand has changed the way that I train in the gym and my awareness of the health benefits associated to staying fit.
With the Fitbit Charge 2 HR you are constantly challenging yourself to improve from day to day and beat your previous stats, this only contributes to a healthier fitter version of yourself which only gets better with each passing day.
If you are an existing Fitbit user and are considering upgrading to the Charge 2 HR or if you are completely new to fitness tracker craze I’d urge you to stop procrastinating and get one.
There’s the hot debate whether to choose a fitness tracker over a smartwatch i.e. Apple watch or vice versa. Smartwatches can perform all the usual tasks such as step count, calories and heart rate but tend to be a bit distracting. Personally, I’d rather use my phone to respond to emails, texts and take calls rather than fiddling with this on a smartwatch. If you are looking for a tracker that focuses purely on your fitness and keeping you in shape then Fitbit Charge 2 HR is a winner.
Here’s what you get with Fitbit Charge 2 HR:
Fitbit Charge 2 HR in the Gym
Most people will use the gym for different types of workouts and try to vary their exercise with a combination of cardio, aerobic classes, swimming, weight training and maybe circuit training. The Charge 2 HR is suitable for all of the above- it tracks steps, heart rate, pace (for the treadmill), distance, calories burned, gradient and more. You can also set it up for interval training and outdoor running/cycling.
The Fitbit app is a lovely place to be. Think of it as your wellness hub where you can analyse your efforts and monitor your progression. It will also award you various badges for your achievements. I also like how it quantifies individual achievements by comparing them to a real-life situation e.g. 402 km achieved which means you’ve walked the length of the world’s first underground railway.
Long Battery Life
The biggest advantage of opting for the Fitbit Charge 2 HR over say an Apple Watch is the long battery life that lasts for an amazing 5 days. Apple Watch needs to be charged every evening which renders it useless for sleep tracking. Whereas the Fitbit only needs a 30-minute charge for 5 days of battery life. This is an improvement over the older model which last 3 days on a 30-minute charge.
Sleep Tracking
The sleep tracking feature on Fitbit devices is amongst the best that I’ve used on any fitness tracker. Fitbit breaks down your sleep patterns into different stages (REM, Light sleep, Deep sleep) and provides the data through the Fitbit app in a graph that is super easy to understand.
Fitbit monitors your sleep stages by combining your movement and heart rate patterns. During sleep, the tracker will analyse changes in your heart rate i.e. your heart rate variability which changes as you enter different stages of sleep.
Fitbit Charge 2 HR Calendar Reminders
If you like to plan your days and schedule your weekly gym routine you’ll be happy to know that the Charge 2 HR will automatically sync with your calendars. The device uses Bluetooth to notify you of calendar reminders that will appear on the display.
The calendar function is a handy feature that has been a lifesaver when I’ve nearly missed a few appointments on busy days. I no longer need to rely solely on my phone as I get notifications delivered to my wrist. I like to schedule my workouts in my calendar so that I know in advance what type of training I’ll be doing in the gym and pack adequate gear for it. You can also receive and view text messages.
Interchangeable Bands
If you get bored of your existing band or fancy a different colour you can switch it easily. There’s plenty of colours and styles to choose from and these extend beyond Fitbit branded bands. Swapping the bands is easy but bear in mind that if you decide to buy a third-party band, not made by Fitbit, it might be more difficult to swap.
Design and Display
The Fitbit Charge 2 HR has a large display for easier viewing and to showcase all its engaging graphics that encourage you to keep active. The tracker is slimmer than the older model and doesn’t feel bulky on the wrist. The screen is LED and easy to read in direct sunlight.
Silent Alarm
One of the standout features for the Charge 2 HR is its silent alarm which gently wakes me up and, most importantly, doesn’t interrupt my partner. You can set up various alarms and reminders and customise them for different days. The alarm lightly vibrates on the wrist to gradually wake you up and is a lot better than a noisy alarm.
Fitbit Charge 2 HR is Simple To Use
Fitbit consistently designs trackers that are user-friendly and do away with complicated features that rarely get used. I like the no-nonsense focus on fitness from the moment you complete setting up the tracker. My grandmother owns a Fitbit and she gets on with the device without any issues.
Tap the display and you have access to step count, distance completed throughout the day, heart rate, calories burned and stairs climbed. You can also customise the display to prioritise the data that matters most to you.
Fitbit Charge 2 HR Extra Features
Similar to the apple watch you can engage in some breathing exercises through the assisted trainer. You can choose the length of time for each session which lasts either 2 or 5 minutes. The Fitbit tracker will display a visual representation of the rate at which to take your breaths. The aim here is to help you achieve calmness by slowing down your breathing. You can schedule your breathing sessions so that the tracker reminds you to carry them out at a time that suits you best.
Pros:
Fitbit Charge 2 HR caters for all aspects of gym exercises whether you need it to track cardio, aerobic exercises, treadmill running, weight training or circuits.
The device is lightweight and features a slim profile that looks good even on small wrists.
Syncing data via the Fitbit app is automatic and seamless. This is a noticeable improvement over the older model.
The 5-day battery life is remarkable and it only takes 30 minutes of charging to last 5 days.
A great selection of watch straps in different colours and designs are available online.
Use Fitbit Charge 2 HR to get immersed into the Fitbit community where you can buddy up with other users with similar goals and get involved in different exercise challenges.
Cons:
Certain users have reported that the heart rate sensor doesn’t always provide an accurate reading when sweat builds up between the sensor and wrist. I’ve not had any issues with this thus far.
The Fitbit Charge 2 HR activity tracker is a slick exercise device that feels great around the wrist. It never gets in the way at the gym and provides all the fitness stats required to stay on track.
The Fitbit Charge 2 HR is one of the best activity trackers for the gym and it has received a huge amount of positive feedback from users owing to a user-friendly experience, seamless syncing between tracker and Fitbit app and a reasonable price point.
If you’re looking to upgrade to the Fitbit Charge 2 HR or if this is your first fitness tracker then you’re lined up for a fitness treat. This is the best fitness tracker for the gym that I’ve tested, it performs better than the Fitbit Alta HR and still retains a slim attractive design.
Take it with you for intense HIIT classes, gruelling circuit training, treadmill running or any other form of exercise and it will track heart rate, pace, calories, steps and everything else in between.
Are you considering buying the Fitbit Charge 2 HR or do you already own one? Please leave your comments in the section below. I’d love to hear from you.
There are so many fitness trackers fighting for your custom; from the likes of Polar, Garmin, Apple, Fitbit, TomTom and so on. Looking for the perfect tracker to suit your lifestyle is not an easy task which is why I think Garmin Vívosmart HR+ is the ideal all-rounder.
Once setup, Vivosmart HR+ will seamlessly send your stats to the Garmin app via your smartphone where you can view a detailed analysis of your activity and progress. The Garmin app is free to download and it is a great tool to plan out your exercise and to keep challenging yourself to surpass your previous achievements.
Prior to the Fitbit Charge 2 HR I used its predecessor extensively and got sucked into the wonderful Fitbit ether. I’m a huge advocate of Fitbit because of their great motivational techniques to keep me engage with my fitness, so it goes without saying that the brand has changed the way that I train in the gym and my awareness of the health benefits associated to staying fit.
If you’re looking to upgrade to the Fitbit Charge 2 HR or if this is your first fitness tracker then you’re lined up for a fitness treat. This is the best fitness tracker for the gym that I’ve tested, it performs better than the Fitbit Alta HR and still retains a slim attractive design.
