With an Android wristwatch, you have a number of alternatives for tracking your workouts and improving your fitness regimen. Several factors make the Garmin Vivoactive 4 a great wristwatch for fitness enthusiasts. You’ll enjoy features like GPS, activity/sleep monitoring, music storage, and complete waterproofing. If you’re searching for the best smartwatch for fitness, having a combination of smartwatch functions and fitness monitoring, this could be exactly that. However, there is a slew of other excellent choices that can be found right here, and they’re all of the highest quality.
If you are fanatical about Samsung devices, you might be interested in reading our detailed review of Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Following are our top picks to help you choose the best smartwatch for fitness:
8 Best Smartwatch for Fitness
1. Garmin Vivoactive 4
Rating: 9.2 out of 10
Reasons To Buy
- 50-meter waterproofing
- Built-in GPS
- Heart-rate monitoring
- NFC for Garmin Pay
- Two size options
- Battery life of up to eight days
Reasons To Avoid
- 45mm size comes with fewer color options
- Pretty expensive
In terms of fitness smartwatches, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is one of the best options available. Most importantly, it offers significant improvements over its predecessor. Two size options, on-screen workouts, and audio storage are now standard features of the device. It’s no longer as pricey as it previously was, but it’s still not the most affordable option. That being said, it’s a fantastic fitness smartwatch that will keep tabs on your every action and provide detailed analytics. If you are looking for a running watch that may help you enhance your performance, this would be a good choice.
You’ll be able to monitor your heart rate, as well as monitor your activity and sleep patterns. A Pulse Ox sensor and Body Battery energy tracking, as well as more than 20 preloaded sports applications, are among the new features. When it comes to the Pulse Ox sensor and the Body Battery, these devices keep tabs on your energy levels all day long so you can plan your workouts and rest periods appropriately. Using the watch’s GPS, you can keep track of your outdoor runs without having to carry your phone along.
In addition to the NFC chip for Garmin Pay, eight days of battery life (or 6 hours with music in GPS mode), and a beautiful stainless steel design, this is why it’s our top pick. With the larger watch, you get just two color options. However, for those who are serious about tracking their health and fitness, it’s worth the price tag.
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Rating: 9.2 out of 10
Reasons To Buy
- Automatic activity tracking
- Built-in GPS, NFC, ECG
- Compact, lightweight design
- Optional LTE connectivity
- Running Analysis
- 2 to 3 days of battery life
- Water-resistant up to 5ATM
Reasons To Avoid
- Tizen OS learning curve
- Average third-party app support
The Galaxy Watch Active 2 has a slim and lightweight design that’s just as fashionable as ever before. The capacitive bezel on the AMOLED touchscreen makes navigating the device a breeze. If you’re not familiar with Tizen OS, it can be a bit of a learning curve. Samsung’s decision to bring some Wear OS features into the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is what you’ll really enjoy about the device. The 40mm and 44mm models both have a battery life of two to three hours. Because it’s a full-featured smartwatch, you’ll need to recharge it every two to three days.
The Active 2 has many of the same health and fitness-tracking features as its predecessor. It has built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, automatic activity tracking, sleep tracking, and tracking of water, food, and caffeine intake. In addition to real-time pace metrics, the Running Coach feature now comes with a breakdown of what you can expect from your workout before you begin.
This smartwatch has recently received some upgrades that make it even better. For those of you who want to improve your running form and avoid injury, the Running Analysis feature has been added. Measurement of VO2 max, the maximum amount of oxygen a person can use during intense activity, is available on the Galaxy Watch Active 2. Blood pressure and irregular heartbeats can be detected with the help of an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor.
Of course, there are many smartwatch features available. You will be getting support for your smartphone notifications, Wi-Fi, Samsung Pay, and music storage. If you’re looking for a well-rounded smartwatch, an LTE model is a fantastic upgrade. Keep in mind that the Bluetooth-only variant will cost you extra
3. Amazfit GTS 3
Rating: 8.2 out of 10
Reasons To Buy
- Automatic workout detection
- 4-in-1 health measurement
- Heart-rate monitoring
- Up to twelve days of battery life
- Onboard GPS
Reasons To Avoid
- No speaker
- No NFC payments
- Lacks third-party apps
If this is your first time purchasing a fitness wristwatch, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. It is fortunate that there are a number of wearables geared at first-time wearers. Having a watch with every feature you can think of may not be necessary. Consider the new Amazfit GTS 3 if you’re just getting started.
It’s hard to find a wearable device that’s both durable and inexpensive. Among other features, it monitors sleep and activity, as well as heart rate and oximetry. The “one-tap measurement” function allows you to receive a thorough readout in less than a minute when you’re short on time. Your blood oxygen, heart rate, breathing and stress rate are all recorded simultaneously by this four-in-one health monitoring watch.
Most fitness fanatics don’t have time to recharge their watch every day. After a full day of exercise, the Amazfit GTS 3 can still last for up to two days on one charge. It may last up to twelve days, depending on how often you use it. Even though this number may change somewhat, it’s amazing to even get close to it.
Though this does not have as many smartwatch capabilities as some of the other devices on our list, Amazon Alexa is included into the Amazfit GTS 3. There is no limit to what this voice assistant can do. You’ll get the help you need whether you want to ask a question, start a workout, or set an alarm. In order to communicate with the watch, you’ll need to look at its display. Not only are there no third-party applications accessible, but you won’t be able to download any of your favorites to this watch. When it comes to selecting an economical fitness watch that can be used for daily wear, this one is a great choice.
4. Garmin Venu 2
Rating: 9 out of 10
Reasons To Buy
- 50-meter water resistance
- Built-in GPS
- Gorgeous AMOLED display
- Heart-rate monitoring
- Stylish design
- Up to eleven days of battery life
Reasons To Avoid
- Smaller model isn’t cheaper
- Pretty expensive
We recommend searching for the finest fitness smartwatch with the longest battery life in order to avoid constantly recharging your device. The Garmin Venu 2 is a good option for you. Because it is one of the newest models from the company, this fitness tracker is packed full of cutting-edge capabilities. Garmin’s Venu 2 smartwatch can last up to 11 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode. It’s impressive that the smaller 40mm model’s battery lasts up to 10 days. You may also use the battery-saving option to increase the life of your battery.
In addition to the AMOLED display, the Venu 2 sports a 45mm casing (or 40mm case if you choose for the smaller 2S variant). Regardless of which model you choose, you can swap out the bands with ease. You won’t have to give up your sense of style just to get a Garmin smartwatch, since there are a variety of design alternatives available.
You’ll have access to several fitness functions, like GPS and sleep tracking, as well as over 25 sports modes, heart rate monitoring and Pulse Ox monitoring. Garmin Pay, an NFC-enabled payment system, is also included.
In the new fitness age function, crucial facts such as your real age, strenuous weekly activity, BMI, and resting heart rate are used to assess whether your body is older or younger than your chronological age. If decreasing your fitness age is a goal of yours, you’ll find useful advice here. Although it’s a high-priced smartwatch, some users may find its unrivaled battery life and set of features to be worth the price tag.
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Rating: 9.2 out of 10
Reasons To Buy
- Activity/sleep tracking
- Better app support
- First Wear OS 3 smartwatch
- Optional LTE connectivity
- Silky-smooth performance
- Slim and very lightweight
Reasons To Avoid
- Not compatible for iOS users
- Battery life hasn’t improved
It is one of the latest wearables to reach the market, and there is a lot to love. You will notice that Galaxy Watch 4 is the successor of the Galaxy Watch Active 2. There’s also a model dubbed the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, that includes the same health/fitness monitoring and smartwatch functions. The only distinction is the physical look, which features a real rotating bezel instead of a digital one. Also, the casings are constructed of stainless steel rather than aluminum, thus they are heavier as compared to the Galaxy Watch 4 variants.
Most essential are the major advancements from the previous models of Galaxy Watch. The greatest difference is that these watches operate on the new Wear OS 3. By adding Samsung’s Exynos W920 SoC, a huge 1.5GB of RAM, and a 16GB of storage, you get smooth performance overall that makes for a superb user experience.
Another enhancement is the new BioActive sensor (3 in 1) by Samsung, which comprises one chip that incorporates numerous health sensors, including electrical heart rate, optical heart rate, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. You may take a brief electrocardiogram (ECG) reading, quickly record your heart rate, or monitor your blood oxygen levels. The Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis sensor is a new feature meant to evaluate your total body composition by capturing critical parameters, including skeletal muscle mass, fat and body water percentage, and more.
Users will love having wider app choices owing to the combination of Google and Samsung. You’ll have various preinstalled Google applications on the Galaxy Watch 4, for example, Google Play, Messages by Google, and Google Maps. It’s worth emphasizing there is no compatibility for iOS users, however. The battery life may last for as long as 40 hours, which isn’t very great. Elsewise, the Galaxy Watch 4 is one of the finest fitness smartwatches.
You can check out our detailed review of Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 here.
6. Fitbit Versa 3
Rating: 9 out of 10
Reasons To Buy
- Fitbit Pay
- Built-in mic and speaker
- Active Zone Minutes
- Onboard GPS
- Six+ days of battery life
- Sleek, slim design
Reasons To Avoid
- Small app selection
- Old bands aren’t compatible
The new Fitbit Versa 3 is a fantastic device that successfully combines the best fitness features with amazing smartwatch perks such as onboard GPS, improved heart-rate technology, Fitbit Pay, Active Zone Minutes, and 6-plus days of battery life. There’s a new sleeker design than before as well. The voice assistants are made even more accessible by the device’s integrated microphone and speaker. Aside from this, you can now answer Bluetooth calls with the flick of a wrist.
The Versa 3’s fitness features include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, sleep tracking, and tracking for female health. On-screen workouts guide you step-by-step through each exercise. It can also withstand 50 metres of water. By using the latest Active Zone Minutes feature, you’ll know exactly when your heart rate has entered your personal target zone.
The new Fitbit Versa bands will not work with your existing collection of Fitbit Versa bands, which is a bummer. New infinity bands are introduced in the Versa 3 with a quick-release technology that is simple to use. Fitbit wearables, as always, have a limited app selection. The Fitbit Sense, on the other hand, is a better option if you prefer the Versa 3 but crave more advanced health tracking features.
Check out our exclusive Fitbit Versa 3 review here.
7. TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS
Rating: 8 out of 10
Reasons To Buy
- Blood oxygen tracking
- Heart-rate monitor
- Built-in GPS
- Improved performance
- New customizable display
- Military-grade durability
Reasons To Avoid
- Expensive price tag
- Too large for some wrists
Over the years, Mobvoi has done a tremendous job in improving the TicWatch Pro series and TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS is a true example. This watch retains many of the beloved features of previous models while also introducing a few new ones to enhance the overall user experience.
With a customizable backlight for the top layer of the display, a popular design feature has been further refined. The TicHealth suite has also received a slew of new software capabilities from the firm. If you’re looking for the greatest fitness smartwatch having Wear OS, this may be the one for you. The MIL-STD-810G grade makes it more durable for those who go on long, rough treks.
It’s the watch’s dual-layer display that attracts the majority of buyers. The TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS has this function, which is why it has such a long battery life. Up to 45 days in Essential mode and 72 hours in Smart mode may be expected from this battery. You may now choose from 18 brilliant colors for the lighting of the top display.
When it comes to purchasing a Wear OS watch, one of the most common concerns is its compatibility with the upcoming Wear OS 3. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. TicWatch Pro 3 GPS Ultra is going to be upgraded to Wear OS 3 in 2022. If you are patient, you’ll have a great wearable experience when your watch begins running Wear OS 3. Isn’t that great?
8. Apple Watch Series 7
Rating: 9.6 out of 10
Reasons To Buy
- Apple Fitness+
- ECG & SPO2 sensors
- Activity/sleep tracking
- Optional LTE connectivity
- Faster charging speeds
Reasons To Avoid
- Daily charging required
- Pretty expensive
Every time a new model of the Apple Watch is released, consumers have second thoughts about whether or not they really need to upgrade. It’s a good investment in certain circumstances because of the various benefits. There are times when upgrading your watch so quickly isn’t worth it, such as if you just got the prior model. The Apple Watch Series 7 is likely to arouse conflicting reactions from its target demographic.
There are enough enhancements to the design to sway a few customers.
As a starting point, Apple has offered two new larger-than-before case sizes: 41mm and 45mm. In case you missed it, the prior measurements were 40mm and 44mm. There’s more to it than that. Thinner bezels and larger displays are now standard features on many watches. There are advantages to the bigger display, such as the fact that the smartwatch can accommodate 50% more text on your screen than its predecessor. Having a complete QWERTY keyboard will make typing much simpler for users.
Apple’s USB-C charging connection is available for quicker charging rates, despite the fact that battery life hasn’t improved. Even if a longer battery life would be preferred by Apple consumers, this is still a welcome development. In less than an hour, you may go from having a dead watch to having an 80 percent battery life. Just eight minutes of charging can give you eight hours of battery life if you’re truly in a rush to go out the door.
If you want to use your Apple Watch to track your workouts, you might consider signing up for Apple Fitness+. Video-guided exercises are available in abundance with this service. The video will play on your Apple device after you’ve selected the one you’d want to see. While exercising, you’ll be able to see real-time information from your Apple Watch.
Best Fitness Smartwatches: Which One is the Best?
For the majority of the users, Garmin Vivoactive 4 is certainly the best smartwatch for fitness, but you can’t go wrong with any of the devices on our list. You have almost everything, including a beautiful design, strong fitness features, and a few additional smartwatch advantages. Most individuals will like the features that this watch offers because of how well-rounded it is. The reasons for our high regard for it have already been stated, but it bears repeating.
There’s something for everyone when it comes to fitness. An animated on-screen training routine is included, a Pulse Ox sensor, and a Body Battery energy monitoring function. When you link the watch with your smartphone and the Garmin Connect app, you’ll have access to even more information about your fitness activities.
However, smartwatches aren’t just about fitness. Even when you’re not working out, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a great wristwatch for everyday use. Aside from the fact that it’s entirely waterproof, it can manage your normal daily activities. Music storage and Garmin Pay are two great features that you’ll enjoy using on your watch.
Garmin’s Vivoactive 4 is our top pick for a fitness smartwatch for a variety of reasons. It’s true that there is a tonne of great alternatives whether you’re looking for something more simple, or even something more trendy, or even something cheaper.
5 Ways Smartwatches Can Improve Your Health
It is easy to slip into a sedentary existence in today’s technologically advanced environment. Computers at work and at home, as well as automated home systems that may switch on our lights or TVs, are commonplace in our lives.
Health-improving technologies like telemedicine and more convenient access to physical therapy may help us keep on top of our prescription regimens and better manage conditions like diabetes.
Fitbit and the Apple Watch, among other wearables, have revolutionized healthcare by enabling us to monitor our mental and physical well-being from the comfort of our wrists.
Healthcare and Smartwatches
Wearable technology, and Smartwatches, in the healthcare business, are increasingly becoming a must-have tools. Monitoring your heart rate and sleep patterns may be done with smartwatches for patients. If you’re a patient, you may share your health data with your doctor to help him or she acquire a better understanding of how to enhance your general health.
Apps for particular health concerns, such as diabetes, are now available on smartwatches, further enhancing your well-being. There is a tonne of health and wellness applications available via these services, making it easier than ever to stay on track with a healthy lifestyle.
Smartwatches are enhancing our health in 5 ways.
1. Smartwatches Encourage Active Lifestyles
Does the use of a smartwatch lead to increased physical activity? 57% of wearable device users began exercising more after obtaining a wearable device like the Fitbit or Apple Watch. Yes, that’s correct. Anyone may immediately get started with a workout regimen that is tailored to their needs thanks to the abundance of applications available. As a way to encourage a more active lifestyle, devices such as these send out subtle reminders of when you’ve been inactive. So, how exactly do smartwatch exercise applications work? Wearable applications that measure activity come in a variety of types, including the ones listed below:
- Activity tracking: An activity tracker is a feature incorporated into many smart gadgets that keeps track of how you move about. You may use a smartwatch to keep track of anything from the number of steps you take each day to your heart rate and the calories you burn. By showing trends that motivate you to set new goals as you progress, many of us find that our daily fitness goals are met and our regular physical activity is increased thanks to activity tracking apps.
- Short workouts: You can monitor your progress on your wrist with these applications, which provide brief interval exercises, step-by-step instructions, and progress tracking. Even if you just have 10 minutes a day to exercise, utilizing these apps might motivate you to do more exercise in general.
- Workouts on demand: As a result of these applications, you may choose an exercise plan that fits your schedule and skill level. If you’re working out at the gym, taking a spin class, or practicing yoga, you can connect your wristwatch to your phone or any smart device to see your progress and the calories you’ve burnt in real-time.
2. Smartwatches Offer Personalized Healthcare Data
Doctor-patient relationships are being transformed by wearables, which provide insights into your health that are backed by data. You may set up your watch to monitor various aspects of your health, such as how much sleep you get, what you eat, and how much exercise you do, and then send that information to your doctor. While smartwatch heart-monitoring capabilities have saved many lives, they also have the ability to identify long-term health problems.
3. Smartwatches allow to set Medication Reminders
A missed dosage or a forgotten medicine refill may happen even if patients are careful about following their drug regimen. Smartwatch applications make it even easy to create reminders for automated dosing and tracking of your medicines, ensuring you’re always on top of things.
4. Lower Your Healthcare Costs
In order to keep your total health care expenditures down, early illness identification and preventative treatment are two of the greatest strategies to do so.
Digital health sensors in smartwatches may pick up early warning symptoms of some heart disorders including atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to research. Wearable gadgets may also be able to detect other ailments, such as the common cold, according to recent research. Diagnose and track cardiac health concerns using diagnostic data and the Apple Watch’s Electrocardiogram (ECG) feature in addition to illness detection. Medical expenditures may be lowered if a disease is discovered and treated early on.
5. Track Your Diet and the Caloric Intake
We’re all aware that a balanced diet is beneficial to our physical and mental wellbeing. Even when we have the best of intentions, it’s easy to become sidetracked from our diets. Calorie counting, healthy eating habits development, meal preparation, and schedule adherence all need much forethought and preparation. When it comes to keeping track of your calories, smartwatches offer built-in applications that may help. In fact, there are applications that provide detailed nutritional information, including the amount of calories in each food item and how much of it is in a normal serving.
Conclusion
Smartwatches have transformed the health research space quite rapidly since 2014.
Despite the fact that these wearable devices might help you keep an eye on your health metrics, your primary care physician should still be consulted for regular examinations or when issues develop.
Which best smartwatch for fitness do you like from our list above? Let us know in the comments section.