In the old days, you only had 2 basic ways of knowing whether or not you’re accomplishing your fitness goals. One way is by weighing yourself on a scale if you want to lose weight. The other way is through visual inspection, when you check yourself out in the mirror and you see that your muscles are getting bigger and your waistline is getting smaller.
But nowadays, you can use wearable fitness trackers to really monitor your progress much more accurately. You can find out how long you’re lasting in your workouts and runs, you can see the distance you’re running, you can note your speed, and you can even calculate how many calories you’ve burned.
It also helps monitor your heart rate, which is crucial for cardio exercises. Running and jogging are a waste of time if you don’t get your heart rate up, and this time you can confirm it.
With these devices, you can track how well you’re doing. You can have personal goals regarding time, distance, or calories burned and you can see if you’re meeting your goals. What’s more, seeing your progress can help motivate you into persisting with your workout.
Here are some of your best choices for fitness trackers today:
Samsung Gear Fit2 Smartwatch Large, Black It measures 11.2 by 24.5 mm, and the AMOLED display measures 1.5 inches with 216 x 432 resolution. It works on all Android phones, and it has GPS and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. It only weighs 28 g, it’s gorgeous, and it’s relatively affordable.
Fitbit Flex 2, Black (US Version), 1 Count If you want an affordable Fitbit, this is it. It’s very light and comfortable to wear, and it also comes with Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. It’s compatible with both Android and iOS phones. It’s also water-resistant, so you can use this while you do exercises in your swimming pool.
Microsoft Band 2 - Medium This measures 12.8 by 32 mm, and the AMOLED display offers 320 x 128 resolution. It weighs 55 g and it’s compatible with Android, iOS, and of course Windows phones. It also uses Bluetooth 4.0. It offers 11 sensors including a barometer, and sensors for UV rays, skin temperature, ambient light, and galvanic skin response. It charges very quickly, reaching 80% capacity in just half an hour.
Under Armour UA Band Under Armour partnered with HTC for this stylish fitness tracker. It’s compatible with iOS and Android, and the PMOLED display measures 1.36 inches. It’s very lightweight, the touchscreen is responsive, and it’s also waterproof up to 2 ATM.
Withings Go This is extremely affordable, and yet the battery lasts for an astonishing 8 months. That’s fantastic when it’s rare enough to find a tracker that lasts 8 days. It looks like a wristwatch with a 1-inch display, it weighs just 9g, and it’s compatible with iOS and Android.
Garmin vívofit 2 Activity Tracker, Black This is very affordable, and it offers the basic functions of counting your steps and monitoring your sleep. The display measures 25.5 x 10 mm, it weighs 25.5 g, and it’s compatible with iOS and Android phones. The battery life is extraordinary—it can last for more than a year.
