Smartwatches have become increasingly popular, with one in five Americans now wearing one regularly. It can be difficult to know which smartwatch is best for you, especially since most are designed to help you improve your health. In this article, I'll tell you about the best smartwatches for fitness!
What To Look For In A Fitness Smartwatch
Since so many companies make smartwatches today, it's important to have an idea of what features you need from the smartwatch you choose. One thing we considered when making this list was the ability to integrate with cell phones and other devices. Since smartwatches are supposed to make your life more convenient, the last thing you want is for yours to complicate your technological ecosystem.
Price is another factor you might want to take into consideration. Many smartwatches come with a huge array of functions beyond fitness monitoring. If you think you'll only need a smartwatch for exercise, it might not be worth paying for any extra bells and whistles you won't use.
Liquid resistance is another must for your smartwatch if you enjoy water sports. Most modern smartwatches are water-resistant, but it's important to check the manufacturer specs before purchasing.
Some other helpful features to think about are cellular connectivity and how well the smartwatch works with third-party apps. For some of people, this might not be a deal-breaker if you plan on having your phone nearby when you workout. However, a smartwatch with cellular capability eliminates the need to have your cell phone on you at all times, which could be distracting during a workout.
The Best Smartwatches For Fitness
You know what to look for and are ready to start comparing your options! Here are our favorite smartwatches for fitness in 2024.
The first smartwatch we would like to highlight is the Apple Watch Series 6. Apple announced the Series 6 in September, and it is currently the most premium Apple Watch on the market.
Running on Apple's S6 processor, the Series 6 is one of the fastest smartwatches on the market. The Retina display featured on the Series 6 is easily visible, even under bright sunlight. If you run or walk during the day, you'll have no trouble tracking your steps or checking your watch at any point!
If you want the most in-depth metrics of your workout possible, the Series 6 is the only smartwatch with an infrared blood oxygen scanner built in. Combined with its heart rate monitor, altimeter and GPS, you can easily access all essential information about your workout with a flick of the wrist.
The Apple Watch Series 6 is also water resistant, so you can submerge it for extended periods of time without needing to worry about damage.
All Apple Watch models pair seamlessly with iOS devices, so this is one of your best bets if you're an iPhone user. If you prefer to workout in gyms, the Apple Watch also supports GymKit. This program allows users to sync compatible gym equipment with their smartwatch to get more accurate statistics about their workout.
It's also worth noting that if you buy an Apple Watch today, you'll receive a free three-month subscription to Apple Fitness+. Apple Fitness+ is a service from Apple scheduled to release at the end of 2020, and it comes with dozens of workout programs for athletes of all skill levels.
If you know you want an Apple Watch but don’t want to pay top dollar, we suggest the Apple Watch SE.
Apple announced the Apple Watch SE at the same event as the Series 6 as an affordable addition to their smartwatch line. Don’t let the SE’s price fool you, it has twice the speed and power of earlier Apple Watch models like the Series 3.
The Apple Watch SE features color coded activity rings so you can track your daily fitness progress easily. Its automated display is programmed to activate whenever you look at your watch, so you can check your stats hands-free.
Like the Apple Watch Series 6, the SE is extremely water resistant and GymKit compatible. It also has a built-in fall detection system, so anyone performing more extreme workouts can send out an emergency notification should anything go wrong.
If you purchase the Apple Watch SE today, you’ll receive the same 3 months of Apple Fitness as the Series 6.
If you're not a fan of the Apple ecosystem, a powerful smartwatch alternative is the Samsung Galaxy Watch3. The Galaxy Watch3 gives even the latest Apple Watch models a run for their money in terms of features and power. It's especially compatible with Samsung Galaxy cell phones.
The Galaxy Watch3 is Samsung's first titanium smartwatch, and its frame is thinner and lighter than previous Galaxy Watch models. If you want to minimize your watch's footprint even more, the Galaxy Watch3 comes in two sizes!
This smartwatch comes with a built-in ECG monitor, which keeps track of your heart rate and alerts users if it detects any irregularities in their heart's rhythm. It also has a blood oxygen sensor, which provides more real-time updates about your health throughout your workout!
Like the Apple Watch, the Galaxy Watch3 also has a trip detector, and allows users to send out emergency notifications should they get hurt while they're working out.
For serious runners, the Galaxy Watch3 also has a running coach feature that tracks your metrics as you run and gives you tips when you finish the workout! For everyone else, you can access more than 100 guided workout videos on the Samsung Health app from your Galaxy Watch3.
If you're looking to invest in a smartwatch just for working out, the FitBit Versa 2 is a great option. In almost every way, the Versa 2 is on a completely different playing field from any of the other watches we recommend. While there are many great all-purpose smartwatches out there, the Versa 2 is designed specifically with exercise in mind.
One of the most notable aspects of the FitBit Versa 2 is that its starting price is significantly lower than many smartwatches from Samsung and Apple. With its bright Corning Gorilla Glass display, you can use it safely and view it with ease in every setting!
The Versa 2 has a large number of biometric tracking features. Some of the highlights include a heart rate monitor, a sleep tracker, a menstrual health tracker, and a scale that keeps track of your daily calorie intake.
This smartwatch easily connects with streaming platforms like Spotify and Pandora, and it's compatible with iOS and Android devices. With a battery that lasts up to 6 days, and water resistance up to 50 meters, you can be sure to get the most out of the Versa 2 on a daily basis.
Stay Fit, Stay Connected
Whether you're in the mountains or at your local gym, a smartwatch can be a helpful tool for your workout. Casual joggers, professional athletes, and everyone in between could gain something valuable from one of the best smartwatches for fitness. Just strap your watch on tight and make sure you warm up! Leave a comment down below to tell us about which fitness smartwatch is your favorite.
