Fitness Trackers 101: Picking Your Perfect Partner for Personalized Workouts (and My Top Picks!)
As a personal trainer and competitive athlete, I get bombarded with questions about fitness trackers and smartwatches, etc.
With so many options on the market, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I know, because I definitely was. Between influencers, elite athletes, friends, etc - there are so many choices (and affiliate links) and it can be hard to decipher what you actually need.
That’s why I wrote this blog - to be your one-stop shop for navigating the exciting world of fitness tech and finding the perfect partner to crush your workout goals!
Gone are the days of simple pedometers (I’d love to have them back, though…) Today's fitness trackers get complicated quickly. They can track everything from steps taken and calories burned to heart rate, sleep patterns, and even specific workout metrics. This data empowers you to personalize your workouts, optimize your training, and stay motivated on your fitness journey. I use mine to track my sleep and recovery, mostly, because this has been a large focus of mine recently.
Finding Your Tech BFF:
With so many trackers vying for your attention, how do you choose the right one? Here are some of the factors that I recommend considering:
Your Goals: Are you a gym rat looking for advanced training metrics, or a casual exerciser who wants a simple step tracker? Identifying your goals will help narrow down your options. Do you have serious goals you’re chasing right now, are you more interested in gathering data and making decisions based on those? Or are you more interested in getting up and moving, and just looking for accountability and reminders?
Features: Do you crave GPS tracking for outdoor workouts? Do you want to be able to cycle or run your way through a secret message on the map? Heart rate monitoring for HIIT sessions? Lifting or cardio? All of these matter in the type of tracker you’re looking at.
Budget: Trackers range in price from affordable to high-end. Set a realistic budget and focus on features that align with your needs (not wants… those get expensive).
Comfort and Style: You'll be wearing this tracker all day and all night (hopefully), so choose one that's comfortable and stylish.
My Top Tracker Picks (and What I Actually Use!):
As an athlete, I've experimented with many trackers. Here are a few of my favorites, catering to different needs and budgets:
The All-Around All-Star: Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: This feature-packed tracker boasts GPS, heart rate monitoring, advanced training metrics, and even built-in music storage.
The Budget-Friendly Champ: Fitbit Inspire 3: This tracker offers step tracking, sleep monitoring, and basic heart rate tracking at an accessible price point.
Polar Vantage M2: (This is my personal go-to!). I have worn this one for so many races, workouts, lifestyle events - it’s really reliable, super accurate, and really comfortable. This guy let’s me do my thing without getting in the way. It also has an app for your phone so you can really dial in settings, but it doubles as a smart watch and can give you phone notifications if you’re into that kinda thing (i am not.). I like it really because I can choose from any number of sports that I do - from running and triathlon to lifting and strength training, and it is pretty honest with calories burned and perceived effort for the day.
Oura Ring: (I almost never take this ring off!) I do have an affiliate link with a discount for you here. I really don’t know how to tell you how amazing this ring is… I originally got it to help me track my sleep and my heart rate variability in a sexier way. I was tired of always wearing watches and looking like a jock all the time (even on dates) and wanted to continue tracking my data without looking so.. sporty. This was the perfect fix for me and it’s super accurate. The only downside for me is that I have to take it off for CrossFit and heavy lifting… and I rely on my other track (vantage M2) to give it data through apple health. Works like a charm. I would say this is more of my “recovery tracker” than an “activity tracker,” though.
Remember, there's no single "best" tracker. The perfect one is the one that fits your unique needs and preferences.
Fitness trackers are powerful tools, but don't forget the app world! There's a vast array of fitness apps offering personalized workout plans, on-demand exercise videos, and motivational challenges. Explore the Live Unbreakable app keep your workouts fresh and exciting!
Fitness tech can be a game-changer for your workouts. By choosing the right tracker, exploring fitness apps, and utilizing the data to personalize your training, you can unlock a new level of motivation and achieve your fitness goals faster than ever. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, find your tech BFF, and start crushing those workouts!
Have questions about specific trackers or fitness apps? Leave a comment below!