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Best Fitness Watch
If you are looking for the best fitness watch that best suits your favorite fitness, you have come to the correct place.
This guide will examine the best fitness watches for each activity, showing each’s pros and cons.
It is currently easy to get involved with a large number of devices on the market, especially if we take into account that the line that separates smartwatches from fitness watches is increasingly confusing, reaching the point of having practically the same functions.
However, although practically all smartwatches already track physical activity (steps, calories, etc.), they still need to have a phone nearby to use their GPS, for example.
Also, many do not have the resistance to water and the elements that many athletes require. However, each fitness watch has unique characteristics that make it perfect for one or more specific fitness, since not all athletes have the same needs.
For example, we will not need a GPS watch for a fitness class where you will not leave the gym. In this case, it would possibly be better to opt for an activity bracelet with a built-in heart rate monitor.
1.Xiaomi Amazfit Bip
Features Amazfit Bip
| screen | Reflective Gorilla Glass – 176 x 176 px (1.28 ″) |
| Dimensions | 34 x 39 x 10 mm |
| Weight | 32 g with strap |
| Waterproof | IP68 (30 meters) |
| Battery duration | 20 hours in GPS mode and up to 45 days as a smartwatch |
| Gps | GPS and GLONASS |
| Sensors | Heart rate monitor, accelerometer, and barometric altimeter |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.0 LE |
| Sports functions | Four sports modes (running, cycling, treadmill, and walking) |
We start with one of the best fitness watches for quality/price that we can currently find: the Xiaomi Amazfit Bip.
Few such cheap running best fitness watch include GPS and an optical pulse sensor, but the Amazfit Bip also provides smart functions, a barometer, and up to 4 different sports modes.
Another strong point is its battery, capable of lasting up to 30 days with regular use with GPS and heart rate monitor and 45 days in smartwatch mode.
Although it does not have all the training modes and best fitness watch functions that an advanced athlete wants, it can be a good option for an occasional athlete or a cheap smartwatch.
Pros :
- Reflective screen (looks best in daylight and is always on)
- Show notifications from your smartphone
- Excellent autonomy (up to 45 days as a smartwatch, and 30 if you also use GPS and heart rate monitor)
- It is one of the lightest fitness watches
- Unbeatable price
Cons :
- The heart rate monitor is not very accurate
- Does not allow interaction when receiving notifications
- Does not support third-party applications
- Only 30 meters of water resistance (not suitable for swimming)
2.Garmin Forerunner 35
Garmin Forerunner 35
| screen | Reflective – 128 x 128 px (0.93 ″) |
| Dimensions | 35.5 x 40.7 x 13.3mm |
| Weight | 37.3 g |
| Waterproof | 5 ATM (50 meters) |
| Battery duration | 13 hours in GPS mode and up to 9 days as a smartwatch |
| Gps | Gps |
| Sensors | Heart rate monitor, accelerometer, and barometer |
| Connectivity | ANT + and Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Sports functions | Running (indoor and outdoor), cycling and cardio |
The Forerunner 35 is one of the inexpensive Garmin fitness watches. Still, fortunately, it is not at odds with its features, since it has practically all the functions that we can find in much more expensive watches, including heart rate monitor and GPS.
Garmin Forerunner 35 is a watch that assimilates GPS and heart rate monitor on the wrist, in addition to many other advanced training functions, such as intervals, activity profiles, tracking history, etc.
It is also multisport with modes dedicated to cycling, indoor running, cardio, and running, so you can use it in most of your activities. Although it is waterproof upto 50 meters, it does not have a swimming mode.
The 128 x 128 monochrome screen is not very flashy, but it is reflective and shows data clearly in daylight, which is what it is all about when we are running and devours less battery-operated than color screens.
However, In short, it is a running watch aimed at beginner runners that, although it does not stand out for its design, will more than meet the demands of the occasional runner.
Pros :
- Multisport (running, indoor running, cycling, and cardio)
- Smart notifications and other smartwatch features
- Advanced training functions (intervals, activity profiles)
- Water-resistant upto 5ATM(50meters)
- Good self-sufficiency (up to 13 hours with GPS activated and 9 days idle)
- Price
- Cons :
- Unattractive design
- There is no navigation tool to view the tours on the screen
- Not compatible with IQ connect applications
- Low-resolution screen
3.Polar M430
Polar M430
| screen | Reflective – 128 x 128 px (1.2 ″) |
| Dimensions | 38 x 51 x 12 mm |
| Weight | 51 g |
| Waterproof | 3 ATM (30 meters) |
| Battery duration | Between 8 and 30 hours in GPS mode according to precision settings and up to 14 days as a watch |
| Gps | GPS and GLONASS |
| Sensors | Heart rate monitor and accelerometer |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Sports functions | Multiple customizable training plans in addition to running |
The M430 is an interesting watch for somewhat more advanced runners who need to nofollow a specific training plan but don’t have a very high budget.
Its strong point is founding in the renewed Polar Flow, an APP that allows you to create training plans adjusted to each person’s physical level and objectives, which are then easily transmitted to the watch for execution.
However, in this case, we will not have a color screen, nor will we view the map of our route (although it is possible to view the direction and distance to the starting point with the “back to start” function). And also, It is still a great GPS running watch with enough information for the vast majority of runners. It even measures your pulse regularly during workouts.
It is possible to configure it in smartwatch mode to receive notifications and alerts by vibration, which most fitness watches already do.
Pros :
- Good APP and web to view statistics and set the clock
- Interval timer
- Custom training plans
- Configurable fitness profiles from the APP
- Accurate heart rate sensor
- Price
Cons :
- It does not allow importing routes or viewing them on-screen on a map
- Low-resolution monochrome display
- Does not transmit keystrokes to other devices such as smartphones via Bluetooth
- Somewhat low water resistance (3 ATM)
4.Garmin Forerunner 235
Garmin Forerunner 235
| screen | Reflective – 215 x 180 px (1.23 ″) |
| Dimensions | 45 x 45 x 11.7 mm |
| Weight | 42 g |
| Waterproof | 5 ATM (50 meters) |
| Battery duration | Up to 11 hours in GPS mode and 9 days as a smartwatch |
| Gps | GPS and GLONASS |
| Sensors | Heart rate monitor and accelerometer |
| Connectivity | ANT + and Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Sports functions | 5 sports modes, advanced workouts, VO2 max, intervals, and programmable alerts |
However, it has been on the marketplace for some time (it was launching in 2015), the forerunner 235 is still one of the best fitness watches with GPS and heart rate monitors on the wrist. With the incentive that it is now much cheaper than at its launch.
A watch with many smartwatch functions (applications can even be installing) that can not only keep track of your physical activity daily but will also not be out of place on your wrist.
Pros :
- Very light
- Color display
- Multisport
- Advanced training features
- Configurable screens and menus
- Ability to add new functions and applications from Garmin IQ
- GLONASS satellite network compatibility
- Good price for what it offers
Cons :
- Heart rate sensor somewhat uncomfortable
- Somewhat outdated, although it is still among the best quality/price sports watches
- Somewhat limited battery life
5.Garmin Fenix 5
Garmin Fenix 5
| screen | Transflective – 240 x 240 px (1.2 ″) |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47 x 15.5 mm |
| Weight | 85 g (with silicone strap) |
| Waterproof | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
| Battery duration | Up to 24 hours in GPS mode and 2 weeks as a smartwatch |
| Gps | GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo |
| Sensors | Heart rate monitor, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, thermometer, and compass. |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT + and NFC |
| Sports functions | Almost every conceivable sport profile and advanced training metrics |
With a battery accomplished lasting up to 24 hours in GPS mode, the Fenix 5 is possibly one of the best fitness watches in terms of autonomy.
Plus, it can track just about any activity and has as many advanced training features as you’d like to see on a multisport watch.
Its color screen is also one of the best seen outdoors, although it can become somewhat dim in low light.
Suppose we add to this that it is very resistant, enduring even 100 meters underwater. In that case, it could be saying that Fenix 5 is ideal for immersing it in a pool and taking it outside to practice outdoor fitness or routes through the mountains.
Pros :
- Robust and attractive design
- Multiple advanced training functions (VOMax, recovery advisor, fitness, training load, etc.)
- Multisport
- Customizable and outdoor-readable display
- Good battery
Cons :
- It has so many parts that it’s APP (Garmin Connect) can be a bit overwhelming
- Something bulky
- Price
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