The fitness tracker is no longer a new invention, there are probably more models available than there are sports activities. But that is precisely what makes the search for the right fitness tracker not easy. Fortunately, there are some specific things you can look out for. We list them for you, so that you find exactly the tracker that suits you.
Tip 01: Price
The price of a product always plays a role when it comes to gadgets, but we would like to mention this aspect when it comes to fitness trackers as specific, because the prices vary enormously. You already have a fitness tracker for a euro or twelve, while you can easily count more than eight hundred euros for it. The reason for this immense difference is the number of functions on board. One device is little more than a pedometer, the other model is a more advanced fitness tracker, while the most expensive model is a complete smartwatch. You have to consider two things in advance: what are you willing to pay for the device, and what are the functions that you absolutely need. Do not forget to adhere to these two requirements while shopping, because we guarantee that you will be persuaded otherwise to buy a super expensive fitness tracker with unnecessary functions for you.
Tip 02: Purpose
In the previous tip, we already discussed decisions about exactly what you need the fitness tracker for. There are fitness trackers that only keep track of how many steps you take in a day. If you only go for this feature, the tracker will be quite cheap, mainly because this feature is on all, even more advanced, devices. There are also fitness trackers that you can set up to measure many more things, such as how you perform while running, swimming or cycling, but also, for example, on the treadmill in a gym. Be realistic when you decide what is important in this, because it is really a shame if you buy a tracker with functions that you do not use anyway. Moreover, those many functions also affect the battery, which you can read more about in tip 6.
Tip 03: Dimensions
There are fitness trackers that you can wear on your wrist like a graceful bracelet, but there are also trackers that, in the form of a large smartwatch, make a pretty statement. Keep in mind that you basically wear this device to track sports data and you may not like having a big thing on your wrist at all. On the other hand, you might not want to stop moving to read something on your fitness tracker, and it is important that the screen is large enough for that. In any case, imagine what it’s like to exercise with the fitness tracker you have in mind, and ask yourself what problems you might run into.
If you use the fitness tracker as a smartwatch, a color display may be interesting
Tip 04: Display
The decision you make on the screen is one that you will definitely feel in your wallet. The cheaper fitness trackers hardly have a display, they show the data via LED on a dark surface. However, if you want a larger display, for example because you like to operate the device via the screen and not via buttons on the side, then that is also an option. However, you pay more for a larger display. Then you are faced with the choice of whether that screen may be black and white or whether you prefer a color screen. If you’re only going to use the device for sports, a color display probably has no added value, but if you also want to use the fitness tracker as a smartwatch, it might be interesting to pay extra money for that. Incidentally, not all fitness trackers with a large display automatically have a touch screen, so pay attention to that too!
Tip 05: User-friendly
Do you want to operate the fitness tracker with your fingers or do you like to do it with your voice when you are busy? An important consideration, because by no means all fitness trackers support voice control. In addition, it is always important to see whether the interface is pleasant to operate, something that you can only discover by going to a store and ‘playing’ with the fitness tracker for a while. You will know quickly enough whether it is something you like or not. Compatibility is also important: does the fitness tracker work well with your Android smartphone or with your iPhone? And what if you have a smartphone with Huawei’s own operating system, how well do these two devices work together? Extensive collaboration between the fitness tracker and your smartphone is not always necessary, but it is so easy if you can synchronize your performance with your smartphone, so that you can also view that data later, share it on social media or save it in your own log.
Tip 06: Battery
Maybe you want a feature-packed fitness tracker that can keep up with everything you can imagine, along with a nice big color touch screen. It is all possible, but realize that such a device will be without power within a day. So you can manage with a Fitbit Aspire (see buying tips) for five days without charging, but this fitness tracker has virtually no screen and few advanced functions. An Apple Watch is a fantastic fitness tracker packed with features, not even all of which has to do with sports. You can use it intensively for a day, but after that you really have to put it on the charger. If you think you will be bothered by the fact that you have to put your fitness tracker on the charger every night, you may be better off with a model with fewer functions. In particular, think carefully about this part, because battery frustrations can really spoil your enjoyment of the tracker.
If you are still at the very beginning of your fit journey, a GPS is not necessarily necessary
Tip 07: GPS
If you are someone who runs a lot outside, chances are you want to know how well you did there. And that means that you want information about the distance you have traveled, how fast you were washing on certain parts and on which parts of you have lost speed and what you still have to work on. You can only obtain this information accurately if your fitness tracker has a built-in GPS. However, it is worth its money for such activities. If you are still at the very beginning of your fit journey and it is also sufficient if you know how many steps you have taken and how many calories you have burned, then a GPS is not necessary, which saves you the necessary euros.
Tip 08: Sustainability
If you mainly use your fitness tracker in the gym, then of course little can be done with it. You still want a tracker that is impact-resistant, because after all, an accident is in a small corner, but otherwise the device does not have to be resistant to extreme weather conditions. But if you are an outdoor athlete, it is important that your fitness tracker is waterproof and can also withstand a little dirt. Keep in mind that a fitness tracker that can withstand rain is not automatically suitable for wearing in the shower. So when choosing your fitness tracker, pay attention to the water resistance if you don’t feel like taking the tracker off while showering. Durability also refers to how long you can update the device. For example, you could soon no longer update the first generation Apple Watches, while it was a very expensive device. So also dive into the history of the brand you have in mind.
Tip 09: Heart rate
More and more fitness trackers also have a built-in heart rate monitor. Be aware that, contrary to popular belief, such a heart rate monitor cannot predict a heart attack. A heart rate monitor is very useful to keep an eye on what your heart does during exercise. This way you can ensure that you maintain your optimal heart rate to maximize your fat burning, or prevent your heart rate from whooping. In all fairness, we have noticed that a heart rate monitor, once the novelty is off, is only used by the really avid athletes who like to keep an eye on all data. So think carefully about whether you will actually use this feature.
The question you should keep asking yourself: am I really going to use that feature?
Tip 10: Extras
There are many more extras that a fitness tracker can include. We have discussed the basics, but you can also think of functions such as monitoring your sleep rhythm, virtual rewards when you are active, reminders when you are not active for a while, a social aspect (competing with others), and so on. There are also trackers with which you can pay contactless, which of course has nothing to do with sports, but can be very useful if you already have a device on your wrist. There is something to be said for each function, but the question you have to keep asking yourself is: it is beautiful, but am I really going to use it? Reward badges are great, but are you someone who will exercise more because of that? And that is exactly why we refer you back to tip 1: first decide what you really need, and only then venture into the world of fitness trackers.
Buying Tips
It is impossible to provide a representative representation of what is available in the field of fitness trackers. We show you three devices, one very affordable, one from the mid-range and one very pricey (and therefore also very comprehensive).
Type: Beurer AS91
Price: € 17.99
This activity tracker from Beurer is proof that you do not have to pay down power to get hold of a fitness tracker. The tracker does not measure much, beyond the number of steps, the distance traveled, the calorie consumption and the duration of the activity you cannot record. The display is (logically) very small, but splashproof. In short, it is not the most comprehensive fitness tracker, but it is more than enough if you only want to be able to measure basic activities.
Kind: Fitbit Charge 3
Price: € 109, –
If you have a little more to spare for your fitness tracker, the Fitbit Charge 3 is an absolute must. Still not very expensive, but it does have a decent screen and the ability to measure all kinds of things, such as heart rate, sleep rhythm, speed and pedaling, in addition to the activities that the Beurer also measures. The device is waterproof, and you can also receive messages from your smartphone.
Type: Apple Watch Series 5 40mm
Price: € 449
We will be the first to admit that over four hundred euros is way too much money for a fitness tracker. Nevertheless, we would like to mention the Apple Watch here, because it is basically a (very extensive) smartwatch, but also has an extensive range of fitness functions. If you’re looking for a smartwatch that doubles as a fitness tracker, the Apple Watch is truly a fantastic device. It measures everything you can imagine (from series 6 onwards, probably even the oxygen level in your blood), has a GPS, heart rate monitor and fall detection (an alarm is made if you fall). But that is of course also possible for that price tag.
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