Choosing the Right Wearable Fitness Watch/Device for You

It’s a digital age. There’s a smartphone in nearly everyone’s hand, and this device has evolved to do much more than text or make calls. Concurrently, every industry in the world has evolved to incorporate the smartphone to some degree, and the world of personal fitness is no exception.

In the last 10 years, the fitness industry has rolled out advancements to put the power of personal fitness tracking in everyone’s pocket. No advancement has been more impactful than the creation of the smart watch. Fitness bands and smartwatches have become a permanent staple in the fitness world and are used by amateurs and professionals all over the globe for multiple purposes, depending on what they want to track.

What do you want out of your device? Do you want to track your calories? Monitor your sleep? Track your workouts? With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide which wearable fits your personal needs. Today, we aim to help you take that first step. No fitness device is made the same, so it’s important to find the one that’s made for you. Here are 3 examples of popular fitness brand models, among many others you can find online or through your favorite fitness brand.

1. Whoop Bands

Whoop Bands have become an extremely popular fitness band over the last couple of years. Founded in 2012, WHOOP has created fitness bands for all types of goal tracking. Whoop bands serve to give the wearer a complete analysis of their body beyond daily steps and calories burned. This device provides a comprehensive analysis of the wearer's body, all of which can be accessed through a smartphone. In addition to monitoring basic performance, Whoop Bands also track the overall strain of a workout and how it affects the body. The company describes the device as being able to monitor both the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems in the body, giving athletes an accurate description of their body pre and post workout. The device also tracks an athlete’s recovery, telling the wearer how much their body was able to recover after a night's sleep. This device is tailored for athletes and fitness gurus who desire a deeper knowledge of their body and the effectiveness of their training. The device can also be paired with other athlete’s Whoop Bands, allowing the user to be accountable for their friends and teammates if they have a collectively shared goal.

2. Fitbit Inspire 3

Looking for something a little simpler? Fitbit has you covered. Fitbit was a pioneer in the fitness band space. There was a time when you’d find it on every Christmas list, and they are still a popular choice in today’s market. The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a lightweight, user-friendly smartwatch fitness band hybrid. With a built-in heart monitor, the device reminds the user to get up and move throughout the day, tracking calories burned and steps taken. The Inspire 3 can be calibrated for cardio workouts, and gives users a summary of their workout with data points related to heart rate, calories, and performance. The feature that separates this device from others is how it monitors stress levels. The Inspire 3 has a built-in feature to monitor a user's stress, so if stress levels get too high, it encourages the users to pause and engage in deep breathing exercises. The device can also link to the user’s smartphone to watch for incoming calls and messages. You don’t need to be a professional athlete to benefit from the Inspire 3.

3. Apple Watch

The Apple Watch has become a cultural staple in the world of wearable smart devices. Apple Watches offer a unique, user-friendly interface that is synonymous with all Apple counterparts. This device, like others, has a built-in heart and vitals monitor, and it has the unique ability to seamlessly integrate with any Apple smartphone. While it may not track more specific intricacies of an athlete’s body like other fitness bands, the Apple Watch blends day-to-day business and personal fitness. Integrated using the Fitness app on Apple iPhones, the device allows the user to set specific daily health goals. These include anything from setting how many times you want to stand up, to how many miles you want to run. The Apple Watch is customizable, and an asset for basic fitness information. A downside of this product is that it is limited for use with Apple iPhones and no other smart devices.

Fitness devices are here to stay. They have become part of a cultural revolution, allowing everyday users access to information about their own personal health. Whether you’re a professional or student athlete, a local gym enthusiast, or simply a health-conscious individual, there is a fitness band for you.