Buzz
A fitness watch is a perfect gift for someone who’s into fitness, but choosing the right one can be difficult. Here are some tips to help you decide which type of watch is preferred by different kinds of athletes.
Fitbit: A Great All-Purpose Fitness Watch
If you’re unsure what to buy, your fitness-loving friend will likely appreciate a Fitbit. The brand offers a variety of watches, ranging from the $99 Alta to the $269 Ionic, making it the most affordable option in this guide.
The Alta tracks workouts, steps, and sleep, featuring a simple display that shows the time or one workout metric. The Alta HR also tracks heart rate.
The Charge 3 displays more information and can track various sports, including swimming.
The Versa offers a larger color display and functions as a smartwatch, with more options for tapping and swiping. It also supports apps from Fitbit’s app store. If you're looking for a budget-friendly or Android-compatible alternative to the Apple Watch, the Versa is the way to go.
The Ionic offers all the features of the Versa, with added GPS, allowing for more precise tracking of distance-based activities like running and cycling.
Fitbit also features a community within its app where users can chat and challenge one another. If your fitness-focused friend enjoys social interaction, this is an important factor to consider.
The Apple Watch Offers More Than Just Fitness Tracking
For those who love their iPhone and seek a stylish accessory for everyday wear, the Apple Watch ($399 and up) is a great option. It tracks nearly every workout type, monitors sleep, and keeps an eye on steps and heart rate. With built-in GPS and music storage, the LTE version ($100 more) can even make calls and send texts without needing a phone nearby.
Unlike Fitbits, the Apple Watch requires daily charging. However, its standout feature is its functionality beyond fitness. It includes Siri (or Alexa) and is compatible with many of your favorite iPhone apps.
Garmin Watches Are a Favorite Among Runners
For casual joggers, any smartwatch will suffice to track steps and estimate distance. However, serious runners who are keen on stats often opt for the more specialized Garmin watches.
Garmin devices feature physical buttons, allowing for precise timing during intervals or races. Touchscreens can be unresponsive and difficult when you're trying to hit the lap button... wait for it... now.
Garmins are equipped with built-in GPS, and they offer more running-related metrics than other fitness trackers. The Forerunner series is especially popular, with the 235 priced at $249. In addition to distance and pace, it monitors cadence, heart rate, and more specialized metrics like 'training effect' and recommended recovery.
The Fenix series represents the high-end models, with the 5S starting at $699 on Garmin's website. You can upgrade to a sapphire, scratch-resistant display or add a blood oxygen saturation sensor. The Fenix also allows you to load topographic maps and navigate while running. Meanwhile, the Vivoactive series is more affordable but still offers the key features runners love.
