Best Fitness Tracker For Weight Training – A debate over the best fitness trackers usually ends up with most of our team favoring the Garmin 935. If you do a lot of strength training and exercise routines, then you need technology that is precise more than anything.
The Garmin Forerunner fills that need very well, and there are tons of apps that would support the different exercises you do.
Let us know on social media what device works best for you.
While there aren’t many fitness trackers or wearable devices that are specifically designed for weight training – we only have one in this list – most high-quality fitness trackers offer an exercise mode that is well-suited for strength training. The requirements are fairly simple. All a fitness tracker needs to do is to recognize which weight training exercise you’re doing, count the reps, and give you a timer during rest periods.
ROUND UP
If you do other sports or exercises outside of weight training, then it may be worthwhile to buy a fitness tracker with more all-around features. These fitness trackers, such as those from Garmin and Fitbit, are useful for tracking even your daily level of physical activity, your stress levels, and your quality of sleep. These indicators can be useful for measuring your physical activity outside of weight training – after all, the best approach to fitness should be comprehensive and well-rounded.
back to menu ↑1.Atlas Wristband
Features
- Reach your goals faster with science backed guidance for all of your exercises
- Lose the chest strap and maximize training with validated wrist-based heart rate monitoring
OUR TAKE
Atlas recommends that users wear the device on the left wrist, as you can’t change the orientation of the screen. If the tracker is worn on the right wrist, it could dig into your right hand during a pushup, for instance. Atlas says a software update, due in September or October, will allow users to rotate the screen according to their preference.
The tracker is held in place magnetically, which didn’t prove to be all that secure. When I wore it during a serene swimming pool visit with just a little bit of splashing around, the tracker detached from the wristband and sank to the bottom of the pool. Twice. Luckily it’s water resistant up to 30 meters.
back to menu ↑2.Fitbit Flex
Features
- One syncs automatically and wireless to tablets, computers and 150+ leading iOS, Android and Windows smartphones using Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology. Syncing two computers requires Internet connection and USB port. Syncing to mobile devices requires Bluetooth and Internet connection. Syncing range: 20 feet. Call notifications via Bluetooth 4.0
- Water Resistance: Charge has been tested up to 1 ATM meaning it is sweat, rain and splash proof. However, the device is not swim proof. We also recommend taking charge off before showering because, as with any wearable device, it’s best for your skin if the band stays dry and clean
OUR TAKE
The Fitbit Flex is now a little harder to come by as it has been replaced by the Fitbit Flex 2. We gave it three and a half out of five stars, but praised it for a comfortable, water resistant design as well as fun software. If you’re sold on the Flex, you can pick it up on the cheap.
Announced at CES back in 2013, the Fitbit Flex combines the step-counting technology that made its One and Zip products so useful, and places it on the wrist for convenience.
This big design change has some pretty big advantages. For a start, the fear of having the small sensor pop out from a pocket while walking is gone. With the wrist mounted option, you always know where the device is.
back to menu ↑3.Samsung Galaxy
Features
- STYLE YOU CAN COUNT ON: Galaxy Watch3 combines style—two sizes, two finishes, three colors and, 50,000 plus watch faces-with military-grade durability and water resistance
- LEAVE YOUR PHONE BEHIND: Leave your phone at home. Galaxy Watch3 gives you the freedom to call, text, stream music and get notifications via LTE connectivity
OUR TAKE
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – Samsung currently has a really strong Galaxy A lineup. They took their “Awesome is for everyone” slogan to heart with interesting and fresh designs, as well as good value specs.
Better still, the Korean giant definitely recognizes it has a good product on its hands and is now investing even further in extending its life. Particularly the Galaxy A52, which now has a new A52s 5G variant.
back to menu ↑4.Garmin vivosmart
Features
- The thinnest HR-equipped activity tracker from Garmin at 4mm thinner and more form fitting than vívosmart HR. Physical size: Width: 0.7 inches, Length (large): 8.77 inches, Circumference (large): 5.8-8.5 inches
- While not in use, the discreet display disappears into the device so as not to overshadow your style
OUR TAKE
The Vivosmart 4 closely resembles the Fitbit Alta HR in both look and feel. Its strap is made of silicone and comes in small/medium or large. The small/medium measures 0.4 by 7.7 by 0.6 inches (HWD), while the large is slightly longer at 9.2 inches.
In the center, you’ll find an oblong OLED touch display, bordered by an aluminum bezel. The main difference between the Alta HR and Vivosmart 4 is versatility. You can change the Alta HR’s band for a different look, but you don’t have the luxury with the Vivosmart 4. You have to make a more concerted decision about which color you want prior to purchase.
back to menu ↑5.Apple Watch
Features
- LEAVE YOUR PHONE AT HOME: Apple Watch Series 5 GPS + Cellular LTE Model lets you call, text, and get directions without your phone present. It offers multiple connectivity options, including: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, and 4G LTE to suit your needs, whatever they might be.
- ALWAYS-ON RETINA DISPLAY: You no longer need to raise your wrist or touch the screen to see the time or other information on your watch face, because the display never sleeps. All you need to do is glance to find the time or your workout metrics right there where you want them.
OUR TAKE
The Apple Watch Series 7 is Apple’s latest smartwatch, featuring a larger always-on Retina display, a more rounded design with a larger casing, improved durability, and faster charging, starting at a price of .
Announced in September 2021, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the newest Apple Watch in Apple’s lineup and it is at the start of its product cycle. Apple tends to release new Apple Watch models every September, and there is no reason to suggest that a new Apple Watch Series 8 will not launch next year.
There are early signs of Apple Watch Series 8 models with a number of upgrades and improvements, but since this is likely still around a year away, now is the best time to buy the Apple Watch Series 7.
back to menu ↑Best Fitness Tracker for Weight Training – BUYER’S GUIDE
Range Of Activities Tracked
Fitness trackers have come a long way since the days where they just counted your steps.
There are some devices that should be able to track dozens of unique workouts, including things like yoga and pilates.
If you tend to do multiple sports, running, and workout classes, then try getting a device like a crossfit fitness watch that could track as many exercises as possible [1].
Display And Strap Size
Some people like to have a fitness device with all the smart features possible.
While technology has made this possible, these products still tend to be a bit bigger.
We generally advise avoiding a larger device, as it could get in the way of strength and endurance training.
Heart Rate Monitor
The good news is that wrist-based heart rate monitoring has become a lot more reliable.
“Another way to gauge your exercise intensity is to see how hard your heart is beating during physical activity. To use this method, you first have to figure out your maximum heart rate — the upper limit of what your cardiovascular system can handle during physical activity.”
– MayoClinic.org
Most of the above fitness trackers should give you real-time information, which you could use to adjust what intensity and heart zone you target [2].
GPS
Fitness trackers with GPS started off as a pure gimmick as they were pretty unreliable [3].
However, if you do a lot of running or cycling, then modern technology could help you keep better track of your pace and distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, fitness trackers don’t work for weight training in the sense that they would automatically record the amount and types of moves you make. But they may still work to tell you how intense your workout was, based on your heart rate.
Yes, most Fitbits are good for weight training, especially if they have a built-in HR monitor. The small size of the activity tracker is what many bodybuilders favor as it doesn’t tend to get in the way during workouts.
WRAP UP
Whether you’re a die-hard gym bunny that loves spinning, or you’re just looking for a way to add accurate information from your sessions to your daily activity tracking, there are wearables to better suit you.
Amazon.com
