How To Choose a Fitness Tracker

Fitness Trackers are essentially watches that measure heart rate and calories burnt. In addition, a fitness tracker will provide detailed statistics when connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth or WiFi. All this while maintaining maximum comfort when moving - fitness trackers with a GPS chip measure distance and speed and display them in real time on the screen. Fitness trackers that don’t come with a chest strap can detect your heart rate directly from your wrist. So how to choose the right one for you?

How to choose a fitness tracker

How to choose a fitness tracker. Some tips:

  1. Choosing the right fitness tracker will depend on what you are going to be using it for and during which sport(s).

  2. Consider the use of specialized functions for running, swimming, cycling, etc.

  3. If your phone bothers you when doing sport, choose a fitness tracker with a GPS or a pedometer.

  4. Fitness trackers with a chest strap are usually a bit cheaper.

  5. If wearing your fitness tracker on your chest isn’t for you, just one you can wear on (and will measure your heart rate directly from) your wrist.

How to choose a fitness tracker? Frequently asked questions:

Should I choose a fitness tracker for running? For swimming? Or Cycling?

Multisport

  • Many fitness trackers support multiple sports profiles, including yachting, rowing, climbing and even diving.

  • Commonly supported sports include running, hiking, cycling, weightlifting, skiing, golf, triathlon, yoga and swimming.

  • Their use is completely universal anda meet the needs of most athletes.

Running

  • Smart watches specifically for running differ from other multisport fitness trackers mainly in terms of their light, small design and lower price.

  • Depending on the frequency and level of training, advanced fitness trackers with a touch screen, sensitive GPS measurement and high battery capacity pay off.

  • For very accurate measurements, we recommend running wattmeters that can be attached to the shoe.

Biking

  • An alternative to multisport fitness trackers for biking are classic cycling computers.

  • They usually include a handlebar grip.

  • In addition, they have stored cycling maps for routes all over Europe.

  • However, if you use a cycling computer and you are also interested in knowing your heart rate, the only option is to buy a chest strap.

  • For the most accurate measurements, we recommend wattmeters and transmitters attachable to a wheel or pedal.

  • External sensors for sensing wheel speed and pedaling rhythm are also suitable.

Swimming

  • In addition to other functions, specialized fitness trackers for swimming automatically recognize the style of swimming.

  • They are more subtle, so most swimmers mind less.

  • The control of fitness trackers for swimming is fine-tuned for use in water.

What makes a fitness tracker better than a fitness band?

Fitness bands are used for basic monitoring of daily movement and sleep. Their main purpose is to get you active.

Fitness trackers have more functions. They store detailed statistics and analysis in their internal memory and can calculate a training plan according to your heart rate. The displayed information can be personalized and set. However, they tend to be more expensive than fitness bands.

For more detailed information, read how fitness trackers and bands can help get you in shape.

What makes a fitness tracker better than a smart watch?

Smart watches are primarily an extension of your phone worn on the wrist and they tend to operate using applications. But sports features are not their priority; they alert you to new messages or incoming calls, display events from your calendar, etc. They can only be used for sports through running applications such as Endomondo, Runstastic or Nike Run Club.

Most fitness trackers use their built-in GPS to measure current and average speed, tempo, distance, etc. Statistics and measurements tend to be more accurate and have more sports-related functions. You can choose which information you wish to be displayed so that you can have a detailed overview of your specific training.

i You may find devices on today’s market that blur the line between smart watches and fitness trackers. They perform functions which previously were only possible with one or the other. Examples of these are the Apple Watch Nike+ or Garmin Fenix 5x.

Is a fitness tracker with a GPS or a foot sensor better?

Fitness trackers with GPS

The GPS is usually built into the fitness tracker. If not, you need to have an external component or smartphone with you.

  • You don't have to carry any other equipment with you, just a watch.
  • It works for running, walking, cycling or skiing and other sports.
  • Use in multiple modes
  • Larger watch dimensions.
  • Less accurate measurements than with a foot sensor.
  • Not suitable for indoor sports, a view of the sky is necessary.
  • In the case of an external GPS component, it is necessary to carry another box in addition to the watch.

Fitness trackers with a foot sensor

Just attach the foot sensor to the shoe and run. You won’t even know it’s there.

  • More accurate measurements (up to 98%) than with a GPS fitness tracker.
  • It is suitable for indoor sports.
  • The foot sensor does not interfere in any way, it attaches to the shoe.
  • Initial calibration is required.

What is maximum heart rate and how do I find out mine?

i Formula for calculating the maximum heart rate:

Women: 209 – (0.9 × age)
Men: 214 – (0.8 × age)

This calculation is about 90% accurate.

How do fitness trackers measure heart rate?

Fitness trackers with a chest strap

Sensor measurement

  • An alternative to chest straps is to measure heart rate directly from the wrist using sensors on a fitness tracker.

  • Such fitness trackers, that don’t have chest straps, measure changes in blood flow in capillaries just below the skin.

  • This solution is less accurate and more expensive, but more convenient. You don't need anything other than the fitness tracker.

Can fitness trackers also be used in gyms or sports halls?

  • Yes, some sports testers are directly intended for use in the gym.

  • They use foot sensors for training on a treadmill or indoor sports.

  • In addition, some include training plans for exercises on fitness machines.

Where do fitness trackers store the data they gather? Am I not going to lose it?

  • Either into the device's internal memory, or in the cloud and into the manufacturer's application.

  • If your fitness tracker supports data exporting, you will not lose your data even when switching to another brand.

  • Many fitness trackers can also be paired with third-party applications. Do this through your account.

Is it worth investing in branded fitness trackers like Garmin, Polar or Sigma?

Cheap sports testers

  • Of course you will save.
  • It will suffice for beginners.
  • The structure, processing and accuracy of measurements isn’t very good.
  • They don’t offer a lot of customer support.

Branded fitness trackers

  • Guarantee of quality processing and accurate measurement.
  • Wide user community.
  • Reliable manufacturer support.
  • Higher price.
i If you’re still not sure, you will find reviews of various fitness trackers in our articles section.

Fitness tracker brands:

Suunto

For high-level outdoor use
Suunto

Polar

Affordable and reliable
Polar

Fitbit

A rising start
Fitbit

Garmin

A good mix between smart watch and fitness tracker
Garmin
Complete offer

What else to look out for when choosing a fitness tracker:

Display
Display
  • LCD displays without touch controls are the standard for most fitness trackers nowadays.
  • Upper end models of fitness trackers are often equipped with a color touch screen.
  • You can choose which data you wish to display from the menu.
  • Some fitness trackers allow you to switch between screens so you can display additional information.
  • When training in the dark, a display with a backlight is the best choice.
  • Some fitness trackers have so-called always-on displays.
  • The screen is well protected against scratches by sapphire, silica or other types of mineral glass, usually covered with a special layer of Gorilla Glass.
Water resistance of fitness trackers
Water resistance table for fitness trackers

There’s always a chance that you’ll run into expected rain when training outside. That's why most manufacturers include IP47 protection in their fitness trackers, which protects them from rain and dust.

Designations Degree of watertightness Splashes, heavy rain Showering, washing hands Swimming, diving without breathing apparatus Deepsea diving
Water resistant 0 m ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕
3 ATM/ 3 BAR 30 m ✓ ✕ ✕ ✕
5 ATM/ 5 BAR 50 m ✓ ✓ ✕ ✕
10 ATM/ 10 BAR 100 m ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
20 ATM/20 BAR 200 m ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
30 ATM/ 30 BAR 300 m ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
50 ATM/ 50 BAR 500 m ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
100 ATM/100 BAR 1000 m ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Spojení s chytrým telefonem
Smartphone connection

Some fitness trackers can connect to smartphones using Bluetooth technology and display notifications on the screen. Then you can see who is calling or writing you a text/ e-mail.

Standardní funkce
Overview of fitness tracker functions
  • Distance – Fitness trackers either have an integrated or external GPS. Indoor alternatives are foot sensors. For some models, you can track your route directly on the display.
  • Speed – Fitness trackers usually measure average and actual speed.
  • Tempo – Fitness trackers will show you how long it takes you to complete one lap, kilometer, mile etc. Based on this it is able to calculate statistics.
  • Heart rate measurement – Fitness trackers usually measure heart rate using a chest strap, which either comes as part of the standard equipment of the device or can be purchased separately.
  • Calories burned – This calculation is based on your body composition and heart rate in a given workout.
  • Bluetooth – Most often used to pair a fitness tracker with a chest strap or smartphone.
  • Vibration – The Sporttester vibrates to alert you, for example, to the start of the next lap or when the set heart rate has been exceeded.
  • Stopwatch – The stopwatch measures shorter time intervals to help compare your sports results.
  • Tachometer – Use your fitness tracker’s tachometer particularly for cycling or skiing.
  • Oximeter – Use the oximeter sensor to check the amount of oxygen in your blood.
  • Barometer – Monitoring atmospheric pressure and changes in weather.
  • Altimeter – In hiking, climbing and cycling, you will appreciate the integrated altimeter, which indicates your ascent and descent.
  • Thermometer – The thermometer provides information about the ambient temperature directly from your wrist.
  • Compass – With the compass you will always know the direction of your route.
  • Dual time – Allows you to select the time in 12 or 24 h format.
  • Measurement of ascending floors – Based on the change of height and possibly even shortening the step, it is possible to estimate the number of ascended floors, where one floor corresponds to approximately 3 meters.
  • Playing music – Some sports testers are able to play music stored in their memory directly into headphones via Bluetooth.
  • NFC – You can use NFC technology (eg via Garmin Pay) for cashless payments with a fitness tracker.
Glossary - fitness trackers
GPS components

A device that receives a GPS signal to determine and record a location. There are GPS components in fitness trackers, car and motorcycle navigation systems, cycling computers and GPS locators.

Chest straps

Chest straps are used to measure heart rate when running and in other sports. They communicate wirelessly with the fitness tracker or the mobile app via Bluetooth. Measuring heart rate with the chest bands is suitable for those who want to have a detailed overview of their activity.

Foot sensors

A foot sensor attaches to an athlete's shoe. It comes as part of the package for fitness trackers without a GPS component. It measures distance and speed and needs to be calibrated before its first use. Its advantage is that it can be used outdoors but also (unlike a lot of fitness trackers) in the gym.

Heart Rate

Heart rate is the value of the number of contractions your heart makes per minute.

Interval training

A type of training that allows for the alternation between periods of high intensity exercise and rest. This is one of the most effective and, at the same time, most demanding training methods.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a standard for wireless communication connecting two or more electronic devices, such as tablets, mobile phones, headsetsvand more. Used to transfer audio, video and other files.

Degree of IP protection

The degree of protection (IP, Ingress Protection) is an internationally standardized code that indicates the resistance of electrical appliances to the ingress of foreign bodies and such as liquids and especially water. It is expressed in the so-called IP code, which consists of the characters "IP" followed by two digits: the first indicates protection against dangerous contact and the ingress of foreign objects, the second indicates the degree of protection against ingress of water.

Glossary