Julie Ryan Evans is a writer and editor who has worked with a host of diverse companies. She has a master's degree in Nonfiction Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
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For serious athletes, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT is ready to compete. Lightweight and comfortable, it won't get in the way no matter where you're workout takes you. It includes tracking and support for any sport you’re tackling including running, biking, swimming, and beyond.
It provides 24/7 heart rate monitoring, without the need for a strap, though you can also add a chest strap for even more advanced statistics. It also connects wirelessly with your phone to help you save and evaluate your statistics and offers training plans for all levels and distances that can be sent to your watch for real-time coaching.
This fitness tracker from LETSCOM comes at a stellar price, but you don't miss out on any quality. It provides most of the features of more expensive models, including heart rate and sleep monitoring, as well as activity tracking capabilities for running, biking, hiking and more. Pair it with your phone, and you’ll receive notifications of texts, emails and more. It also displays the time and date, which is a nice bonus.
This one has a USB plug built in so you can plug it right into your computer or any USB block, with no need for an extra cable. One charge will last about seven days.
A bit different from traditional bands that are worn on the wrist, this waterproof fitness tracker is designed to be worn as a headband. Not only does it monitor your heart rate, but it also provides real-time coaching based on it. It even works while you’re in the pool doing laps and tracks your performances there.
It’s lightweight and comfortable enough that you hardly notice you’re wearing it and works for pretty much any activity from kickboxing to running and beyond. Bonus: It absorbs sweat while you’re working out and prevents it from running down your face.
Are you doing your best Jane Fonda impression with some water aerobics? Well, the Huawei Band 2 is the perfect fitness tracker for you. Slim and light, it won't get in the way no matter what activity you're up to. It’s also more affordable than some of the more technical watches, but still offers all the basic features most people want in a fitness tracker, including built-in GPS (no need for your phone to track your progress) and a heart rate monitor.
It’s also equipped with a running coach that provides workout data instantly and will track the quality of your sleep too. The battery lasts up to 21 days for everyday wear and between four and five hours in workout mode.
If you want to track your activity and listen to your tunes at the same time, look no further than the TomTom Spark 3. It provides activity tracking for a variety of sports—including swimming, running, and gym workouts—but what sets it apart is its Bluetooth music player (with storage for up to 500 of your favorite songs) and included wireless headphones. If music motivates you to move, this is the watch for you.
It also has a built-in heart monitor, GPS tracking and provides notifications from your phone. The battery lasts up to three weeks in standard mode and up to five hours with the GPS on and music playing.
This fitness tracker from Polar is a prime pick for runners who don’t want to worry about sweat or rain ruining their fitness tracker or those who love to jump in a pool or the shower after a long, hard run. With integrated GPS, heart-rate monitoring and a running program, it’s everything you need to slay your training goals, indoors or out. The battery life is impressive too, offering up to 30 hours of training time with multiple GPS recording options.
If you’d love a smartwatch for activity tracking and beyond, but want a more budget-friendly option, Fitbit’s new Versa 2 is a great choice. You can track distance, steps, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, sleep stages, and swim laps. For a more accurate reading of calories burned, it can be set to different workout modes like swimming and weight lifting.
The Fitbit Versa 2 also features Alexa. Just say her name and she can tell you all about the weather, news, and more. An added bonus? The battery lasts for five-plus days.
Fitness trackers are a great way to get kids motivated to move as they can see just how much progress they’re making on any goals they set. This one is designed for ages 4 to 9, and it comes in several fun prints including flowers and camo that kids will love. Because it’s waterproof, you don’t have to worry about them taking it off before bath time or when they jump in the pool.
The battery life lasts up to a year without having to charge it, and it can connect to an app on mom and dad’s phone so you can view your kids’ activity. It also includes fun and useful features like chore management tools and rewards for activity. Made kid-tough and comfortable enough to wear day and night, it also displays the time so it serves as watch too.
Looking to start walking off the weight? Our free guide offers tips, workouts, and a printable schedule to help you get on the right track.
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