Smartwatch Fitness Tracker App
Smartwatch fitness trackers are a great way to track your fitness goals, but with so many different options on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about smartwatch fitness trackers apps and fitness watches, from the different features they offer to how to choose the right one for your needs.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has some information about using a Fitness Tracker health – (Using Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches)
Types of smartwatch fitness trackers
There are two main types of smartwatch fitness trackers:
- Optical heart rate monitors: These trackers use a light sensor to measure your heart rate through your skin. They are typically less accurate than chest strap heart rate monitors, but they are more convenient and comfortable to wear.
- Chest strap heart rate monitors: These trackers use a sensor that is strapped to your chest to measure your heart rate. They are more accurate than optical heart rate monitors, but they can be less comfortable to wear.
Comparison chart of smartwatch fitness trackers apps:
| Feature | Strava | Google Fit | Fitbit | Samsung Health |
| Price | Free with in-app purchases | Free | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Supported smartwatches | Apple Watch, Wear OS, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Garmin, Fitbit | Apple Watch, Wear OS, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Garmin | Apple Watch, Wear OS, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Fitbit | Samsung Galaxy Watch |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Step tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distance tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Calorie tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Activity tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GPS tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Workouts tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Community features | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced features | Live segments, training plans, race rankings | Personalized insights, goal setting, challenges | Personalized coaching, sleep score, stress management | Body composition analysis, blood pressure monitoring, ECG |
Conclusion
Strava is a good fitness tracker app for smartwatches that is focused on running and cycling. It offers a variety of features, including heart rate monitoring, step tracking, distance tracking, calorie tracking, sleep tracking, activity tracking, GPS tracking, live segments, training plans, and race rankings. It also has a large and active community.
Google Fit is a good all-around fitness tracker app for smartwatches. It offers all of the same features as Strava, plus it has personalized insights, goal setting, and challenges. It also works with a wider range of smartwatches.
Fitbit is a good fitness tracker app for smartwatches that is also focused on sleep tracking and stress management. It offers all of the same features as Strava and Google Fit, plus it has a personalized sleep score, stress management tools, and body composition analysis.
Samsung Health is a good fitness tracker app for smartwatches that is also focused on overall health and wellness. It offers all of the same features as Strava, Google Fit, and Fitbit, plus it has blood pressure monitoring and ECG. It also works only with Samsung Galaxy Watches.
Ultimately, the best fitness tracker app for smartwatch for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a fitness tracker app that is focused on running and cycling, Strava is a good option. If you are looking for a good all-around fitness tracker app, Google Fit is a good option. If you are looking for a fitness tracker app that is focused on sleep tracking and stress management, Fitbit is a good option. If you are looking for a fitness tracker app that is focused on overall health and wellness, Samsung Health is a good option.
Many Wear OS smartwatches come with Google Fitness already installed. If your smartwatch doesn’t already have Google Fitness installed, you can go to Google Play and install it. (How to Install Apps on your Smartwatch)
In addition to heart rate monitoring, most smartwatch fitness trackers also offer the following features:
- Step tracking: Tracks the number of steps you take each day.
- Distance tracking: Tracks the distance you travel each day.
- Calorie tracking: Estimates the number of calories you burn each day.
- Sleep tracking: Tracks your sleep patterns and quality.
- Activity tracking: Tracks different types of activities, such as running, walking, cycling, and swimming.
Best Fitness Watches:
The best smartwatches for fitness tracking depend on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some top contenders in various categories:
Overall Best:
- Garmin Venu 3: Offers a wide range of fitness features, accurate tracking, and a stylish design.
Best Budget:
- Amazfit Band 7: Provides excellent value for money with its affordable price and comprehensive features.
Best for Runners:
- Garmin Forerunner 265: Specifically designed for runners, it offers advanced running metrics and GPS tracking.
Best for iPhone Users:
- Apple Watch Series 8: Seamlessly integrates with Apple devices and offers a wide range of fitness features and apps.
Best for Android Users:
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Provides a great user experience for Android users with its intuitive interface and fitness tracking capabilities.
Best for Battery Life:
- Garmin Instinct 2: Offers exceptional battery life, making it ideal for long outdoor adventures.
Best for Style:
When choosing a smartwatch, consider factors such as your fitness goals, budget, preferred operating system, and desired features.
How to choose a smartwatch fitness tracker
When choosing a smartwatch fitness tracker, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Features: Consider which features are most important to you and choose a tracker that offers them.
- Accuracy: If accuracy is important to you, choose a tracker with a chest strap heart rate monitor.
- Comfort: Choose a tracker that is comfortable to wear all day long.
- Price: Smartwatch fitness trackers range in price from around $50 to $300. Choose a tracker that fits your budget.
How to use a smartwatch fitness tracker
Once you have chosen a smartwatch fitness tracker, follow these steps to use it:
- Charge the tracker.
- Connect the tracker to your smartphone using the manufacturer’s app.
- Set up your profile in the app.
- Start tracking your fitness goals!
Tips for getting the most out of your smartwatch fitness tracker
Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your smartwatch fitness tracker:
- Wear the tracker all day long to get the most accurate data.
- Sync the tracker with your smartphone regularly to upload your data.
- Set fitness goals and track your progress over time.
- Use the tracker to motivate yourself to stay active.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers about using fitness tracker apps on smartwatches:
Q: What are the benefits of using a fitness tracker app on a smartwatch?
A: Using a fitness tracker app on a smartwatch can provide several benefits, including:
- Convenient access to fitness data: Fitness tracker apps allow you to easily track your fitness data, such as steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and heart rate, directly on your smartwatch. This can be helpful for staying motivated and tracking your progress towards your fitness goals.
- Real-time feedback: Fitness tracker apps can provide real-time feedback during workouts, such as pace, cadence, and distance. This can help you to improve your performance and get the most out of your workouts.
- Integration with other apps: Many fitness tracker apps can be integrated with other health and fitness apps, such as MyFitnessPal and Strava. This allows you to track your fitness data in one place and get a more complete picture of your overall health and fitness.
Q: How do I choose a fitness tracker app for my smartwatch?
A: When choosing a fitness tracker app for your smartwatch, there are a few things to consider:
- Compatibility: Make sure that the fitness tracker app is compatible with your smartwatch.
- Features: Consider which features are important to you, such as heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and workout tracking.
- Price: Fitness tracker apps vary in price from free to premium. Choose an app that fits your budget.
- User reviews: Read user reviews to get an idea of the pros and cons of different fitness tracker apps.
Q: What are some common problems with using fitness tracker apps on smartwatches?
A: Some common problems with using fitness tracker apps on smartwatches include:
- Connectivity issues: Fitness tracker apps may not connect to smartwatches properly, resulting in inaccurate data tracking or syncing issues.
- Battery drain: Fitness tracker apps can drain the battery of smartwatches, especially if they are used extensively.
- Accuracy issues: Fitness tracker apps may not always track data accurately, especially if they are not worn properly or if they are used in extreme conditions.
Q: How can I troubleshoot problems with fitness tracker apps on smartwatches?
A: If you are having problems with a fitness tracker app on your smartwatch, you can try the following:
- Make sure that the fitness tracker app is compatible with your smartwatch and that you have the latest version installed.
- Make sure that your smartwatch and smartphone are properly connected to Bluetooth.
- Restart your smartwatch and smartphone.
- Uninstall and reinstall the fitness tracker app.
If you are still having problems, you may want to try a different fitness tracker app.
Common problems and solutions for using fitness tracker apps on smartwatches:
Problem: Fitness tracker app is not connecting to smartwatch.
Solution:
- Make sure that your smartwatch and smartphone are compatible with the fitness tracker app.
- Make sure that your smartwatch and smartphone are both connected to Bluetooth.
- Restart your smartwatch and smartphone.
- Uninstall and reinstall the fitness tracker app.
Problem: Fitness tracker app is not tracking data accurately.
Solution:
- Make sure that the fitness tracker app is properly configured on your smartwatch.
- Make sure that your smartwatch is properly worn and fitted.
- Try updating the fitness tracker app.
- Try restarting your smartwatch and smartphone.
Problem: Fitness tracker app is crashing or freezing.
Solution:
- Try closing other apps that are running on your smartwatch.
- Try updating the fitness tracker app.
- Try restarting your smartwatch and smartphone.
Problem: Fitness tracker app is draining your smartwatch’s battery.
Solution:
- Disable features that you are not using.
- Reduce the screen brightness.
- Turn on battery saver mode.
- Update the fitness tracker app.
Problem: Fitness tracker app is not syncing data to your smartphone.
Solution:
- Make sure that your smartwatch and smartphone are both connected to Bluetooth.
- Try restarting your smartwatch and smartphone.
- Force sync the fitness tracker app.
- Uninstall and reinstall the fitness tracker app.
Additional tips:
- Keep your smartwatch and smartphone software up to date.
- Make sure that you are using the latest version of the fitness tracker app.
- Avoid using fitness tracker apps in extreme temperatures or environments.
- Clean your smartwatch regularly to remove sweat and dirt.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your fitness tracker app works properly and that you are getting the most out of it.
Additional helpful information:
What are the best fitness tracking apps for smartwatch? Best Health and Fitness Apps for Smartwatch
For details on how to monitor your heart rate on your watch, read this: {How to Track your Heart Rate on your watch?)
