How to find the best fit tech for your workout
The best tech for any budget
Lifestyle
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Whether you’re keen to smash that PB or just track your sleep, decoding the next-gen of wellness wearables just got easier thanks to this handy B+S guide.
Ah, fitness tech. You’ve changed – from clunky pedometers that did nothing but count steps back in the day to slick, tech-savvy fashion wearables able to monitor everything from balance to fertility. Heck, some top-of-the-line models are now so clever they can even help to diagnose potential heart conditions. And they’re on wrists everywhere. Around 36 per cent of sweat-loving Aussies own a tracker of some kind (that’s according to 2023 stats from leading tech analyst firm, Telsyte), while Google search interest in activity trackers continues to soar.
Tempted to join the club? We’re not surprised. A 2022 systematic review of 39 gold-standard studies on fitness trackers found they don’t just upgrade your athleisure look. They’re also one of the best ways to dial up physical activity levels, improve body composition and boost fitness, equating to around 1800 extra steps per day, 40 more minutes of walking and reductions of approximately one kilo in body weight for those who strap one onto their person. Yep, impressive stuff.
But with countless brands to choose from, upgrades dropping yearly and a wide range of bells and whistles, picking the right one for your lifestyle can be an overwhelming process. So for the love of fit tech, we’ve done the leg work for you. Whether you’re step-focused, budget-conscious or want to take your training up a notch with data-driven insights, read on for the ultimate Body+Soul tracker edit.
If you want to… Move more
While 10,000 steps might be an arbitrary goal, there’s no denying that most of us need to move more – around 78 per cent of Aussie adults don’t get the recommended amount of sweat time each week.
“Sometimes an awareness of how much, or how little, you’re currently doing can be a motivator in itself,” says Dr Mandy Hagstrom. “Trackers can provide helpful reminders, or you can set specific targets to achieve, adjusting them as you move through your health journey.”
All trackers come with a step counter. But if you’re keen to keep things super simple, opt for one with straightforward features, a clutter-free display and proven accuracy like the Fitbit Inspire 3 ($179) or the Fitbit Charge 6 ($220), which has a slightly bigger screen along with built-in GPS. Very handy.
If you want to… Run further or faster
Running is having a major moment. If you’re keen to optimise performance, reliable distance monitoring and accurate heart rate tracking should be at the top of your fit tech shopping list. “A key factor may be finding a watch with a great GPS to really improve accuracy,” says Dr Jena Buchan, an accredited exercise physiologist. The reason? Precisely recording your running route is a major win for those keen to analyse their speed.
Looking to shave a few minutes off your PB? Running-focused watches also measure advanced mechanics like cadence, stride length, ground contact time and even the amount your torso moves. “You may also want to look into the coaching support various trackers provide, with some giving guidance on suggested pace, heart rate range [and] general training plans,” adds Dr Buchan.
A lightweight feel and good battery life are extra ticks earned by the Garmin Forerunner 165 ($429) and Coros Pace 2 ($604).
If you want to… HIIT hard
Fitness trackers can be a major plus when nailing those bursts of explosive exercise – with preloaded HIIT workouts, the ability to set custom interval timers and keep an eye on your heart rate during sweat sessions.
If you’re focused on heart-health benefits, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 ($1399) features the brand’s top-of-the-line tech, which – in a study of over 400,000 people – was found to detect potential undiagnosed atrial fibrillation with its irregular pulse notification.
However, Dr Jena cautions that with any wearable fitness tech, “It’s important to understand where this data is coming from, and appreciate that these numbers are at best estimates. It’s still essential to actually take time and notice how you feel.” So if you’re pushing it to the max, always listen to your body, as well as the stats on your wrist.
If you want to… Recover better
Recovery indicators like sleep and stress are key features in fitness tech. If supercharging your snooze is a priority, pick a tracker that goes deeper into sleep efficiency.
The WHOOP 4.0 (which works on a subscription service, setting you back $379 a year) tracks sleep stages, calculates requirements based on your day’s strain and even builds a personalised sleep schedule. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 ($508) also utilises your health data to determine recovery needs.
For some, however, this nitty-gritty detail can have downsides. “More and more I’m hearing people fixate on their sleep and recovery scores,” observes Dr Jena. “What’s important, though, is remembering these are not the ‘gold standard’ for measuring any of the variables they can provide you.” So if you wake up feeling refreshed but your watch says otherwise, trust yourself over the screens.
Ask an expert:
So, is wearable fit tech worth the investment?
Cost can stop people hitting ‘add to cart’ when it comes to wellbeing wearables, with prices ranging from 40 bucks to over five thousand. Fortunately, “More expensive doesn’t always mean better,” according to Dr Buchan. In fact, a 2020 study of low-cost trackers found their accuracy was comparable to more expensive options. But if you want features beyond step count, heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking, you’ll have to spend a bit more. From $150 onwards you’re getting built-in GPS, detailed workout analytics and advanced health metrics like VO2 max.
So before dropping that hard-earned coin, it can help to ask, “What do I want this for?” says Dr Buchan. “I find trackers most beneficial as a short-term knowledge [or] awareness builder for people pretty new to focusing on their health [as well as] for those using it for specific purposes instead of a one-stop-shop.”
At the end of the day, the best fitness tracker is the one you’ll actually wear, use often and find helpful in acing your goals.
No matter how big your budget is, we've found the top-rated trackers. Invest in one for yourself, or buy one for a friend or family member - they make a neat gift.
WHOOP 4.0 Wearable Health & Fitness Tracker, $379, from amazon.com.au
WHOOP is the new kid on the block, but this inconspicuous tracker is anything but a basic wrist band. The unique wearable fitness device offers continuous monitoring of physiological data, including heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature and even blood oxygen levels.
It's a screen-free health tracker that is designed to be worn 24/7 – aside from your shower time – to optimise your health on all levels. It works via a monthly membership where users can track everything from their daily activity to their sleep quality to better understand their overall and make active changes to the areas needing some attention.
Garmin vívosmart 4, $170, from amazon.com.au
Garmin has been making fitness trackers for quite a few years now, so they're a trusted brand that always rates highly. The vivosmart 4 is a slim and stylish tracker for those who don't want an obvious, bulky device hanging out on their wrist. Some of the top features include advanced sleep monitoring, a Pulse Ox² sensor to measure blood oxygen saturation, phone notifications and a seven-day battery life.
It can monitor your heart rate, stress and energy levels, steps, calories burned, intensity minutes and automatically track exercises like walking, cycling and swimming (did we mention it's waterproof?). It's available in five chic colours to suit your style.
Fitbit Inspire 3, $179 from myer.com.au
Another long-term player in the health game, Fitbit is probably the first brand you think of when you think of fitness trackers, and the Inspire 3 is one of their cheapest models. It's jam-packed with the latest features - including a 10-day battery life. Designed for everyday use by everyday people (who aren't necessarily the biggest gym junkies), it's a great option for people who are new to fitness tracking or who want an achievable way to get fitter.
Among other things, it can track steps, calories, sleep, Active Zone Minutes, food and hydration, menstrual cycles, and more than 20 types of exercise. It also can show you phone notifications, walk you through guided breathing meditations, and it's waterproof so you can wear it in the shower or while swimming. It's available in three band colours and has a very low profile, minimal design.
Samsung Galaxy Ring, from $699, from samsung.com
This tiny health-tracking device has been slowly taking over as the most-loved device due to its meticulous design and innovation.
Newly launched in Australia, the Samsung Galaxy Ring collects a host of metrics, including your heart-rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen rate, body temperature and sleep duration, all from the detection sensors that draw information from your finger. It uses this data to give you three daily health scores, tallying the quality of your sleep, activity, and “readiness.” It can also determine your body’s natural preferences for sleep or wakefulness allowing it to give insight into hormonal factors that can affect your sleep, and even alert you when you’re getting sick.
Huawei Band 9, $99 from amazon.com.au
With a large AMOLED colour touchscreen, the Huawei Band 9 brings you all your health stats in HD. It measures blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, sleep quality, GPS data, and indoor and outdoor sports including running, cycling, walking, and swimming. You can also use it to check phone notifications, control music, and remotely take a photo on your phone.
The battery life will last you a very decent six days, it comes in three colours - pink, red and black - and has a customisable watch face so you can really make it your own.
realme Band, $39.95 from amazon.com.au
Another excellent affordable option, the realme Band has a large, colour screen that is easy and intuitive to use. It has a built-in high-precision PPG optical heart rate sensor that accurately measures your real-time heart rate every five minutes, and supports nine sports modes including walking, running, yoga and more (it even has a dedicated cricket mode, if that's your thing!).
It can also show your smartphone notifications and monitor your sleep quality. With direct USB charge, you can plug the tracker straight into your laptop without the need for any extra cables lost.
Garmin Forerunner 165, $429 from rebelsport.com.au
Fitbit Charge 6, $212 from amazon.com.au
Coros Pace 2, $440 from amazon.com.au
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, $508 from amazon.com.au
Apple Watch Ultra 2, $1,399 from apple.com
Are cheap fitness trackers any good?
While the more expensive models may have fancier features and sleeker designs, you can find stylish and functional models for cheaper that will get the job done too. Our cheapest recommendations on this list are highly rated despite their low price tags. On Amazon, The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 has a 4.6/5 star rating from more than 7,000 reviews, and the realme Band has a 3.7/5 star rating from more than 700 reviews.
Should I get a fitness tracker or a smart watch?
It all depends on what you want to get out of your device. A fitness tracker will generally be more focused on your health statistics, while a smart watch is more focused on helping you access your favourite phone apps on the go from a smaller, more handy interface.
That said, there are some fitness trackers that err into smart watch territory, and vice versa! The Fitbit Versa 3 still focuses heavily on your health and fitness stats, but it also allows you to send quick messages, make calls, control your music and more. Similarly, the Apple Watch Series 6 is designed to work seamlessly as an extension of your iPhone, but it also contains features including a heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, "Activity Ring" motivators, and even a blood oxygen level tracker to keep your health and fitness in check.
Which Fitbit is easiest to use?
If you're interested in a Fitbit that keeps things simple (and affordable, in the realm of Fitbits), we'd recommend the Fitbit Inspire 2. It's one of the brand's most recent releases, so it has the best battery life and helpful, intuitive features while staying basic enough for just about anyone to use. You can check out our review of the Fitbit Inspire 2 here.
Looking for more advice? Pair your fitness tracker with a smart scale for the ultimate holistic view of your health. Plus, we tried the internet's most popular wearable weights, and we're converted. To make your wellness purchases more affordable, be sure to check our coupons page for eBay discount codes to help you save on big-ticket items.
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Originally published as How to find the best fit tech for your workout
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