When it comes to supercharging your workouts, having the best fitness watch for the gym can a helpful companion. These high-tech devices have evolved further than mere step counters. Now offering an array of features to enhance your gym sessions and overall fitness journey.
Gym-focused fitness watches offer a comprehensive suite of health tracking capabilities. From basic metrics like heart rate monitoring and calorie expenditure, to advanced reports on menstruation and VO2 max. With the ability to record ad analyse various exercise metrics, you can fine-tune your workouts, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that you're making the most of your time at the gym.
The best fitness watch for the gym at a glance:
• Best overall fitness watch for the gym: Garmin Forerunner 245 - View now on Amazon
• Best budget fitness watch for the gym: Honor Band 6 - View now on Amazon
• Best Fitbit fitness watch for the gym: Fitbit Versa 3 - View now on Amazon
Beyond simply just exercise tracking, another element to look out for is the watch's durability. Gym environments can be tough on tech, with potential exposure to sweat, heavy weights and water. Therefore, a rugged, well-made fitness watch is vital to withstand the demands of a workout and provide lasting performance.
Additionally, motivation plays a pivotal role in any gym routine, and the best fitness watches often come equipped with features to keep you inspired. When investing in such gadget, look for goal-setting options, real-time feedback and even free training plans. This will inevitably maintain your enthusiasm and push you to improve. Luckily, you won't need to look any further. Let's delve into a selection of the best fitness watches for gym enthusiasts suitable for all budgets, from cheap and cheerful fitness watches to high-end and everything in between. We're here to help you to make an educated decision on the right tracker to support your fitness aspirations.
The best fitness watch for the gym
Best overall fitness watch for the gym
Description
The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a cutting-edge GPS running watch designed to meet the needs of casual
Pros
- Accurate GPS tracking which ensures you can monitor your progress and plan training effectively
- Wide range of health and fitness metrics, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking and VO2 max estimation - helping you gain insights into your overall fitness
- Free adaptive training plans from Garmin coach, or create your own custom workouts with the Garmin connect online fitness community
Cons
- At 30.4mm the screen size is rather larger, which may be an issue for individuals with smaller wrists
2. Honor Band 6
Best budget fitness watch for the gym
Description
If you're looking for a fitness watch for the gym, but don't want to break the bank, the Honor
Pros
- 1.47 inch AMOLED colour display with touch screen, providing a clear screen for easy viewing of fitness metrics
- 14-Day battery life so you can stay connected throughout the day without the constant need for recharging
- The tracker supports the period-calendar so women can view their estimated fertile window and cycle - giving women a well-rounded view of all aspects of their health
Cons
- No GPS option meaning it relies on a connected smartphone for tracking during outdoor activities
Best Fitbit fitness watch for the gym
Description
The Fitbit Versa 3 offers a range of health and fitness tracking features, including heart rate
Pros
- Syncs with the Fitbit app, offering a wealth of additional features such as personalised insights, goal setting, and the ability to engage with a community of like-minded individuals through challenges and social features
- Able to track your REM sleep, and receive a Sleep Score to better understand your sleep quality each night
- Fast-charging function which means you can get one day of battery in just 12 minutes of charge
Cons
- Some found the strap wasn't the most comfortable
Best high-end fitness watch for the gym
Description
If you're a fan of Apple products, and want their entire ecosystem, this fitness watch could be a
Pros
- Great selection of different band colours for the ultimate personalisation options
- Offers cellular connectivity so you can send a text, make a call and stream music without your iPhone nearby
- Comes with innovative safety features, like Fall Detection and Crash Detection to connect you with emergency services
Cons
- Compared to other smart watches, the battery life of an Apple watch is poor
Best mid-range fitness watch for the gym
www.argos.co.uk
Description
The Huawei Watch Fit 2 is a sleek and feature-rich offering that makes it an appealing accessory
Pros
- Press-to-release Link design which makes swapping straps extremely easy
- Supports independent music playback, so the playlists you set up on your phone can be aligned with specific workouts
- One full charge powers up to ten days of typical use, or seven days of intensive use so you can use the watch non-stop, and you can get a whole day of use on just a five minute charge
Cons
- Isn't compatible with some smartphones
Best Android fitness tracker for the gym
Description
If you're an Android user on the hunt for a fitness watch tailored to your needs, the Samsung
Pros
- Vibrant display for an aesthetically-pleasing and user-friendly experience
- As an Android-compatible smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch4 integrates with the Google ecosystem and numerous fitness and health apps
- Features the Samsung BioActive Sensor to capture your body composition in real-time
Cons
- Some reviewers have had problems with its short battery life
Best all-round fitness watch for the gym
Description
While the Garmin Venu Sq may not be as high-end as some of Garmin's premium offerings, its Venu
Pros
- Contains more than 20 pre-loaded sports apps to allow for any desired workouts
- Vibrant touch-screen colour display housed under Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for durability
- Easily personalise your watch with thousands of free watch faces, apps and widgets from the Garmin Connect app
Cons
- Screen only wakes when touched and doesn't stay lit for long
The best fitness watch for the gym: FAQs
Should I wear a smartwatch to the gym?
Wearing a fitness watch to the gym can be extremely helpful to many fitness enthusiasts. Its watches are equipped with advanced fitness tracking features that allow you to monitor your heart rate, track your workouts and measure your progress. They can help provide motivation, and accountability, helping you set and smash your personal best's. Additionally, fitness watches often have the convenience of music control and feeding your notifications from your phone to your watch. Even keeping you connected while you're exercising.
However, a fitness watch isn't for everyone. Some individuals may find the features distracting, while others may appreciate the multifunctionality. Before investing in a smartwatch, it's essential to consider your comfort, the specific fitness features you require, and your preferences for staying connected while you workout.
Is a Fitbit a smartwatch?
A Fitbit can be considered a smartwatch. Saying that, Fitbit's primary focus has always been on health and fitness tracking. Fitbit devices, like the Versa and Sense, offer a range of smartwatch features including phone notifications, music control, apps and contactless payment options. While they excel in health tracking, they also integrate smartwatch features to make them versatile and convenient for everyday use. So, in a battle between a Fitbit and an Apple Watch, the Fitbit may not be as feature-rich. But, Fitbit's bridge the gap between dedicated fitness trackers and full-fledged smartwatches, offering a great combination of both.
Are fitness watches accurate?
The accuracy of certain fitness watches has certainly been up for debate. Most modern fitness watches are reasonably accurate when it comes to measuring basic metrics. Let's say step counts and heart rate tracking. However, it's essential to be aware that accuracy can vary from brand to brand.
Factors like sensor quality, placement, and user-specific variables, such as skin and activity type can also influence the reliability of the data collected. It's key to remember that even the best fitness watch for the gym isn't there to be a medical device. Plus, their accuracy may not always meet clinical standards. Nevertheless, they do provide a convenient and informative way for individuals to stay motivated and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Even if the watches themselves are not always 100% accurate in their measurements.
Gemma Lavers is a Health & Fitness Writer for What's The Best. When she’s not travelling or writing, Gemma loves spending her weekend completing home workouts, or attending yoga, Pilates or Zumba classes.
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