It’s a common story. You’re exercising like crazy, but you’re just not getting the results you want. You’ve tried expensive trainers, fancy gyms, fitness fads like CrossFit, Power Yoga, and, yes, even Jazzercise (hey, it’s making a serious comeback).
So, what do you do? Give up completely and just settle into a life of flabby thighs or, more seriously, frequent health problems?
No way! You get a fitness tracker! Fitness experts say that tracking your fitness, as well as your overall wellness (food, sleep, stress levels), is one of the most effective ways to improve and maintain your optimum health. The idea is that, by using a tracker, you’ll become more aware of exactly what you are doing, see more clearly where you need to make changes, and then set goals, track your progress, and ultimately achieve the results you want.
But, you ask, with the seemingly endless amount of fitness trackers on the market today, which is the best one for you? Well, my loyal readers, you know I would never leave you flummoxed by the fitness tracker maze. Instead, I’ve pulled together a mini-guide of 2017’s top picks that are generating the most buzz from techies and fitness experts alike.
Best Overall Pick for the Price:
Fitbit Charge 2
In all of my research, the Charge 2 was consistently touted as the best choice for the price by experts from sites like PC Magazine, Fitness.com, and Consumer Reports. It’s reviewed as being comfortable enough to be worn all day and, in addition to the usual step and sleep tracking, the Charge 2 tracks heart rate continuously, monitors resting heart rate, and rates your VO2 Max (a more scientific gauge of fitness newly added to this model). It also features a new breathwork component to help you combat stress. Plus, it has a very readable large screen, and gives you the option of interchangeable bands. Find it at Fitbit.com and be sure to use these Fitbit coupons and offers to save!
Best Budget-Friendly Tracker for Runners:
Garmin Forerunner 15
If you’re a runner looking for a device you can wear all day, you’re sure to be psyched on the Garmin Forerunner 15. Priced at just $139, it’s one of Garmin’s most affordable trackers, and it comes with built-in GPS for tracking runs without needing to have your smartphone handy. It tracks your steps, distance and sleep, and it has an inactivity alert that will remind you to move if you’ve been sitting too long. It also boasts 8 hours of GPS battery life and 5 weeks of standby battery life. Get it at Garmin.com and don’t even think about buying one without using these Garmin coupons, promo codes and offers to save (unless you prefer overpaying for stuff!).
Best Fitness Tracker/Watch Combo
Nokia Steel
What’s so cool about this tracker is that it looks like a premium watch, so you’d really never guess it has a fitness tracker in it. But it does, and a good one at that! It can track various activities, from running, to biking, to swimming (perfect for the style-conscious triathlete). It features a classic analog dial that shows you the time, and a smaller secondary dial shows you your progress toward your daily activity goal. The Nokia Steel uses Nokia’s well-designed Health Mate app which will let you add in diet tracking, and even sync it to a Nokia smart scale. Plus, it has an eight-month battery life, which is pretty sweet. Get it at Brookstone and definitely use one of these Brookstone coupons, offers and prom codes to save!
Best for Overall Wellness
Garmin Vivosmart HR+
This all-day tracker not only has the standard fitness tracking features, it also gets serious about stress. The Vivosmart HR+ features unique stress tracking tools, using its heart rate sensor to deliver heart rate variability readings and an overall stress score. It also provides guided breathing exercises to help get you feeling calmer. Regarding standard tracking features, it includes an on-board heart rate monitor for 24/7 bpm data, VO2 Max testing, automatic exercise tracking, Garmin’s Move IQ software, and rep counting for those who like to lift weights. It really is the best option out there if you want to take care of mind and body. Get it at Garmin.com and Best Buy and be sure to use these Best Buy coupons and offers to save.
So, now that you’ve got the scoop on fitness trackers, you’re ready to step it up (ha, ha, sorry) and get the one that’s right for you. Your body, and your mind, will thank you.
