Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, there was a strong drive to go to the gym to stay fit and healthy. That worked for some people, but others preferred to exercise outdoors or at home. But the problem was they couldn’t track their heart rate or calories burned.
It remained a largely unsolved issue until the mid-2000s when Fitbit came onto the scene with a wrist-worn device for checking your activity progress. The company almost single-handedly created the fitness tracker market, but the competition was already growing. Garmin, at the time well-known for its GPS devices, brought out a road-running watch six years before Fitbit.
What started as a sprint in wearable technology quickly turned into a marathon for market share, consumer visibility and rapid development.
Swiss company Garmin is perhaps best known for its global positioning systems, typically used in vehicles and motorcycles. With a solid history in electronics, it branched out from vehicle and outdoor systems to wearable technology to compete with Fitbit and Apple.
No matter the type of activity, Garmin has a smartwatch for it. There are several distinct branches of smartwatches, each better suited for a different sport. For example, the Forerunner series is aimed at running, the Quatix is for water sports and the Vivo range is an activity tracker instead of a smartwatch.
While most of Garmin’s smartwatches have excellent battery life, that quickly diminishes with GPS usage. The more technology you have in a device, the more battery it needs. But there is a massive difference between six days of battery with no GPS and only 12 hours with the GPS turned on.
The Forerunner targets triathlon competitors and runners and has a built-in heart rate monitor, barometer, altimeter and electronic compass. It keeps track of your training and can tell you if you are undertraining or overtraining. You can view incoming calls and messages when paired with a mobile phone.
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With a battery life of up to seven days, this fitness tracker has 15 preloaded GPS and sports apps for various activities. It has a built-in oxygen monitor and a stress level monitor and pairs with a mobile phone for on-the-go notifications.
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The stylish Fenix 5X is perfect for cyclists or runners, as it has routable cycling maps and can show you topographical data on your surroundings. The navigation sensors include GPS and Glonass, ensuring you always know where you are. It comes preloaded with several running profiles.
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Staying healthy and keeping track of your activities have become synonymous with Fitbit, with the brand almost becoming a generic trademark for any tracking wearable. The company started in 2007 and quickly acquired various smaller health services, boosting its popularity. Eventually, it was acquired by Google in 2021 and now falls under its hardware division.
The company’s first product was the Fitbit Tracker, which was released in 2009. Since then, it has built up a wealth of research and development to improve every other model. Fitbit’s long history in the health industry is an advantage, as it has had more time than others to fine-tune features.
For example, it was listed in the top 50 companies on the Deloitte Fast 500 North America list in 2016 and also ranked the 37th most innovative company in 2016 by Fast Company.
Another advantage that Fitbit has over the growing competition is the wide choice of smartwatches and fitness trackers, often more affordable than others. The operating software is also one of the best for keeping track of health statistics.
While some users were allergic to some of the materials used, the most significant concern is Google’s influence. Since the tech giant owns Fitbit, industry analysts are worried about combining user data with other Google services data.
Another concern that users have is that you must create a Fitbit account and agree to data collection, transfer and privacy options. Tied into the hardware, some features also require separate apps or subscriptions, which isn't ideal if you want to reduce costs.
This smartwatch can let you know if you are ready for more exercise or if you should instead focus on recovery. It has a built-in heart rate monitor, which is compatible with Google and Amazon virtual assistants and is waterproof up to 160 feet.
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The Sense is the perfect smartwatch if you want to keep track of your activities and stress levels. It also checks for heart rhythm irregularity and can automatically share the results with your doctor. It has a built-in GPS, and the battery lasts up to six days.
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Both brands offer a variety of smartwatches to help you with your fitness levels. Whether a swimmer or a runner, there will be a watch for you. That can make it challenging to decide on the correct gadget.
For example, if you solely want to check your activities and fitness progress, then a Fitbit is an excellent choice. However, Garmin is the way to go if you require a smartwatch with accurate GPS tracking for long runs or cycling.
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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