Fitness Trackers vs. Smartphones: Why Wearables Win
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Date: 2022-07-06
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Comments and reviews: 10
James
I feel like this overlooks one of the major considerations for those that run rather than those who are interested in causal fitness (I'm going to assume that those willing to spend $200+ are more on the 'serious' side of things.
The major question when it comes to accuracy for distance runners (such as myself) is which form of GPS is more accurate and that is almost undeniably phones. Unless you're spending an insane amount of money.
However, your ability to see and interact with wearable devices is actually what sets them apart. If you just want to monitor distance, speed etc for your run your phone (with appropriate apps) is probably a better device. If you need constant available feedback on your pace etc a watch is a no-brainer.
I use headphones plugged into my phone (to listen to music etc) while running which can give audio based cues about if you are on pace or not. In that regard wearables are a waste of money.
(I currently occasionally use the garmin fr235 when I don't want to take my phone.
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I feel like this overlooks one of the major considerations for those that run rather than those who are interested in causal fitness (I'm going to assume that those willing to spend $200+ are more on the 'serious' side of things.
The major question when it comes to accuracy for distance runners (such as myself) is which form of GPS is more accurate and that is almost undeniably phones. Unless you're spending an insane amount of money.
However, your ability to see and interact with wearable devices is actually what sets them apart. If you just want to monitor distance, speed etc for your run your phone (with appropriate apps) is probably a better device. If you need constant available feedback on your pace etc a watch is a no-brainer.
I use headphones plugged into my phone (to listen to music etc) while running which can give audio based cues about if you are on pace or not. In that regard wearables are a waste of money.
(I currently occasionally use the garmin fr235 when I don't want to take my phone.
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DennisFranz
Just as you claim phones in your pocket are not good estimators of pace/steps and eventually migrating to heart rates, wrist based heart rates are not perfect in the spectrum of heart monitoring. They aren't always good from resting to peak heart rates when monitoring on the wrist. The chest monitoring is the best but I would like to see the error margins on athletics people, casual runners and people just beginning to exercise.
Those 'body types' may vary (in my opinion) to make a generalized statement on wrist based or chest based heart monitoring. I would not go simply by your results since your body type isn't the same as mine. Everyone is different for heart rate tracking accuracy.
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Just as you claim phones in your pocket are not good estimators of pace/steps and eventually migrating to heart rates, wrist based heart rates are not perfect in the spectrum of heart monitoring. They aren't always good from resting to peak heart rates when monitoring on the wrist. The chest monitoring is the best but I would like to see the error margins on athletics people, casual runners and people just beginning to exercise.
Those 'body types' may vary (in my opinion) to make a generalized statement on wrist based or chest based heart monitoring. I would not go simply by your results since your body type isn't the same as mine. Everyone is different for heart rate tracking accuracy.
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Viewer
I had vouchers left over from Christmas and studied fitness trackers for a few hours to decide what to get.
In the end I was happiest just with a free app -RunKeeper- because I was more interested in tracking routes, distance, time, (estimated calories, vertical meters and the Android won out providing all these free. I don't care so much about actual steps or heart rate - but I can see how budgeting my meals around caloric burn could be a useful investment. I'm waiting another year for better models to become available.
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I had vouchers left over from Christmas and studied fitness trackers for a few hours to decide what to get.
In the end I was happiest just with a free app -RunKeeper- because I was more interested in tracking routes, distance, time, (estimated calories, vertical meters and the Android won out providing all these free. I don't care so much about actual steps or heart rate - but I can see how budgeting my meals around caloric burn could be a useful investment. I'm waiting another year for better models to become available.
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Colby
You forget that your phone is able to track data through that of Strava and Garmin Connect which might I add are Free to use apps. Not to mention most smartphones today are ant+ compatible, which also means a heart rate monitor that can cost no more than 20-30$ if you are a deal seeker like me is able to link with your phone. Compared with a $200 fitness watch the phone will highly outweigh any competition with the aid of one of the two formentioned apps.
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You forget that your phone is able to track data through that of Strava and Garmin Connect which might I add are Free to use apps. Not to mention most smartphones today are ant+ compatible, which also means a heart rate monitor that can cost no more than 20-30$ if you are a deal seeker like me is able to link with your phone. Compared with a $200 fitness watch the phone will highly outweigh any competition with the aid of one of the two formentioned apps.
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Bilal
I have Fitbit charge HR as well as Garmin Finix3 HR. both works well and accurate. In the video, it is clear that you are promoting only Fitbit and promoting Garmin. it seems that you are not familiar with the finix3. why you are misleading people. you did not show the count on the video. how do we know that you are not lying? its only a marking thing what you did in the video.
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I have Fitbit charge HR as well as Garmin Finix3 HR. both works well and accurate. In the video, it is clear that you are promoting only Fitbit and promoting Garmin. it seems that you are not familiar with the finix3. why you are misleading people. you did not show the count on the video. how do we know that you are not lying? its only a marking thing what you did in the video.
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Patrik
Well at the end you still didn't tell us how much calories you actually burned you just showed us that the fitness trackers with the heart rate monitor showed more calories burned but they still could be overcounting or undercounting your actual calories burned so we still don't know if the weareble devices can be trusted on their information or not.
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Well at the end you still didn't tell us how much calories you actually burned you just showed us that the fitness trackers with the heart rate monitor showed more calories burned but they still could be overcounting or undercounting your actual calories burned so we still don't know if the weareble devices can be trusted on their information or not.
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supersoni126
one other thing about the widdling test. i haveent read the comments so i idk if its been covered. most people should wear their fitness tracker on their non dominant hand. therefor. not the hand you would be holding the knife with. just an opinion. every fitness track ive used has an option for dominant and non dominant hand
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one other thing about the widdling test. i haveent read the comments so i idk if its been covered. most people should wear their fitness tracker on their non dominant hand. therefor. not the hand you would be holding the knife with. just an opinion. every fitness track ive used has an option for dominant and non dominant hand
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IdDuncan
But, in a way, you will not buy a Fenix 3 / HR / 5 for activity tracker functionality! You can, but others products will performe the same, are cheaper, and can fit the requirement. Buy a Fenix if you want a good indestructible multi sport tracker, mainly outdoor, in this specific domain, it rock!
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But, in a way, you will not buy a Fenix 3 / HR / 5 for activity tracker functionality! You can, but others products will performe the same, are cheaper, and can fit the requirement. Buy a Fenix if you want a good indestructible multi sport tracker, mainly outdoor, in this specific domain, it rock!
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Mario
honestly no one should listen to step counting. want to get fit, with cardio. the fit bit does not stand a chance with garmin. yes no hr built in but just wear the strap. i get hr in water. stroke counts and distance as well as. bike cadence/speed and gps. same goes for running. others are trash
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honestly no one should listen to step counting. want to get fit, with cardio. the fit bit does not stand a chance with garmin. yes no hr built in but just wear the strap. i get hr in water. stroke counts and distance as well as. bike cadence/speed and gps. same goes for running. others are trash
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Basshunter's
All the comments suggesting using a heart rate monitor strap. My phone can connect with several different versions. If you are going to wear a strap, it makes a phone more accurate as well. Only down side is their weight and bulk, especially the plus type phones.
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All the comments suggesting using a heart rate monitor strap. My phone can connect with several different versions. If you are going to wear a strap, it makes a phone more accurate as well. Only down side is their weight and bulk, especially the plus type phones.
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