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Long-distance runners tend to be health-conscious, disciplined, and when it comes to our watches, highly opinionated. As an avid runner myself, I can attest to all of these. Many of us start our running journey using just a smartphone to track each run. This quickly becomes a cumbersome endeavor, as holding a phone in your hand for 10 miles or more can be uncomfortable and downright annoying. The havoc wrought by sweat dripping onto the phone’s touchscreen alone is enough to make you want to shop immediately for a new way of tracking your runs.
That’s why the advent of fitness smartwatches was such a blessing. No longer do we have to run with an electronic brick in hand while trying to focus on breathing, speed, and form. What’s more, fitness smartwatches have become so advanced that they can track anything that you could possibly need. Not only does this include our pace, heart rate, and GPS location, but also other health factors, even when we’re not on the run. These watches can track your sleep, breathing, and even your blood oxygen levels, which can impact your risk of sleep apnea.
I’ve tried a number of these watches, and the following are my top three picks for runners and other fitness buffs. I’ve used all three of them at one time or another, so I know of what I speak. I’ll highlight what I consider to be the single biggest selling point for each one based on my personal experience to help you make your own informed decision.
Garmin Forerunner 165
Garmin is the gold standard for fitness trackers. That’s why I included it first in this list. It’s also my favorite of the three, and it’s the watch I wear on my runs to this day. Because fitness is now Garmin’s primary business focus, it has made great strides in catering to the fitness community and giving us the tools we need to push further. The Forerunner 165 has incredible fitness planning and tracking software that is well beyond what’s available from the other two aforementioned options. If you download the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone, you’ll take this planning and tracking benefit even further. My entire running and fitness plan is embedded in my Forerunner 165. The Forerunner 165 also has an 11-day battery life, which is an industry leader.
Garmin Forerunner 165
Fitbit Versa 4
I enjoyed my Fitbit Versa 4 very much while I had it. I used it primarily for tracking steps and short runs when I was just starting out. What I liked about it was how user-friendly it was for me as a beginner. The Versa 4 has plenty of fitness training and tracking chops, but it’s not as in-depth, and therefore not as complicated as Garmin’s interface. It’s essentially a plug-and-play option that anyone can pick up and start using immediately. It’s straightforward, to the point, and gets the job done without a lot of frills. I would recommend the FitBit Versa 4 for beginners who may be intimidated by a more complicated running watch. The Versa 4 has a respectable 6-day battery life as well.
Google Fitbit Versa 4
Apple Watch 11
The Apple Watch 11, though not specifically designed for fitness like the first two, has plenty in its favor. The primary reason why I’d recommend it is because it offers so many more features for daily use than the Garmin and the FitBit. Since the Apple Watch has always been the ultimate go anywhere and do anything smartwatch, it offers a versatility that the other two can’t. That said, it still has enough running and fitness street cred to be worthwhile. It even has an AI-powered feature called Workout Buddy that gives you real-time advice and encouragement in your headphones during a workout. While that may not be a feature for everyone, it’s only available on this watch because of Apple’s extensive research resources and culture of pushing the envelope. The downside of this model, as opposed to the first two, is that the battery life is only 24 hours, and of course, it’s only made for iOS users.
Apple Watch 11
More fitness smartwatches
Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’re a seasoned marathoner, there’s always a reason to review your current fitness watch. If you want to get your first real smart fitness tracker or you think you’re due for an upgrade, I can confidently recommend each of the above three options thanks to personal experience. However, if you still haven’t found exactly what you’re looking for, below are a few more picks that are definitely worth taking a look at.
Whoop 5.0 Activity Tracker
Tikland Fitness Tracker Smartwatch
Google Fitbit Air
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