For those of you who like to train to the beat of your own independent fitness drum, I’d like to introduce wearable fitness technology. In a land of infinite motivational options, wearable devices have been the trend for quite some time. I believe this is partly due to their ability to provide smartphone intelligence and the convenience of a watch. These lightweight devices can track your steps, your sleep, calories burned, cycling information, connect to your music, and much more. Although there is an array of options to choose from in this consumer product category the top five rated brands based on consumer product reviews are: Koretrak, Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, and Polar. If you’d like to know the difference between the fabulous five, please read on.

KORETRAK

Koretrak has been rated the best fitness tracker in the market, with almost a perfect five-star rating from approximately three thousand consumer reviews. Not only does this device offer effective metrics to assist you with wellness progress, but it also offers a great financial benefit. While the Koretrak is offered at full retail for $100, it is currently on sale for 50% off at a low cost of $49.95! Although it is only offered in one design, I believe its features, and reputation are worthy of forgiveness as I personally consider the “bang I receive for my buck.” Below are additional features to consider regarding the Koretrak.

Pros
• Tracks Steps, Blood Pressure, & Calories
• Monitor Heart/Sleeping Activity
• IP67 Waterproof Product
• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
• 96h Long-Lasting Battery
• HD Retina & Touch Display
• 4.1 Bluetooth Connectivity
• Hardened Aluminum Shell
• Compatible with iOS & Android

Cons
• Limited stock (due to demand of course)
• Limited in design

FITBIT

As an outsider, I have heard “my Fitbit” spoken more by wearable fitness device consumers than any other brand which is why I’m not surprised that the Fitbit made the top five cut. It is ranked top two with a four-star rating from over 2400 reviews. Although this fitness device option can cost approximately $200 full retail, one can find it as low as $50 on sale in certain versions. Below are some additional pros and cons about the Fitbit tracker.  

Pros
• 24/7 heart rate tracking
• Automatic exercise recognition
• Good battery life
• Built-in Spotify
• Amazon Alexa built-in
• Customizable clock face
• Offers an abundance of band and color options
• Guided breathing sessions
• Swimproof

Cons
• No fast charge option
• No GPS

GARMEN

The Garmen Runner 245 Music fitness tracker was ranked top three with a four-star ranking from over 1800 reviews and has a current retail of $299. It is a great option for runners looking to improve performance. 

Below are some noteworthy features of the Garmen fitness tracker.

Pros
• Highly accurate heart rate monitoring
• Compatible with Android and iOS
• Light and comfortable
• Great battery life
• Music storage option
• An abundance of training metrics

Cons
• Feels a little cheaper than other trackers
• The menu is slightly difficult to navigate
• The sleep tracker accuracy needing improvement 

APPLE WATCH SERIES 5

This Apple Watch Series 5 provides detailed metrics that keep you on top of your wellness game! If you love options regarding design, this smartwatch may be the choice for you. This product offers a variety of bands and apple signature futuristic designs. Also, if sustainability is important to you, please note that this device is also made of 100% recycled titanium and aluminum. The apple watch ranked at number four with a four-star rating on over 2500 reviews. The average retail for this device is $399. Additional features of the Apple Watch Series 5 are offered below:  

Pros
• Heart rate and rhythm metrics
• Clean and sophisticated look
• Always-on retina display
• Pre-installed apple music
• Cycle tracking app
• Compass

Cons
• Priciest option
• Not available for Android
• Limited battery life

POLAR

Last, but not least, is the Polar fitness tracker ranked at number five with a four-star rating from over 1,600 reviews.  

This option is offered at a very fair retail price of $119. It is compatible with both androids and iPhones and offers comfortability. Being that it offers 24/7 heartrate compatibility, the Polar fitness tracker is meant to be worn day and night (even in the shower). 

Pros and cons of the Polar fitness tracker are: 

Pros
• In-depth sleep analysis
• Phone notifications
• Pick the right sport profile
• Full-color display
• Strong battery life (up to four days)
• Water-resistant

Cons
• Less than superior design
• No onboard GPS
• Moderate Bluetooth connectivity
• Subpar screen clarity

CONCLUSION

There you have it! The cream of the crop regarding wearable fitness trackers. Consider something new when it comes to your “next level” initiatives and consider one of these magical fitness trackers. You are only as out of shape as the unhealthy secrets you keep or patterns you ignore. 

Allow this watch-sized version of a personal trainer to tap you on the shoulder (or wrist) to expose you to your fitness truth. Truth is power and tracking progress is the light on our journey. Happy shopping my fitness friends!