Wearable technology has become a mainstay in the lives of many exercise enthusiasts. The ability to track, plan, and observe your progress is a huge draw for folks who are trying to get in shape or continue on their fitness journey. If you’re interested in this type of fitness technology, take a moment to review four examples of wearable technology and some of the most popular options from leading brands. 

4 Types of Popular Fitness Wearable Technology We Love

Over the past few years, there has been an explosion in different types of wearable technology. From smartwatches and heart monitors to smart clothing and GPS running trackers, there are many choices in wearable fitness technology. As you try to find an option that fits your fitness goals, learn more about some of our favorite examples of wearable technology below:

1. Fitness Trackers 

Fitness trackers are the tried and true way to measure your progress throughout your workout and the day. Fitness trackers are bands that you wear around your wrist that usually have a small digital display. At their most basic, a fitness tracker will monitor your heart rate and steps taken. If you want to spend a little more money for an increased amount of features, you can find fitness trackers that will record your sleep habits, let you interact with a larger community of wearers, and allow you to change the settings to gather data on specific workouts.

Two of the most popular fitness tracker brands are:

• Fitbit: Fitbits are some of the most popular fitness trackers available today. They’re barebones enough not to distract you from your progress and goals but robust enough to monitor steps, sleep patterns, and stress. Fitbits are a great choice for folks interested in wearable fitness technology but don’t want to break the bank! The Fitbit Charge 6 runs about $160, and you can usually find deals on them during holiday sales.
• Garmin Vivosmart: The Garmin Vivosmart is another great option for people interested in fitness trackers. They have more advanced data collection options like hydration tracking and oxygen monitoring. The Garmin Vivosmart costs around $160 as well, so be sure to check out the features and see if it’s the right choice for you before you make the commitment!
• MZ-3: Myzone’s MZ-3 is another excellent fitness tracker and heart rate monitor that pairs well with iPhones and Android devices. This exercise tracker offers 99.4% accuracy, stores up to 16 hours of exercise data to allow for phone-free workouts, and is water resistant. With a price point of around $130, it’s an affordable fitness tracker that doesn’t sacrifice quality.

2. Heart Rate Monitors 

Heart rate monitors are fantastic pieces of equipment for folks looking to get into the nitty gritty of their workouts. With these monitors, you can plan recovery times, see when you’re expending the maximum amount of energy, and optimize your body’s ability to burn calories. 

Heart rate monitors can also be used for injury prevention, as they’ll tell you when you’re overexerting yourself and need to dial it back down a bit. Cardiovascular health is a cornerstone of a healthy workout plan, so a heart monitor might be just the thing you need if you’re genetically predisposed to heart issues or just want to make sure your ticker is healthy and happy!

Two of the best heart rate monitors on the market right now are:

• Polar H10: A top choice for serious athletes, the Polar H10 is a great option for people who are interested in heart rate monitors and want a comfortable, versatile option. The Polar H10 fits snugly around your chest and is suitable for all different types of exercise. It’s even waterproof if you’re someone who likes to get their cardio done in the pool! The Polar H10 costs around $90, so it’s not a huge financial commitment to dip your toe into the world of heart rate monitors.
• Wahoo Trackr: The Wahoo Trackr is a great choice for runners and cyclists because it measures things like cadence and pace so you can track your progress and effort throughout your sessions. It’s also rechargeable, which is a huge benefit when it comes to cost savings in the long run. Another great feature of the Wahoo is that you can connect it to popular apps on your phone or smartwatch, letting you see your progress on all of your devices throughout the day. 
• MZ-Switch: The MZ-Switch from Myzone is an extremely versatile heart rate monitor that allows you to easily switch its location from your arm, chest, or wrist. While you wear the MZ-switch, it will track your heart rate and measure your effort level while you exercise. It’s also waterproof up to 10 meters, has 36 hours of memory, and features a small LED light that changes colors based on your heart rate zone. 

3. GPS Running Trackers

GPS running trackers are a huge benefit for runners and cyclists who are looking for a piece of fitness technology that will act as an all-in-one route planner, progress measurement tool, and performance analyzer. Some runners and cyclists also enjoy that GPS trackers let them leave their phones at home.

Some great options for GPS trackers are:

• Garmin Forerunner: Garmin is one of the most popular brands of GPS watches on the market. Garmin Forerunners are lightweight, fashionable, and offer a massive amount of metrics, such as training plans, morning reports, and oxygen levels. The price range of Forerunners can vary depending on how many features you’d like, but the most basic one starts at around $200, so do a bit of research on what they offer and if they’re the right option for you before you take the plunge!
• Whistle Go Explore: While the Whistle Go Explore is marketed as an option to track your pets, folks who are less technology-inclined and want a more barebones option should consider picking one up. Unlike other metric-heavy GPS running trackers, the Whistle Go Explore is far simpler but can still help you track the routes you’ve been running. Even if you want a more advanced GPS tracker, you can put the Whistle Go Explore on your dog’s collar to track their health and location while on runs or around the house. 

4. Smart Clothing

While the other options on this list are all accessories, smart clothing is an actual garment that tracks your progress! Smart clothing can often measure body temperature, track your sleep cycles, and even check your form during activities like yoga. 

Some of our favorite pieces of smart clothing are: 

• Nadi X Yoga Pants: Nadi X Yoga Pants have built-in sensors so that you can check and see that you’re hitting all of your poses right during your yoga sessions. These yoga pants are comfortable, sleek, and washable. They also have vibration and audio notifications to let you know if you’re doing a pose right. Nadi X pants run at around $300, but if you’re serious about your yoga practice, they’re well worth the cost!
• Myzone Smart Bra: The Myzone Smart Bra is an awesome choice for folks who don’t want to wear a fitness tracker or smartwatch but still want to track their metrics. The Myzone connects to most devices, so you can expect the benefits of a fitness tracker without having to add an extra piece of technology to your wrist. The Myzone lets you get the most out of your training sessions without having to keep checking your wrist throughout your entire workout.

 

Track Your Progress at Physiq Fitness

If you’re in the market for a gym in Salem, Keizer, Albany, or Lancaster, Oregon, Physiq Fitness has you covered. Our gyms are filled with everything you need to get strong and make progress on your fitness journey. If you think that a fitness class might be a good choice for you, QFIT Team Training is our cutting-edge small-group fitness program that offers five different styles of HIIT classes. We also offer many larger group fitness classes where you learn proper form and meet other fitness enthusiasts.

Learn more about our membership options today. With five convenient locations in the Salem area, we’d love to help you on your way to a happier, healthier lifestyle. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out and ask!

 

 

Nicole Wilder is an accomplished fitness expert with a B.S. in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University Idaho. With over 18 years in the fitness industry, she has gained extensive experience as a Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC), Pre and Post-Natal Fitness Specialist, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach, High Fitness and High Low Instructor, and Les Mills BodyPump Instructor. As the current Studio Director for Physiq Fitness, she oversees all six clubs, ensuring top-notch group fitness experiences for members. Her leadership was recognized when she was awarded the 2023 Leader of the Year at Physiq Fitness. A dedicated mom of four boys, she excels in balancing her professional and personal life while continuing to inspire others through fitness.