2017 is here! It’s time to restart the same goals we started last year, which were probably the same goals five years ago … It seems like our number one recurring resolution for the New Year is to live a healthier lifestyle. For some that means losing weight; for others it may mean increasing their overall fitness levels or muscle strength.
If fitness is part of your New Year’s resolution, then technological advances can help in ways that weren’t even possible five or 10 years ago. Smartwatch fitness trackers have become “tech coaches” that can help you stay on track with your fitness goals. But with so many watches on the market, which one do you go for? We test drove five of the latest models.
Best for Runners / Garmin Forerunner 235
If you primarily want to use a fitness watch for running outdoors, this is a great option. It has a built-in GPS and an optical heart rate sensor. If heart rate monitoring is not important to you, go for the less expensive Forerunner 230. It’s also waterproof, so you can take if for a swim. It doesn’t have a touch-screen or sleep monitoring capabilities, but most serious athletes probably don’t care about those features. Ultra-runners will love it because of the long battery life. Available at Go! Running, 1819 N Grant Street
Best All-Rounder / Fitbit Blaze
The responsive color touch screen of Blaze allows you to swipe through the menu for different functions. The watch itself has a removable interface so you can switch out the bands fairly easily — making it more versatile for different outfits. What sets Fitbit apart is its social aspect with the Fitbit app. This allows you to connect with friends for weekly challenges. It does not have a built-in GPS, but you can sync it with your smartphone’s GPS. It’s a jack-of-all-trades, not a master of one like the Garmin for running, but it still does a solid job. For multiple-sport activities and heart rate monitoring, the Blaze scores. Available at Dillard’s
Best for the Outdoor Enthusiast / Suunto Spartan Sport
The first thing you notice about The Suunto is that it is a sleek, good-looking watch. This GPS watch is a touch-screen, which did lag a bit. (You can also just use the buttons, which worked great). It does not have a built-in optical heart rate sensor but can be paired with a heart rate monitor. One of the coolest things about this watch is the Movescount app; it has an animated movie feature, which allows you to watch your run route on a GPS map. The app also shows your pace, speed, altitude and cadence. Like the Garmin, this is for the serious runner, cyclist, swimmer or hiker. Available at Ozark Outdoor Supply, 5514 Kavanaugh Boulevard
Best for Tech Nerds / Apple Watch Series 2
For Apple fans who want more bells and whistles, an obvious choice might be the Apple Watch Series 2 — but beware. Because of all the extras in this minicomputer, like being able to make calls, download apps and send messages, it will drain your battery fast. You’ll have to charge it on a nightly basis. A big difference between the Series 2 and the original is GPS tracking. This means you don’t have to sync your phone with it on your outdoor activities in order to know where you are. The Series 2 is also waterproof. It does track your sleep, but wearing a watch at night may be a bit uncomfortable for most. For basic activity tracking, this gets the job done. Available at Apple, Promenade At Chenal, 17711 Chenal Parkway
Best for Android Users / Samsung Gear S2
Samsung’s answer to the Apple Watch is the Gear S2 for Android users. You can scroll through the menu either through the touch screen or the innovative rotating bezel. Similar to FitBit and others, it will send you reminders throughout the day to start moving. It also automatically detects when you start a workout. With all of the information available in one device — including the ability to make calls and send texts like the Apple phone — the battery life holds out fairly well. It still won’t outlast some of the other watches, but Android users will be happy not to have to succumb to the Apple empire in order to find a watch that syncs with their phone.