Table of Contents
We tested these trackers:
- Fitbit Versa 2
- Polar Vantage M und Ignite
- Garmin Venu
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
Test Criteria and Features
- appearance and handling
- functions
- testimonial
- price
Three reasons for a fitness tracker
Being and staying motivated
Everyone knows it: You set your mind to something and then you don’t make it. This is often the case in sports too. You quickly become a sponsor of the gym rather than a member. Fitness trackers are ideal for getting used to the new task more quickly and for beating the bastard more often. They motivate, coach and reward so that you feel much more motivated.
More exercise in everyday life – with consequences
A fitness tracker regularly reminds you that it is now time to exercise. This changes a lot, especially at the beginning, because you z. B. do things on foot more often, take the stairs instead of the elevator or even take the bike more often. As a result, it can of course happen that you lose one or two kilos. You will feel more productive, rested, happier and more powerful.
Always keep an eye on
your goals With a fitness watch, you can record your goals precisely. If you want to pay more attention to your sleep, you can monitor it with a fitness tracker. More exercise, tracking a specific sport or diet is also possible with a fitness watch. Smartwatches can also connect to the smartphone’s call and messaging functions. This turns your watch into a small mini-computer that is always ready to use and supports you.
Fitbit Versa 2
Appearance
The Fitbit Versa 2 is a sleek and sleek watch with rounded corners. They are available in the colors black, gray and copper rose. The latter are available with bracelets in burgundy and emerald green. In addition to these colors, there are two special editions with fabric straps. The watch consists of a high-quality case and a large display area. Here you can buy the watch.
Features: This is new
- Sleep index : In addition to the sleep recording, the Versa 2 now also evaluates the quality of sleep.
- Sleep mode : The quick view function on the display can now be deactivated so that the clock light no longer wakes you up at night.
- Voice control with Alexa : Messages can now be answered, appointments planned or reminders created by voice input (for Android devices).
- Sleep Stages : The Versa 2 tracks light, REM, and deep sleep stages.
- Continuous heart rate measurement on the wrist
- Water-resistant to a depth of 50 m
- More than 15 training modes like running, cycling, yoga etc. with real-time statistics
- Training on the display for more fitness in everyday life
- Smartwatch Features:
- Save up to 300 songs from Spotify on the watch
- Deposit up to six debit or credit cards and pay with Fitbit Pay
- Hundreds of dials for a unique look
- Hundreds of useful apps for sports, weather, music, etc.
Field report
The Fitbit watches are all very easy to use and offer a clear view of the successes and progress. I particularly like the Versa 2 because of its elegant design and the strong colors. It is very comfortable to wear and the clasp stays closed.
Price
The normal edition costs 199.95 euros (RRP)
The special edition costs 229.95 euros (RRP
Polar Vantage M and Polar Ignite
Appearance
The Polar Vantage M and the Ignite look very similar. A sleek watch design with a circular display. The Vantage M comes in black/copper, blue/black, white/silver, and black with a black, red, or green strap. The Ignite, on the other hand, offers black/yellow and rosé in addition to black/copper and black/silver or white/silver. Here you can buy the Ignite and the Vantage M.
Features: This is new
- Nightly Recharge : The measurement shows how well you recover from stress and training at night. This helps to make the right general well-being choices throughout the day to help you achieve exercise goals.
- Training Load Pro : This mode measures how hard your body has been used in the training sessions. The Recovery Pro function then helps to find the balance between recovery and training.
- Fitness Test : The five-minute test is performed at rest and provides an estimate of maximal oxygen uptake.
- FitSpark on Ignite: This feature offers customized workout plans and schedules based on fitness level, recovery and training history.
- Innovative pulse and calorie measurement on the wrist
- For even more precise results, both watches can be connected to the Polar H10 heart rate monitor chest strap .
- Running Index : The watch uses the fitness data to estimate the maximum oxygen uptake. This is an indication of whether the running training has improved.
- Sleep Plus Stages : Tracks sleep stages and sleep quality
- More than 130 sport profiles
- Swim mode measures laps. Stroke, distance, temp and rest times
- Guided breathing exercise Serene
- Smart Notification for notifications straight from your smartphone to your watch
- 24/7 activity tracking: steps, distance, calories, sleep and individual activity goal
Price
The Polar Ignite is available for 199.95 euros (RRP)
The Polar Vantage M costs 279.95 euros (RRP)
Garmin Venu
Appearance
The 1.2-inch AMOLED color display is sharp and brings bold colors with it. The watch is available in black/slate, sand/rose gold, granite blue/silver and black/gold. It is also waterproof to a depth of 50 m. The backgrounds can be customized and the wristbands are interchangeable.
Features: This is new
- Body Battery: The function measures the body’s energy reserves and indicates when it is ready for the next workout.
- Menstrual Cycle Tracking : Tracks both physical and emotional symptoms during each cycle phase. This function also provides more information about training and nutrition during the phases.
- Oxygen saturation : The Pulse Ox Sensor measures the oxygen saturation in the blood during the day and at night.
- Stress Level Training : Hermit find out how stressful your day has been and how it is affecting your health. There are breathing exercises to help you relax.
- Accident notification : If the watch is paired with the phone, your location can be sent to the emergency contacts. This is done either manually or via the outdoor activities with the integrated accident notification.
- Water consumption tracker to keep track of how much you drink throughout the day
- Breath rate meter and breathing exercises for in between
- Detailed sleep analysis with light, REM and deep sleep phases, blood oxygen saturation and respiration data
- Heart rate measurement on the wrist
- Animated workouts on the display. Up to 40 training plans in different levels of difficulty for strength training, cardio, yoga and Pilates
- 20 sports apps like running, yoga, golf, hiking etc.
- Garmin running coach for even better running results
- Custom training can be put together
- Smart Notifications: Receive messages, calls and app notifications from your smartphone
- Garmin Pay: Pay with the watch
The Garmin Venu is a very nice watch with even more features than other watches. For women, I find the tracking of the menstrual cycle very successful. So you always have an overview and can quickly see when something is going wrong. I also think the accident notification is great, because you can rely on quick help when you are out in nature. As an athlete, the numerous workouts and sports apps are just right for me. They motivate you to go on with another round, even if you’re already completely knocked out.
Price
The Garmin Venu is available for 379.99 euros (RRP)
Apple Watch Series 5
Appearance
The Apple Watch 5 can be customized. They are available with a 40 mm or 44 mm case, made of either aluminium, ceramic, stainless steel or titanium. The bracelets can also be customized, including sports, leather and stainless steel bracelets. The watch is oval with rounded corners and has an always-on retina display so the dial is always visible.
Features: This is new
- Cycle tracking: With the cycle log it is very easy to track the menstrual cycle to get a good overview.
- Load apps : Apps can now be loaded directly onto the watch via the watch instead of via the smartphone.
- Measures heart rate and heart rhythm with ECG app.
- The watch warns when volume gets too intense that it can damage your hearing.
- Workouts for every sport including exact dates
- Activity and sports reminders, also to challenge friends
- Stream 60 million songs, audiobooks and podcasts with the Apple Music library
- With integrated compass and altimeter measurement
- Make calls and send messages from the watch
- Pay with Apple Pay
- Chat with Siri or ask her to do something
- Over a hundred dials and possible combinations
The Apple Watch is easy to understand and easy to use. It is based more on a smartwatch than on a fitness tracker, but the mixture of both is good. To connect the watch to the smartphone, you need at least the iPhone 6s or later, running the iOS 13 operating system or later. This will encourage customers to also own one of the new iPhones.
The Apple
Watch Series 5 is available from 449 euros (RRP)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
Appearance
The watch has a slim design and a display that is not too high. The case comes in silver, black, rose gold, and green colors, while the straps also come in grey, black, green, pink, yellow, white, light blue, and orange. The dials of this watch can also be designed individually.
Features: This is new
- Control stress level : The watch uses the heart rate monitor to inform you immediately if it has measured an unusual heart rate. The stress level can be reduced by taking a breather.
- Uncomplicated charging: With the Wireless PowerShare function, the watch can be charged without a cable using the charger or power bank.
- Personal fitness coach: With the Samsung Health app, fitness data such as steps, calories, altitude and heart rate are displayed.
- Smartwatch function: Answer messages and send emojis by voice input or personalized answers
- Track sleep phases : Light, REM and deep sleep phases as well as wake times are tracked
- Lots of apps for lots of activities: e.g. B. Spotify for music or apps for running, swimming, golf or food diaries
- Waterproof to a depth of 50 m
- Compatible with many Galaxy, Android and iOS smartphones
The watch is lighter than I would have thought, but fits comfortably on the wrist and is easy to use. The numerous features and countless displays and dials make the watch almost unique. Overall I am satisfied with the functions, but the watch often takes two to three hours to charge and the battery only lasted a few days. The other watches are much faster there and also last longer. I also found the frequent push notifications on my smartphone a bit annoying, even if the watch was not connected to the cell phone.
Price
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active costs 229.99 euros (RRP)
