Who here wears health tracking wearables and what would you recommend?

[BleedGopher]

I've done quite a bit of research on the main options: Whoop, Oura, Apple Watch, Garmin, etc. and I can't quite pull the trigger. I'm curious what others experiences have been - how do you use the data you collect and has it helped change your habits, how has it improved your health, etc.?

Thanks.

Go Gophers!!

 

[upnorthkid]

Too much of this question depends on what you want to use it for. General data, trail running/maps, sleep scoring, hr tracking/afib monitoring, exercise training.

I use a garmin fenix because I like the maps and elevation tracking and crazy long battery life. It’s pretty meh as a fitness watch for things like VO2 max tbh (as most are unless they’re hr monitor tracking enabled). Does ok with cross training and weight lifting stuff. But really I just use it because of trail hiking and through backpacking for tracking trails when I won’t have cell service/maps. I’d get something else if I was looking for some other types of data (no ekg monitoring on this for example and the hr tracking is pretty spotty based on contact, so struggles at high interval training, and your BP)

We live in a very “wearable” time but tons of data spit out is garbage. The calorie tracking is pretty notorious for this.

Here’s some data to help you if you like


Trials are all pretty small, but at least is something. These are old data and older models, but more getting at the gist of it matters wha you’re looking for the watch to do. No one device wins everywhere

 

[BleedGopher]

Too much of this question depends on what you want to use it for. General data, trail running/maps, sleep scoring, hr tracking/afib monitoring, exercise training.

I use a garmin fenix because I like the maps and elevation tracking and crazy long battery life. It’s pretty meh as a fitness watch for things like VO2 max tbh (as most are unless they’re hr monitor tracking enabled). Does ok with cross training and weight lifting stuff. But really I just use it because of trail hiking and through backpacking for tracking trails when I won’t have cell service/maps. I’d get something else if I was looking for some other types of data (no ekg monitoring on this for example and the hr tracking is pretty spotty based on contact, so struggles at high interval training, and your BP)

We live in a very “wearable” time but tons of data spit out is garbage. The calorie tracking is pretty notorious for this.

Here’s some data to help you if you like


Trials are all pretty small, but at least is something. These are old data and older models, but more getting at the gist of it matters wha you’re looking for the watch to do. No one device wins everywhere

Thank you - very helpful.

Go Gophers!!

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Too much of this question depends on what you want to use it for. General data, trail running/maps, sleep scoring, hr tracking/afib monitoring, exercise training.

I use a garmin fenix because I like the maps and elevation tracking and crazy long battery life. It’s pretty meh as a fitness watch for things like VO2 max tbh (as most are unless they’re hr monitor tracking enabled). Does ok with cross training and weight lifting stuff. But really I just use it because of trail hiking and through backpacking for tracking trails when I won’t have cell service/maps. I’d get something else if I was looking for some other types of data (no ekg monitoring on this for example and the hr tracking is pretty spotty based on contact, so struggles at high interval training, and your BP)

We live in a very “wearable” time but tons of data spit out is garbage. The calorie tracking is pretty notorious for this.

Here’s some data to help you if you like


Trials are all pretty small, but at least is something. These are old data and older models, but more getting at the gist of it matters wha you’re looking for the watch to do. No one device wins everywhere

I'm a Garmin guy. There is probably a picture of me in the Garmin HQ considering how many Garmin devices I have between cycling computers, cycling accessories, wearables, et al

You're 100% right, it depends on what you want it for but also your budget. You can buy something that absolutely does the job for $90 or you can buy one of the Garmin MARQ collection for up to $3000 (yes, they are pretty sweet).

Side note on your mention of HR monitor on the wearable. My experience is those just aren't very good; when I did training that was HR-based, I used a chest strap version that was much more accurate. And even with those, I found out it needed to be in the right spot

Bleed, let me know if you're down with charity offerings, I could probably hook you up

 

[BTChamp]

When I had a similar question quite a few years ago, I went to Best Buy and the guy asked me if I wanted it more for the health things, or the data things like email, messages things like that. he told me the Fitbit is better for the health monitoring, and the apple was better at data. So, since I'm such a data driven guy, I went with the Fitbit.....

How much of that is true or even still applies today I have no idea because the Fitbit can get everything I need for data, and I'm sure the Apple can monitor health just fine.

I also bought a Garmin Mk2 for scuba diving. It also has health tracking, but I found the Fitbit to be more user friendly with the touchscreen vs the button driven diving watch. Although I do love the Garmin GPS and scuba features. It also has a golf app that is pretty cool.

But yes, like Ogie said, what fits your budget for what you are specifically looking for is what matters.

The ring types, I have zero experience.

 

[BleedGopher]

I'm a Garmin guy. There is probably a picture of me in the Garmin HQ considering how many Garmin devices I have between cycling computers, cycling accessories, wearables, et al

You're 100% right, it depends on what you want it for but also your budget. You can buy something that absolutely does the job for $90 or you can buy one of the Garmin MARQ collection for up to $3000 (yes, they are pretty sweet).

Side note on your mention of HR monitor on the wearable. My experience is those just aren't very good; when I did training that was HR-based, I used a chest strap version that was much more accurate. And even with those, I found out it needed to be in the right spot

Bleed, let me know if you're down with charity offerings, I could probably hook you up

Appreciate the ideas and yes, if there is anyone offering a device they no longer use, I'd absolutely love to try one.

Go Gophers!!

 

[upnorthkid]

I'm a Garmin guy. There is probably a picture of me in the Garmin HQ considering how many Garmin devices I have between cycling computers, cycling accessories, wearables, et al

You're 100% right, it depends on what you want it for but also your budget. You can buy something that absolutely does the job for $90 or you can buy one of the Garmin MARQ collection for up to $3000 (yes, they are pretty sweet).

Side note on your mention of HR monitor on the wearable. My experience is those just aren't very good; when I did training that was HR-based, I used a chest strap version that was much more accurate. And even with those, I found out it needed to be in the right spot

Bleed, let me know if you're down with charity offerings, I could probably hook you up

1000% correct. for any serious person who's using for training/marathoning/etc you need the chest strap. Much more accurate due to better contact. The Hrs will be, typically, within 5-10% on the watch, but that's just not good enough if you're trying to HR zone train

Now you're going to get me looking at a MARQ

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

1000% correct. for any serious person who's using for training/marathoning/etc you need the chest strap. Much more accurate due to better contact. The Hrs will be, typically, within 5-10% on the watch, but that's just not good enough if you're trying to HR zone train

Now you're going to get me looking at a MARQ

Another factor is what are you going to do with it when you AREN'T working out, do you like to wear a watch, etc. I like to wear a watch, I always have (I won't go into what all I have exactly, but yes, I like to wear a nice watch). Some look pretty much like a workout watch and may be considered tacky in certain settings.

The Garmin Fenix's and particularly the MARQ series (Gen 1 and Gen 2) are pretty decent looking watches, you could easily wear in any setting, anytime. I'm sure other brands have nice looking ones too, I am just not familiar with them.

Funny note on the HR monitor, even the chest strap one. I was using one working out when I was doing triathlons and had a coach and I was putting the monitor right in the middle of the chest like you usually see it on people. I was running what I thought was REALLY slow pacing and reading like Zone 3 heart rates. Finally did some digging and it can really be a little different for everyone; found out I had to slide my strap over so the monitor piece was on the left side of my chest (where the heart is, makes sense, DUH.. ) and then all of the sudden my running took off. A little embarrassing it took me so long to figure that out but point being, things like that make a difference