Has your child got a fitness tracker on their wish list? Our reviewers share their expert buyers' advice to help you pick out the best models on the market.
This review was updated in September 2020. Fitness trackers can help motivate your child to get more active, and they don’t have to cost a fortune. There’s a big variety of trackers – some are ideal for kids who need to exercise more, others are designed to help the sportiest children monitor their progress. Here, we bring you our best buys, plus advice on how to get the most from a fitness tracker. What is a fitness tracker? A fitness tracker – usually worn as a wristwatch – is designed to monitor daily activities, counting steps and reminding you to move if you’ve been sedentary for too long. Kids’ versions are often more basic in terms of functions than those aimed at adults, but often feature fun games to encourage wearers to be active. Most will display some sort of celebration once your child hits their daily targets. More sophisticated trackers can do everything from measure your child’s heartbeat to monitor their sleep. However, fitness is a complex area, so we recommend using a tracker to complement a healthy lifestyle that includes a varied diet and plenty of exercise. Whatever your child’s hobbies and interests, it’s important they’re balanced against a positive and accepting body image. You may also want to assess whether the tracker is used just at home or during family activities, to avoid it becoming a distraction at school or other times. If you're looking for more ways to get your child excited about sport, check out our guide on how to host a sports day for kids as well as advice on a balanced diet for school children and a balanced diet for teenagers. Which fitness tracker should I buy? If your child is particularly sporty, they might enjoy a tracker with inbuilt GPS, so they can see the distance they've covered in cycles or runs. Look out for waterproof models if they're into swimming. Looks, of course, are very important if you’re buying for a fashion-conscious young person. Teenagers in particular may prefer watches that are indistinguishable from adult ones. Many trackers have customisable watch faces, so your child can select one that is right for their age group. This also means the watch can grow with them, so shouldn’t need replacing too often. Prices in this market vary hugely, so it’s worth deciding if they need an all-singing, all-dancing version, or if something simpler will do the trick. Best fitness trackers for children We asked our reviewers to test 12 kids’ trackers by wearing each one for a day, and going for a run while wearing them. We asked the reviewers to look for ease of set-up, range of functions, style, accuracy, reliability (battery life, for example), fun add-ons and value for money. Vtech Kidizoom smart watch DX2 Most fun for younger children This watch has younger school kids in mind (it says it’s suitable for those aged over four), with games and challenges to keep their bodies moving and brains whirring. It comes in bright blue or pink, and the USB cable will have it charged within two hours. The battery lasted over a day of heavy use during our test, and much longer if used more lightly. We like that it's fairly robust, easy to put on and not too bulky, on even a tiny wrist. Its touchscreen and buttons seem easy for little fingers to operate and explore, too. Like an adult smart watch, it has a pedometer, stopwatch, and a motion sensor to nudge you to move. We like that many of these key features are linked to games to get kids active; for instance, the Monster Detector game, where users track down 60 creatures, will easily get them up to their daily steps target in double-quick time. Kids of any age will love that this watch has two cameras, with one on the front for taking selfies. They can use the app to add filters and stickers to the images they take with it. It also doesn’t forget it’s a watch, with more than 50 different digital or analogue 3D faces and a learn-to-tell-the-time game. We think this is a genuinely fun way for youngsters to discover the world of smart watches on their own terms. Latest Deals Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 Most motivational for primary schoolers From Disney characters to Marvel superheroes, this watch caters for a wide range of little people’s tastes. We tried out the Star Wars-themed watch, and were impressed how well it kept kids engaged while motivating them to keep active, too. Unlike so many of its rivals, its charge claims to last a whole year (before a replacement battery will be needed), so no daily recharges are needed here. We like its easy-to-read watch face, which allows young users to really enjoy the adventure games, a key part of this range. In the Star Wars-style watch, for instance, you can take on challenges involving favourite characters from the movies, from Han Solo and Darth Vader, to newer ones such as Rey and BB-8. Getting to the next level means users need to be more active. We also like that it has a series of basic fitness moves to follow, again featuring familiar characters. Who wouldn’t want to be encouraged to do star jumps by the calming voice of Yoda? All the data can be seen by parents on an app. As well as activity and sleep, household chores or tasks (ranging from teeth brushing to homework) can be inputted, and kids are rewarded when this goal is achieved. Latest Deals FourFit Mini 2 Best all-rounder This is an ideal fitness band for those who don’t want something too childish-looking, and don’t want to spend a fortune on it, either. It really hits that sweet spot. It comes in a choice of five slightly muted colours, so it looks more grown-up. It’s also slimline, feels good on the wrist and is easy to do up with a secure buckle. Charging is painless, too. After easing off the straps, it plugs directly into the USB port, so there are no trailing cables to worry about. Two hours is sufficient to get it fully charged, and the battery lasted for five days during our testing. It uses the Lefun health app, which is not the most exciting, but is more than adequate, as well as being easy to navigate and scroll through. The watch counts steps, records activity and calories burnt just like an adult one. All of this is illustrated with bright and cheery graphics on a coloured screen watch face. It also gently vibrates to tell you to get up and move. We were impressed with the amount of useful health data, which left many of its rivals in the kids’ smart watch world in its slipstream. In addition to monitoring sleep quality, it tracks heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels – maybe a little OTT for a watch for kids, but handy all the same. This information might be good for parents to know; it can all be synced from the watch to their device once a day or week. Ideal for a secondary-school-aged children or older teenagers who want a bit more than the basics from a fitness tracker at a fair price. Available from <a href="https://kidsfitnesstracker.co.uk/products/kids-fitness-activity-colour-tracker-fitbit-fourfit-mini-2-tracker-watch-for-children?variant=30354643910749&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwzIH7BRAbEiwAoDxxTmW5hoCCwJofa8yNiDANAPCSmuL7CpISyM4liTKMsioYZMJ0xF0yZRoCPN0QAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fourfit (£24.99) Aupalla kids' activity tracker Easiest to use We reckon this fitness tracker will be a hit with kids and their parents, who will both be impressed at what it can do. For kids, it’s bright (it comes in a choice of four colours) and has a comfy, easy-to-secure buckle strap. Its rectangular face is easy to read and displays cheery, colourful graphics that are simple to follow. A single touchscreen button means the user can rapidly scroll between screens. Its functions included heart rate and sleep tracking as well as steps, calories and alarms. It also shows your incoming messages and notifications. Our tester liked the football function in its choice of sports modes, which will let you know how much ground your young footballer has covered in a kickabout. Meanwhile, parents will be relieved that it only needs charging every five days with moderate use, using a clip-on style charger. They can use the app to see at a glance when the user has been busy, as well as if they are getting a good night’s sleep. For its price, we think it's excellent value, and would be suitable for a primary-school-aged child right up to a young teen with an interest in the stats about their day. Available from Amazon (£25.99) Fitbit Ace 2 Best overall One disadvantage of buying a child’s watch is that they can quickly outgrow it. This watch has been cleverly designed to avoid that happening. It’s fairly elegant and timeless-looking, with a lightweight strap. Using the app, your child can select an age-appropriate watch face, from ant cat and rocket options for younger children, to plainer options, including art deco, statistics and retro digital for pre-teens. It’s easy to get information like steps and active minutes by scrolling through the watch, and it will track your child’s sleep, too. They’ll get a nudge to move if they haven’t done so for an hour, which might prompt them to get off their screens briefly, and there are celebrations when they hit targets such as hourly steps. It’s also waterproof, which is useful for swimmers. Be aware that there’s no GPS or heart-rate monitor, but that's not what every parent will want for their child anyway. It’s a good, solid model if you want a handsome, fairly low-key option to motivate your child to be more active. Latest Deals Withings Pulse HR health and fitness tracker Most stylish teen tracker For those who like a slim tracker with a fairly minimalist appearance, this elegant design will feel at home on your wrist. Apart from its unobtrusive look, another one of its positives is its satisfyingly long battery life – it claims to last for 20 days. Once out of its box, the tracker gets going with its magnetic charging dock within seconds. After two weeks of testing, it still had some power in reserve. It manages to save so much battery because the screen display is not always showing, so you do have to flick your wrist or press the side button on the bezel to see the time and other data. Being GPS connected, it will happily record the duration, distance, time, pace and calories burnt on your runs, walks and cycles (in total it can be used for 30 different activities). But, be warned – as soon as you're ready to run, the timer starts without any sort of countdown, so there’s no hanging about. Scroll through the app on your phone to see heart rate while exercising or throughout the day. It can even be worn while swimming, as it’s water-resistant up to 50m. We particularly like how it measures sleep time and quality – it provides a ‘sleep score’ rating based on how well you slept, which is fun to wake up to. Latest Deals Kalenji HR 500 Best motivator for teens If we’re honest, this tracker doesn’t have all the bells and whistles enjoyed by some rivals we tested. But, we found it hugely motivational, especially for the novice starting out on a new fitness regime. Within 45 minutes, it's out of the box, charged and ready for action. We downloaded the Decathlon Coach app which has some useful workout programmes, ideal for both the novice and the more experienced. The four buttons on the edge of the watch face are simple to master after a few minutes of play. This tracker will act as a stopwatch to time how long you’ve been active – especially handy for runners, walkers, or those doing sets during cross-training, as it shows calories burned and tracks your heart rate. By clearly showing your heartbeats per minute, it provides a telling insight into how hard you’re working. It’s satisfying, for instance, to know you’re in the comfort zone while jogging, while still burning calories. During testing, the watch’s charge lasted for three days when using the HR feature, but much longer when used more sparingly or simply as a watch. If the world of fitness trackers leaves you bemused, this is an unfussy one to get you started. Honor Band 5 Best value for teens For the modest price (about £30), we think this slimline, lightweight fitness tracker is excellent value for money. Once its app was downloaded, we were pleasantly surprised when we put it through its paces during our test – the tracker appeared pretty accurate when measuring and timing runs and walks. We particularly like the clear graph that tracks heart rate over a 24-hour period, pointing out where your beats per minute are especially high or low. All the data is easy to study on the app later, but a simple flick of the wrist while on the go makes all the basic stats appear on the brightly coloured watch face. It can be used to track swimming, too, and provides a detailed insight into sleep patterns when you aren’t working out. It seems to hold its charge well – it lasted more than a week on a single two-hour blast from the charging cradle during our test. It might at first appear basic, but its simple appearance only masks a whole host of useful features. For more on kitchen gadgets, visit our reviews section and find over 400 practical buyer’s guides offering unbiased advice on what equipment is worth investing in, including reviews of the best personalised water bottles, high chairs, student kitchen kit and play kitchens. This review was last updated in September 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
If you love exercise or are a regular gym-goer, you’ll know the value of a good water bottle – it helps to keep you hydrated while you work out. We tested sports water bottles to bring you our top buys.
Along with workout gear and trainers, a water bottle is an important piece of kit to bring with you when you exercise. Sipping water during and after exercise is essential for keeping hydrated. A few years ago, gym-goers would have been seen clutching single-use disposable water bottles or plastic cups from the gym’s water cooler. But now, we are increasingly aware of plastic waste. We want a bottle we can use time and again, so it's important that it be durable. Before you buy, consider what you’ll be using it for – would a handle be useful for long runs? Or perhaps you’d like a bottle that keeps the water refreshingly cold. Here, we give you our favourite water bottles and explain which characteristics you should look for when purchasing one, based on your needs and preferences. Visit our product review section to find everything from the best personalised water bottles to fitness trackers, gadgets for health lovers and dishwasher tablets to a definitive guide on buying the best dishwasher. Sistema double-walled stainless steel bottle Latest Deals Best value sports water bottle Pros: Easy to use and clean No-fuss bottle Cons: No handle If you want a bottle that keeps your drink cold, doesn’t leak and doesn't leave that lingering ‘plastic’ taste, you’ll need to spend around a tenner or more. So we feel we’re justified in naming this our ‘best value’ bottle, despite it not being one of the cheapest. This eye-catching bottle comes in a variety of bold colours and ticks several boxes. The lid has an anti-slip ring at the top, making it very simple to twist on and off. It doesn’t have the widest opening, so you’d struggle to fill it with ice, but on the plus, you’re less likely to spill your drink over yourself. The 500ml capacity is a good middle-of-the-road size. The bottle has double-walled insulation, but still feels light. We checked the claims that it keeps your drink cold for 12 hours and hot for six, and it passed both with flying colours. As well as taking it to the gym, it’s a good bottle for runners as you can grip it by the neck. It's easy to clean but not dishwasher-safe. It was also robust enough to go through several trips out and about in the kit bag. Latest Deals Brita Fill&Go Active water filter bottle Brita Fill&Go Active water filter bottle Best sports bottle for filtered water Pros: Good option if you don’t like tap water Cap over lid keeps spout clean Cons: Doesn’t keep water cold Many of us have water filters at home, so this is a good option if you want something similar on the go. This bottle has a replaceable micro disc (it will last four weeks) to reduce chlorine and microparticles, giving you fresh-tasting water. We found putting the disc in fairly straightforward, but the price to replace it every four weeks should be taken into account. We appreciated the pull-style spout, which makes it clear when the bottle is locked or unlocked. The flow capacity was adequate, and if you’re gasping after a spinning session, you can gently squeeze the bottle to speed it up even more. We also like the removable cap, which keeps the spout clean and can double up as a small cup. This means you can share it with someone else – and with a 600ml capacity there’s definitely enough for two. The looped handle on the side is robust, and would be good for runners as you can thread a finger or two through it. It can also be attached to a sports bag. It’s easy to take apart and the main part of the bottle can go in the dishwasher. Kambukka Elton water bottle Latest Deals Best mid-range sports water bottle Pros: Locked cap prevents leaks Cons: Not insulated, so it won’t keep water cool for hours A leaky water bottle in your bag usually only guarantees one thing – a soggy gym kit. This bottle has an inspired locking system on the lid, giving you a choice of three different modes. Flick the switch to the locked padlock symbol to lock it, or move it to the middle to drink. If you want free-flowing water – maybe to pour over your head after a sweaty exercise class – slide to the ‘cup’ symbol. You need to press a button on the back of the lid to get water out – this moves the inside cover back below the rigid spout. In all cases, this lid technology worked well. The spout is protected and kept clean by a small cover when not being used. A hinged handle that slots neatly into a groove on the lid makes carrying it easy. The bottle comes in five colours and is made from toughened BPA-free plastic, which is claimed to be shatterproof. We dropped it on to hard surface and it was not damaged. The 750ml bottle we tested has markings so you can keep a check on how much you’re drinking. We also liked the shaped areas, which make it easier to hold. The bottle didn’t leave an unpleasant ‘plastic’ taste, and there was no residual taste after filling it with soft drinks. The lid easily came apart for cleaning and, along with the bottle itself, was safe to go in the dishwasher. The only drawback is that it isn’t insulated. Latest Deals Mizu 360 V7 everyday kit water bottle Available from: Absolute Snow (£51.95) and Kitbox (£54.99) Best multi-purpose sports water bottle Pros: Bell designed with lots of features Cons: Pricey This clever bottle doubles up as a mini water purification system, so it’s as useful at the local gym as on a trek in the wilds. For everyday use, you slot a nozzle under the bottle’s lid and twist on a reusable silicone straw. If you’re straying off the beaten track, simply screw in a yogurt pot-sized filter adaptor instead, which claims to trap 99.99 per cent of nasties from non-tap water sources. In both cases, you get a decent water flow by gently sucking on the rubber spout, which can be flicked up and down when required. Thoughtful touches include a tiny collection reservoir where the spout rests when closed, which drains away any residual water left in the spout after drinking. The stainless-steel bottle has double-walled insulation, and when tested, we found that water remained pleasingly chilled for 24 hours and still very drinkable after 48 hours. We also found that it kept a drink hot for 12 hours, as was claimed. The attached string secures the cap to the wide neck of the bottle, while also acting as a handle to hook your fingers through. We found it to be fully leakproof, although you must ensure you’ve securely tightened it as the string handle can slightly get in the way while doing this. With no nooks or crannies inside, cleaning was simple. It’s robust – we found it didn’t dent or get damaged when dropped – and, at 650ml, sizeable. Watch out for its weight though – it weighs more than 900g when full. This solid-looking bottle (we tested a black one, but it also comes in white, blue and teal) was never going to top our ‘best looker’ category, but it has enough special features to justify its hefty price tag. Kleen Kanteen insulated water bottle Best all-round water bottle for exercising Pros: Keeps water cold for up to two days Cons: Slightly slippery to grip with a sweaty hand Shiny and stylish, this brushed stainless-steel affair provides pretty much everything you need from a bottle. Boasting double-walled insulation, it promises to keep ice frozen for up to 50 hours. On testing, we found most of the ice was still formed 36 hours later. But by 48 hours, in our admittedly unscientific test, the ice had all turned to refreshingly chilled water. We also tested the claim that it keeps a drink hot for 20 hours, which it achieved, making it ideal if a coffee is your pick-me-up before, during or after exercise. The bottle is easy to handwash and the BPA-free cap went safely through the dishwasher. We didn’t notice any residual flavours left from previous liquids when we swapped from soft drinks to water. There are three sizes to pick from, and our 592ml version came with the standard looped-handle lid. You can buy an additional sports-style one to make drinking on the go even easier. Saying that, we used the bottle during a three-mile run and found the lid could be twisted off in an instant to access the wide opening, allowing a swig to be taken without barely breaking stride. Once twisted back on, we didn’t see any signs of leaks. The bottle was also robust enough to survive the odd fall without any damage. Its makers claim this bottle can replace a lifetime of single-use plastic, and in the limited time we put it through its paces, it certainly seemed it could. Buy from: Klean Kanteen (£17.95) and Amazon (£25.16) Buntu bottle Most stylish sports water bottle Pros: Good looking Easily fits in your kit bag/hoodie pocket Cons: Smaller capacity than some The elegantly simple design of this bottle, which is available in either grey or pink, will turn the heads of your fellow gym-goers. But it’s designed for function too. The tapered design makes it easy to grip, whatever the size of your hand. The texture of the surface means it’s less smooth than some, making it less likely to slide out of a sweaty post-workout hand. The flexible handle at the top adds to its good looks, but serves a practical purpose too – you can loop your fingers through it if you like to carry your bottle that way. The lid easily unscrews, but the seal is tight so there are no fears it will leak. There’s an anti-slip base too. Compared to others, it’s on the small side, holding 400ml water, but we found it adequate for a single gym session. Its size also makes it easy to slip into a bag. There’s also double-walled insulation to keep water cold. When tested, our drink was still adequately chilled after 12 hours. Buy from Buntu (£27) How do I choose the right water bottle for me? Consumers have started to demand more of their water bottles – a cheap, basic one rarely has the staying power to last the course these days. But with such a vast range of water bottles out there, you might feel you are drowning under all that choice. The first thing to consider is what and where you will be using it. Is it just to use at the gym after a class or workout, or will you be taking it on runs and cycle rides? Depending on what sort of exercise you’re doing, you will demand different functions from your bottle. For instance, if you’re going for a long summer jog or working out in a hot studio, you’ll need a bottle that keeps your water nicely chilled. Other features to look out for are handles, which make the bottle easy to hold or grab (especially with sweaty hands) and different types of spout, especially if you’re drinking while exercising. Some of our bottles had filtering systems, which could be important if you live in a hard-water area. Another factor to take into consideration is how you access your drink. Some bottles have lids that need to be unscrewed, loosened or flipped up, or have a flexible straw attachment. Depending what sort of lid you pick, you will want one that allows water to flow out at a steady rate. Think about the capacity and weight of the bottle. If you’re running for a couple of hours, that extra weight in your hand or belt can be significant. If you’re taking your bottle to the gym, you’ll need one that will easily fit into your kit bag. Style is important too – you’re hopefully going to use it again and again, so you might as well find one that you like. Some of our bottles were very easy on the eye due to an unusual style. Bear in mind that not all design features are just for aesthetics. Some have ergonomic features, making them easier to hold or drink from. All the bottles we tested had labels specifying they were BPA-free. BPA is a chemical compound that has been used to make more resilient plastics for everyday items, but is controversial as it has been linked to being harmful to health. But ultimately, we decided that the overwhelming factor that made a bottle worth buying was whether it leaked or not. If a bottle couldn’t hold its water, it really wasn’t fit for purpose. Related reviews Best personalised water bottles Best water bottles for everyday use Best fitness trackers Top fitness trackers for kids Gadgets for health lovers Best lunchboxes Best Stanley Cup dupes More on sports and fitness This review was last updated in August 2019. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Do you have a sports water bottle to recommend? We’d like to hear your suggestions in the comments below...
The best fitness trackers for exercise lovers
Do you need some extra motivation to get more active? We’ve tested the best fitness tracker watches for health enthusiasts, including top brands like Fitbit.
We’ve picked products we think you’ll love and may earn commission from links on this page. Read about why you can trust Good Food reviews. This page was updated in September 2020. Since we last reviewed fitness trackers two years ago, they have really moved on a pace. Today even more people can be seen with one on their wrist as they go about their everyday life. So, whether you want one to help you stick to a high-energy fitness regime or simply to measure how many steps you do in an average day, there’s now bound to be one out there to suit your particular needs. But these days, they don’t only just tell you how far you’ve walked or how fast you’ve run – they can give you some impressive statistic-based insights into your whole life. Many now record your heart rate or chart your breathing, so detect if you’re under stress or suggest what level of workout would suit you next. They can also tell you how well you’re sleeping and if you’re resting enough. All of this data instantly appears on your watch, or, by downloading an app, on your phone. Here’s our guide to the top 10 fitness trackers to help you find the one that’s right for you. For more on exercise, setting healthy goals, eating a balanced, complementary diet and tailored advice for running, cycling, swimming and more, visit the BBC Good Food fitness and nutrition hub. Read on to discover our top fitness trackers and compare fitness trackers to see which one suits your needs. Don't forget to read our detailed buyer's advice on what to look for in a tracker. For more like this, visit our reviews section to find over 400 buyer's guides including the best juicers, smoothie makers and meal prep containers. The best fitness trackers Samsung Galaxy watch Active 2 Under Armour Best motivational tracker If you like the idea of a firm but friendly voice telling you to push yourself that bit harder, this could be the fitness tracker for you. Its makers have teamed up with the popular MapMyRun app, which we found easy to download. Once paired to the watch, which has in-built GPS, you’ll get access to a vast range of stats as you progress along your fitness journey. You can see this on your watch, or in more depth, on your phone. The watch itself is pleasingly lightweight with a snug-fitting silicone strap (other designs are available), to ensure it won’t move about when you are. You have a choice of watch faces and can even ‘ask’ it to match one with what you’re wearing. We tested the 40mm watch face, but there’s a 44mm model too. Out running, the real-time Running Coach audio gives a clear breakdown of distance and pace (this information simultaneously appears on the screen). This can help you focus on your goals and motivate you to clock up increased miles. As with many other fitness trackers, a continuous heart monitor sheds useful light on the intensity of any activity. It will also alert you if your beats per minute (bpm) are too high or low. Our only downside was that having all this data at a swipe of a fingertip does eat up the battery charge rapidly. It needs powering up on its magnetic charger each evening if you use it every day to chart your workouts. Teminice 2020 Version high-end fitness tracker Best budget tracker Although it looks much like many other standard slimline fitness bands, the way you charge this tracker is a bit different. After easing off the straps, you place the end with the chip in into a USB interface, meaning there are no trailing cables to worry about. It comes with a comprehensive user guide, but we found it fairly simple to get going. A single button on the watch face takes you through its screens. Meanwhile, the VeryFitPro app was quick to download and easy to navigate. You can swipe to see your total steps and current heart rate on the watch face, but for greater analysis, the app delves deeper into all these stats. We liked its graphic of the circle, and if you’ve done enough daily activity (there’s an alert if you’re being too sedentary) the ring is completed. It’s surprisingly satisfying when this happens. We found the sleeping analysis fairly accurate, and it lets you see how much of your sleep is deep or light. Being able to stop the watch face illuminating when you move your wrist is handy, especially when you’re trying to nod off. This is a sensible option if you want a reliable tracker which can collate your fitness metrics and give you an overview of how you’re doing without blowing your budget. Garmin Forerunner 45 Best for runners This watch has clearly got the runner in mind, but would also be an asset for those who enjoy cycling, yoga, gym workouts and a whole range of other activities. With experience of others in the Garmin range, we felt this was a more than adequate entry level device at a decent price for what you get. It’s robust looking and its screens (which you scroll through with four buttons dotted around the edge) are easy to see at a glance when on the move. The key to it being such a reliable device for runners is its built-in GPS, which will accurately record the likes of distance, time and pace. You can also see your heart rate while you’re running. Back home, the Garmin app allows you to pore over this in much more detail once you have cooled down. If you’re a bit more serious about your training, the Garmin Coach app will give some solid structure to your sessions and even praise you when you set a new PB. The watch also has a reassuring safety feature which will send a real time location to the emergency services if you get into difficulty. We liked the Body Battery feature which crunches up all the data from your heart rate monitoring, sleep, stress and how much activity you have already done, before working out how much energy you have left. It’s a bit like knowing how much fuel is left in your body’s tank. Latest Deals Huawei Watch GT 2e Best value tracker with GPS Straight out of the box, this streamlined sports watch is certainly eye-catching. It doesn’t stint on practicality either, with touches like a perforated strap to stop your wrist getting too sweaty during activity. It boasts an impressive battery life of up to 14 days, but only if you changed the ‘always on’ setting so you can only see the display with a wrist flick. Of course, using GPS is a huge draw on any battery, but a single charge on the magnetic charging disc lasted us eight days. The screens are clear and bright, even in strong sunlight, and switching between them with two function buttons on the side of the bezel was simple even while running. This tracker can be personalised in many ways, from the watch face to your own fitness workouts. As well as the usual activities such as running, walking and swimming, you can even track your skateboarding and street dance workouts if that’s your thing. If you are keen on knowing what your body is up to while exercising, you will like its SpO2 setting which allows you to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood; too low and maybe you are working that bit too hard. This was a likeable and reliable piece of kit at a modest price among rival sports watches in this category. It has plenty of genuinely useful features to fire up your fitness mojo. Fitbit Charge 4 Easiest tracker to use This Fitbit marks a step up from the Charge 2 version we tested two years ago. The inbuilt GPS means you don’t have to walk/run with your phone any longer, or alternatively rely on the step counter to estimate your distance. Fitbits have always been excellent fitness trackers, keeping count of your steps, monitoring your heart rate and your sleep, as well as active minutes. A pleasing feature is that it now tells you how much distance you’ve covered without even leaving the house – all that pottering around really does add up. With the added GPS, it is now a more effective exercise watch as well. A likeable feature is that you can set ‘goals’ if you’re off to exercise – you can program it for distance or time and it will tell you when you’ve achieved that. The tracker itself is slim and sleek while also being water-resistant up to 50 metres. We did find GPS took a few minutes to connect, as well as rapidly eating through the battery life. The Fitbit app gives you more insight into activity for the day, so you’ll need to connect to this for maximum information. There is a Premium version but we found the basic more than adequate. Latest Deals Suunto 3 Best for frequent exercisers This pleasingly chunky but handsome watch gives out a clear message that the wearer is someone who takes their fitness pretty seriously. In simple terms, once you put this on your wrist it will record everything you do 24/7, adding a depth of insight into various aspects of your fitness. This includes how active you are – be it how many steps you walk a day or your split times in a long run. But you don’t even have to be active to provide data to be analysed; it also records your sleep quality and how much stress is in your life. All these stats are easy to study in bar charts and graphs thanks to the Suunto app, which was easy to explore. It also works well with other popular apps such as Strava and MapMyRun. The GPS is great for tracking runs, walks and swims, although doing so drains the battery life – if you're using it heavily you'll need to charge it every other day. It records any indoor activities, so is equally useful if yoga or the gym is more your bag. We really liked its seven day training plan, which allows you to plug in your weekly goals; it will then tell you if you’re hitting your daily targets and staying in the ideal intensity to do so. Apple Watch 5 Best high-end tracker It’s the most expensive watch we tested, but for some the hefty price tag will be worth it, especially if you’re a data geek. As you would expect from Apple, this watch looks stylish (it has 30 different watch faces to pick from) and is intuitive to use too. The digital crown on the side of the watch and a gentle swipe of the screen guide you around all the many features it has to offer. To be fair, it may take a few hours or longer to master everything it can do, but you can be up and running with its basics almost immediately once it’s quickly charged up. Once the stud popper locks it into place on your wrist, it feels as if your entire life is being recorded – but in a good way. Along with steps, calories burnt and active minutes, you’ll be getting those nudges to move (and stand up at least every hour) if you want to achieve your daily target. We felt unashamedly smug after completing the coloured rings which appear on the watch to show you’ve hit all your day’s goals. But it’s the level of the stats you can pore over on the app which really wowed us. Take the heart rate for instance; by holding your finger on the digital crown for a few seconds, you can get an ECG-like trace of your heart (the sort you would have in a cardiac unit) on the watch face. Other apps reveal when you’re in a setting with excessive decibels that could affect your hearing, while another tracks your menstrual cycle and tells you when you’re most fertile. The real beauty of this watch is that it ticks all the boxes, including several boxes you never knew needed ticking. If the price tag isn’t a stumbling block, we think this is certainly worth buying. Myzone MZ-3 Best for heart monitoring This fitness tracker is a bit different from the others we tested, because you wear it around your chest instead of your wrist. This tracker is primarily focused on showing what your heart is doing when you’re exercising and claims to be 99.4% accurate – much more so than many of the wrist-based fitness trackers. It’s worn close to your breastbone against your skin after it’s attached to its soft fabric band. At first this feels a bit odd, but you quickly become less aware of it. You can see the data it picks up on your phone or smart watch at the time or later when it downloads. As well as showing your heart rate, we really liked that it displayed the percentage of effort put into a workout compared to taking it easy. It’s very motivating to achieve more. You can also hook up the tracker with others in the Myzone community. Your efforts gain you points so you can compete with others – including friends or others in your training group. A great way to challenge each other or celebrate successes on social media. This arrives more than 80% charged and only needs a boost every six months. If you’re keen to know if you’re really putting in the effort, this tracker will give you the answer straight from your heart. Polar Unite Best for overall fitness With its sleek, unfussy design, this lightweight watch is a good choice for anyone keen to keep an eye on their overall well-being. Not only does it record your exercise, it also analyses your down time and tells you how well you will bounce back. As it’s constantly measuring all manner of metrics, we found that this watch with built-in GPS needed charging every couple of days, especially if used for runs, walks or rides. Its Polar Flow app content is vibrant and easy to follow; there is a clear breakdown of steps, active time and calories burnt. Offering a whole host of workouts based on your current fitness and what you want to achieve, it’s like having your own PT instructor on your wrist urging you on. But just as engaging are its features relating to being more chilled. The Serene function encourages you to regulate your breathing, with mesmerising bubbles flowing steadily into a larger circle on the watch’s touchscreen. We also liked the Nightly Recharge mode, where your sleep and rest are analysed (factors such as heart rate and breathing are measured) in a cheery graph the next morning. Based on this data, it suggests what workouts you should do that day depending on how well you have recovered. It’s a tracker for those who want all the numbers on both their active and the non-active aspects of their life. Latest Deals Xiaomi Mi Band 5 Best for beginners We found this an extremely easy watch to get to grips with, and its sleek appearance adds to its charm. Charging via a magnetic USB cable is quick – it took about an hour – and on low use we found it lasted the promised 14 days advertised, and over a week with moderately heavy use. Its discreet look is enhanced with its popper fastening which would fit even the slimmest of wrists snugly. There is a choice of different coloured bands. Its Mi Fit app is very user-friendly and lets you really analyse all the personal data later on your phone. There are no side buttons to worry about, but instead a single home button, and you navigate your way around by swiping the screen. The screen itself is bright and easy to read. It has a dozen different sports modes to pick from, including swimming – it can even identify your stroke. Being water resistant up to 50m, it’s ideal for those who love the pool, sea or just forget to take it off in the bath. It not only records all your steps, activity and calories, it also tracks your heart, sleep quality and stress levels. Luckily, the watch itself doesn’t add to the latter as it doesn’t try to complicate things. This band also has the female user in mind as it can track your menstrual cycle too. Overall, it combines good looks with lots of properly useful features which cover all aspects of your health. In short, all the newbie might need. Buyer’s advice What is a fitness tracker? Usually worn as a wristwatch, fitness trackers do things like count your daily steps, tot up active minutes and buzz to remind you to move if you’ve been sedentary for too long. Many now have heart rate monitors so you can see how hard you’re exercising. Some track your sleep so you know if you’ve slept lightly or soundly. Lots have GPS (satellite) built in, so you will get an exact location and and distance for every walk, run or ride. Most now notify you of texts and calls, even if (on most) you can’t respond to them. What do you use fitness trackers for? It depends on how fit you are, and how fit you want to be. If you spend most of your day sitting down, you might want to use it to increase your daily steps, boost your active time and burn up extra calories. If you’re already very active, you can see how far and fast you’re running, walking or cycling (some have a wide choice of sports to pick from) and compare it to last week/month. How to choose a fitness tracker Whether you want a basic model, a fitness tracker with GPS or a stylish wristwatch, think about the following when making your purchase. Functions: consider whether you need the extra functions that will push up the price. For instance, a heart monitor might not appeal if you’re just trying to boost your daily steps. Similarly, decide if you really want GPS (satellite) to track your walks/runs, as that can be a costly add-on and also eat up a lot of your battery. Style: if you plan to wear it all the time, make sure you like the look of the tracker. You can personalise some by changing the watch face or straps. Waterproof: keen swimmers should find one you can wear in the pool. Many are now water-resistant to 50m. Apps: you don’t have to connect your device to an app, but if you do, you’ll get access to more data. Some apps are those specially designed for that particular watch but there are free generic ones for cheaper models too. Motivation: do you want a watch that will congratulate you when you reach a daily target? It might sound cheesy, but it can actually increase your likelihood to get moving. Price: the ones we tested – we tested 14 in total – were between £20 and £400, so there’s a wide selection whatever your budget. How do you set up a fitness tracker? Most come out of the box with some charge, but its best to give them a blast for an hour or two as these devices can devour battery life rapidly. The chargers are becoming less fiddly now, with many magnetic ones that clip on to the back of the watch, so no need for trailing cables. Some have their own dedicated app while others use established ones. Most can be downloaded and hooked up to your fitness band in under five minutes. The apps usually give much more detail than what you see on the watch face. They also give you a chance to spot trends and chart progress. Health and fitness recipes and guides Best gadgets for health lovers Our health & nutrition section Our best-ever healthy recipes Fitness and nutrition advice The best personalised water bottles This review was last updated in September 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.