Smartwatches

Smartwatches are great for everyday use and are nearly as advanced as smartphones. While they are on the expensive side, smartwatches make everyday tasks like using a GPS or tracking daily steps a lot easier. The two main competing brands of smartwatches are Apple and Garmin. The Apple Watch obviously connects to iPhones, while Garmin watches can connect to an assortment of different phones.

The new Apple Watch Series Two starts at $369, and increases in price as sizes and features increase. The basic model is waterproof up to 50 meters deep and has a built in GPS, making exercising with the watch easy. In addition, the Series Two has a built in heart rate monitor and breathing sensor, perfect for tracking health. It connects to the iPhone, allowing notifications to come through as they would on the phone.

The Garmin smartwatches are just as technologically advanced as the Apple Watches, and come for the cheaper price of $199. The Forerunner 35 is the most popular model. Instead of connecting directly to the phone, it connects through the application Garmin Connect to allow push notifications on the watch. Much like the Apple Watch, the Forerunner 35 also has a built in GPS and tracks steps throughout the day. For beginners in the smartwatch world, Garmin is a great competitor to the Apple Watch for a cheaper price.

Freshman cross country and track runner Natalie Svarc uses a Garmin watch daily.

“I have the Forerunner 16 model,” Svarc said. “I like that my watch can keep my pace for me while I am running.”

Workout Watches

With the recent trend of the smartwatch, there has also been an increase of people using watches to track their workouts. Two common brands of workout watches are Fitbit and Nike.

Fitbit is a popular brand of workout watches because of the versatility in the different types of watches they offer. They come in a number of different sizes and colors, making Fitbit a perfect option for people of any age or size. Currently, the Fitbit Charge 2 is the most popular model, which is the skinniest build of all of Fitbit’s watches. It starts at $149, which is affordable compared to many of their makes. The Charge 2’s most known feature is the PurePulse tracking, which accurately tracks the user’s pulse throughout the day. It also receives call and text alerts instantly.

Junior Ella Maggio picked up a Fitbit last year, and has been loving it since.

“I love that it keeps me on top of exercising and keeps me conscious about what I am eating,” Maggio said. “I love having step challenges with my friends as well.”

Nike is one of Fitbit’s most popular competitors. The Nike+ Sportwatch was described on the website as the “perfect running partner.” It was also voted Gear of the Year in 2016 for exercising. The one downfall of the Nike+ Sportwatch is that it costs $399, over double the cost of the Fitbit. While it is expensive, it tracks everything a runner would need throughout a workout. In many cross country runners’ opinions, the Nike+ Sportwatch is the most accurate at tracking mileage. For runners, this watch is the perfect option. For those looking to do other types of exercise, the Fitbit may come in handy as it is more versatile.

While many runners choose to use Nike and Fitbit for running watches, sophomore Eric Hart uses a less popular brand called TomTom. It runs for $169, middle of the road between the Fitbit and the Nike watch.

“The TomTom watch I have is waterproof,” Hart said. “It’s great because I can wear it out on runs in the rain. I also like that I can look back at my runs and my pacing throughout the entire workout.”

No matter what brand they fashion around the wrist, runners, crossfitters and athletes in general can agree that finding the correct watch is important.