When Apple first introduced the Apple Watch in 2015, some people were skeptical about whether the device would be popular. Over eight generations later, it’s clear that the Apple Watch is here to stay.
The best Apple Watch for fitness is the Series 7. This watch allows fitness-related features to run flawlessly so that users can track their athletic performance, health, and fitness goals. It also has a more rounded design, making the watch more comfortable to wear when working out.
Every Apple Watch after the 3rd generation is compatible with Apple’s popular app, Fitness +. Therefore, the Series 7 is not the only model that can offer various benefits to those who want to improve their fitness.
This article will discuss the best Apple Watch models for fitness and how to get the best out of the device.
Best Apple Watch for Fitness
When Apple introduced the 7th generation of its hugely popular Apple Watch in 2021, users were left wondering how the American tech giant could improve upon the previous Series 6 and SE models released in the previous year.
From Series 3 onwards, Apple Watch users have enjoyed an ever-growing range of capabilities related to fitness and health. These features continued to improve with each new generation, and the Apple Watch 7 continues this upwards trend.
An exceptional smartwatch, the Apple Watch 7 covers every aspect of your fitness. You gain access to a highly accurate heart monitor, and the GPS enables a range of other features that can provide insights into your fitness journey’s progression.
Although some hardcore fitness fanatics argue that using a smartwatch takes away some of the primitive qualities of getting in shape, the Apple Watch 7 is a tool that can enhance the process rather than counteract it. Seeing your progress develop over time provides encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.
If you’ve used a previous Apple Watch model, you’re probably wondering why the 7th generation is different. After all, most Apple Watches have offered features to help you improve your fitness and health.
One of the standout aspects of the Apple Watch 7 is that it works flawlessly with Apple’s native fitness app. This app facilitates a host of movement types, including
- Running
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Paddleboarding
- Dancing
- HIIT (high-intensity interval training)
Additionally, you can choose from a wide range of other fitness-related apps to use with the Apple Watch 7, which may be more specifically geared towards your favorite exercises or activities. There are apps for kelly-bell exercises, yoga routines, weightlifters, and much more.
Another reason that the Apple Watch 7 is also excellent for fitness and health is that it runs more smoothly than most other smartwatches. When paired with an iPhone, the interaction between the Apple Watch 7 and the device is excellent and makes it easy to track your fitness data.
No matter what your preferred method of exercise or your current fitness looks like, the 7th generation Apple Watch is a tool that can help you reach the next level.
Does Apple Watch Help With Fitness?
While an Apple Watch won’t automatically improve your fitness, it can contribute positively to this area of your life. Your fitness improves by putting in the work – exercising regularly, resting, and having a good diet.
Using the Apple Watch makes it easier to track your improvements. This can then be a source of encouragement that you can use whenever you don’t feel like exercising.
Monitoring your progress in previous weeks or months allows you to stay on track. When you feel unmotivated and don’t want to put your running shoes on or get your bike out, looking at all the data you’ve collected on your Apple Watch can provide that spark you need to get out there and put in the work.
The GPS features of the Apple Watch will provide detailed breakdowns of your workout when linked to an iPhone and used with a fitness app. You can set goals to improve upon your personal best runs, swims, or bike rides and ensure that you’re constantly improving on your fitness journey.
Indeed, it is possible to track statistics like the distance you cover on your workouts without a smartwatch, but this involves a lot more effort that takes your focus away from the physical activity. The Apple Watch takes care of all this with no action required on your part so that you can concentrate on getting in the zone for your workout.
Being able to monitor your heart rate in real-time is also incredibly beneficial. Our heart rate is the best indicator of how our body responds to exercise, and the more attention you pay to it, the more you tailor your workouts to suit your current state.
The Apple Watch provides analytics on your heart rate to compare it over time and use it as a marker to monitor your fitness level.
You also get details such as how many calories you burn each day, the number of steps you’ve taken, and more. The accuracy of the data is excellent and trustworthy.
The usefulness of an Apple Watch for fitness largely depends on the apps you use with it on your iPhone. The standard Apple fitness app has improved dramatically and is a great starting point.
If you enjoy specific activities or forms of exercise, it’s a good idea to explore the apps designed for these purposes. Some excellent apps for running, swimming, cycling, and more can be hooked up to the Apple Watch for maximum effectiveness.
Is Apple Watch 3 Worth It For Fitness?
The Apple Watch Series 3 was released just over two years after the original model, marking some significant improvements in design, features, and functionality.
Amongst the improvements were a faster processor, improved Bluetooth connectivity, and the introduction of cellular capabilities. This made the Apple Watch 3 a great choice for those looking to improve their fitness levels.
The Apple Watch 3 provides an accurate heart rate sensor and GPS capabilities for tracking your exercise. This watch also provides information on how much movement you’ve undertaken each day and ties this data to goals you set to encourage you to be more active.
These features were also present on previous models, but the cellular aspects set the Apple Watch 3 apart from its predecessors.
You can use the watch with a wide range of fitness-related apps available on the iPhone. No matter what your preferred exercise methods are, you’ll find an app compatible with the Apple Watch 3 that can help you track your stats and get new ideas for workouts.
Although the Apple Watch 3 is not as advanced as some of the more recent models, it is still useful for improving your fitness and health.
Apple Watch vs. Fitbit for Fitness
The leading fitness competitor to the Apple Watch is the highly popular Fitbit. Produced by Google, Fitbits are designed specifically for tracking health and fitness-related data to help people improve in this area.
One of the most common questions in the fitness technology community is whether the Apple Watch or Fitbit is better. In reality, both of these devices have various strengths and weaknesses.
The Fitbit benefits from its sole purpose are fitness-related tasks, while the Apple Watch is designed for many different purposes. Fitness is just one of many things the Apple Watch can help the user with.
In terms of fitness tracking, Fitbit is a clear winner. This shouldn’t be surprising, as that is essential to the device’s primary purpose.
The Apple Watch provides a smooth user experience when paired with the iPhone, and it can benefit from being linked to a wide range of different apps available in the Apple Store.
If you subscribe to the Fitbit Premium service, the analysis and statistics you are provided with far exceed the level of detail offered by the Apple Watch.
For a better understanding of their differences, here’s a YouTube video to watch:
Related Questions
How accurate is the Apple Watch heart monitor?
The heart monitoring aspect of the Apple Watch was approved by the FDA, America’s health governing body, for its accuracy. However, some studies have found that Apple Watch heart monitoring isn’t highly accurate, as the Apple Watch uses light to monitor heart rate.
Can you check your blood pressure with Apple Watches?
Unfortunately, checking your blood pressure using an Apple Watch is not possible. The only way to do this is by using a method suggested or provided by medical professionals.
Can an Apple Watch take your temperature?
As of yet, the Apple Watch cannot take your temperature. No thermometer is installed on the Apple Watch, but this may be a feature that will be added to future models.