AW or .... for fitness purposes foremost.

[TDHawks]

Morning!

I am searching high and low and to be honest, I am at a standstill because everything I read is contradicting itself. One watch is good at one thing while the other is better and the other is worse. Sound familiar?

I am a competitive tennis player and I am looking for a tracker or watch to help measure my output on the court as well as cross training in the gym. I need something that is fairly accurate in terms of calories burned, miles run (on court), HR, the basics when it comes to fitness. Same goes for in the gym. I do not want to wear a chest strap and I would prefer the tracker or watch to be fairly lightweight so it's not bothering me while playing tennis. I would wear it on my non dominant hand while playing tennis, not sure if that matters.

I want to be able to track progress with an app, which most have. Fitbit has a very nice app, but I read a majority of their products breakdown in a short amount of time. Customer service seems to be good with replacing them, but I do not want to play the return game when I can get something of higher quality from the start. Unless of course their products are what I should get then I will.

I have looked at Garmin, Polar, Fitbit, Apple, and I am at a loss.

I think I’m between the AW3 and Garmin Vivosport 3.

Any help?

 

[ftaok]

Honestly, I don't think any consumer level device is going to be accurate at tracking activity in general. The key is whether the device is consistent.

In regards to tracking your mileage while playing tennis, I think you'll be disappointed in any devices'tracking ability. There's just too little precision from any consumer GPS.

What the aw can do is track your HR relatively accurately. From there, you'd have to trust Apple's algorithms to convert that data to calories burned. I think Apple uses the METs calculations, perhaps with a little secret sauce to come up with calories.

I only have an AW, so I can't comment on the other devices in terms of weight and such. The AW sport versions are pretty light. I wear it on my left hand and can hardly feel it. The SS versions are a little heavier. If weight becomes an issue for tennis, you can use an armband that you can wear on your forearm or bicep, which would likely help with HR readings too.

 

[Strelok]

I don’t think the AW would be great at tracking heart rates during tennis since you are rotating your wrist a lot. Ideally you would want a chest strap if you are worried about heart rate.

 

[TDHawks]

I think you’re right. I think I’m looking for something on the consumer level that probably doesn’t exist. Nothing is going to be perfect, and I do understand that, but there many reviews contradicting one another in terms of fitness performance.

I like the Apple Watch for the functionality of the smart features, plus the fitness tracking. Whereas the Garmin is the more fitness oriented, and doesn’t excel in the smartwatch features vs the Apple Watch.

Both of the two have been rated pretty good for fitness, some say the Apple Watch is better, some say the Garman the better.
[doublepost=1515350723][/doublepost]

I don’t think the AW would be great at tracking heart rates during tennis since you are rotating your wrist a lot. Ideally you would want a chest strap if you are worried about heart rate.

True, but I would wear it on my non dominant hand.

 

[BarracksSi]

Devices are only as good as their software platform, IMO. Don't look so much at the gadget itself and look closer at the ecosystem around it.

Some years back -- 2010, maybe? -- I was waffling back and forth between Garmin and Polar (Fitbit barely existed yet) for a GPS-enabled fitness watch. I eventually chose Garmin because trying to move data from a Polar watch onto a Mac was, by all accounts, a painfully complicated process. By contrast, Garmin had a Mac-native data transfer utility and a Web interface, and it was much simpler to use.

Since then, I've picked up an Apple Watch, and the Garmin is in a box somewhere. The AW is just easier to use, logs enough data to keep me motivated, and does a whole lot more stuff than my ol' Forerunner ever could. I also wear it all day because it's comfortable and looks nice enough for almost everything I wear. I wasn't able to say the same about the Garmin.

But -- how competitive are you? Do you have a coach who needs to dig into your data with you? Are you testing your VO2Max (or whatever it is) and power output? Garmin's software can let you share all your metrics (and I'm sure a few others can, too). I suspect that there's a few iOS fitness apps that can do the same kind of thing while using AW-derived data, but I just don't know what they are. My point, though, is that if you have a coach who's wanting to work with you in a certain way, just get what they require you to get.

Side note about HR accuracy without a chest strap: I've heard multiple people on this forum say that TwelveSouth's armband for the AW works really well. It puts the watch on your upper arm, where it's less likely to get wiggled out of position*. It would probably work well enough for tennis, too, unless you have a habit of falling on your side.

* I also wear my AW one or two pegs tighter for workouts; hopefully the HR readings are more consistent that way.

 

[rcarter3636]

I teach tennis and use the AW3 and Garmin vivoactive 3.
You will not get anywhere close to accurate hr with either without external monitor.
I use Wahoo Tickr that I can use at the same time with both. ANT+ with Garmin and Bluetooth with AW3.
Any static exercise you will get a pretty accurate hr but with weight training, tennis and basketball it’s nowhere close without the external hr sensor.

 

[TDHawks]

I teach tennis and use the AW3 and Garmin vivoactive 3.
You will not get anywhere close to accurate hr with either without external monitor.
I use Wahoo Tickr that I can use at the same time with both. ANT+ with Garmin and Bluetooth with AW3.
Any static exercise you will get a pretty accurate hr but with weight training, tennis and basketball it’s nowhere close without the external hr sensor.

I agree with all said. At the end of the day if you were to pick just one between the AW3 and Vivoactive 3, which would it be?

I am leaning Apple after many user reviews I have read with the Garmin.
[doublepost=1515412007][/doublepost]

Devices are only as good as their software platform, IMO. Don't look so much at the gadget itself and look closer at the ecosystem around it.

Some years back -- 2010, maybe? -- I was waffling back and forth between Garmin and Polar (Fitbit barely existed yet) for a GPS-enabled fitness watch. I eventually chose Garmin because trying to move data from a Polar watch onto a Mac was, by all accounts, a painfully complicated process. By contrast, Garmin had a Mac-native data transfer utility and a Web interface, and it was much simpler to use.

Since then, I've picked up an Apple Watch, and the Garmin is in a box somewhere. The AW is just easier to use, logs enough data to keep me motivated, and does a whole lot more stuff than my ol' Forerunner ever could. I also wear it all day because it's comfortable and looks nice enough for almost everything I wear. I wasn't able to say the same about the Garmin.

But -- how competitive are you? Do you have a coach who needs to dig into your data with you? Are you testing your VO2Max (or whatever it is) and power output? Garmin's software can let you share all your metrics (and I'm sure a few others can, too). I suspect that there's a few iOS fitness apps that can do the same kind of thing while using AW-derived data, but I just don't know what they are. My point, though, is that if you have a coach who's wanting to work with you in a certain way, just get what they require you to get.

Side note about HR accuracy without a chest strap: I've heard multiple people on this forum say that TwelveSouth's armband for the AW works really well. It puts the watch on your upper arm, where it's less likely to get wiggled out of position*. It would probably work well enough for tennis, too, unless you have a habit of falling on your side.

* I also wear my AW one or two pegs tighter for workouts; hopefully the HR readings are more consistent that way.

I have read the same about the TwelveSouth, I may look into that. I am leaning Apple and after reading more and more, I have pretty much made up my mind. Thanks.

 

[ascender]

Calories burned have always been a bit of a dark art when it comes to fitness tracking devices. Obviously with the AW there's different apps you can use which will each have their own way of calculating calories burned and analysing exercise - with the GPS tracker activated I guess you'll get an accurate distance tracker which will in turn give you calories burned according to speed and heart rate?

Definitely get a chest-strap HRM - something like the Wahoo TICKR.

The AW has matured in to a very good option for fitness tracking and GPS recording though - definitely check it out, I don't think there's a better all-rounder available. I now only use my Suunto for very long distance activities where the AW battery would just give up.

 

[rcarter3636]

I agree with all said. At the end of the day if you were to pick just one between the AW3 and Vivoactive 3, which would it be?

I’ve had the AW since the start a few years back. I have sent 4 back due to hardware issues (battery swelling). AW3 seems to fixed that issue.
I use the Garmin as a backup but use them both at the same time.
Between the 2 I would definitely choose the AW3.

I am leaning Apple after many user reviews I have read with the Garmin.
[doublepost=1515412007][/doublepost]

I have read the same about the TwelveSouth, I may look into that. I am leaning Apple and after reading more and more, I have pretty much made up my mind. Thanks.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I have owned three different models Apple watch and they simply were not as dependable as a Fitbit when it comes to HR. Even when worn loose, the Charge 2 tracks my HR without missing a beat. I love my Apple watch but remove it and take the Fitbit for my exercise.

 

[oeagleo]

Just poking in here, I have owned and used many fitness devices from Garmin, Suunto, Polar, Mio, and others in my quest for the perfect all around fitness device that is useful, and keeps me motivated. I have to say that you're not going to get very accurate heart rate data unless you use either a) a chest strap, or perhaps b) Something like the Scosche Rhythm+ worn on your upper arm. You "could" wear the Scosche on your lower arm, just below the elbow, but I don't think it would stay put very long.
Also, if you're serious about tracking distance, your watch, (ANY watch) isn't going to give you valid data without a properly calibrated footpod. However, I cannot figure out how to get my AW3 to recognize a footpod, so pace does it for me, but that won't work for tennis. The Fenix line is too big and bulky, (My Fenix 5x felt like I had a Buick on my wrist), the Suunto's are a tad lighter, but also huge. For me, the Apple watch gives me all of the data I need, plus using the app RunGap, I can export the data into Suunto's Movescount which will give me activity VO2Max, EPOC, and times in the various heart rate zones. That's what I need to keep motivated.
If you're serious about your quest, and you absolutely NEED distance, there is also the Garmin Vivofit, and the newer watches designed for running, (Forerunner series) that are pretty light, and will connnect up with external sensors such as footpod, and heart straps.
Hope that helps, it will be interesting to see what you come up with.

 

[jav6454]

If you are serious about activity tracking for sporting events or getting an idea of your accurate performance in a sport, a consumer device like the Apple Watch is not for you. These devices give you a general semi-accurate ballpark what you are doing. They are great if you are living actively and want to know general details (distance traveled, GPS laid course, basic HeartRate features).

 

[rcarter3636]

If you are serious about activity tracking for sporting events or getting an idea of your accurate performance in a sport, a consumer device like the Apple Watch is not for you. These devices give you a general semi-accurate ballpark what you are doing. They are great if you are living actively and want to know general details (distance traveled, GPS laid course, basic HeartRate features).

This is true.
I had a Garmin Fenix 3 that was way too detailed. Not for me.
I wanted simple basic feedback.
I have also used Fitbit Charge 2.
Heart rate was only good when standing or sitting. The Fitbit app I did like very much and the sleep monitoring is probably best out of all of the wearables.
Big negative with Fitbit is no external heart rate monitor.

 

[TDHawks]

I appreciate all the feedback. Originally I was going to snag a Fitbit Charge 2. Then I begin to read how misleading their steps were, leading to false distances traveled, etc. That specific model seemed to keep coming up with negative reviews even though it is so highly rated among different websites. Weird

That's when I researched more and came down to AW and Vivoactive 3. I understand there will be error with everything and nothing is perfect, I am ok with that. I am just looking more or less as to which is more dependable more often than not. Maybe the answer is the original Fitbit, I don't know.

I am not going to GPS my training, I am on a court. I am not training for the US Open either. I do travel and compete, but not on that level. I do not need the advanced stats like what the Garmin could give me. It very cool and I am into that, but it's not a selling point to me.

With some of the apps that the AW has to download, I feel I can get a better fitness tracker than what the Vivoactive has to offer. Am I wrong?

 

[BarracksSi]

With some of the apps that the AW has to download, I feel I can get a better fitness tracker than what the Vivoactive has to offer. Am I wrong?

That’s the trick that the AW has over everyone else — its extensibility.

I started a thread a while back (in the watchOS 2 days, I think) asking how much more complicated the stock Workout app should become. Most of the discussion swung towards leaving the stock app as-is (which it mostly has) and letting third-party developers think of new and more specialized apps for different athletes’ preferences.

For tennis, yup, there are some apps specifically to use while playing and training. Doubt you could use anything like these on the Vivoactive.

 

[ftaok]

I appreciate all the feedback. Originally I was going to snag a Fitbit Charge 2. Then I begin to read how misleading their steps were, leading to false distances traveled, etc. That specific model seemed to keep coming up with negative reviews even though it is so highly rated among different websites. Weird

That's when I researched more and came down to AW and Vivoactive 3. I understand there will be error with everything and nothing is perfect, I am ok with that. I am just looking more or less as to which is more dependable more often than not. Maybe the answer is the original Fitbit, I don't know.

I am not going to GPS my training, I am on a court. I am not training for the US Open either. I do travel and compete, but not on that level. I do not need the advanced stats like what the Garmin could give me. It very cool and I am into that, but it's not a selling point to me.

With some of the apps that the AW has to download, I feel I can get a better fitness tracker than what the Vivoactive has to offer. Am I wrong?

I honestly think the AW is probably the best "general purpose" fitness tracker for iPhone users. It integrates so well with your iPhone and to a lesser extent, your Mac.

If you don't need GPS and want to save some money, you could get an S1 instead of the S3.

I think, for something like tennis, you're probably fine with just using the stock workout app to track calories burned. I guess there are other apps that could give more "accurate" calorie burn by using a more agressive MET factor than the "other workout" setting.

ASIDE - Nike used to have a special footpod that went into their basketball sneaker that would track distance and calories. Not sure if any tennis sneaker vendor has something like this. Maybe adidas.

The main thing is that if anyone is going to do a tennis workout app, it'll likely be done on the AW first.

 

[ajguckian]

Maybe a Whoop would be in the realm of what you are looking for. I don't have personal experience, as it's very much out of my comfort zone price-wise, but could fit what you need.