How to Choose a Fitness Monitor

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Want more efficient workouts? Fitness monitors are engineered to accomplish that goal. Far from being mere toys for the tech-obsessed, fitness monitors can help anyone get more out of exercise. Basic models simply track your distance or speed; advanced models can link detailed information to your computer for tracking and analysis.

Which monitor is right for you? Here's a general overview, but be aware that some of the technologies and category names may overlap or get used interchangeably.

Compare fitness monitor features (PDF 140KB)

Chronograph Watches

You may already own one. Chronograph watches can be as simple as a digital watch with a chronograph timer (a stopwatch). They are ruggedly built and offer some degree of water resistance. You may find them online described as "training watches" or "multifunction watches."

Best for: Running, walking, swimming and everyday use.

Basic models: These typically provide the time, a lap or split capability, alarm and perhaps a countdown timer. Straps are polyurethane, resin or stainless steel.

Advanced models: Pay a little more and you usually get additional lap-counting and lap-split capabilities and a countdown timer. Note: The next product level above chronograph watches includes sophisticated wrist units that are really miniature computers with an abundance of features. They are classified as Heart Rate Monitors, Speed & Distance Monitors or Altimeter Watches (sometimes also known as ABCs—altimeter-barometer-compass watches).

Pros: These low-cost watches make it simple to time your workout and count laps. They're small and practical for everyday wear.

Cons: They offer limited training benefit. You can't track distance, speed or heart rate.

Shop REI's selection of chronograph watches.

Pedometers

A pedometer counts your steps or motion and calculates it to miles (i.e., number of steps x step length = miles). It can be used to track a workout or tally the distance you walk during a day.

Best for: Walking and running.

Basic models: These pendulum-style units are designed to clip to your waistband or belt. Manufacturers often suggest positioning them near the top of your hip bone. Many have clocks. They count steps, calculate distance (based on steps taken) and estimate calories burned.

Advanced models: They may be basic belt-clip models or configured like a wristwatch with a clock, timers and stopwatch, plus a sensor, foot pod or GPS to more accurately detect and calculate speed. Some use an accelerometer (defined below) that can be carried in your hand or pocket. Some can download workout data to a computer.

Note: An accelerometer is an electromechanical device that measures acceleration. It is used in products ranging from cameras to washing machines. In pedometers (and other fitness monitors), accelerometers are considered are the most accurate and reliable step-counting mechanism available. Their downside: They may shorten a device's battery life.

Pros: Basic models are inexpensive and, if properly calibrated, sufficiently accurate for many users. Sophisticated pedometers enhance accuracy and provide considerable data.

Cons: Basic models provide only estimates because your step/stride will not be exactly the same each time. High-tech pedometers can be much more expensive.

Shop REI's selection of pedometers.

Heart Rate Monitors

A heart rate monitor (HRM) measures a person's heart rate in real time. This information can be used to maintain your optimum training level during exercise. Most models include training-watch features as well.

There are 2 types of HRMs:

• A wireless chest-strap version that transmits signals to a wristwatch receiver. This is the most instantaneous and data-rich choice. It's also the most popular.
• A fingertip sensor has no straps to wear and looks like a wristwatch. You just press 1 or 2 buttons to view your heart rate. This is a more comfortable option, but offers less data, less convenience (you must press and hold to get a readout) and is a little less accurate than a sensor that touches your chest.

Best for: Running, cycling, gym workouts and walking.

Basic models: They can be either fingertip or wireless models. They deliver a limited amount of information such as average, high and low heart rates reached during your workout. Basic speed and distance data may not be an option.

Advanced models: They provide more sophisticated data. In addition to heart-rate information, most provide post-workout feedback that tracks your performance versus your goals. Wireless, coded chest-straps allow gym workouts to avoid interference from other people's wireless monitors. Some have optional foot pods that can be strapped to a bicycle or treadmill to give you speed, distance and cadence. Some interface with a home computer for tracking and analyzing workouts.

High-end models: They combine heart rate monitors with speed-and-distance-monitor features. See our Speed and Distance Monitors discussion below.

Pros: A wireless chest-strap version gives you constant on-the-go information for maximum workout efficiency. Fingertip models are nice because they don't require you to wear a chest strap.

Cons: Not everyone likes wearing a chest strap. With fingertip models, you have to stop in order to take a reading and the readings are less accurate.

Shop REI's selection of heart rate monitors.

Speed and Distance Monitors

These units measure how far and how fast you've trained during your workout, and they often (but not always) include a heart-rate monitor. They also provide training-watch features and most allow data to be downloaded to your computer. Specific models are aimed at runners or cyclists.

There are 2 types of speed and distance monitors (SDMs):

• A GPS-driven version (typified by Garmin's Forerunner series) provides accurate speed and distance information in a highly convenient, one-piece wristwatch unit.
• An accelerometer version uses a sensor, foot pod or bike hub to send the data to your wrist monitor. This is nearly as accurate as GPS-based models and usually less expensive. Some advanced accelerometer models include heart rate monitors and other features.

Best for: Running, cycling and walking.

Basic models: These use an accelerometer (a sensor, foot pod or bike hub) to wirelessly send the data to your wrist monitor. These calculate your speed and distance with many models including a basic heart-rate monitor, too.

Advanced models: These are dominated by the popular Garmin Forerunner series. They use GPS technology to determine speed and distance information and store it right in the wristwatch data center. Some GPS-driven SDMs can be outfitted with an optional foot pod to keep you operational in areas where no satellite reception exists.

Pros: GPS-based units are the most accurate and offer 1-piece comfort and convenience with no stride calibration required. Accelerometer-based units are also quite accurate, much less expensive and are the only SDMs to work indoors.

Cons: GPS-based units are expensive and might not work in some areas—canyons, dense forests, indoor gyms, amid tall buildings—so you may want a compatible foot pod. Not all are compatible with Macs. Accelerometer models are less accurate, less convenient and require you to calibrate your stride.

Shop REI's selection of Speed and Distance Monitors.

Fitness Assessment Monitors

As part of your exercise regimen, you may want to track your weight, body fat, blood pressure and/or oxygen saturation levels. These specialized monitors help you easily obtain that information.

Fat Loss Monitor with Scale: It's a scale with extras. In addition to measuring your weight, it measures your body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI).

Body Composition Monitor with Scale: This monitor has a handgrip and foot electrodes to provide information on both your upper and lower body. Using your height and age, it measures body fat percentage, BMI, skeletal muscle, visceral fat, resting metabolism and, of course, your weight.

Fat Loss Monitor: A hand-held monitor measures your body fat percentage and BMI.

Blood Pressure Monitor: This measures your blood pressure, takes your pulse and checks for irregular heartbeats. You can download the info to your PC computer for tracking.

Oximeter: This is most often a tool of high-altitude mountaineers but can also be used by hikers, skiers, bikers or anyone interested in measuring their oxygen saturation and pulse rate. Why? Oxygen saturation (levels) decrease at higher altitudes. Less oxygen in the air means less oxygen reaches your body tissues. This makes physical activity more difficult and increases your susceptibility to altitude sickness. An oximeter measures your blood's oxygen saturation level and helps alert you to the onset of altitude sickness. It fits on your finger, and it shows the percentage of oxygen saturation, pulse and pulse quality. Anyone who needs an oximeter for a medical condition should first consult his or her physician.

Shop REI's selection of fitness assessment monitors.

Altimeter Watches

While not truly fitness monitors, these "wrist altimeters" offer electronic functions popular with hikers and climbers headed to the high country. They include the functions of a basic chronographic watch—time, stopwatch, water resistance and alarm—plus an altimeter, barometer and, sometimes, a compass and ascent/descent data.

Best for: Hiking, climbing and skiing.

Basic models: They usually include a barometer and thermometer. Barometric pressure readings are used to estimate your elevation.

Advanced models: More sophisticated altimeter watches include a compass (as mentioned, they're sometimes called "ABC" watches because they feature an altimeter, barometer and compass) and ascent/descent information. Many also offer an altimeter/barometer "lock" to help you recognize weather changes vs. elevation change, which is a nice feature for overnight backpacking.

Pros: Properly calibrated, these work well to tell you how much elevation you are gaining or losing. The barometer also provides basic weather forecasting.

Cons: All are based on barometric pressure readings and thus provide estimates only. Altimeters must be regularly recalibrated at known elevations to optimize accuracy. There is a learning curve to master their use. They provide little or no training data.

Shop REI's selection of Altimeter Watches.

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