The past few years have brought an explosion in fitness technology. Where we used to be limited to basic pedometers and then fitness trackers that were little more than glorified pedometers with a Bluetooth radio, today's fitness devices are tracking our movements in all dimensions, monitoring our vitals, and are even smart enough to dispense advice in real time.
Check out some of our favorites below and feel free to get filled in on some other amazing gadgets with our extensive 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
Android Wear
There are quite a few wearables out sporting Android Wear — Moto 360, LG Watch Urbane, Huawei Watch, and many more — that are all able to use Google Fit to track your activity without toting your smartphone with you. Whether you're going for a walk, run, or bike ride you can use your voice to tell your smartwatch the activity you're about to dive into for accurate tracking. Google Fit is also compatible with many 3rd party fitness trackers, but doesn't offer automatic syncing just yet. If you're not into the idea of wearing a dedicated fitness tracker, Android Wear on your favorite smartwatch grants easy access to your fitness goals, personal records, and more details using Google Fit while also offering a fully-functional smartwatch.
If the primary goal of your Android Wear watch purchase is fitness, you may also want to consider the extra software that some manufacturers offer on their smartwatches. Motorola, Sony and LG specifically go above and beyond (in addition to) what Google Fit offers, with Moto Body, Sony Lifelog and LG Heath, respectively, adding extra fitness tracking features to their watches. Look into which one offers the best features for your type of activities — it may be worth choosing one specifically for what it offers your workout routine.
Samsung Gear S2
Unlike the original Galaxy Gear, the newer Gear S2 doesn't require a Samsung device to use — though you will need a phone with Android 4.4 or higher that has at least 1.5 gigabytes of RAM. This smartwatch is powered by Tizen, and features a 1.2-inch circular display with a 360x360 resolution. Its rotatable bezel makes navigating through apps easier than ever and it comes loaded with S Health to track things like calorie, water, and caffeine intake and utilizes the watch's accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, and heart rate monitor to track your activity.
From $249 at Amazon $250 at Best Buy
Fitbit Charge HR
An excellent fitness tracker that works with iOS, Android, and Windows is the Fitbit Charge HR. This high performance wristband rocks an OLED display for all your activity tracking, whether it be steps taken, overall distance, floors climbed, or sleep quality. Along with caller ID, you can sync up the Fitbit Charge HR to your computer to sync your stats and monitor your goals, food, trends, and achievements. It's a truly a universal option for kicking off a new healthy lifestyle after the new year.
Jawbone UP MOVE
A simpler way to track your steps, calories burned, and quality of sleep is Jawbone's UP MOVE wearable. Great for going head-to-head with your friends and family using the iOS and Android-compatible Jawbone UP app, you can check out your standing on team leader boards or even stay on top of what you're eating and drinking. You can use the included clip for attaching to your shirt, bag, or pocket throughout the day or opt for the Onyx Slim Strap to wear it on your wrist like a watch. For under $30 it's a great way to get healthy without breaking the bank.
Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless Headphones
Still after that perfect pair of headphones that won't slip out of your ears during your workouts? The Jaybird X2 Headphones are a great place to start, providing up to 8 hours of skip-free music over a Bluetooth connection. Not only are these sweat proof, they sport memory foam ear tips that are designed to stay in place whether you're running, walking, or lifting. There are a plenty of different sized earbuds and ear pins in the package in case you're worry it's a one size fits all kind of deal.
Smart Rope
Even jump ropes have become advanced and Tangram's Smart Rope is a unique way to stay active while being able to monitor your activity, stay on top of personal goals, or even compete against your friends. Available in black, chrome, or gold the Smart Rope uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect and provides approximately 30 days of use from a single charge. 23 LEDs have been embedded into the rope to display your progress as you workout and having 2 sets of ball bearings in each handle grants amazingly smooth rotations. The Smart Gym app is where you'll keep track of everything from basic counts and awards to interval training and leaderboards. Soft handle covers are also available in a variety of colors for additional grip.
$90 from Tangram Factory{.cta.shop}
Download: Tangram Smart Gym app (Free)
Microsoft Band 2
The new Microsoft Band 2 has been designed to be more comfortable and user friendly than the original. You can track your heart rate, exercise, calorie burn, and sleep quality while still staying on top of emails, texts, and calendar alerts on its horizontal display. It's not native to just one OS, either. The Microsoft Band 2 works with Windows Phones, iOS, and Android devices. Other features include GPS mapping, UV monitor, and a barometer to help monitor your activities more accurately and reach your goals.
$200 at Amazon $250 at Best Buy $250 from Microsoft Store
Moov Now
Great for staying motivated during your workouts the Moov Now wearable not only uses a Omni Motion sensor to track your motion in 3D, but also monitors your tendencies and advises you on how to get the most from your workouts. Featuring real-time audio coaching with the Moov Personal Coach and Tracker app, this fitness tracker helps push you further to achieve your goals and is built to hold up to the elements with its waterproof design. Its impressive 6-month battery life makes it a great companion for daily workouts and the band itself is extremely comfortable, whether you wear it on your wrist or ankle.
