Garmin recommendations

[Chester6]

Hi, I am heavily pregnant but would like to get a Garmin for once the baby arrives so I can get back into running, walking, the gym, monitoring my health levels and possibly sleep (although not essential). Nothing too hardcore or intense but something to motivate me and so I can enjoy tracking myself when exercising or simply getting steps with the pram. I'm looking into the Garmin Vivosport, Vivoactive, Vivosmart or a Forerunner 235. What would everyone recommend please? Thanks so much for your advice

I have the 245.

I use it as a daily activity tracker for my steps. Then the GPS for any runs/walks I do. Also use it to track yoga classes I go to. And also gym, home workouts as well. It's a fab all rounder and the battery life is great. Usually get a week out of it.

Don't forget though to get your steps while pushing the pram you'll need to get the knack of pushing one handed otherwise it won't pick them up.

Thanks very much. I hadn't realised it would only pick up the steps if I walk with the pram one handed. That's a shame but good to know.

Yerr if you arms stationary the accelerometer in it won't pick up steps. (Fitbit is the same) You could still record it via gps as a walk, it won't bring up steps but will still record as a workout and bring up calories burnt if your linking it to any apps like my fitness pal.

I have just got the vivoactive 4s and absolutely love it. The fact that I can listen to music and podcasts is great. The GPS is very accurate and it can even record my trail runs (when I'm allowed to do them again!).

I have the Vivoactive 4s as well, after a huge amount of research on different models/makes. It is brilliant, and I really like that it has gps built in for runs/walks as I don't usually take a phone, plus the Garmin coach feature has been a game changer for me.

I have the vivoactive 3 music. I love it but am not much of a runner so perhaps not the best to advise re functions for running.

I put mine in my pocket if I'm pushing buggy as then it registers steps better.

Doubtless more pricy, but if you get an Apple Watch and use the outside walk option in the activity app it will measure the actual distance you've walked as well as the 'steps' ie arm swings. (Similarly for running and cycling)

Oh, and of course the showstopper for many with the Apple Watch is that it only works in conjunction with an iPhone.

A 235 is both too much and too little watch for what you want - it doesn't have a built in HR and it has all kinds of running metrics and training stuff you're probably not going to use.

I bought my husband a vivosport, he's really into walking and wanted a GPS watch to track that plus sleep, HR etc and he gets on really well with it.

If you want to delve into some good reviews of fitness and activity trackers, check out DC Rainmaker, there's a really useful comparison chart for all kinds of features so you can pick out the best watch for you.

Thanks everyone for your advice x