Which fitness tracker? Help please!

[NorthernPowermouse]

I’m asking DP for a fitness tracker for Christmas but have no idea which one to get. I’ve read various reviews but none seem to give the information I want! I want GPS for cycling but also to know how much good my Pilates, hiit and kettlebell classes are doing me. I want a decent battery life. Not fussed about music/messages syncing from my phone.

One thing I don’t understand is whether they’re constantly tracking or whether you have to start them off for a ride etc as on Strava - I thought they’d be on all the time but a lot of the reviews mention having to start them. I don’t class the school run as a workout but I’m interested to know how much good it’s doing me! And just general movement.

Also (sorry), do the apps allow you to input food eaten or can I sync it to MyFitnessPal or similar?

I don’t want to spend an absolute fortune as I’ve also asked for some other bits .

If anyone has any tips or advice I would be most grateful. TIA.

Just bumping it up for you OP, I have no idea but very interested as I'm also thinking of asking for it for Christmas! x

I've got a fitbit sense and I think it does everything you're looking for. It will auto-detect activities sometimes, eg. a brisk walk for 20 mins but not a shorter walk or if you're walking the speed of small children. I went ice skating last week and it decided I had spent 45 mins on an elliptical trainer!

I haven't used it with MFP, but DD did with hers and I think it sync'ed okay.

Check out the Garmin ones. I have a Viviactive which I love but I have to use it paired to my phone to have my route GPS tracked. Some of the more expensive models have GPS built in though.

Mine auto starts activity (such as when I’m out on the school run) after 10 mins but you can manually start too.

If you get one with built-in GPS then you need to set the activity off on your watch and then when you save it at the end of the activity it uploads to a phone app via bluetooth and you can sync that to your strava account. Most will constantly track heart rate and steps while you're wearing them. Some of the cheaper watches you need to the use the GPS off your phone so they're less convenient.

I'd look at the Garmins, I have a forerunner 245 which does everything on your list.

Thank you. I have offered this advice to DP so let’s see what turns up!