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Exercise

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Original poster

Whats better a Fitbit or Apple Watch

44 replies

eastereggs12 · 13/04/2023 15:13

Im very lucky I have been given some money for my birthday which I wanted to get either a fit bit or Apple Watch. I have £250 but don't know what's best.

I want to use it when doing classes and swimming and I do have an apple phone.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

OP posts:

sleepyscientist · 14/04/2023 21:54

I've just traded up from a series 3 to a series 8 Apple Watch. I think it depends how accurate you want it to be. I use mine mainly for motivation of closing my ring so if I can't be bothered to do something it helps. It also great with the peloton app and being able to skip music (air pods are rubbish for it) is also a bonus. My Fitbit was horrendous.

DivorcingEU · 14/04/2023 22:24

Another Garmin user here, with iPhone. But I wanted it for sport and not for paying, emails, sms etc. I really like it. Would get another when this fails, if it does! I also use MyNetDiary and it links up.

As for it looking cheap - I don't care, but don't think it looks like that. It definitely doesn't give off the impression that you're a slave to Apple products though 😉 - which in my case is a total decoy because I definitely am! 😂

Harrysmummy246 · 15/04/2023 10:17

NyanBinaryJohn · 14/04/2023 19:38

Another vote for Garmin. Vivoactive 4s. Mine's been going strong for almost 3 years. You can't read WhatsApp messages etc from an iPhone, but you do get notifications. For me it's a great activity watch, I prefer it over my old Fitbit. Plus I like that it looks like a round watch instead of a square face.

Can read WhatsApp on Garmin from android so it's the iPhone that's the issue not the Garmin

As for which model @eastereggs12 , depends on budget and what you want to use it for

Original poster

eastereggs12 · 18/04/2023 10:52

gloriousnamechangesgalore · 13/04/2023 21:26

Ive just got a Fitbit (using my Tesco points) - had it about 8wks.

I like it to a point, but I do a lot of driving and it counts that as steps/distance so my figures are all wrong. To mitigate it I can "add" driving as an exercise and enter the time spent driving and it should then reflect that adjust the figures IYSWIM.
But it's a bloody faff especially if doing lots of short journeys during the day.
I'm told the Garmin is better than either the Fitbit or Apple as an exercise tracker - I'm not sure I'd buy another Fitbit unless this was fixed

Just rereading this post before purchasing - how did you use your Tesco points ?

OP posts:

Parker231 · 18/04/2023 10:56

Good alternative from Amazon and fraction of the price of others but with same facilities

NotAnotherBathBomb · 18/04/2023 11:02

I have an iPhone, and for the simple fact that it pings my phone when I've misplaced it for the hundredth time, it's worth the money for me. I also like the usefulness of being able to preview messages as they arrive and I can decide if I need to reply right away or not

NyanBinaryJohn · 18/04/2023 11:03

Can read WhatsApp on Garmin from android so it's the iPhone that's the issue not the Garmin

Oh, I wasn't suggesting Garmin was the issue here at all! Just that you don't get the full smartwatch compatibility between Garmin and iPhone as for some people that could be a dealbreaker

Menopants · 18/04/2023 12:23

I get all notifications from my iPhone on my garmin.

gloriousnamechangesgalore · 18/04/2023 21:24

@eastereggs12 I turned my Tesco points into Fitbit reward vouchers, was worth x3 and think it still is.

Not a great selection to choose from but I haven't had one before and didn't really know what I wanted/needed. I ended picking the Inspire2 which isn't a new model I don't think but only cost me £6 delivered!

Soapyspuds · 18/04/2023 21:38

I want to use it when doing classes and swimming and I do have an apple phone

Define better. What exactly do you expect to get out of this watch?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 18/04/2023 21:40

NotAnotherBathBomb · 18/04/2023 11:02

I get both of those from my 3 year old Fitbit Versa Lite, though.

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 18/04/2023 21:49

Ds2 did all the research after not getting on with his Apple Watch and went for a Garmin. He loves it.
he’s really into his training and running etc and he wears his Garmin all day. He gets notifications from his iPhone on it as well.

Swimbikerunmummy · 18/04/2023 21:50

I’m a swimmer and picked up a Garmin 745 on Wiggle in the last few weeks on offer at around £250. It’s excellent.

ParkrunPlodder · 18/04/2023 23:27

Definitely garmin for me.

Roserunner · 19/04/2023 14:12

I've had fitbits in the past and the straps always break within a year and none have lasted more than 2 years.

I've had my a Garmin Vivoactive 4S for 3 years now and its still as good as new, battery is great and still on the original strap. Its way more accurate GPS and with steps. Its waterproof, can play music through it, read messages etc.

TrishTrix · 19/04/2023 14:14

I've got a garmin. Main reason for choice was the battery life. It usually lasts around a week unless I've been doing a lot of studio cycling or outdoor running which seems to kill the battery.

I had a fitbit on loan for a while and hated the notifications from my phone on it - so I haven't set them up on my new garmin - this would be a negative side of an apple watch for me!

I've got a forerunner 55 which is a fairly basic model and it does everything I want. It looks like a fitness watch though.

TheBugWife · 19/04/2023 14:24

I just traded my Fitbit Versa Light for an an Apple Watch Series 8.

I love it, I don't even need my phone with me anymore, I can call, text, pay all on my watch.

It is stingier with Calories burnt that my fitbit was but I would rather it underestimates than over estimate. I have no way of knowing which is more accurate but its about 100 calories difference on a workout.

I also prefer how it feels on my skin. The fitbit would sometimes irritate my arm and I found it uncomfortable to sleep in, i can forget I am wearing my apple watch.

The battery is atrocious though, I need to charge it daily, it doesn't take too long though.

buckleten · 19/04/2023 14:38

I love my fitbit - I have had it over three years and the battery life is fine still. It doesn't count driving as steps either. I love the app, and how I can see how well I slept, what my heart rate patterns are etc, and it can identify the type of exercise I do without me telling it!

evilharpy · 20/04/2023 19:37

I have a Garmin Venu. It's a few years old now but still does everything I want it to (including the ability to download Spotify playlists). I love it. I've had fitbits in the past but never liked any of them nearly as much as my Garmins.

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