Smartwatch features to keep you fit

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Which smartwatch features are good for swimming, hiking or just motivating us a bit more? 

What is a smartwatch  exactly? Think of it as a fitness tracker combined with some of the convenience of a smartphone, as long as you’ve got the right SIM and connections set up. Whether you’re smashing down protein shakes three times a day, or you just need to get out of your chair a bit more, a smartwatch is a great way to establish goals and keep you on track to a healthier lifestyle. 

The reason so many people love smartwatches is because many of them give you the freedom to leave your phone at home and exercise hands free, all while receiving notifications, sending texts, taking calls and streaming your favourite music. Oh, and you can read the time, of course. 

They pack a lot into that little screen on your wrist, and that’s exactly why they’re growing in popularity. 

How can a smartwatch help you achieve your health and fitness goals? 

Plenty of watches on the market track your heart rate  to measure your fitness. At a glance of your wrist, you can see how quickly you’ve improved or how close you are to achieving your goals (high five, you!).

With the right apps, some of them let you plan routines, track the distance you’ve run, count the calories you’re burning, monitor how long you’ve been sitting and how much you’re sleeping.

How you can use a smartwatch to achieve your fitness goals:

Routine planner

Plenty of watches come with different fitness routines to choose from. Select the routine that suits you, and your smartwatch will send you reminders, suggestions, and show you how much you’ve improved. 

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Water resistant

Some of the latest watches advertise that they’re water resistant, and if that’s the case, it makes it great for swimming (and showering too!).

Count swim strokes

Some smartwatches have settings specific for swimming. Simply switch it on to count your strokes, distance and speed.

GPS tracker

Some Smartwatches with GPS trackers can help you measure pace, distance and speed - perfect for distance running or cycling. They can notify you when you hit 1km and every kilometre after that. 

Breathe app

A breathe or a relaxation app is available for most smartwatches. It reminds you to take a moment, relax, focus and meditate during your busy day. It guides you through a deep breathing session every hour or five hours depending on your preferences.  

Always on 

If you’re hanging from a cliff face and can’t move your arm in a way that automatically lights the screen up, ‘always on’ is a good feature to have. Look out for it in new smartwatches. 

Track elevation

GPS trackers include tracking elevation. See how high you can climb!

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Long battery life

If you’re hiking in the wilderness for a couple of days you’ll need a watch with good battery life. Some popular brands can last up 3-5 days on a single charge. 

Detect falls with emergency calls

Another handy feature some smartwatches have is the ability to detect falls. They will usually nudge you with a vibration, and if there’s no response, they can automatically call for help.

Counting steps

With a smartwatch, you can see how many steps you’ve done, how many you need to reach your goal and if it’s time for you to get up and walk, even if it’s just to the kitchen.

Checkout the latest range of smartwatches and start smashing those fitness goals.