Fitness trackers are a must-have gadget for many exercisers.
They allow you to track your performance over a range of activities, including how far you have walked, run, cycled, or swum, how many steps you have done, your exercising and resting heart rate, and how many calories you’ve burned.
All those features are handy if you are a fan of cardio exercise, but what if your workouts are gym-based and involve strength training exercises?
The good news is that there are fitness trackers that you can use alongside your weight training workouts to keep track of and measure your performance.
In the old days, tracking strength training workouts involved using a pen and paper. While this method worked, it was pretty laborious. Invariably, you’d end up sweating all over your notebook, losing your pen, or just forgetting to write up your workout.
Nowadays, you can use a fitness tracker for weight lifting to record how many reps you’ve done, what exercises you performed, and your heart rate. Some can also be used to call up past workouts, and you may even be able to follow a built-in or customized plan.
It’s like having a personal trainer on your wrist. Needless to say, actual the actual functions available vary from product to product.
In this article, we review the 11 best fitness trackers for weightlifting, so you can get even more from your workouts.
Best Fitness Trackers for Weightlifting
Garmin is a well-known manufacturer of sports tech. The Instinct Solar is a rugged fitness watch that’s more than tough enough to withstand the most intense workout.
Waterproof, shockproof, and easy to use, this watch can track weight training workouts with ease, even detecting the number of reps you’ve done.
Pros:
- Very rugged and waterproof
- Available in five colors
- Solar battery charging
- Customizable screens
- 3-axis compass and GPS
- Heart rate strap compatible
- Lots of activity tracking modes, all of which are customizable
- Informative and easy read activity reports via Garmin Connect app
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Monochrome LCD screen
- Old-school design
- Cannot add new apps, e.g., Spotify
2. Fitbit Versa 2
Fitbit is one of the most well-known fitness tracker brands. This light, stylish watch can be used to track almost any type of workout, including strength training.
It’s loaded with handy features, such as an Alexa interface, MP3 interface, wrist heart rate monitor, sleep analysis, and all the other features you’d expect from a Fitbit activity tracker, including tracking strength training workouts.
Pros
- Large, easy to read touchscreen
- Colorful display
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Customizable display
- Interchangeable straps
Cons
- Screen glare can make it hard to see the display in bright sunshine
- No GPS function – only available when linked to a smartphone
- Touchscreen takes some getting used to
3. Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro
A lot of fitness trackers have large screens. While that makes them easy to use, they may not be ideal for smaller wrists, and a large watch could even interfere with your natural wrist movements.
The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro Smartwatch Fitness Band is much more compact but is still loaded with all the features you need to track your weightlifting workouts, including heart rate, calories, timer, and reps.
However, unlike many of the trackers on review, this product is certified water-resistant and not waterproof.
Pros
- Clear, easy to read display
- Easy to use
- Built-in heart rate monitor
- Low profile, slimline design
- Interchangeable watch strap
- Compatible with most fitness apps
- Built-in music player
- Also available with a larger screen
Cons
- Short battery life
- May need to use several different apps to use all the tracking features
- Some issues with the heart rate monitor accuracy
- Water-resistant and NOT 100% waterproof
4. Garmin Forerunner 935
The Garmin Forerunner 935 is one of the lightest fitness trackers around.
Its sleek design means it won’t look out of place in a more formal setting, and it’s packed with all the usual Garmin fitness tracker features, including multi-sport trackers, built-in heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, 24/7 calorie, and stress tracking, and, of course, an easy to use weightlifting tracker.
Pros
- Stylish, low-profile design
- Large, easy to read screen
- Multicolored display
- Heart rate chest strap compatible
- Very long battery life
- Loaded with multiple sports and activity tracking apps, and more can be added
- Interchangeable strap
- Compatible with most third-party fitness tracking app.
Cons
- Quite large – may not be suitable for smaller wrists
- Menus require some careful navigation
- Quite expensive
5. Apple Watch Series 5
The fifth incarnation of Apple’s famous smartwatch is loaded with useful features for fitness and health.
It’s like an iPad for your wrist, and you can add or remove apps as needed, including a range of activity trackers. If you want a fitness tracker that does it all and looks good, too, the Apple Watch Series 5 could be an excellent choice.
Pros
- Large, clear customizable display
- Most accurate heart rate wrist monitor on review
- Motion sensors to detect reps performed – no need to enter manually
- Built-in nutrition tracker
- Downloadable apps specifically for weightlifting
- Fully waterproof
- GPS
- Sleep tracker
- Can be used to track all types of activities
Cons
- Needs to be used with iPhone to access all features
- Not the best battery life
- Additional apps may come with an additional charge
6. Fitbit Inspire HR
Fitness trackers can be expensive, some costing as much as $1000. But, there are budget-friendly options available, like the Fitbit Inspire HR.
This well-priced product has some useful features and can track most types of workouts. It’s small, slim, and light and has 15 built-in activity tracking modes, inducing strength training.
Pros
- Well-priced
- Available in three colors
- Built-in heart rate monitor
- Activity and sleep tracking
- Heartrate strap compatible
- Waterproof
Cons
- Short battery life
- Display not very detailed
- No GPS function
7. Garmin vívomove HR
A lot of fitness trackers look just like any other sports watch – plasticky and rugged.
The Garmin vívomove HR is a hybrid watch with a real watch face and hands that also displays activity tracking information. If you want a more stylish activity tracker, this high-tech model could be the one you want.
Pros
- Large display
- All the usual Garmin features, including activity tracking, heart rate, calories, stress, and sleep
- Detailed fitness reports via Garmin Connect app
- Stylish, understated design
- Very long battery life
- Interchangeable strap
- Heart rate chest strap compatible
- Available in two sizes and four colors
Cons
- Small display screen area because of the watch hands
8. TicWatch Pro 4G LTE
Some fitness trackers need to be linked to a smartphone or tablet to use all the available functions.
However, the TicWatch Pro 4G LTE Cellular Smartwatch has full functionality even when used on its own. With its preloaded SIM and 4G connectivity, this is basically a phone for your wrist that also tracks your workouts!
Pros
- Large, easy to read, customizable display
- 6 built-in activity modes and sleep tracker
- Military-grade durability – a very tough watch
- Fully waterproof
- GPS
- Built-in speaker/microphone
- Google Assistant/Google Pay compatible
- Download additional apps from Google Play Store
- Heart rate chest strap compatible
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Some menus/functions are hard to navigate and access
9. Fitbit Charge 3
Fitbit trackers are slim and stylish, making them ideal for smaller wrists.
The Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker has all the features you’d expect from a Fitbit product, including GPS, heart rate tracking, and 15 built-in activity modes, including strength training and circuit workouts. This is a great tracker for gym-goers, and it’s well-priced too.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Easy to use
- Ideal for smaller wrists
- Customizable display screen
- Touchscreen controls
- Water-resistant
- Built-in heart rate monitor
- Sleep tracking
Cons
- GPS only works in conjunction with a smartphone
- Average battery life
- The display screen is not very detailed
10. Scosche Monitor Armband
This is an activity tracker that is NOT also a smartwatch. It’s ideal for anyone who wants a tracker to wear during workouts but then prefers to wear a regular watch the rest of the time.
It tracks your heart rate and is compatible with most exercise tracking apps via your phone or tablet.
Pros
- Very accurate heart rate monitoring
- Can be worn on the upper or lower arm
- Well-priced
- A viable alternative to a smartwatch fitness tracker
Cons
- No display screen
- No activity tracking modes
- Only really tracks your heart rate
- Not really suitable for all-day use
- Needs to be used with a smartphone
11. Fitbit Sense
This smartwatch from Fitbit is one of the most advanced products from this well-known health tech manufacturer.
Loaded with sensors, hence its name, this fitness tracker will help you get fitter and manage your stress and sleep levels, making it the ideal smartwatch for health-conscious users.
Pros
- Large easy to read customizable screen
- Tracks sleep and exercise
- Built-in GPS and heartrate monitors
- Preloaded exercise and activity apps, and more can be added
- Built-in music app
- Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
- ECG and skin temperature apps
- Waterproof
Cons
- Not the longest battery life
- Quite expensive
- Maybe too large for some wrists
Buyers Guide
Consider the following before buying your fitness tracker for weightlifting:
Price ranges
Fitness trackers are available from as little as $50 to $1000 or more. While the more expensive models usually have more features, a bigger price tag is not always better, as you might not need something so advanced.
Also, wearing a fitness tracker in the gym means it could be subject to a lot of wear and tear, and the last thing you want to do is damage a very expensive fitness tracker.
Choose a comfortable budget and then stick to it, and remember, there is no need to pay for a bunch of features that you don’t need.
Sizes
Fitness trackers come in a range of sizes, so you should be able to find one that fits your wrist.
Larger devices are easier to read but can also restrict your wrist movements. Some models are available in different sizes, so you can get the perfect fit. If you can, try before you buy to ensure you’re happy with how your smartwatch sits on your wrist.
Straps
Most fitness trackers are sold with at least one wrist strap, and most are interchangeable/replaceable.
That’s useful if your strap should break or you want to change the color to customize your watch. The best straps are flexible and adjustable, so you can get the perfect fit. Leather and fabric straps are not ideal because they soak up sweat.
Display
Some fitness watches have full-color LCD displays, while others have more basic, greyscale or monochrome displays. Some are quite basic, while others show lots of details.
The best display is the one you can read easily, and more detail is not always helpful. The best fitness trackers have customizable displays so you can arrange and change the data fields according to your preferences.
Gym activities you can track
Most fitness trackers have a range of activity modes, including walking, running, cycling, and swimming.
Some can track things like yoga workouts and, of course, weight training. Some watches have built-in tracking modes, while others can add activities via apps. Make sure your watch tracks the activities you expect to do.
Heart rate
More and more fitness trackers have built-in heart rate monitoring via a sensor on the back of the watch.
While not 100% accurate, they give a good indication of your heart rate during exercise and throughout the rest of your day. If you want the most accurate heart rate information, choose a watch with chest strap heart rate monitor compatibility.
GPS
Some watches can tell you where you are and track your course via GPS, which is short for Global Positioning System.
This is useful for activities like running, cycling, walking, and open water swimming but less useful for gym-based activities like weight training or running on a treadmill.
Some watches have built-in GPS, while others piggyback off your phone to track your position and only work when they are linked to your smartphone.
Battery and Charging
The last thing you want is for your fitness tracker to stop working mid-workout because the battery runs out of charge. As such, a long battery life and a clear battery display are very desirable.
Most fitness trackers should last several days between charges, but the more you use power-draining functions like GPS or activity tracking, the sooner your battery will need recharging.
More expensive fitness trackers tend to have longer battery lives. Most fitness trackers are charged via cable, although some offer cordless charging.
Bottom Line
Fitness trackers give you real-time feedback on how your workout is going. You can use one to monitor your progress and make sure you are training hard enough but not too hard.
It’s also useful to see how many calories you’ve burned, and that might help stop you from cheating on your diet when you see how long you’ll need to work out to burn off an unplanned treat!
While some have apps or modes specifically for weight training, others just track your heart rate. Most fitness trackers have multiple modes, so you can monitor your performance of a wide range of workouts and activities.
Fitness trackers used to be expensive, but that’s no longer the case. In fact, there are some great budget-friendly models now available.
Some are designed to look like sports watches, while others are much more stylish and would not look out of place worn with a suit or dress. If you want to know more about how your workout affects your body, a fitness tracker is all but essential.
Using one can also be very motivating, especially if you set yourself some goals, such as clocking up a certain amount of exercise per week or burning a set number of calories per day.
Use the fitness trackers in this article to make your workouts as productive as possible.
Patrick Dale is an ex-British Royal Marine and owner and lecturer for a fitness qualifications company. In addition to training prospective personal trainers, Patrick has also authored three fitness and exercise books, dozens of e-books, thousands of articles, and several fitness videos.
