Ever since I heard about the concept of fitness trackers, I have only thought of wearing them on the wrist as a wristband. One day while jogging in a park nearby my home, I saw a person wearing some weird stuff on his ankle.
At first, I thought he might be suffering from an injury, and perhaps that’s why he was wearing a cushioning thing. But as that person approached me, I noticed a blinking LED light on that band. And there I went enquiring about that gadget from its owner.
It was my first encounter with an ankle fitness tracker, and since that day, these fitness bands haven’t left me. Being a fitness freak, I have always looked for ways to uplift my fitness journey, and as I learned more about fitness trackers to wear on the ankle, I discovered some immense benefits they have.
According to research, fitness trackers encourage you in your fitness journey and help reduce weight, and have added benefits for combating diabetes type 2 disease. I have always loved Fitbit and Garmin products, so I never dared to look elsewhere.
So, if you find only the ankle activity tracker from these two brands, you will know why there is no other brand on the list.
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Fitbit Flex 2 Navy Strong Fitness Tracker
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The Fitbit Flex 2 Navy Strong Fitness Tracker has improved significantly compared to its predecessors. This time the manufacturers made sure to work on the look of this band, so it doesn’t appear cheap and has much more to offer than a rubber.
It is the brand’s first utterly waterproof fitness tracker and can assist you in multiple activities ranging from swimming, biking, hiking, jogging, and whatnot.
Let’s Talk Features!
The Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker is nothing more than a tiny rectangular band that weighs not more than 0.3 ounces. Surprisingly when I tried to weigh the tracker, it didn’t flip the readings even a bit, making it super easy to wear.
You get multiple options to decide from when it’s about the Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker. You get both small (5.5 to 6.5 inches) to extensive (6.7 to 8.1 inches) band sizes and a wide range of colors, including gray, navy, blue, magenta, pink, yellow, and black, in this gadget.
To ensure the band doesn’t fall off your ankle, it features prongs for securing itself properly. Don’t worry; they are made of high-quality materials and won’t lose quickly.
On the Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker, you get five different LED lights to inform you of your progress. The tracker is set at 10,000 steps as the goal, which can be changed easily.
These LED lights also blink whenever you receive a call or message. To ensure that the LED lights don’t take up too much space on the tracker, they are placed vertically instead of horizontally.
When the Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker battery is ultimately charged, it can easily last five days, so you can easily monitor your step counts throughout the day.
Being fully waterproof, the tracker can even be used to around 150 feet under the water and has an automatic setting for tracking the swimming statistics such as laps, pace, duration, and whatnot.
As I mentioned earlier, fitness trackers encourage you to work out even more, and the Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker does that through its idle alerts. If you have been active for a long time, the tracker will vibrate, giving off a magenta light and asking you to complete at least 250 steps.
Traits of the Tracker
- The tracker is waterproof
- It features LED lights to showcase your progress
- You can connect the tracker with your watch via Bluetooth
- Being lightweight, it can easily be worn for long hours
Liabilities of the Tracker
- The tracker lacks a display
- It doesn’t come with the option of manual tracking
Talking about the overall rating of the Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker, it stands on a solid 4.0 out of 5.
Most users are seen saying good things about the lightweight and comfort of the tracker, and some even added that they often seem to forget that they have something on their ankles.
The accurate step tracking, waterproof feature, interchangeable band, and other accessories are some other features of the Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker that got it so much fane. Though some users complained about the absence of a display, most of them just had positive things to say.
Considering the lower end of the market, the Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker has some great things going on. With its simple and sleek design, accurate tracking features, and waterproof feature, I must say that Fitbit has managed to steal the show with this fitness tracker.
Fitbit Alta HR Ankle Fitness Tracker
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If you want a fitness tracker with almost all the features you usually get a smartwatch for, the Fitbit Alta HR Ankle Fitness Tracker needs to be your pick.
Frankly, wearing a fitness band on the wrist gets tiring sometimes, and to breathe a sigh of relief, you can seek shelter under the head of the ankle wearable fitness tracker.
This tracker tries to fill the gap between affordable and high-end trackers by using fitness features like heart rate monitoring and sleeping trackers.
Let’s Talk Features!
Unlike most fitness trackers coming with prongs for securing the band together, with the Alta HR Tracker, Fitbit went for a more traditional approach and introduced a more robust and better buckle.
One unique feature of the Alta HR Tracker you will rarely see in other mini trackers in the market is the presence of heart rate sensors towards its bottom. As you flip the tracker, you will find a small sensor that accurately measures the lub-dub sound.
It comes with a Fitbit app for customization of the screens, apps, and different trackers on the Alta HR Tracker. You can download the application on Android and iOS devices and change the display as you like.
Sleep tracking is another valuable addition to Fitbit’s affordable tracker range. In addition to measuring the duration of your sleep, it also pays to heed the quality of sleep.
Sleep insights and sleep stages are the two stages on which your sleep cycle is judged. Four sleep types include Awake, Light, REM, and Deep.
The Alta HR Tracker features a week-long battery life. This claim by the company is personally tried and tested by me.
I charged the tracker to 100% battery, and with all the technical features like heart rate sensors, sleep tracking, and step count enabled, the watch reached 35% of battery by the fifth day.
On the Alta HR Tracker, you are provided with graphic representations of your 30-day progress average on the app. The connected app also provides suggestions you can incorporate into your daily life for better results.
Traits of the Tracker
- It features an accurate heart rate monitor
- You can track and improve your sleep cycle with this tracker
- Its bands and all other accessories are interchangeable
- The tracker features a week-long battery life
Liabilities of the Tracker
- The touch screen can be finicky at times
- The buckle is not the most comfortable support
Most customers were surprised to find the heart rate sensor in the tracker as they could not think of such advanced features at this price.
The sleep tracker, insights, and suggestions were also loved by most of the users. Reportedly, due to this feature, multiple users overcame insomnia.
One thing that did disappoint some users taking its final rating at 4.0 out of 5, is the OLED display which is insensitive to touch. Some customers complained about tapping the screen multiple times for the desired response.
With the Fitbit Alta HR Ankle Fitness Tracker, Fitbit has introduced one of its most valuable and feature-rich fitness trackers with long battery life and accurate readings.
It’s seamless linking with the Fitbit app is another thing you will enjoy the most. And the tracker is priced at $150, making it even more likable.
On the contrary, if you want your fitness tracker to be more sensitive toward touch so you can easily change the screens single-handedly even while you are off on a walk, the Fitbit Flex 2 Tracker won’t impress you.
Garmin Foot Pod Fitness Tracker
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The Garmin Foot Pod Fitness Tracker is a mini specialized accessory especially built to keep the interests of fitness enthusiasts and athletes.
Though the ankle bands I talked about earlier are super compact and not heavy in measuring your step count, the Garmin Foot Pod is a much tinier version.
If you want a tool that can accurately track your indoor training data and survive a long time without a charger, the Garmin Foot Pod Fitness Tracker is the right tool.
Let’s Talk Features!
As the Garmin foot pod is used in coordination with your GPS watches, its overall interface, functionality, and working depend on the watch you are using it with. Some of these pods are easier to use than others.
This is the most portable of all the tools and trackers I have listed before or will list ahead. Coming with two straps at the back, the pod can easily hang on the user’s lase and remain secure no matter how fiercely you run.
Most users worry about its life span because of the compact size and build quality of the Garmin Foot Pod Fitness Tracker. But as the company claims, the tracker will last you numerous years with its battery working fine without wear and tear.
The Garmin Foot Pod is majorly a step counter coming in two pieces. One part is the main body with an accelerometer, and the other is the plastic body. They will not fall off if you use them in snow, sand, or water.
The maintenance costs of the fitness tracker are pretty negligible. To keep the foot pod working over multiple years, you must replace its battery once a year. When the year ends, flip the pod, take out its battery and insert another one retailing at $3 only.
Connecting the foot pod to your Garmin GPS watch is too hassle-free. You get a built-in power button on the pod, which puts it in pairing mode once pressed and held. As each pod features its unique Id, you won’t struggle in establishing the connection between the two devices.
Traits of the Tracker
- The pod can quickly determine and identify your bad running form
- It is straightforward to use
- The foot pod can be carried around everywhere
- Its battery doesn’t need to be charged
Liabilities of the Tracker
- The foot pod is too expensive
- You can’t use it without a smartwatch
One thing about the Garmin Foot Pod Fitness Tracker that received the most customer appraisal is that the pod is small but carries a world.
The pod’s design received a 3.75, ease of use a 3.9, and portability a solid 5.0 out of 5.0. The only ground it was depreciated was relying on a smartwatch.
If you hate carrying a band everywhere and want a mini product like a foot pod that can be kept in your wallet when not used, the Garmin Foot Pod Fitness Tracker is the right pick.
Despite being small and compact, the foot pod is too accurate and tracks all the moments you make from steps to paces and other physical activities. It’s best for users who are into GPS watches.
The only disadvantage of the Garmin Foot Pod Fitness Tracker is that it can’t work on its own and needs a Garmin GPS watch to function, increasing the cost for you.
Fitbit Charge 3 Pro Fitness Tracker
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The most challenging part of smart gadgets, especially fitness trackers, is to strike a balance between features and price.
This is made possible with the release of the Fitbit Charge 3 Pro Fitness Tracker. If you are after a much sleeker and improved tracker in terms of display weight and other technical features, this tracker will match your vibe the most.
Let’s Talk Features!
This tracker offers a wide range of fitness-tracking features, heart sensors, and sleep-tracking monitors. You get all the heavy and high-end trackers in a lightweight body with a bigger and better display.
One major upgrade in the Charge 3 Pro version is its display which is 40% larger and better than the Charge 2 version and has a much smoother interface.
Though the Charge 3 tracker works efficiently in tracking all your data on the Fitbit, even if your tracker is not connected to the mobile app, it ensures to record the last 30- or 7-day average progress score.
The three-axis accelerometers on the tracker keep a record of your walking and help you in your journey of achieving the 10,000 steps per day goal.
Around 15 exercises, including running, walking, swimming, weightlifting, biking, and many others, are tracked efficiently on the Charge 3 tracker. Once you begin an activity, the stats will display on the tracker’s screen.
The tracker’s aerospace-grade aluminum stainless steel body makes it durable and prone to damage. When you have something on your ankle, it’s likely to get ruined because of the sweat streams, but with the Charge 3 tracker, it’s not something you need to worry about.
Unlike most of the trackers and fitness devices produced by Fitbit previously, this tracker responds promptly to a tap. You don’t have to keep pressing the screen roughly to get the desired response.
Female health tracking features allow women to check their physical health by tracking their period, menstrual cycle trends, and symptoms of any abnormality, making it much more than a traditional tracker.
Traits of the Tracker
- The tracker comes with a larger display screen
- It’s pretty compact and lightweight
- You can track your swimming progress quickly on the tracker
- The tracker is almost prone to damage
Liabilities of the Tracker
- No in-built GPS
- Not completely compatible with iOS
Before searching the web to know what the customers have to say about the Fitbit Charge 3 Pro Fitness Tracker, I made a few of my friends get this tracker to get a better impression.
I still can’t forget the words of one of my gym freak friends, “You have no idea how much easier you have made my life with this gadget.” The sense of gratitude he was feeling towards me was extraordinary.
Though the Fitbit Charge 3 Pro Fitness Tracker lies at a 4.2 rating out of 5, as some customers had concerns about the GPS support and proprietary charger it comes with, it still managed to impress a broader user base overall.
The Fitbit Charge 3 Pro Fitness Tracker is a reliable option that provides detailed and in-depth insight into your health metrics.
When I was starting, aspiring to become a gym rat, the tracker helped me in my journey by providing insights into my workout routines. Extensive battery life helped me as I was careless with my gadgets back then.
Though the tracker doesn’t have an inbuilt GPS, it is still possible to pair it with your phone and use the GPS feature of the mobile phone on the tracker’s screen if you want a lighter version that mainly tracks heart rate and counting your steps, the Garmin Foot Pod Fitness Tracker.
Those on a tight budget not wanting to let go of basic fitness tracking features can, however, get their hands on the Fitbit Flex 2 Navy Strong Fitness Tracker.
Similarly, the Fitbit Alta HR Ankle Fitness Tracker lies at the borderline of high-end and affordable options.
Getting Hands on the Best Fitness Tracker for Ankle
For you to feel proud of your choice of a fitness tracker in the future, it’s better to look at these factors before getting one for yourself.
Display Size
The first thing to pay heed to when getting a fitness tracker is its screen size. Usually, the fitness tracker to wear on the ankle comes in small sizes and doesn’t have a larger screen size either.
But even if you go for a more miniature tracker, it’s best not to go below 1” of screen size. Otherwise, you might find it hard to read the stats on the screen.
Battery Specifications
To save yourself from the struggle of having to charge the tracker’s battery every day, which only has side effects, it’s best to go for a tracker with extensive battery life.
I am not telling you only to choose the trackers that feature a week-long battery life. But at least a three to four days battery span is something you should aim for.
Connectivity
If you want to manage your tracker efficiently, make all the customizations on it as per your liking, and have a better insight into your daily activities, it’s recommended to choose a tracker that can easily be connected to your watch.
The ideal case scenario would be going for one that’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
FAQs
Should you wear your Fitbit on your ankle?
Yes, you can comfortably wear your Fitbit on your ankle as it offers many extra features. Wearing the band on your ankle will ensure you get accurate readings and step count even when your arms aren’t moving.
Does Fitbit work around the ankle?
Yes, just like your wrist, Fitbit can accurately measure your heartbeat, breathing rate, blood pressure, and all other features using different sensors. Also, the ankle bands are more adjustable and have viable options to choose from
How to wear Fitbit around the ankle?
The Fitbit bands have prongs that can secure the strap quickly around your ankle, and some of them also come with buckles for a secure grip.
What Else Do I Have To Add?
The best thing about fitness trackers is that you don’t have to worry too much about their maintenance after getting your hands on them. But for this, a lot of extra care goes into buying the right tracker for you. You can seek help from the buying guide in this article to make a good choice.
The Fitbit Charge 3 Pro Fitness Tracker is one of the safest options if you are starting. The user-friendly interface of the tracker, its wide range of fitness trackers and sensors, and its huge customization margin allow you to adjust the band at your convenience.
You can also do some research on your own and get the ankle fitness tracker that suits your needs the best. Grab one before it’s too late.
