The best fitness trackers of 2017 - Michelle Rogers Healthy Living Blog

Fitness trackers have come a long way from the first-generation model of four years ago, which was little more than a glorified pedometer.

In addition to features such as heart rate monitoring and GPS, many of today’s activity trackers also let you sync with other devices such as smart bathroom scales, and apps like MyFitnessPal.

They can even share data remotely with your personal trainer or doctor. Individuals who combine wearing a fitness tracker with guidance from a wellness coach tend to get better results and wear the tracker longer, according to a recent study.

How fitness trackers work

Trackers use sensors to monitor your movements, connecting and syncing wirelessly with your mobile device or computer to report data. They use an accelerometer to measure your steps and other movements. Additional sensors may include:

Heart rate monitor to track your pulse during exercise and throughout the day
Gyroscope to determine if you’re standing, sitting, reclining, etc.
GPS to track your location
Magnetometer to detect specific movements and determine what direction you’re moving in
Barometer to determine your altitude, which is used to calculate how many flights of stairs you climbed

How fitness trackers are rated

My round-up of the best trackers for 2017 includes only those that have heart rate monitoring, and are the highest rated by Consumer Reports and Amazon user ratings.

Consumer Reports evaluated trackers based on the following: Ease of use, ease of interaction, ease of pairing, heart rate monitor accuracy, step count accuracy, water resistance, readability in low and bright lighting conditions, and versatility. Amazon’s user ratings are provided by verified purchasers of the product.

A complete list of features is available by clicking on the photo or link of each product. Amazon affiliate links are included, for your convenience. They are divided into two price ranges, $150-$250 and under $150. Most come in different colors, and sizes small and large based on your wrist size.