Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Is Crossfit?
Simply put, Crossfit is a training program that takes and mixes all of the best elements from various fitness branches – weightlifting, callisthenics, aerobics, etc. This is done in an attempt to create a universal philosophy that’s going to be suitable for everyone and bring the largest health benefits.
There’s been a lot of controversy about its efficacy, with the people either deeply supporting it or deeply discouraging it.
However, there’s no doubt that Crossfit’s popularity is on the rise and with it some pretty useful gadgets – more specifically, smartwatches.
How Can Smartwatches Benefit Crossfitters?
– Progress Tracking
Nowadays, you don’t have to spend a fortune in order to get a practical, highly performing gadget. Most of the smartwatches on the market come with a plethora of useful features that bring a lot of insight into your health – heart rate sensors, sleep trackers, ECG apps, and many others.
– Portable/Convenient
Although you likely have almost all of the functionality on your smartphone, it can be very tedious to carry it around – especially when you’re doing a fast-paced exercise.
A smartwatch is strapped safely to your wrist, and with most of them being around 30-40 grams, you won’t even feel the added weight which is even suitable for small wrists.
Apple Watch & Crossfit – A Good Combination?
Even though it wasn’t primarily made for sports, the Apple Watch has enough essential features to make it effective even for Crossfit. The sapphire crystal display is quite resistant to impacts, there’s a dedicated ECG app as well as blood oxygen measurements and other notifications related to your heart rate.
– Does Sweat Affect Apple Watch?
Since it has a 50m water resistance rating, the Apple Watch can safely be used for shallow-water activities such as swimming. Similarly, this means that you won’t have to worry about any water damage caused by sweating.
Read Garmin Watches for An Outdoorsman.
Are Crossfit and Cross-Training The Same?
While Crossfit is a standalone workout discipline, cross-training refers to athletes partaking in a training session of a sport other than their own. For example, triathletes often take up mountain biking to improve their performance since the rocky terrain makes for a very effective lower body workout.
Despite the fact that they’re not the same, there’s a similarity in that they both take advantage of multiple training techniques in order to improve an individual’s overall performance.
Read Garmin or Apple Watch for CrossFit.
Choosing a Good Crossfit Watch
1. Features
If all that your smartwatch can do is show you the time, there’s no point in wearing it during training. If you’ve already decided to invest money, make sure that there’s a built-in heart rate tracker and a workout planner app at the very least.
2. Battery
It can get very tiresome if you have to charge the watch frequently. Ideally, the battery should last for three or more days under heavy load (trackers turned on with audion in the background).
3. Durability
Crossfit workouts can get pretty hefty, and your device will have to sustain constant shaking and occasional drops/impacts. Most of the high-quality watches are built out of durable yet lightweight metals, so make sure to check the composition section before purchasing.
6 Best Crossfit Watches
Fossil Gen 5
- Smartwatches powered with Wear OS by Google work with iPhone and Android Phones. Case size: 44mm; Band size: 22mm; interchangeable with all Fossil 22mm bands
- Battery: 24 Hr plus multi day extended mode Varies based on usage and after updates install. USB cable with magnetic charger snaps to rings on watch caseback...
- Health and fitness: Heart Rate and Activity Tracking using Google Fit; Built-in GPS for distance tracking; Swimproof design 3ATM; New wellness enhancements...
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re a fan of Android, the Fossil Gen 5 is able to replicate the complete experience.
Unlike most of the other watches out there, it comes with Wear OS – a Google smartwatch operating system. It works with all modern smartphones on the market, and you’re able to download any apps that you want directly from Google Play.
Gen 5 has all the features that you could expect from a Crossfit smartwatch. The built-in workout sensor recognizes when you’re on the move and it’s able to differentiate between walking, running, biking and any form of an active lifestyle in order to present you with the corresponding workout plans.
Through the integration of Google Fit, you’ll be able to efficiently track your progress no matter where you are. Its three smart battery modes will provide enough juice to last for a couple of days.
Pros
+ Wear OS is compatible with thousands of apps
+ Fast charging (up to 80% in under an hour)
+ Clean design
Cons
– Battery life can be cut short with extensive use
Amazfit Bip
- 45 Days Battery Life: Equipped with a lithium polymer battery with a 190mAh charge, you can use the Amazfit Bip up to 30 days on a single 2.5-hour charge
- Lightweight and Thin: Amazfit Bip only weight about 32g with the watch band and is 11.5mm in thick. The Bip can be worn all day
- Health Tracking: Optical heart rate monitoring and built-in GPS allow you to accurately track in real-time your steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned,...
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When no battery is large enough for you, the Amazfit Bip is there to bring it to the next level. The 190mAh Li-Po battery can last up to 45 days on a single 2.5-hour charge.
If you’re a fan of outdoor Crossfit activities, you won’t have to worry about not being able to see anything due to the sun.
Amazfit Bip’s advanced reflective glass becomes clearer the stronger the light is and it even reduces battery consumption.
As far as software is concerned, there are four different sports modes: indoor/outdoor running, hiking, and cycling.
The device has a GPS+GLONASS dual-satellite positioning that can work for 22 hours continuously, allowing for extremely precise location detection. For heart rate measurement, Amazfit Bip uses a PPG optical sensor that has a “continuous rate” mode through which you can track your heart rate during the whole day, even when you’re not active.
Pros
+ Very cheap at around $70
+ Incredible battery life
+ Only 30 grams, extremely lightweight
Cons
– Not very customizable
TicWatch Pro
- Upgraded Version - This is an upgraded version from TicWatch Pro, 1GB of RAM, which helps the watch run fast and smooth (no lag). Wear OS by Google makes the...
- Long Battery Life - 2-30 days on a single charge is achieved by dual layered technology and two modes. Smart Mode will get you 2-days of battery life and...
- Tracking Your Workout - Built-in GPS, 24h heart rate monitor, calories burned counter, speed and cadence monitor. Google Map available. TicMotion Technology...
Last update on 2024-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re a fan of the G-Shock style but want a smartwatch, the TicWatch Pro is for you. It’s one of the toughest on the market with an 810G US Military Standard as well as aluminum/Corning Gorilla Glass build. Which makes it also suitable for construction workers.
TicWatch Pro also features Wear OS with Google Assistant that supports hundreds of different commands. The display is quite large, so if you have a small wrist, you’re better off choosing either of the previous two on the list or check smartwatches for a small wrist.
With an IP68 water/dust rating, you can be certain that the inside hardware won’t get damaged so easily.
For the software side, there are six sports options and a combination of smart/essential modes that promotes longer battery life. Any other apps can be downloaded straight from Google Play since the watch has 4GB of storage memory.
Pros
+ Very hefty and durable
+ Looks just like a regular analog watch
+ The ultra power saving mode can make the battery last for 30 days
Cons
– At over 50 grams, it’s one of the heavier gadgets
Apple Watch Series 5
- This is a RENEWED product and comes in a generic box
- Electrical and optical heart sensors
- GPS + Cellular
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Apple Watch Series 5 is undoubtedly one of the best smartwatches for CrossFit. The smartwatch is available in different colours:
- Gold Aluminum
- Space Grey Aluminum
- Silver Aluminum.
It also comes in two sizes, 40 mm and 44mm. The watch has a 30% larger display than the previous model that came out and has a built-in GPS.
Features
It has an ECG app that allows you to check your heart rate whenever you are exercising or doing high-intensity cardio.
CrossFit does not only build muscle and strength, it also burns a lot of calories. A lot more than traditional weight lifting can burn. So, an elevated heart rate is a must during a CrossFit session. Keeping your heart rate in check can come in handy.
Plus, it roughly measures how many calories you have burned. It might not be 100% accurate, but it is close to the real values and is something that will come in handy if your goal is to lose weight.
Pros
- The device comes in various colors and size options.
- It is waterproof.
- It has all the essential monitors and features that you might possibly need during a CrossFit session.
Cons
- It is quite expensive.
- GPS can be quite inaccurate sometimes.
- The battery life of the device is not very impressive.
Fitbit Versa 2
- Use amazon Alexa built in to get quick news and information, check the weather, set timers and alarms, control your smart home devices through the sound of your...
- Based on your heart rate, time asleep and restlessness, sleep score helps you better understand your sleep quality each night. Also track your time in light,...
- Get a 30-day free trial of the Fitbit Premium to help you stay active, sleep well and manage stress. Unlock it all in the Fitbit app. (Cancel before free trial...
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Fitbit Versa 2 is another watch in our list. The device comes in many colors, such as Black, Bordeaux, Navy, and Pink, Petal, Smoke, and Stone. You also get to choose the material of the wrist strap. It can either be a rubber strap or a woven strap.
Features
The Fitbit Versa 2 has a built-in Amazon Alexa that allows you to easily set reminders and alarms for your workout sessions or even track your CrossFit records. Sleep, as we know, is absolutely vital for having a good workout.
If someday you did not get enough sleep the night before, you cannot perform adequately at the gym. The Fitbit Versa 2 tracks your bedtime and your wake-up times, which allows you to better schedule your day while getting the optimal sleep hours.
It also tracks your footsteps throughout the day and keeps your heart rate in check. Not only that, but this smartwatch also calculates your burned calories and how many floors you have walked, giving you an hourly activity report.
All this with a battery life of over six days, which may vary a bit depending on the usage of the user which is a great feature for gym lovers.
Pros
- The device comes in many different colors.
- It has a long battery life.
- Keeps you alerted throughout the day with an hourly activity report.
Cons
- It does not have many size options. The bands you get in the box are the only options you have.
- It is expensive. There are some other cheaper options available in the market.
- It does not come with GPS.
- You cannot have a quick access option for apps.
Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3
- Garmin Pay contactless payment solution lets you pay for purchases with your watch (available for supported cards from participating banks)
- Personalize your watch with thousands of free watch faces, apps and widgets from our Connect IQ store
- More than 15 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga, running, swimming and more
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This smartwatch by Garmin is another excellent health and fitness watch that you might want to consider. It comes in black or white straps with black, stainless steel and rose gold dials to choose from.
Features
If you are a CrossFit athlete or just enjoy the sport, this smartwatch has some features that might impress you. First, the heart rate and calorie calculator are something that you will check during your workout sessions.
It has a built-in GPS. It calculates how much time you spent walking and even how many steps you have taken during the entire day.
The device has some built-in sports applications, including yoga, swimming, and running. Even if you are doing other activities than CrossFit, your progress can still easily be tracked. All this comes with an excellent battery life that lasts for 5 to 7 days, and a 13-hour battery life with GPS.
Pros
- The device comes in different colors.
- It has a great battery life.
- It is relatively cheaper than some other smartwatches with the same specifications.
- It is waterproof.
Cons
- The heart rate monitor sometimes fails to function correctly.
- Some users have experienced issues while synchronizing with their phones.
- Some users have also had experienced long-term durability issues.
Final thoughts
Smartwatches have drastically changed our day to day lives, especially in the fitness field. Gone are the days when you had to check your blood pressure or sugar level every few hours or check your heart rate, or even the number of steps you have walked.
Smartwatches do all this for you, without even having to carry an extra device with you all the time.
A smartwatch is not something that everybody buys. Nor is it anything that completely replaces the traditional wristwatches.
They are devices that are created with the goal to provide the user with more features, which might make the day to day life better and easier. They try to give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Every sport has its unique nature and needs. If you are weight-lifer, make sure to check out our list of best smartwatches for weightlifting.
