Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re a professional or enthusiast cyclist, you understand why a watch is so essential. You can track many unique events, including your location, fitness, and heart rate.
You can also geolocate and pre-plan your routes. Fitbit and Garmin are some of the best devices for fitness tracking, but which one is better for cycling?
Garmin vs Fitbit Compared
Health and Fitness Tracking
Garmin’s fitness tracking feature is excellent. It comes with a body battery energy tracking system that keeps a tab on your energy levels, which helps you determine the best times for activity and rest.
During your workout or exercise, your Garmin watch will also count your steps, track the distance you’ve run, calories you’ve burned, and floors you’ve climbed.
Besides that, this device will also monitor your heart rate, sleep patterns, respiration and track your stress throughout the day.
Fitbit offers the same experience as Garmin. Recently, Fitbit has advanced its fitness tracking ability by introducing a new Health Metrics dashboard which you can use to optimize your well-being.
You’ll be able to see your Oxygen Saturation levels and your heart rate variability over a month. Fitbit also gives you a deeper analysis on your sleep and stress management, available to premium users.
Verdict
Fitbit wins, but ever so slightly. Fitbit’s new fitness tracking innovation makes it better at tracking and monitoring your health and wellbeing.
Battery Life
One promise Garmin gives for their smartwatches is long battery life. Whether you use their cheaper Vivofit fitness tracker or something high-end like the Forerunner 945, expect a battery life of close to a week.
Features such as GPS and heart rate tracking are reasons Garmin batteries drain fast. To address this issue, Garmin has built a battery mode that turns off features that aren’t in use. In turn, you get more tracking time and battery power for recording data such as GPS.
Fitbit offers battery life that is just as good as Garmin’s, something they’ve maintained for years. Their devices last up to 6 days without charging, which is quite remarkable, considering the functions these devices have to run.
Fitbit has also introduced a fast-charging feature that gets you a full day’s usage in just 12-minutes.
Verdict
Tie. Both Garmin and Fitbit trackers have excellent battery life, capable of lasting up to a week before recharging.
GPS
Garmin has always been the giant in building GPS trackers. They’ve got robust navigation systems in selected wristwatches that help you track your location.
Plus, you can track your movements in real-time.
Fitbit also features a powerful GPS tracker that gives you accurate location data. Just like Garmin watches, you can also track your exercise activities in real time and determine your location on demand.
The only limitation with the GPS feature is an increase in battery power consumption. Your watch may last fewer days with GPS turned on at all times.
Verdict
Garmin wins. Garmin smartwatches have better satellite navigation systems which make them more reliable.
Stress And Recovery
With a new health metrics dashboard in Fitbit, you can track your stress and recovery over months. On the same dashboard you can also monitor your heart rate, skin temperature and oxygen saturation.
Fitbit Sense has an EDA scan app that detects electrodermal activity, a key indicator for your body’s response to stress.
You can use the Reflections feature to log your mood and stress scores which your device generates from your resting heart rate, sleep and activity.
Garmin also measures the effects of training and stress on the body to prevent over-training and to ensure you stay in good shape for your next session. Read 4 Popular Round Face Smartwatch.
Your Garmin watch uses heart rate data to monitor your heartbeat intervals and alert you when it detects high levels of stress.
Verdict
Fitbit has better stress and recovery features. You can monitor and manage your stress levels much easier with Fitbit than with Garmin.
Can You Use A Garmin Watch For Cycling?
Yes. You can. Cyclists consider Garmin as one of the best fitness smartwatches. its excellent GPS and health tracking features put it at the top of the pack with other premium brands.
What makes them suitable for cyclists? Garmin watches have:
- Advanced GPS tracking systems that you can use even in remote environments. This capability gives it an edge over other sports watches.
- Measure cycling power directly from cycling power meters that riders use to collect data while on long bike rides.
- A long-lasting battery even when using GPS. Some Garmin watches can charge using solar energy, which makes them environmentally friendly and useful in sunny areas.
- Media players that keep you entertained while cycling. Garmin watches integrate with Spotify and Deezer apps to help you carry your favorite music and playlists while on-the-go.
Best Garmin Watches for Cycling
Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE
- LTE connectivity (must have an active subscription plan and connectivity to a Category M1 LTE network) enables phone-free safety and tracking features,...
- o Battery life: up to 2 weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode, 12 hours in GPS mode with music and 7 hours in GPS mode with music and LTE LiveTrack
- Bring music for every mile by downloading from music services (may require premium subscription with a third-party music provider) such as Amazon Music, Deezer,...
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Garmin’s Forerunner is one of their best new sports watches yet. The Forerunner 945 wristwatch is an ideal option for you, especially if you’re a workout fanatic. Check more Garmin Watches for Tennis.
This watch features a silicone band and a Corning Gorilla Glass screen that’s scratch-resistant and hard to break.
Here are some outstanding capabilities of the Forerunner 945:
- An Assistance feature senses and records any accident or unusual incident and sends a message with the pin of your location to your emergency contacts
- A Live Track feature lets your friends and family track your location in real-time, and even view the course you intend to cycle.
- The Forerunner’s inbuilt sports app has several workout options ranging from track running, cycling, swimming, etc.
- A battery life of up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 7 hours in GPS mode.
- It has a Multiple Satellite system that can track you in a remote area.
- You can download and enjoy your playlist from music streaming sites like Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music with a capacity of up to 1000 songs.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Powerful GPS tracker
- Menstrual Cycle Tracking.
- Can stream music.
Cons
- Cannot receive calls or text messages
Garmin Instinct Solar
- Vastly extended battery life through solar charging.Supported Application:GPS. Connectivity technology:GPS. Wireless comm standard:Bluetooth
- Rugged GPS Watch is water-rated to 100 meters and constructed to U.S. military standard 810 for thermal, shock and water resistance
- Built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, Glonass and Galileo) track in more challenging...
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Instinct Solar is rugged, often regarded as a military watch. What makes this device outstanding is its ability to harness power from the sun to charge.
It can last up to 54 days in smartwatch mode, making it one of the most resilient devices in the market.
Also, it features scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass screen which displays images in high contrast.
The Instinct Solar has the following features:
- A global navigation satellite system just like the Forerunner 945 LTE. You use this device to navigate through remote and challenging environments with ease.
- Using Bluetooth, you can connect your watch with your smartphone and receive texts, calls and email notifications straight to your wrist.
- A wrist-based heart rate feature keeps tabs on your heart rate during cycling or at rest. It also monitors your stress levels and helps you keep calmer while cycling.
- With its body battery energy monitor, you can keep track of and optimize your body energy for rest and activity.
Pros
- Powerful Navigation System.
- Solar charging
- Scratch-resistant gorilla glass
- Long battery life
Cons
- Lacks onboard music storage
- No microphone and speaker
For more, read 3 Popular Garmin Watches For Indoor Cycling
Is A Fitbit Good For Cycling?
With the features embedded in these devices, Fitbit is an excellent options for cycling. People with sport Profiles have been using its trackers and watches to keep a tab on their sporty progress.
What makes it suitable for cyclists?
- Fitbit devices are compatible with the ECG app, and they help you monitor your heart for atrial fibrillation, and share the results with your doctor.
- These devices help you monitor your oxygen saturation levels, which can indicate key changes in your wellbeing.
- You can take calls, messages and notifications on your device while on the go.
- Play your favorite music and enjoy your cycling experience directly from your wrist watch.
- Fitbits use a PurePlus 2.0 feature to track your heart rate 24 hours a day. You can track your exercises, cycling and everything else in between.
Read Fitbit For Extra Large Wrists
Best Fitbit Watches For Cycling.
Fitbit Sense
- EDA Scan app detects electrodermal activity which may indicate your body's response to stress and a built-in skin temperature sensor logs yours each night so...
- Assess your heart for atrial fibrillation –a heart rhythm irregularity- and easily share results with your doctor (The Fitbit ECG app is only available in...
- An on-wrist skin temperature sensor tracks yours each night so you can see how it varies. You can also see your nightly blood oxygen levels at a glance with our...
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Sense is one of Fitbit’s top-notch watches. An AMOLED Gorilla Glass 3 display shows crisp images and keeps this smartwatch scratch resistant.
You can link this watch to your Apple or Android device for a better experience.
- It also comes with an innovative biosensor core that can monitor your health and fitness.
- Fitbit Sense uses an on-wrist EDA scanner to track your body’s response to stress. You can use this information to reduce your risk to stress-related illnesses.
- It supports the ECG apps which monitors your heart for atrial fibrillation. Your device shares this information with your doctor for analysis.
- An on-wrist skin temperature sensor monitors irregular rises and falls of body temperature, notifying you in case it exceeds or falls below your normal threshold.
- Comes with an Oxygen Saturation tracker which monitors the level of oxygen in your blood.
- Fitbit has a feature that tracks your menstrual cycle and gives you tips on how to stay healthy during your period.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Voice assistant
- Track women’s menstrual health.
- Fast charging.
- Music experience
Cons
- Slightly expensive compared to other Fitbit devices.
Fitbit Versa 3
- Receive a Daily Readiness Score that reveals if you’re ready to exercise or should focus on recovery (requires Fitbit Premium membership. Premium content...
- Run, bike, hike and more phone-free—and see your real-time pace & distance—with built-in GPS. Then check out your workout intensity map in the Fitbit app
- Active Zone Minutes uses your resting heart rate to gauge exercise effort and gives you a buzz when you step up the intensity so you can make the most of your...
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Versa 3 is another outstanding watch from the Fitbit brand. It uses a lightweight design with a flexible strap for a comfortable fit and feel. It has a robust battery that can last for up to 6 days.
Here are some unique features it has:
- A large clock face with an AMOLED display you can view information and stats with.
- Its inbuilt GPS tracker helps you monitor your pace, miles you’ve covered, and your workout intensity map.
- With the Versa 3 you can download apps such as Spotify, Pandora Station, and Deezer playlist. You’ll enjoy your music and podcast directly from your wrist.
- You can connect Versa 3 with your smartphone and you’ll get all call, text, and phone notifications from your watch.
- You can navigate through your watch using Google Assistant or Alexa. You’ll be able to operate your watch cycling.
- It comes with menstrual health tracking, which helps women track ovulation, record symptoms.
Pros
- Music experience
- Long battery life
- Voice assistant
- Fitbit Pay
- Fast charging
- lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
Final Verdict
Garmin wins.
Garmin focuses on integrating your devices with your cycling, to provide you with a wholesome workout experience.
It also collects data and drives it towards optimizing your cycling experience. A satellite navigation system makes it ideal for even the toughest expeditions, and its rugged build can withstand harsh environments.
While Fitbit offers some of this functionality, it leans more towards a fashionable fitness lifestyle.
