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Why this WESH 2 anchor is hitting the fitness competition stage

Updated: 5:37 PM EDT Jul 15, 2024

DAY. OUR OWN SUMMER KNOWLES IS WORKING ON SOMETHING BIG. YEAH, A CHALLENGE SHES NEVER TAKEN ON BEFORE. AND ITS REALLY LIFE CHANGING. STEWART MOORE IS HERE. AND, STU, WEVE ALL BEEN WATCHING HER TRANSFORMATION BEHIND THE SCENES. WE LITERALLY HAVE. ITS TOUGH TO HAVE A BABY. AND THEN FEEL LIKE YOURSELF AGAIN. BUT IMAGINE HAVING THREE IN THE SPAN OF FIVE YEARS. IT TAKES A MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TOLL, BUT GETTING BACK TO THAT LEVEL OF NORMAL FOR SUMMER MEANT USING HER FREE TIME TO REGAIN HER CONFIDENCE AND SHOW HER DAUGHTERS SHES ONE TOUGH MOTHER. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. THE MOST SEVERE PART OF THE WEATHER YOU KNOW, SUMMER KNOWLES AS OUR WEEKDAY SIX AND 11 P.M. ANCHOR, A CONSTANT FACE ON WESH TWO SINCE 2015. BABY BUMP IN BABY BUMP, WE CALL IT BUMP DAY. AND YOUVE SEEN HER FAMILY GROW. FIRST WAS SHOT A THEN SASHA AND FINALLY SONIA. SHE AND HER HUSBAND LAVAR HAD THREE GIRLS IN JUST FIVE YEARS. YEAH, SO THATS WHAT EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW. WHOS GOING TO END UP ON THE MAGIC NEXT SEASON? YEAH, ITS KIND OF A WEIRD TIME, RIGHT? WHILE SHE SMILES AND JOKES ON TV AND SOCIAL MEDIA, THERE IS A SIDE TO SUMMER VIEWERS HAVE NOT SEEN, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE POSTPARTUM MOMS OUT THERE. LIKE, ITS HARD. ITS HARD. WE DONT TALK ABOUT IT. WERE ASHAMED OF IT. UM, YOU KNOW, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTERS, RAGE AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. BUT YOU KNOW, YOU TAKE IT DAY BY DAY. YOU FIND YOUR COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT YOU AFTER THREE BABIES IN SUCH A SHORT TIME, SHE WAS IN A FULL BATTLE OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, AND HER WAY TO COPE SENT HER BACK TO A PLACE SHE WAS ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH. I WAS A TRACK ATHLETE IN COLLEGE, SO I WAS ALWAYS IN SHAPE AND I USED TO RUN ALL THE TIME. IT WAS NOTHING. I STAYED IN SHAPE LIKE NOTHING, AND THATS WHAT REALLY GOT ME WITH THIS IS NONE OF THAT STUFF WAS WORKING ANYMORE. AFTER I HAD THE BABIES, NOTHING MORE. SUMMER, BUT THERES NO HURDLES OR FINISH LINE TAPE. SHES RUNNING TO SUMMER IS RUNNING TO THE FITNESS STAGE, WOMENS WELLNESS AND FIGURE COMPETITION BURN BABY BURN. WE ARE TALKING TOTAL BODY, 5% BODY FAT, PERFECT MUSCLES. THIS MOM OF THREE WILL STRUT HER STUFF IN A BIKINI. THREE, TWO AND ONE. MY GIRL. LETS WORK. IT IS NOT AN EASY JOURNEY. SHE WORKS OUT A LOT, INCLUDING BEFORE WORK AT THE GYM AND AFTER WORK INSIDE OF A HOT GARAGE. I GOT TWO A DAYS RIGHT NOW SO GETTING 30 MINUTES OF FASTED CARDIO IN SOMETIME IN THE MORNING BEFORE A SWIM, LESSONS WITH THE GIRLS AND BEFORE WORK AND THEN AFTER WORK GETTING 45 MINUTES OF CARDIO IN LIKE THAT. THATS WHAT REALLY BEATS ME DOWN. BUT YOU KNOW, AFTER WORK IS WHAT TIME I KNOW WE GET HOME AROUND MIDNIGHT. BY THE TIME I GET CHANGED AND I TAKE BABY GIRL TO THE BATHROOM AND CHANGE DIAPERS OR WHATEVER, THEN I GET ON THE TREADMILL AROUND 1245. ITS. LIKE 130 AND HER DIET MAY BE THE TOUGHEST THING OF ALL SIX MEALS A DAY. UH, FIRST MEAL HAS I GET MY GOOD FAT, WHICH IS MY AVOCADO, WHICH IM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT. SO ILL HAVE GRITS AND FISH WITH AVOCADO AND WATER. THEN MY NEXT MEAL I NORMALLY DO A PROTEIN SHAKE AND SOME FRUIT. A CUP OF FRUIT. THEN MY THIRD MEAL IS CHICKEN AND RICE AND BROCCOLI. SO THIS ISNT FRIED FOOD. NO, I WISH NO FRIED FOOD. NO, UM, YOU KNOW, NO CHOCOLATE CAKE, NO CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES. YOU KNOW, THATS MY THING. THERE IS NO LOSE FOR THIS, MAMA. ITS NOT ABOUT WALKING AWAY WITH THE BIGGEST TROPHY OR SHINIEST MEDAL. ITS ABOUT SHOWING HER JIM AND TRAINERS AT TOTAL YOUTH FITNESS. SHE IS A WINNER. HER GIRLS. SHE IS A WINNER. HER FAMILY. SHE IS A WINNER HERSELF. SHE IS A WINNER. THEYVE BEEN A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ME AND IM GRATEFUL FOR IM VERY GRATEFUL FOR IT AND WILL BE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE BECAUSE IM GETTING MYSELF BACK. YOU KNOW, THATS THE BEST GIFT I COULD EVER HAVE. YOU FEEL LIKE MYSELF AGAIN. JOINING US AT THIS DESK IS OUR OWN SUMMER KNOWLES. AMAZING. THANKS, GUYS. I HAVENT SEEN THAT BEFORE. THAT WAS THAT WAS EXCELLENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IM GLAD YOU LIKED IT. THIS WEEKEND IS THE BIG EVENT. YEAH. SATURDAY, FIVE DAYS AND COUNTING. SO, YOU KNOW, YOURE MY DESKMATE TOO. AND SO THEYVE ALL BEEN ENCOURAGED. ME. BUT I REALLY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS. I REALLY JUST WANT TO SAY QUICKLY, THERE ARE A LOT OF MOMS OUT THERE THAT DEAL WITH POSTPARTUM ISSUES. IVE DEALT WITH THEM BEHIND THE SCENES, BUT TALKING TO PEOPLE, IT IS SO MUCH MORE PREVALENT THAN ANYONE KNOWS. ITS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF. WE WHISPER ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW, IN CLOSED SPACES, BUT WE GOT TO START TALKING ABOUT IT MORE BECAUSE SO MANY WOMEN ARE DEALING WITH IT. MY WAY WAS FITNESS. ITS HELPING ME. ITS NOT A CURE FOR ALL, BUT ITS BEEN HELPING ME. AND SO STARTING THAT CONVERSATION IS THE REAL WIN. YEAH, REALLY? ABSOLUTELY. TRULY. SO THANK YOU FOR DOING IT. ALL RIGHT. BACK TO THE COMPETITION REALLY QUICKLY. HOW EXCITED ARE YOU FOR SATURDAY? IM VERY EXCITED. I CANT BELIEVE IM GOING TO MAKE IT TO THE STAGE THIS TIME BECAUSE I GOT PREGNANT THE LAST TIME. AND SO NO MORE BABIES AND JUST TRYING TO GET ON THE STAGE AND REPRESENT YOU ALL WELL. OH, I DONT WANT TO EMBARRASS ANYBODY. NO, THERE IS NO FEAR OF THAT SITTING NEXT TO YOU. IVE MET SUMMER IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS. SHE KEEPS JOKING THAT I KNOW FITNESS SUMMER. SO IM VERY EXCITED FOR YOU TO REACH THE END OF THIS CHAPTER.

Why this WESH 2 anchor is hitting the fitness competition stage

Updated: 5:37 PM EDT Jul 15, 2024

You've seen Summer Knowles on WESH 2 since 2015. You've seen her family grow three girls in five years. But now she's trying something new. And the reasons why might be a surprise."Especially for all the postpartum moms out there. Like, it's hard. We don't talk about it. We're ashamed of it," Summer said. "You know, anxiety, depression, emotional roller coasters, rage and everything in between."Summer has learned to take things day-to-day. "You find your community and people that support you, like you're at total you, and they help you become your total self again," she said. After three babies in such a short time, she was in a full battle with postpartum depression. And her way to cope sent her back to a place that's very familiar."I was a track athlete in college. So I was always in shape. And I used to run all the time, it was nothing, I stayed in shape like nothing," Summer said. "And that's what really got me with this, is none of that stuff was working anymore after I had the babies nothing."Running to the fitness stageThere's no hurdles or finish-line tape. Instead, she's heading to the fitness competition stage for the Women's Wellness and Figure Competition."I've got two-a-days right now," Summer said. "So, getting 30 minutes of fasted cardio in sometime in the morning before swim lessons with the girls and before work and then after work, getting 45 minutes of cardio."For Summer, it's not about walking away with a trophy, it's about showing herself and her family she can do it. Follow Summer on her journey

You've seen Summer Knowles on WESH 2 since 2015.

You've seen her family grow three girls in five years.

But now she's trying something new. And the reasons why might be a surprise.

"Especially for all the postpartum moms out there. Like, it's hard. We don't talk about it. We're ashamed of it," Summer said. "You know, anxiety, depression, emotional roller coasters, rage and everything in between."

Summer has learned to take things day-to-day.

"You find your community and people that support you, like you're at total you, and they help you become your total self again," she said.

After three babies in such a short time, she was in a full battle with postpartum depression. And her way to cope sent her back to a place that's very familiar.

"I was a track athlete in college. So I was always in shape. And I used to run all the time, it was nothing, I stayed in shape like nothing," Summer said. "And that's what really got me with this, is none of that stuff was working anymore after I had the babies nothing."

There's no hurdles or finish-line tape. Instead, she's heading to the fitness competition stage for the Women's Wellness and Figure Competition.

"I've got two-a-days right now," Summer said. "So, getting 30 minutes of fasted cardio in sometime in the morning before swim lessons with the girls and before work and then after work, getting 45 minutes of cardio."

For Summer, it's not about walking away with a trophy, it's about showing herself and her family she can do it.

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Why this WESH 2 anchor is hitting the fitness competition stage - WESH 2 Orlando

We are now in the final few hours of Amazon Prime Day deals but there are still so many live deals continuing to run on the best health, fitness, science and tech gear.

We have spotted some incredible deals on fitness and science essentials like air purifiers, fitness trackers, treadmills, electric toothbrushes, telescopes, microscopes, binoculars and more. We're seeing prices drop on some of our favorite brands, like Garmin, Fitbit, Apple, Celestron, AmScope and Sony.

Editor's note July 17: Our top deals so far are a MASSIVE $1000 off the Canon EOS R5 (385 off in the UK, only two left in stock) which our Managing Editor has dubbed the 'best camera for low light shooting', a Prime Day air purifier deal with 21% off the Levoit 600S-P (Amazon's best-seller) and over $230 off the Garmin Forerunner 945 fitness tracker and smartwatch.

Or, if you're considering investing in a new bit of kit, we've written up some guides, for instance: Should you buy a Garmin this Prime Day or should you buy an air purifier. We've weighed up the pros and cons of buying now vs risking waiting for a later sales event for a potentially better deal.

Amazon Prime Day is an annual event that happens in July each year. During the event, Prime members can access special deals on a range of products but a lot of items are on sale for the general public, too. Sign up for Amazon Prime.

Sometimes big retailers like Walmart and Best Buy compete with Amazon during sales events this isnt a guarantee though and as this event is a surprise sale there may be fewer retailers offering deals. If youre looking for particular products at low prices, have a scroll through our round-ups of the best treadmill deals or electric toothbrush deals.

Amazon Prime Day 2024 starts at midnight Tuesday July 16 and ends 23:59 Wednesday July 17. This year it is a week later than previous years, with Prime Day 2023 running Tuesday July 11 and Wednesday July 12.

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Amazon Prime Day 2024: Best deals on health and fitness gear and science kit, almost over - Livescience.com

James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FCJul 13, 2024, 07:27 AM ET

England have been handed a double fitness boost on the eve of their Euro 2024 final against Spain after Harry Kane and Kieran Trippier took part in Saturday's final training session.

Both players were substituted during Wednesday's dramatic 2-1 semifinal victory over the Netherlands due to injuries.

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Trippier was struggling with a groin problem while Kane took a blow to his right foot in the incident with Denzel Dumfries which led to England's first-half equaliser from the penalty spot.

However, all 26 players took part in England's last session at the Spa & GolfResort Weimarer Land base before travelling to Berlin later in the day, meaning Gareth Southgate will likely have his entire squad available to choose from as they try to win their first major men's honour in 58 years.

Southgate is giving serious consideration to replacing Trippier with Luke Shaw, his only natural left-footed full-back in the squad, at left wing-back. It would be a major surprise if Kane did not start despite Ollie Watkins scoring a brilliant late winner as his replacement against the Netherlands.

Approximately 35,000-40,000 England fans are expected in Berlin despite an official allocation of only 10,000. The game is a sell-out but some resale websites are offering tickets starting at around 1,700 each.

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Euro 2024: England get double fitness boost on eve of final - ESPN

President Biden and his senior team said they accepted Wednesday the grim ultimatum they have been hearing from almost all quarters of the Democratic Party this week: quickly demonstrate his fitness for office or face a significant effort to force him to step aside.

Growing concern from Capitol Hill, top donors and senior party strategists, including some of his own advisers, prompted Biden to start reaching out to allies in recent days to admit that he is in a tough moment and that he has to prove to voters he is up for the job, according to two people familiar with the conversations.

His critics have been shaken by his relative inaction over the previous six days to directly address the panic ignited by his halting debate performance. Starting Tuesday afternoon, he started calling top congressional leaders, scheduled a sit-down interview with ABC News and announced weekend campaign travel plans that will be closely scrutinized.

Even a spotless performance over the coming week may not save him if significant cracks appear in public and internal polling, said senior Democratic strategists, who, like many for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

Biden, 81, has appeared in public four times since a rally Friday in North Carolina for remarks on a Supreme Court decision, on extreme weather, at Stonewall National Monument in New York and at a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on Wednesday to speak for a total of 32 minutes, exclusively while using teleprompters. He also attended fundraisers and other weekend campaign events.

One senior campaign adviser called the situation a deafening silence from the top, reflecting the concerns of other advisers who described a failure of the president to publicly demonstrate his fitness for office as panic built inside the party. Other longtime Biden allies have described continued frustration about the political response and a growing conviction that a change needs to be made.

I think the onus is really on Biden right now to be very candid with all of us privately, not publicly, not that were going to tell reporters, but to be very candid with us privately about what happened, what is the larger issue? Can we get through this? said Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), reflecting the concern of others. We do need more than emails of polling briefs from White House legislative affairs directors right now to assuage those concerns.

Biden spent much of Wednesday trying to push back on the concern, addressing his campaign staff and doing interviews with Black radio stations ahead of a planned meeting with Democratic governors.

The past few days have been tough. Im sure youre getting a lot of calls, and Im sure many of you have questions as well, Biden told campaign staffers in a conference call, according to a person familiar with the remarks. Let me say this as clearly as I possibly can and as simply and straightforward as I can: I am running. Im the nominee of the Democratic Party. No ones pushing me out. Im not leaving. Im in this race to the end, and were going to win because when Democrats unite, we always win.

Vice President Harris, who was also on the call, added: We will not back down. We will follow our presidents lead. We will fight, and we will win.

Later, in a briefing for reporters, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is absolutely not planning to drop out as the presidential nominee.

Even those who still argue Biden remains the best candidate admitted he lost ground in recent days, though hope remains that poll numbers will stabilize over the coming week. Some Democrats have begun openly considering the idea that Harris could replace Biden on the ticket to take on Republican Donald Trump in November.

There is significant erosion among elected [officials] and donors, said Dmitri Mehlhorn, a donor adviser working with outside groups to elect Biden. But the elected and the donors do not represent the substantial part of swing voters who are in the battleground states.

Bidens campaign team insisted on a June debate with Trump to address voter apathy and concerns about Bidens age. His stammering performance, instead, triggered alarm in the party and an increase in public concern about his competence, as measured by public polls.

Bidens private outreach to lawmakers has also been minimal since the debate, prompting leaders within the party to express their surprise to others. Biden waited until Tuesday to speak with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and until Wednesday morning to speak with Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.) and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.). His meeting Wednesday evening with Democratic governors was scheduled only after a request by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Several governors emerged describing it as an honest and open and candid assessment of the race. Biden reflected on the poor debate performance telling them that his mind was crammed with numbers and reiterated his plans to regain his footing.

When you love someone, you tell the truth, Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.) said. We were honest about the concerns that we were hearing from people. And we were also honest about the fact that as the president continues to tell us and show us that he was all in. And we said that we would stand with him.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) added: Im here to tell you tonight, President Joe Biden is in it to win it. And all of us said we pledged our support to him because the stakes could not be higher.

Some House Democrats continued to debate among themselves Wednesday whether to call on Biden to step down, with drafts of a possible public letter circulating. Two Democratic members of Congress Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) publicly said Tuesday that Biden can no longer win, while Rep. Lloyd Doggett (Tex.) said Biden should be replaced as the partys presidential candidate. Rep. Ral Grijalva (D-Ariz.) called on Biden to step aside Wednesday.

On a text chain Wednesday morning, House members shared a new YouGov poll that showed Biden down two points to Trump. Another poll shared on the text chain showed that former first lady Michelle Obama would trounce Trump by 10 points.

The anxious lawmakers didnt put any stock in the numbers but marveled at how theres all this potential to defeat Trump and it also says how much its being held back by Biden, according to one lawmaker on the text chain.

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), one of Bidens closest allies in the House, said Wednesday morning that he had not spoken with the president. A spokesperson said the two connected later in the day.

I think that the president should have a series of town-hall-type meetings, engaging with voters, with the media, Clyburn said. I think he should not have his reactions to questions from the voters through a filter. Let him give unfiltered responses to their questions, and let the media report on it.

Democrats involved in House and Senate races say much will depend on whether Bidens polling continues to slide in coming days, and how that impacts Democratic candidates. There are some signs Republicans are moving to capitalize on Bidens faltering debate performance. Arizonas Republican Senate candidate, Kari Lake, plans to air a statewide ad that hits Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego on Bidens decline, said one person familiar with the ad planning.

Both the campaign and the White House are hoping that events in the days after the Fourth of July holiday will reassure voters and party insiders. They point out that no senior Democrats have called on him to step down.

The initial damage control after Thursdays debate and the subsequent North Carolina rally was handled almost entirely by staff. Those private phone calls, video conferences and other presentations focused largely on other aspects of the campaign and offered no opportunity for questions or only screened questions. Top campaign staff have written multiple memos and emails to staff, donors and supporters asking for calm and redoubled work.

The president and his team have been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. And you know what? That will continue, Jeff Zients, Bidens chief of staff, said on the White House call. The only way to get through it is as a team. He took no questions.

The encouraging talk about fundraising numbers and the grass-roots operation has failed to address the central concern that Biden himself is not up for the job, say several senior strategists who have decided in recent days that either Biden has to prove his ability or that Democrats need a new nominee. Allies have also pointed out that the focus on internal campaign polling and analytics showing a stable race, with Biden trailing Trump slightly has failed to address the question of how the debate performance affected Bidens ability to overtake Trump before the fall.

The argument by top Biden advisers has long been that enough voters will ultimately choose to oppose Trump, but that argument lacks a clear empirical basis beyond polls that show a majority of the country remains open to supporting Biden in theory, people familiar with the situation said. The campaign has also been hit by external polling that has shown a sharper drop from Bidens already poor standing in matchups with Trump and third-party candidates.

'The polling isnt changing is not a sufficient message, said one Democratic veteran of presidential efforts, who reflected the sentiment of several other strategists. The fundamental point is it is not about a single debate performance. It is about the shaky confidence that people had is now gone. And him giving two four-minute statements and reading a teleprompter at a rally and a fundraiser is not going to cut it.

The high-dollar donor community, meanwhile, has overwhelmingly turned against Biden, according to people familiar with the conversations. Whether that has a material effect on fundraising if Biden stays in the race is less clear. In multiple cases, donor advisers say, large donations to outside groups that were expected have been withheld since the debate.

Liberal donor networks like the Democracy Alliance, American Bridge and the Strategic Victory Fund have all held calls in recent days where donors have expressed concerns about moving forward, though none of the calls resulted in formal calls for Biden to leave the race. Officials at one independent group have begun to review polling to see how their planned advertising will fare if Biden is not the nominee.

Multiple donors have described the debate performance as reflecting elements of Bidens performance in smaller group settings at donor events in recent months, when he appeared halting and struggled to communicate. That recognition has fueled calls for him to step aside, according to people familiar with those conversations.

A business executive who helped arrange a fundraiser for the Chicago convention in the last year said the Biden team refused to let even major donors ask questions in a small group. That was shocking, this person said.

I told them my donors dont care about a photo. They want to talk to him. The Biden people just wouldnt let them, the person said. It was clear they were managing him in a way Ive never experienced before. Donors expect to get to talk to the president if youre writing a big check and having an event with him.

Multiple top party donors joined the chorus on Tuesday in phone conversations with Pelosi and Schumer to say that the current situation was not sustainable and a new nominee was needed, according to people familiar with the call. Spokespeople for Pelosi and Schumer declined to comment.

During a fundraiser in McLean on Tuesday night, he was in good spirits and spoke at a donor event without a teleprompter set up for the first time since the debate. He made light of his debate struggles I know I didnt have my best debate night and suggested it was a result of jet lag. Biden returned to the United States from meetings in Europe 12 days before the debate.

Biden touted strong campaign fundraising since the debate. So far, so good, he said.

Members of Bidens family have been firm in encouraging him to stay in the race, adamantly saying that he has a game plan and rebuffing suggestions that he would consider stepping aside, according to four people close to the family. The family is still all in, one of them said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Theyre still supportive.

They have acknowledged the tough debate and the tenuous moment, but they have said absent high-level defections like Pelosi or Schumer, or a significant drop in polling data, he will remain as the partys nominee. They also frequently point to others having often doubted him only for him to overcome expectations, a sentiment still coursing through many of the family members, the people said.

Josh Dawsey, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Liz Goodwin, Abigail Hauslohner, Paul Kane and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez contributed to this report.

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Biden faces growing political crisis over response to debate performance - The Washington Post

Fitness trackers have come a long way from the simple bands that tracked steps and little else. Modern trackers can monitor everything from your heart health to how well youve recovered from a hard bout of training. Theyve got sensors galore and, in some cases, can give smartwatches a run for their money. Whatever your fitness goals are, theres probably a fitness tracker that can help you achieve them.

Compared to some other gadgets, wearables are incredibly personal, which means there are a few extra considerations youll have to take into account before reaching for your wallet. It makes it hard to say that any one fitness tracker is the best for everyone. Thankfully, the best thing about fitness trackers in 2024 is that theres enough variety to fit into every kind of lifestyle.

Right now, were heading into flagship launch season. Were expecting to see the latest Samsung Galaxy Watches this month, while Google announced a surprise Pixel event for August. September is also generally when we see the new Apple Watches and this year will be the 10th anniversary. If you have gadget FOMO, a little patience goes a long way this time of year. That said, if you need to replace a broken smartwatch or fitness tracker right now, summer sales like Amazon Prime Day are a good time to hunt for a deal.

Who is this fitness tracker for? The ideal fitness tracker for hardcore athletes will look different than the best one for casual users looking to get a few more steps in.

A fitness tracker should be able to go at least two to three days between charges. If its a flagship smartwatch, it should at least offer quick charging.

Is it a band or a smartwatch? Is it comfortable to wear 24/7?

What metrics does this device track? We prioritize active minutes over steps and calorie burn, but health metrics like resting heart rate, VO2 Max, and sleep quality are plusses.

Accuracy is nice, but its more important for measuring progress that your device delivers consistent results for heart rate, distance tracking, and steps.

Certain trackers are limited to specific phone ecosystems others will work regardless of what your phone is. We prioritize the latter wherever possible.

Size:46mm w/ 22mm straps /Weight:34g /Battery life:Up to 14 days /Display type:OLED touchscreen /GPS:Dual-frequency and six GNSS systems /Connectivity:Bluetooth, Wi-Fi /Water resistance:5ATM /Music storage:2.3GB

The Amazfit GTR 4 punches way above its weight. Its affordable at $199 and includes a whole array of features youd expect to see on much pricier wearables. That includes a bright OLED screen, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep stage tracking, stress tracking, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and an offline digital assistant. Its also got a native camera remote and a handy Pomodoro timer built in. And for outdoor fitness enthusiasts, the GTR 4 also has multiband GPS for more accurate GPS tracking in challenging environments. You can even import GPX routes from sites like Strava and Komoot. The GTR 4 takes a more holistic approach to health, trading in steps for PAI points to gauge whether youre getting the recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.

For smart features, the GTR 4 has all the basics: push notifications, quick text replies on Android, alarms, timers, and the ability to make and take calls over Bluetooth. The only thing the GTR 4 is really missing is contactless payments, but it more than makes up for it, given the expansive feature set and battery life. It lasts about 1014 days on a single charge with normal use and about a week with heavy usage. It may not have the brand recognition of a Fitbit, but since Google nerfed both the Versa 4 and Sense 2 last year, you might want to overlook that. Plus, the GTR 4 doesnt have thick bezels like either of those watches. Watchfaces on the OLED display are crisp, and animations are smooth. When you consider that Amazfit watches are often on sale, its a no-brainer.

Sizes:40mm w/20mm straps /Weight:38g /Battery life:Up to 11 days /Display type:OLED touchscreen /GPS:All-systems GNSS /Connectivity:Bluetooth, Ant Plus /Water resistance:5ATM /Music storage:4GB (for Music Edition)

The $250 Garmin Venu Sq 2 is the watch I recommend for anyone looking to replace their aging Fitbit Versa 2 or 3. Its got a similar look and vibe, with a much nicer OLED display and longer battery life.

Garmin is known for its comprehensive fitness tracking, and thats not an exception here. Of course, you get the basics, like steps and calories burned, but you get a whole lot more, too. Theres built-in GPS for tracking walks, runs, and bike rides as well as plenty of other sports profiles like yoga and strength training. For smart features, you get push notifications, timers, contactless payments, and a bunch of safety features like Garmins Incident Detection, which is its take on fall detection. (You will need to carry your phone with you, however, as this doesnt have LTE.)

If you want the option of onboard music, you can shell out $50 extra for the Music Edition, which comes with enough storage for about 500 songs. I wouldnt recommend it, however, as youll most likely have your phone on you since this isnt a true standalone watch.

What I like most about this watch, however, is its one that you can grow with. On top of recovery metrics and sleep tracking, it also has Garmin Coach a built-in, free training program for beginner and intermediate-level runners hoping to tackle a 5K, 10K, or half marathon. For health tracking, you can monitor heart rate, blood oxygen, intensity minutes (how many minutes of moderate exercise you get per week), stress, hydration, respiratory rate, and menstrual cycles. And the best part is Garmin doesnt lock any of this behind a paywall.

One note: there is a Venu 3, which adds a newer heart rate sensor and nap detection. I liked it quite a bit, and it ticks off a lot of the right boxes except for price. Its $450, which puts it outside what Id consider ideal for casual users. The other option is Garmins Forerunner 165 its a $249 budget training watch thats quite similar to the Venu Sq 2 feature-wise, albeit with a sportier vibe. Basically, go with what you find on sale. I firmly believe older models are still a good choice if all you want is the fitness-tracking basics. This is especially true since newer software updates often make their way to older Garmins. Garmin users also tend to hang onto their device for a good while. Stravas 2023 year-end survey found that the most popular smartwatch among its users was an eight-year-old Garmin!

Sizes:7S Pro: 42mm w/20mm straps, 7: 47mm w/22mm straps, 7X: 51mm w/26mm straps /Weight:7S Pro: 63g (Solar), 58g or 65g (Sapphire Solar, titanium or stainless steel) 7: 79g (Solar), 73g (Sapphire Solar) 7X: 96g (Solar), 89g (Sapphire Solar) /Battery life: 7S: up to 11 days, 14 w/ Solar, 7: up to 18 days, 22 days w/ solar, 7X: up to 28 days, 37 w/solar /Display type:MIP touchscreen /GPS:All-systems GNSS and dual-frequency GPS /Connectivity:Bluetooth, Ant Plus, Wi-Fi /Water resistance:10ATM /Music storage:Up to 32GB

Garmins flagship Fenix 7 series is no joke, and the Fenix 7 Pro lineup takes it up a notch. Its got built-in multiband GPS, solar charging on all models, the option of touchscreen or button navigation, topographical maps, and oodles upon oodles of data. Plus, every Fenix 7 Pro model has a hands-free LED flashlight, an upgraded heart rate sensor, and an improved memory-in-pixel display thats slightly easier to read in low lighting.

Garmin wearables are also known for providing extensive, in-depth metrics, and the Fenix 7 Pro lineup is no exception. You get excellent recovery metrics, as well as helpful training guides and coaching programs. The best part is Garmin doesnt charge extra for those features. Thats good news, as these are expensive watches.

I appreciate how quickly these Fenix 7 watches are able to pick up a GPS signal. Thats a must if youre training in the dead of winter. These watches can also take a beating. All models are built to military-grade standards and feature up to 10 ATM of water resistance. That means theyre more than capable of a dunk in the ocean.

Although the screen is brighter, MIP displays still arent my absolute favorite the OLED on the Garmin Epix 2 and the Epix Pro are a lot easier on the eyes. Its admittedly tough to pick between the Fenix 7, Fenix 7 Pro, Epix 2, and Epix Pro lineups especially now that the Epix Pro also has great battery life, the LED flashlight, and now comes in multiple sizes. What it boils down to is whether you prioritize a brighter display, longer battery life, or price.

Personally, I prefer the Epix Pro for better readability, but the Fenix 7 Pro is the better choice if this is your first introduction to Garmins platform. Youll get better battery life, the same LED flashlight, all the same training features, and a lower starting price. (You can also check out our Garmin buying guide if youd like even more alternatives.)

That said, I still think the standard Fenix 7 lineup is a good choice especially if solar charging isnt all that appealing to you. Plus, many of the new features that launched with the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro have trickled down to the standard line via OTA updates. You can also save a couple hundred dollars this way if budget is your main concern. In general, the holiday season is right around the corner, so I recommend keeping your eyes peeled for deals as retailers try to get rid of old inventory.

Sizes:8 proprietary sizes, 6-13, sizing kit needed /Weight:46g (depends on size) /Battery life:Up to 7 days /Display type:None /GPS:None /Connectivity:Bluetooth /Water resistance:Up to 328 feet /Music storage:None

The vast majority of fitness trackers are worn on the wrist, but the $299 Oura Ring isnt. The smart ring is a good option for people who are looking for something a little more discreet. Its also less distracting than some other wrist-based options, as it lacks a screen and doesnt forward push notifications.

While smaller than your average wearable, the Oura Ring still tracks a ton of metrics, including heart rate variability and body temperature. The third iteration of the device also introduces SpO2 sensors, as well as all-day heart rate monitoring and period predictions. Since launching, the Oura Ring has also added activity tracking, blood oxygen levels, chronotypes to help visualize your circadian rhythms, and a new social feature called Circles. Its also begun rolling out a whole new sleep stages algorithm that it claims is more accurate than before. If youre looking for some stress relief, the Oura Ring also lets you track guided meditation sessions.

The Oura Ring tracks typical metrics such as steps and calories burned but its main focus is sleep and recovery. Each day, youre given three sets of scores for your readiness, sleep, and activity. Its a simple, holistic look at your overall wellness and an ideal pick if you want a more hands-off experience with your data.

That said, 2024 is shaping up to be the year of the smart ring. Samsung just confirmed its working on a Galaxy Ring thats launching this month. The Evie Ring is another decent smart ring that caters to women with a simpler feature set but a clever design. Im also currently testing alternatives from Ultrahuman, RingConn, and Circular. So far, Oura remains the most full-featured of the bunch, but well have to see how this space settles over the next few months.

Size:42mm x 24mm x 12.2mm with 16mm straps /Weight:28g /Battery life:Up to 18 days /Display type:OLED /GPS:Tethered /Connectivity:Bluetooth /Water resistance:5ATM /Music storage:None

Its truly hard to beat the Amazfit Band 7s $49.99 price doubly so since you can often find it on sale for even less. Wearing the Band 7 feels like a throwback to 2014, which is great if all youre looking for is a simple and casual tracker that wont break the bank.

No one is going to compliment you on the Band 7s design, but its got a handful of cute watchfaces that make good use of its OLED touchscreen. And despite having an OLED display, youll still get roughly 14 days of battery life on a single charge. Its also incredibly lightweight, making it a good option for sleep tracking as well.

You also get an absurd number of features for the price. That includes Amazon Alexa, continuous heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, advanced sleep tracking, training metrics like VO2 max and load, abnormal heart rate alerts, menstrual tracking, push notifications, find my phone, a camera remote, and even a Pomodoro timer. Youre sacrificing contactless payments and will have to settle for tethered GPS, but this is a fair tradeoff considering everything else youre getting. Its not the best option for hardcore fitness tracking, but this is a great option if all youre looking to do is casually track activity and your steps.

Amazfits been making surprisingly good budget trackers for a while. That said, if youre a little wary of a lesser-known brand, the $159.95 Fitbit Charge 6 is a decent alternative. Its pricier, but you get a lot of what Amazfit is missing. That includes Google services like YouTube Music, Google Wallet, and Google Maps. Plus, it has built-in GPS and the ability to broadcast your heart rate with some Bluetooth-compatible gym equipment.

Sizes:37mm with 18mm straps /Weight:45g /Battery life:Up to 39 days /Display type: OLED display /GPS:Tethered GPS /Connectivity:Bluetooth /Water resistance:5ATM /Music storage:N/A

The $249.95 Withings ScanWatch Light is a fetching hybrid analog smartwatch. Think of it as a dressier fitness band with some Swatch-like design sensibilities. Its got all your basics like simple push notifications, timers, and alarms. Plus, you can track steps, sleep, menstrual cycles, and GPS activities straight from the wrist. It looks spiffy on the wrist, and if you like a pop of color, Withings offers minty green and pale blue color options. Its also got excellent battery life, with an estimated 30 days on a single charge. I got a little less in testing at around 25 days, but thats still much better than the vast majority of flagship smartwatches. This also looks way more stylish than beefier multisport watches with similar battery life.

Like its name suggests, the Light is a pared-down version of the $349.95 ScanWatch 2. The main things youre missing are an EKG sensor for atrial fibrillation detection, a temperature sensor, blood oxygen tracking, and an altimeter for tracking elevation. For basic fitness tracking, you dont really need those sensors. Thats why I think the extra $100 in savings is worth it for the Light, especially since both are lacking in safety features, contactless payments, and some other bells and whistles you can get from other watches in the $350 price range. That said, if you want extras, the ScanWatch 2 also gets you a slightly more elegant look thanks to the second step-counter dial.

Another option I like is the $179.99 Garmin Vivomove Sport, which actually dominated this category the past few years. Its hard to beat the price, especially since it gets you access to Garmins platform. However, Garmins hidden OLED display can get washed out in bright lighting, and battery life was significantly shorter than other hybrid analog watches at around five days. Still, if youd rather a platform with a focus on fitness rather than wellness, the Vivomove Sport may be the better move over a Withings watch.

Sizes:41mm, 45mm /Weight:32g (41mm), 39g (45mm) /Battery life:Up to 18 hours /Display type:Always-on LTPO OLED /GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou/Connectivity:LTE (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi /Water resistance:Up to 50 meters /Music storage:32GB

If youre looking for a smartwatch that does fitness well, then iPhone owners need to look no further than the $399 Apple Watch Series 9. (The LTE version costs $50 more.) This years updates were pretty iterative, but the updated S9 processor makes this the smartest fitness tracker around for Apple users.

With watchOS 9, Apple added advanced running metrics and the ability to create custom workouts. This years watchOS 10 update adds greater integration with cycling accessories, as well as custom workout plans within Fitness Plus. Hikers also get better maps and directions on the wrist. Otherwise, the watch is incredibly similar to last years Series 8. Thats fine! Not only could you save a bit of extra dough by opting for an older model, but youre still getting the vast majority of the features that matter. Exclusive to the Series 9 are the forthcoming double-tap gesture, brighter screens, and offline Siri capability but these are fairly minor if your real focus is fitness. But if you want to use Siri to interact with your health and fitness stats, thats also a Series 9 exclusive.

Of course, we also have to address the Apple Watch ban. As of January 18th, 2024, new Series 9 sold by Apple (and eventually, third-party retailers) will have the blood oxygen feature disabled due to an ongoing patent battle with medical device maker Masimo. This isnt a huge deal for most people, as this feature isnt that useful for most people yet. You might want to consider a refurbished Series 7 or 8 if blood oxygen sensing is important to you, however.

If youre a first-time buyer, you can also opt for the second-gen Apple Watch SE. Its slightly cheaper at $249, and while you dont get as many features, its a good introduction to the ecosystem. Otherwise, if youre the type of athlete who covets a Garmin, you may also want to consider splurging on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Its more expensive at $799, but it does have the brightest screen of any Apple Watch, comes with dual-frequency GPS, has diving and hiking safety features, and is made of more durable materials.

Sizes:40mm, 44mm /Weight:28.7g (40mm), 33.3g (44mm) /Battery life:Up to 30 hours with AOD, 40 hours without AOD /Display type: Always-on OLED /GPS: Built-in GPS/Connectivity:LTE (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi /Water resistance:Up to 50 meters, IP68 /Music storage:16GB

If you have a Samsung phone, this is the best full-featured smartwatch for fitness tracking. It (and the Watch 6 Classic) are the first watches to get Wear OS 4 and One UI 5 Watch, which adds a bunch of health and sleep tracking improvements like temperature-based cycle tracking, personalized heart rate zones, and custom workouts. It also has the same 3-in-1 sensor, which enables body composition analysis.Thats a unique feature that no other smartwatch at the moment is capable of. You can also access workout videos from the Samsung Health app though the production values arent as good as Fitness Plus or Peloton.

While I prefer the Classic overall (I mean, rotating bezel!), the base Watch 6 model is our pick for general fitness tracking due to its lighter weight and smaller size. Overall, its less distracting during workouts and more comfortable for sleep tracking. That said, the Classic is a very capable tracker, even if its aesthetic and larger size lend it toward being a better smartwatch. However, if you want a more rugged fitness watch with truly multiday battery life, you might be better off with the $449.99 Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The Pro is also getting some new software updates in One UI 5 Watch, including turn-by-turn navigation for running and walking.

The big thing with the Galaxy Watch 6 series is that battery life has improved over last year. In my testing, I was able to last an entire day without worrying about battery under various scenarios. For example, on outdoor GPS runs with the always-on display enabled, I only saw a battery drain of 34 percent per mile. Fast charging enables you to get eight hours of battery life on a single charge, and the improved bedtime mode mitigates overnight battery drain to 1015 percent even if you turn on continuous SpO2 sensing, snore detection, and skin temperature tracking.

While Wear OS 4 and One UI 5 Watch look, feel, and function similar to Wear OS 3 / One UI Watch 4.5, you now get cloud backups. Google has also continued to expand third-party app offerings, so there are more choices than ever. However, some features are limited to Samsung owners, making it hard to wholeheartedly recommend this to non-Samsung Android users.

Right now is a good time to find the Galaxy Watch 6 series, particularly the base models, on sale. Were expecting Samsung to release the Galaxy Watch 7 at its Unpacked event, alongside a rumored new Galaxy Watch Ultra. If you already know youd rather prioritize savings, keep an eye out for sales on the Galaxy Watch 6 devices as retailers look to clear out inventory. Otherwise, you may want to hold off if the idea of an Ultra or longer battery life appeals to you.

Sizes:41mm /Weight:31g /Battery life:Up to 24 hours /Display type: Always-on OLED /GPS: Built-in GPS/Connectivity:LTE (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi /Water resistance:5ATM /Music storage:32GB

Last year, the Google Pixel Watch shifted the playing field for Android smartwatches. Now, the Pixel Watch 2 is here, and while it looks the same as its predecessor, its a significant improvement over last year.

Under the hood, you get a newer processor, Wear OS 4, and a new multipath sensor. What this translates to is much faster charging, zippier performance, and battery life that actually lasts 24 hours with the always-on display. On the health front, you have more accurate heart rate tracking, automatic workout tracking, and the Fitbit Sense 2s continuous electrodermal activity sensor for stress tracking. Plus, there are new personal safety features: Safety Check and Safety Signal. The former is a proactive timer that alerts emergency contacts to your location while the latter allows you to use emergency features even if you dont have an active LTE plan, provided you have a Fitbit Premium subscription. (Note: you still need the LTE version of the watch for Safety Signal to work.)

These are the main updates, but there are also a bunch of tiny fixes and updates here and there that address many of the quirks with the first-gen watch. That said, we still have concerns in terms of durability, repairability, and size. The Verge staff has cracked and scratched our devices, and Google doesnt offer any repair options just the Preferred Care extended warranty. (And even then, this is a new addition with the Pixel Watch 2 thats limited to the US and Canada.) And while the 41mm size is fetching on petite wrists, it may appear too dainty for people with larger wrists.

But if youre looking for alternatives to Google and Samsung, the $299.99 OnePlus Watch 2 is a strong alternative. Youre giving up LTE, but its a handsome-looking watch with surprisingly long battery life and Google Assistant from the get-go.

Sizes: 43mm by 28mm by 10mm /Weight:18g /Battery life:45 days /Display type: None /GPS: None/Connectivity:Bluetooth /Water resistance:Up to 10 meters /Music storage:None

The Whoop 4.0 is not for the casual enthusiast. Not only does it come with an expensive monthly subscription, but the information it provides is only useful if youre actively training for a cardio-intensive sport. If strength training is your main form of exercise, youre better off looking elsewhere. Like the Oura Ring, this is a distraction-free tracker that specializes in sleep and recovery. The main difference is this has a more athletic bent. For instance, youll get way more insight into how much strain youve taken on in the past week.

Whoop also provides a lot of novel ways to wear its tracker, including in underwear and arm/knee sleeves. This makes it an appealing option if youre one of those unicorns who needs a secondary tracker to supplement another form of fitness tracking. Again, this is a tracker best appreciated by people who go hard and arent afraid to experiment.Plus, Whoop recently lowered its subscription prices in certain tiers, so while its still expensive, its not quite as pricey as it used to be.

Update July 1st, 1:38PM ET: Updated buying advice for summer season, added information about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watches and Galaxy Ring. Added Garmin Forerunner 165 as an alternative for casual users. Added OnePlus Watch 2 as an alternative for Android smartwatch.

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The 10 best fitness trackers in 2024 - The Verge

Getting fit doesn't have to cost a fortune. The best cheap fitness trackers can help you get in shape for $100 or less and monitor heart rate, physical activity and sleep quality. We tested popular options from big-name brands like Fitbit and Garmin, and smaller budget-minded ones, like Wyze, to identify the best values.

Many of the best cheap trackers including the Fitbit Inspire 3 and Garmin Forerunner 55, our top pick have companion apps for diving deep into metrics. Plus, the best affordable models are smaller and lighter than more advanced trackers and are ideal for casual users wishing to keep tabs on things like step counts, minutes active, workout routines, restfulness and the like.

To make our selection, we put the best cheap fitness trackers to the test by running, cycling, swimming, working out and sleeping with them on our wrists. While assessing, we looked at how easy they are to operate, how comfortable and stylish they are to wear, and how well they monitor movement. Read on to see our top picks for the best cheap fitness trackers in 2024.

Heres the best cheap fitness trackers you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews. Scroll on for our full in-depth analysis of each.

Best overall

Best overall

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is an attractive and petite budget-friendly tracker. For $100, youre getting ten days of battery life, a colorful band, a bright screen, and heart rate and sleep monitoring.

Read more below

Best GPS

Best with GPS

The Fitbit Charge 6 ticks all of the boxes when it comes to affordability though it does tend to be $50 more than the Inspire 3 including built-in GPS, a bright screen and plenty of fitness tracking metrics.

Read more below

Best Garmin

Best Garmin

Without onboard GPS, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 falls short compared to the Fitbit Charge 6. That said, it gives you all your fitness data for free and is an excellent sleep tracker.

Read more below

Best subscription

Best subscription

It's not for everyone there's no screen, and no built-in GPS. That said, if you're hoping to gain real insight into your heart rate and recovery data, the Whoop 4.0 ticks the right boxes.

Read more below

Best Alexa

Best with Alexa built-in

This tracker puts Alexa on your wrist for around $50, plus it has a week-long battery life and connects to the companys other devices. That said, The Wyze Band probably isnt one for serious fitness fanatics.

Read more below

Best running

Best for runners

If youre serious about tracking your training, spend a little more and get the Garmin Forerunner 55. It offers accurate GPS location tracking and a healthy serving of sleep, workout and recovery tools.

Read more below

The best cheap fitness tracker

Size: 1.5 x 0.7 x 0.5 inches

Weight: 0.62 ounces

Display: 0.7-inch AMOLED

Water resistance: 50 meters

Heart rate monitor: Yes

GPS: No

Sleep tracking: Yes

Smartphone notifications: Yes

Battery life: 10 days

Bright AMOLED screen

Lightweight

Excellent battery life

6 months of Fitbit Premium included

Small screen wont be for everyone

No on-board GPS

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best cheap fitness tracker because it nails the basics: heart rate monitoring, accurate workout tracking and logging sleep stages. The fact that it doesn't have a built-in GPS is slightly disappointing. On the other hand, battery life is excellent.

For $100 or less, you'll get Fitbit's Active Zone Minutes metric, 10 days of battery life, touch controls, and, in the biggest update from the Fitbit Inspire 2, a bright, beautiful AMOLED screen. The Fitbit unit itself is only available in black but is sold in three different band colors black, lilac, and morning glow. The wristband comes in two sizes: small, and large.

During testing, we loved how comfortable and easy-wearing this diminutive tracker was, even at night. We also appreciated how much more premium the tracker felt with a color screen. It won't be for everyone, but if you're looking for an affordable fitness tracker, you can't go wrong with the Inspire 3.

Read our full Fitbit Inspire 3 review here.

The cheap fitness tracker with built-in GPS

Size: 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.4 inches

Weight: 1.3 ounce

Display: 1.4-inch AMOLED

Water resistance: 50 meters

Heart rate monitor: Yes

GPS: Yes

Sleep tracking: Yes

Smartphone notifications: Yes

Battery life: 7 days

Support for Google Maps, Youtube Music and Google Wallet

Light, slim and comfortable design

Accurate heart rate sensor

Bright, crisp touchscreen

No support for Spotify

Some limitations in sports modes

Although it's Google's flagship fitness tracker, the Fitbit Charge 6 is a fairly affordable device, not to mention, easy-wearing. Plus, it boasts several exciting updates compared to the Fitbit Charge 5, including the return of haptic side buttons, which make the 6 far easier to navigate. It can also now be used as a heart rate tracker on NordicTrack, Peleton and other exercise machines.

The Charge 6 isn't only about fitness though. Unlike the Inspire 3, it offers support for Google Maps, YouTube Music and Google Wallet, though you will need a Google account to use any of the above.

In addition to access to useful Google apps, the Charge 6 also features an onboard GPS. This makes it heavier than its more affordable sibling, the Inspire 3, but it still doesn't weigh much. More importantly, the built-in GPS lets you accurately track runs, hikes, bike rides and more, without the need to carry a paired smartphone.

During testing, we were impressed by how comfortable the Charge 6 is around the wrist and how easy it is to read in the bright sunlight. The screen is a bit larger than that found on the Inspire 3 though nowhere near as large as those found on the latest Apple Watches.

Ultimately, if you want a petite and capable fitness tracker with some useful smartwatch features and are okay with breaking the $100 price barrier, the Fitbit Charge 6 is a total home run.

Read our Fitbit Charge 6 review here.

This best cheap Garmin tracker

Size: 0.8 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches (small), 0.8 x 0.4 x 10 inches (large)

Weight: 0.9 ounces

Display: 0.8-inch OLED (B&W)

Water resistance: 50 meters

Heart rate monitor: Yes

GPS: No

Sleep tracking: Yes

Smartphone notifications: No

Battery life: 7 days

Good sleep tracking

Lightweight design

Comprehensive companion app

No built-in GPS

A little fiddly to use

It's not just huge adventure watches that Garmin make, they also have smaller fitness trackers, that won't cost the earth. The best of these is the Garmin Vivosmart 5 a little tracker, that does a lot more than just counting your steps.

The Vivosmart 5 has a monochrome OLED display, that is 66% larger than the display on its predecessor. This does make it easier to read messages on the watch, and unlike the Vivosmart 4, text can now scroll across the screen, which prevents messages from being cut off. Additionally, you can see at least three stats on the screen at one time.

The Vivosmart 5 gives you GPS tracking through your phone, blood oxygen monitoring, and continuous heart rate monitoring.Like a lot of the otherbest Garmin watches, the Vivosmart 5 is pretty good on a sleep-tracking front. Its lightweight and comfortable enough to wear when youre sleeping (compared to theGarmin Fenix 7, its quite literally, a dream), and gives you a good picture of your sleep patterns. Like a lot of the more premium Garmin watches, the watch will also give you a body battery score when you wake up, which takes into account your previous days activity levels, and your sleep quality.

The body battery tool is similar to Fitbits daily readiness score, but Garmin has one huge benefit over Fitbit in this category unlike Fitbit, it doesnt put its premium tracking features behind a paywall. All of Garmins data is free of charge and available in the Garmin Connect App, which is intuitive and easy to use.

Read our full Garmin Vivosmart 5 review.

The best fitness tracker subscription

Size: 1.5 inches x 1 inch x 0.5 inches

Weight: 1 ounce

Display: n/a

Water resistance : 10 meters

Heart rate monitor: Yes

Excerpt from:
Best cheap fitness trackers of 2024 - Tom's Guide

From forest bathing to cold water swimming, getting reacquainted with the natural world has been high on our collective agendas during the past couple of years. And a new fitness trendthat has garnered over 350K views on TikTokpotentially brings this craze to a peak. Say hello to quadrobics, a style of exercising that sees devotees using all four limbs, to mimic the movements of various animals, explains Tomi Akande, a personal trainer at UNTIL.

There is method in the madness: Quadrobics is a way of exercising that combines elements of aerobics and calisthenics, explains Akande. Its designed to engage all four limbs simultaneously, providing a really effective full-body workout. Not only does a quadrobics workout enhance strength and agility, but coordination too, since it targets a group of muscles referred to collectively as the quad muscles, which are crucial for a variety of daily activities and overall body stability, says Akande.

This group of muscles includes the quadriceps (the muscles on the front of the thigh), quadratus lumborum (in the lower back), quadriceps surae (in the calves), and quadriceps femoris (which encompasses all the muscles in the group, and forms the major muscle mass of the thigh). As well as being excellent for general movementand longevity of it, as we get olderthese muscles help with spinal stability and lateral movement, knee extension and leg raising, and ankle control and foot movement, says Akande.

While a peruse at those sharing their quadrobics moves on TikTok might show some of the weirder sides of the sportthere are a lot of incredibly flexible people dressed up as cats, prancing aroundlearning how to move in a functional way can pay dividends to our health. Examples of different movements include bear crawlswhich are a personal trainer favoritewhere you move forward on your hands and feet, mimicking a bears movement. This, alone, can enhance strength, coordination, and agility by engaging the core, shoulders, and legs, says Akande.

Other key movements include crab walks, where you sit with your hands behind you, lift your hips off the ground, and walk forwards and backwards using your hands and feet to target the triceps, shoulders, and core; or gorilla walks, where you move side to side in a deep squat position with your hands touching the ground, mimicking a gorillas moves. This targets the legs, glutes, and upper body, Akande continues.

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Quadrobics Is the Fitness Trend That Improves All-Over Strength (and Your Abs) - Vogue

As the sun breaks over the treeline on Wednesday, many residents of the Music City are just beginning their daily routines.

The Nashville Predators prospects, however, are already hard at work.

Lined up on the track at Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashvilles group of NHL hopefuls spend the earliest parts of the day putting in laps and breaking a sweat far from the comforts and familiarity of the rink.

For some, the hardest part is the running itself. For most, its the oppressive Tennessee heat.

I was ready for the track, 2023 first-round pick Tanner Molendyk said. I wasnt ready for the heat, I dont think. After the third run I was just pouring sweat.

Once you get the eyes and the body awake, its not bad, 2023 second-round pick Kalan Lind said. It's definitely a lot hotter here than it is in Saskatchewan, though. I was up at seven in the morning and it was probably already hotter than a normal day in Saskatchewan. It was definitely a little bit of a battle, but we all got through it together.

Regarded by many as the toughest part of Development Camp, the weeks two outdoor sessions may embody The Standard best when it comes to conditioning and physical fitness.

Were just trying to give them a little bit of exposure to the way we do some conditioning, Predators Strength and Conditioning Coach David Good said. A lot of these guys don't run that much. So it's a good eye-opener, as far as effort goes, to give an introduction to how hard things are. And that's what [Predators General Manager] Barry Trotz was speaking about yesterday during our intro. You have to do the hard things when you don't want to, and track seems to be that for a lot of the guys.

Entering his 21st season with the Predators, Good spends the week sharing his expertise with each of the camps attendees and equipping them with the necessary tools and resources to get their bodies up to peak physical condition.

They all need to get bigger, faster and stronger, so our role applies a lot to what they're doing, Good said. And it's mostly just education. We demand quite a bit of energy from them throughout the whole week, so we don't want to kill them during the workouts. We just try to give them a little bit of information and some exposure to all areas.

Those areas of education cover a little bit of everything, from pregame warmup routines to dietary decision-making - the latter of which is explored during an in-depth session with Predators Nutritionist Mari-Etta Parrish.

Its mostly just about choices, Predators Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development Scott Nichol said. We're always on the road, so if you're eating out, what's your choice? Like instead of french fries maybe pick a baked potato Mari-Etta will go through all that. What's your pregame meal? If its fettuccine alfredo, thats probably not a good choice, right? And it's hard for some of these kids because they're college kids that dont cook for themselves or its our junior kids who live with billet families, so they eat whatever the billet family makes them.

After camp, prospects keep in touch with Parrish on a monthly basis to track their nutrition or ask for recipe suggestions. All of it stems from the ideas introduced and the relationships forged during Dev Camp.

We're with these guys for a few hours a day, but a lot of what we do, especially nutritionally, happens away from the rink, Good said. So, they need to have that discipline and be adults and start to develop these habits that will help them transition into professional hockey players.

For Mari-Etta, it's about communication - making them feel comfortable, so when they leave they can call her and say, Hey, I'm making dinner tonight, what's a good option? Nichol said. And that's what we take a lot of pride in. It's the first step of them basically becoming a pro.

The next step, for many of Nashvilles prospects, is bulking up. Of course, Development Camp can help there too.

Its lots of calories, Lind said. This summer, 4,000 calories a day is what I've been taking. So, my job pretty much all summer has just been working out and eating food all day. The start was a struggle but towards the end now I've gotten into it pretty good and I've put on quite a few pounds so far. So, I'm pretty happy with my progression.

Like Lind, each Predators prospect will be responsible for continuing their own personal fitness progression and upholding The Standard as they begin their respective seasons outside of Nashville this fall.

It's critical, Good said. We're a unique sport because we draft 17 and 18 year olds, where other sports are drafting men. So we're drafting players that haven't fully physically developed yet, and a good percentage of their physical development will come from their dedication to what they're doing. Genetically, they're going to do what they're going to do, but their work ethic and their discipline, what they demand of themselves, and what we demand of them, is going to dictate a lot of how they develop as well.

On-ice Dev Camp sessions continue at Centennial Sportsplex this Friday, before the Future Stars Game finale caps the week off at Ford Ice Center Bellevue on Saturday.

Click here to view a full camp roster and click here to view the full schedule.

See original here:
As Dev Camp Continues, Preds Prospects Learn 'The Standard' for Physical Fitness: 'You Have To Do the Hard Things ... - NHL.com

11 Fitness: Resistance training at home

Updated: 1:10 PM EDT Jul 6, 2024

FOR 11 FITNESS CHARLES HARRIS JOINING US WITH HIS DAUGHTER CHARLIE. AND YOURE LIKE CONFUCIUS THIS MORNING YOU SAID YOUR BODY IS THE BEST MACHINE. YES. ALWAYS. SO GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. THIS IS ONE WORKOUT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. NOT NOW, BUT RIGHT NOW AT HOME. YOU DONT NEED TO BE AT THE GYM, SO GET OFF THE SOFA. OFF THE BED. TRY THIS. IT WORKS. TOTAL BODY. ITS LIKE BEING A SPIDER. EXACTLY, EXACTLY. SO NO MACHINE CAN GIVE YOU CARDIO TRAINING, FLEXIBILITY, TRAINING AND STRENGTH TRAINING AT THE SAME TIME. BUT YOURE A HUMAN BODY, SO WHY NOT USE THAT? UTILIZE YOUR BODY TO BURN CALORIES, TONE AND GET STRONGER. SO SHES DOING A WORKOUT WHICH WORKS HER CORE, HER LEGS. YOU CAN SEE HER. SHE HAVE THE BAND ON. THE BAND IS FOR RESISTANCE. WERE GOING TO GO RIGHT INTO A SIDE LUNGE. OKAY? WITH THAT? THAT WORKS. THE HIPS. YEP. HOW DOES THAT FEEL, CHARLIE? TIGHT, TIGHT TIGHT. YEAH. SO THIS IS GREAT FOR YOUR HIPS RIGHT. ADDUCTORS FOR YOUR THIGHS. YEAH I WOULD SAY DO 25 ON EACH SIDE. AND KNOCK THAT OUT. THATS GREAT FOR TONING. AND ITS USER FRIENDLY. AND THAT WAY YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT INJURING YOURSELF. ANY FITNESS LEVEL, ANY AGE AND DIFFERENT TIGHTNESS OF THE BANDS. YES. AND SHE TAKES THE BAND UP A LITTLE HIGHER. IT GIVES YOU MORE RESISTANCE IN THE HIPS. OKAY, SO THIS IS A GREAT EXERCISE THAT YOU CAN DO. WORKS THE YES -- BACK THERE TOO. SO WERE GOING TO GO RIGHT INTO A PLANK OKAY. A UM LOW IMPACT PLANK. THE BEST WAY I LIKE PLANKS. YES. WHEN SHES DOING THAT. YES. WHEN SOMEBODY ELSE IS DOING IT RIGHT. BUT TRICEPS OKAY. YOU KNOW TRICEPS. LOOK THE DEFINITION IN HER BACK TOO. AND NORMALLY YOU SEE PLANKS LIKE THIS AT THE GYM. IM LIKE, OH MY GOODNESS. WHATS THAT A MOUNTAIN TOP? ITS NO MOUNTAIN TOPS AND WINDMILLS. ALL RIGHT SO THATS GREAT. SO SHE WONT GO TO A HIGH PLANK I CALL IT HIGH PLANK UP LIKE THAT. BOOM. TRICEPS KICKING IN. YEAH. INSTANTLY RIGHT. GO BACK TO A LOW PLANK AND YOU CAN DO A MOVING PLANK LIKE THIS. AND I WOULD SAY ONE MINUTE YOU DONT HAVE TO DO QUANTITY. JUST DO TIME ONE MINUTE. LIKE THAT. JUST GETTING STARTED IS THE THING. RIGHT OKAY. WHAT ABOUT THE SIDE PLANK. SO A MODIFIED IS ON THE ELBOW. SO SHE COME UP. WE DO THIS IN YOGA AS WELL. WORKING GOOD OBLIQUES LOVE HANDLES. AND SHE CAN TAKE THE HAND UNDERNEATH AND UP. AND THATS WORKING YOUR SHOULDERS. THEY CANT SEE THIS. BUT GREAT DEFINITION IN THE BACK CAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF STRENGTH IN HER SHOULDER TOO. TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. YES. YEAH. AND ONCE AGAIN YOU DONT WANT THE HIPS TO COLLAPSE LIKE THIS. YOU WANT TO COME UP. MHM. WE WANT TO GET FANCY JAN OKAY I LIKE THIS THIS LEGS GOING TO COME UP SLIGHTLY. BOOM. AND DOWN. NICE. BOOM AND DOWN. DO YOU HELP PEOPLE DO THIS. YES. THIS IS WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY. EVERY DAY ALL DAY EVERY DAY. YOURE GUIDING. YES. YOURE THE GURU. THANK YOU. I LIKE IT. ALL RIGHT. THATS GOOD. YOUVE TORTURED HER ENOUGH. WHAT ELSE DOES SHE HAVE TO WALK OUT ON THE STEPS WITH THE HANDS. SO ITS A PLANK POSITION. THEN SHE CAN JUST TAKE THE HANDS UP AND DOWN. ALL RIGHT. AND THIS IS ALSO A PLYOMETRIC MOVE. BUT YOU WANT TO BE SAFE. YOU DONT WANT TO POUND THE WRIST GOING UP NICE AND SLOW. AND THIS WILL GET YOUR HEART RATE UP AS WELL. SO YOU SAY PLYOMETRIC, BUT WHICH IS SUPER FANCY, BY THE WAY. BUT IS IT KIND OF LIKE THOSE COMPOUND MOVES WHERE YOURE MAKING THE MOST OF EVERYTHING YOUVE GOT? I LIKE MULTIFUNCTIONAL TRAINING. THATS A GOOD POINT BECAUSE YOU BURN MORE CALORIES WORKING MULTIPLE MUSCLES, AND ITS MORE EFFICIENT BECAUSE YOU GET MORE DONE. IM NOT GOING TO HAVE YOU DO THIS. THANK YOU I APPRECIATE THAT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. YOU A MOUNTAIN CLIMBER REAL QUICK ILL SHOW YOU A DANCE AT THE END, A CHISEL DANCE. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS. I LIKE THIS, OKAY. ALL RIGHT. OKAY, SO THESE ARE GLIDERS. THESE ARE GOING TO HELP YOU MOVE A LITTLE EASIER. AND IF YOU DONT HAVE GLIDERS, YOU CAN USE PAPER PLATES. THEY WORK WELL. OH OKAY. THATS A GOOD IDEA. PAPER PLATES. HEAVY DUTY PAPER PLATES AT HOME. NOT THE PAPER ONES. OH MY GOSH. WOW. ABS. OKAY. QUADS. HAMSTRINGS, CALVES ALL IN ONE. GIVE THE UPPER BODY BEING WORKED. CORE BEING WORKED. WHOA. CUT BACK OKAY. YES. IM SORRY CHARLIE. NICE. IS THAT GOOD? GOOD. OKAY. YEAH. OH. SHES LIKE BURNING UP TOO. SO THATS LIKE BURNING ALL THE STUFF. NOT THAT SHE DOESNT HAVE ANY FAT TO BURN, BUT IF YOU DID, IT WOULD BE BURNING. IT WOULD BE ONE MINUTE. TAKE A BREAK. DO 10S TAKE A BREAK. YOURE LOOKING GOOD, CHARLIE. 987654321. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. THE DANCE, THE DANCE. OKAY. THIS IS. I GOTTA DO. IF THIS IS ALL I GOTTA DO, I GOT THIS, ALL RIGHT. WHOA, WHOA, WHOA. OKAY. YEAH. THE DANCE. COME ON. STAY WITH US. HAS ANOTHER LOOK AT YOUR WEEKEND. GET UP! EVERYBODY MOVE!

11 Fitness: Resistance training at home

Updated: 1:10 PM EDT Jul 6, 2024

Fitness expert Charles Harris is joined by his daughter to demonstrate bodyweight exercises you can do at home with little to no equipment required. Watch to see the proper form for planks, resistance training, and mountain climbers.

Fitness expert Charles Harris is joined by his daughter to demonstrate bodyweight exercises you can do at home with little to no equipment required. Watch to see the proper form for planks, resistance training, and mountain climbers.

Read more:
Resistance training at home with at-home tools - WBAL TV Baltimore

I love Pilates. The practice has helped me build full-body strength and mobility, allowing me to move freely and keep injuries at bay. Its also my favorite way to break up a day sitting behind one of the best laptops, other than a jaunt

If you want to give it a go, Pilates expert Portia Page says there are five foundational moves worth learning above all others; the hundred, kneeling side kick, saw, push-up and leg circles.

Below, she walks you through each one, explaining the many benefits on offer and some optional modifications to make them more accessible.

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Portia Page has been in the fitness industry for more than 30 years. She is an NCPT (nationally certified Pilates instructor) and a Balanced Body master instructor for Pilates, Barre and more.

She also holds further certifications with the ACE (American Council on Exercise) and AFAA (Athletics and Fitness Association of America).

Modifications

If you feel your lower back lifting off the floor when doing this move, Page suggests two possible remedies. You can try bending your knees so your shins are parallel with the floor, or bending your knees and placing your feet flat on the ground.

She also has tips for anyone who feels their neck straining when reaching it towards the chest.

Try keeping the head and shoulders propped up with either a towel or pillow. O you can take a towel folded lengthwise in your hands, place it behind your head, then hold your head up and hold the position for 30-60 seconds.

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Benefits

The hundred warms up the body, Page explains. It also teaches correct breathing with abdominal engagement, increases abdominal strength and increases upper back flexibility.

Everyone needs strong abdominals to support their torso and limbs throughout daily activities. A strong core is also helpful for maintaining good posture, which keeps the body in a relaxed-yet-ready state throughout the day in all positions, whether youre sitting, standing, walking or otherwise.

Modifications

If you have limited flexibility in your legs, you may be unable to extend them vertically towards the ceiling. If this is the case, Page recommends lifting your thigh vertical with your knee bent so your shin is parallel to the ground, then making small circles with your knee rather than your foot.

Benefits

This move increases the flexibility of the hips and legs, Page says. It also warms up the hip joint and pelvis, strengthens the abdominals, builds awareness of the upper body muscles and develops control through the torso and arms.

Modifications

Some people may experience discomfort when supporting their weight through the planted wrist. To avoid this, Page suggests lying on your side as you do this move, pushing your bottom leg into the ground and extending your lower arm in front of you for stability.

You can also reduce your range of motion in any part of the exercise to make it challenging but achievable (this might mean not lifting your leg as high, or moving it as far forward or backward).

If your flexibility is limited, reduce your range of motion.

Benefits

Doing the kneeling side kick stretches the hamstrings and hip flexors, and strengthens and sculpts the outer thighs, says Page. It also brings awareness and control to the lumbo pelvic region for everyday activities.

Modifications

If your lower back is tight or your hamstrings are less flexible, preventing you from sitting tall, you can sit on a pillow or small box to lift the hips off the floor and give you room to sit up on top of your sit bones, Page explains.

Benefits

Do this move to increase your mobility and rotation of the spine, Page says. It teaches correct sitting posture too, as well as strengthening and stabilizing the core and pelvis.

Modifications

If you feel pain, discomfort or a lack of control in the lower back when bending and straightening the elbows, lower your knees to the ground when in the plank position, Page advises.

If there is discomfort in your upper body or wrists, perform the plank and push-up against a wall, or a raised surface like a windowsill or sturdy chair.

Benefits

The push-up strengthens the entire body, says Page. It's simple, but effective.

More:
A Pilates expert says these are the five 'essential' moves most people should be doing - TechRadar

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