I examined 7 health trackers for working on the NYC Marathon

Desk of Contents

I ran the New York Metropolis Marathon carrying seven health trackers to see how they evaluate, and I left with just a few favorites. I obtained a variety of unusual appears, but when disgrace is the value to pay for locating the perfect health tracker for working a marathon, so be it.

Whereas coaching for the race, I used 10 completely different trackers in complete — deep breath — the brand new Apple Watch Extremely 3 (which changed my Apple Watch Extremely 2, which changed my Apple Watch SE), the Garmin Forerunner 570, the Whoop MG, the Pixel Watch 4 (in addition to the older Pixel Watch 3), the Suunto Run, the Oura Ring 4, and the Fitbit Cost 6.

Ultimately, I ran the marathon utilizing the seven most up to date fashions of our prime contenders. I used to be most impressed by the Whoop MG, Garmin Forerunner 570, and the Apple Watch Extremely 3. The extra reasonably priced Suunto Run additionally has quite a bit to supply runners.

I additionally wished to search out probably the most dependable health trackers for marathon coaching, so throughout every week of my coaching, I targeted particularly on one tracker or smartwatch. To make sure the perfect knowledge assortment doable, I additionally wore it throughout the day and night time outdoors of my exercises to check its battery life and restoration knowledge assortment.

Whereas I targeted on a special tracker every week, I wore all seven fashions throughout all of my exercises throughout your complete 18-week coaching season. In complete, I ran 508 miles, had 30 weightlifting periods, rode a motorcycle for 110 miles, and practiced yoga or Pilates about as soon as per week. And I did all of that trying like Bucky Barnes.

Reader: It was humiliating, and I did all of it for you.

I wished a wearable that had a cushty design, easy-to-understand exercise metrics, helpful restoration metrics, an extended battery life, and was definitely worth the value. I wished it to assist me prepare, get well, and run the marathon. So, this is every thing I discovered throughout my 508-mile quest to search out the perfect health trackers for working a marathon.

Greatest well being tracker for marathon coaching

My decide: Whoop MG 4.0

The brand new Whoop MG is an extremely comfy, minimalist tracker designed for well being and restoration somewhat than in-the-moment efficiency, and I actually favored it. 

Its tender, light-weight band feels virtually invisible, and since there’s no display, you’re blissfully free from fixed notifications or distractions — one thing I didn’t notice I wanted till I had it. 

That mentioned, the dearth of show, GPS, and coronary heart charge suggestions throughout exercises makes it basically ineffective for reside coaching metrics, similar to tempo or distance. So, like with many well being trackers, you may possible have to additionally use a secondary health tracker to get real-time knowledge in your run, together with tempo, coronary heart charge, and elevation.

Nonetheless, the post-workout insights are spectacular: you may actually see spikes in pressure or stress — even pinpointing moments like a fall or powerful interval — making it really feel private and validating. 

The restoration metrics are the place Whoop really dominates. Its journal function is versatile, permitting you to log habits like alcohol use, weed, and even consuming beans, all of that are correlated with sleep, stress, and restoration. The sleep monitoring is top-tier, breaking down levels, disturbances, and restoration readiness into clear, actionable knowledge that helps you resolve when to push or relaxation. The battery system is genius — a slide-on charger means you by no means need to take it off, not even within the bathe. 

Whereas the subscription mannequin is financially irritating, Whoop’s depth of restoration knowledge makes it arguably the perfect software for understanding your physique.

Additionally examined: Oura Ring 4

The Oura Ring might be the best-looking wearable I attempted throughout coaching season. It is modern, comfy, and surprisingly unobtrusive, and it excels at restoration monitoring. Clearly, very like the Whoop MG, this should not be the one wearable you utilize for marathon coaching — there isn’t any exercise knowledge, as a result of there isn’t any display, and it has no capacity to offer reside coaching suggestions like tempo or coronary heart charge. It gives virtually no helpful knowledge throughout or instantly after exercises, making it extra of a wellness tracker than a efficiency software.

It by no means pinched or turned uncomfortable — although I wouldn’t suggest carrying any rings in any respect whereas lifting weights. In terms of exercise metrics, the Oura Ring merely isn’t constructed for reside coaching suggestions. 

Nevertheless, the place it really shines is in restoration monitoring. It screens key well being indicators similar to coronary heart charge, coronary heart charge variability, physique temperature, sleep high quality, and basic exercise, delivering persistently insightful knowledge that helps you perceive your readiness and restoration developments. 

It’s additionally surprisingly helpful for cycle monitoring (in case you’re into that form of factor), providing correct temperature-based insights. The Oura Ring 4 battery life is great — it could possibly simply final a number of days, and I merely cost it whereas showering with out ever working into low energy points. 

Although it’s dear and requires a subscription, it’s HSA/FSA eligible, which helps. General, the Oura Ring is an distinctive sleep and restoration tracker, finest paired with a devoted health system for coaching.

Learn Mashable’s full evaluation of the Oura Ring 4.

Greatest life-style smartwatches for marathon coaching

My decide: Apple Watch Extremely 3

The Apple Watch Extremely 3 is likely one of the most superior smartwatches but — highly effective, sturdy, and thoughtfully designed, although not with out its quirks. 

Its huge display and hefty construct make it really feel substantial on the wrist, however regardless of its dimension, it stays surprisingly comfy, even for sleeping. It’s not the lightest watch on the market, nevertheless it’s well-balanced sufficient for all-day put on. 

Throughout exercises, the metrics are easy however dependable, providing you with correct readings of coronary heart charge, tempo, and time, with the choice to plan structured exercises immediately on the watch. You may pause your run by clicking any two buttons without delay, and begin a brand new section by clicking the orange button. I recognize how simply I can change between media, segments, and exercises.

Mashable Gentle Pace

Put up-run knowledge is primary in comparison with devoted working watches, however nonetheless lots for informal runners. The restoration and well being monitoring options are strong — it tracks sleep, cycle phases, blood oxygen, respiration, and cardio health, and you may manually add knowledge on diet, remedy, or signs for a extra holistic image. 

Battery life is the perfect of any Apple Watch, lasting by way of a full marathon with out dying and recharging rapidly. As an illustration, I wore all of it day and all night time, throughout exercises and journey, however simply charged it whereas I showered, and had no downside with the battery life. 

At $799, it’s by far the priciest watch I examined, however its huge display proved unexpectedly helpful throughout my marathon — I may simply learn notes and spot buddies on the course, and even reply to texts mid-race with out lacking a step. For runners who aren’t coaching for a marathon, the brand new Apple Watch Collection 11 additionally impressed our Apple skilled.

Additionally examined: Google Pixel Watch 4

I actually loved utilizing the Pixel Watch 4 for my coaching, nevertheless it had one big flaw that moved it beneath the Apple Watch Extremely 3 for marathon coaching: it died throughout the marathon. I by no means had a difficulty throughout marathon coaching, together with a long term that was 22 miles lengthy. So, it is nonetheless among the best smartwatches for working on the whole. However throughout the race itself — which incorporates leaving my house about 5 hours earlier than truly beginning the race, sitting in a comparatively chilly begin village, and working the race — my Pixel Watch 4’s battery died. My Apple Watch SE additionally died throughout the 2023 New York Metropolis Marathon, so I am not unfamiliar with the ache, nevertheless it’s not what you need. 

Nevertheless, throughout coaching, I used to be happy with the watch. It is a strong, well-rounded smartwatch that balances consolation, efficiency, and good integration. It’s light-weight and simple to put on across the clock — comfy sufficient to sleep in, with no irritation or bulk. Throughout runs, it delivers all of the important exercise metrics like tempo, coronary heart charge, and time, displayed on a vibrant, easy-to-read display that holds up even in direct daylight. 

The buttons really feel a bit mushy, however their presence remains to be appreciated for sweaty exercises when touchscreens fall quick. Put up-run, the Fitbit app gives deeper insights similar to stride size, step cadence, floor contact time, vertical ratio, and oscillation. 

Whereas Fitbit isn’t my favourite monitoring platform, its integration right here is easy and responsive, particularly with the choice to create customized exercises, from interval periods to threshold runs, and even obtain AI-powered each day run suggestions. 

Restoration monitoring is strong, too, with correct sleep scoring that aligns carefully with well being trackers just like the Oura Ring and Whoop. 

The battery life (say it with me: boooooo) is meant to final round 48 hours for normal use, which isn’t stellar for hardcore health customers however is okay for a way of life watch, and charging is quicker and extra dependable than earlier Pixel Watches.

At $350, it’s a good worth — notably in case you already personal a Pixel cellphone.

Learn my full evaluation of the Google Pixel Watch 4.

Greatest health tracker for working and marathon coaching

My decide: Garmin Forerunner 570

I am not saying something revolutionary or surprising once I say Garmin is a runner’s watch.

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is likely one of the most superior health watches available on the market, and it is apparent from the second you put on it for a run. The exercise metrics are nothing wanting unbelievable. Throughout exercises, it covers all of the necessities — tempo, coronary heart charge, time — and presents them clearly on a vibrant, easy-to-read show. I do not love the buttons (they seem to be a bit mushy for my style), however they’re responsive sufficient.

Put up-run knowledge is the place Garmin actually shines: run/stroll detection, coaching impact, energy output, and working dynamics like vertical oscillation and stride size provide a degree of perception few gadgets can match. It even gives adaptive coaching plans primarily based in your knowledge. 

On the restoration facet, Garmin’s coaching readiness and physique battery options mix sleep, stress, and HRV for actionable insights that rival Oura and Whoop.

After all, it isn’t with out its drawbacks — beginning with consolation. I struggled with the way it felt on my wrist; throughout a wet run in the course of my coaching block, the band dug into my pores and skin and rubbed it uncooked, leaving it sore sufficient that I couldn’t put on it for the remainder of the day. Different folks have complained that they’ve gotten rashes from the Garmin, too. You may get new straps which may remedy the problem, however boy was it disagreeable.

The battery life is great, lasting as much as 11 days, and whereas the $550 price ticket is steep, it’s straightforward to see why athletes swear by it.

Extra reasonably priced working watch: Suunto Run

The Suunto Run additionally has so, so, a lot knowledge. What makes it barely decrease on the record than the Garmin Forerunner 570 is that it has fewer smartwatch perks than the Garmin does — it does not have the third-party app help, music, and contactless funds obtainable on the Garmin and, on the whole, it feels form of low cost — particularly the charger.

However I did actually just like the Suunto Run. It delivers an impressively balanced expertise for runners who need dependable knowledge, consolation, and battery life with out overcomplication. Its Velcro strap is light-weight, breathable, and safe — it doesn’t rub, slip, or shift throughout exercises, and it’s comfy sufficient to sleep in, which makes carrying it across the clock surprisingly straightforward. 

Throughout runs, the watch focuses on the necessities: tempo, coronary heart charge, and cadence, all displayed clearly on a vibrant, easy-to-read display. The bodily buttons really feel responsive and satisfying to press, an enormous plus once you’re sweaty mid-run. 

After exercises, the Suunto app unlocks a deeper layer of coaching metrics, together with coaching load, stress rating, and normalized graded tempo. Whereas not each stat will matter to an informal marathoner, the breadth of knowledge is spectacular and well-organized. 

On the restoration facet, Suunto nails readability: it combines coronary heart charge variability, sleep high quality, and coaching steadiness right into a single, easy-to-read restoration rating that aligns carefully with outcomes from Oura and Whoop, although HRV readings can differ barely. 

The battery life is great, lasting as much as 12 days in smartwatch mode or 20 hours in efficiency mode, so that you’ll not often take into consideration charging. At $249, the Suunto Run is a great, well-priced selection for devoted runners who don’t desire all of the fuss of a wise watch however do need all the info of a working watch.

Additionally examined: Fitbit Cost 6

The Fitbit Cost 6 is the least costly choice I wore, and it exhibits. It is light-weight, however do not let that idiot you — it is a comparatively uncomfortable tracker compared to the opposite trackers I examined. The truth is, after two nights of sleeping with it on, my wrist was bruised. 

Throughout exercises, it struggles to maintain tempo with extra superior health watches. The GPS accuracy is inconsistent, overestimating distance on one run and underestimating on the following, which throws off tempo knowledge — a dealbreaker for critical runners. It additionally does not monitor elevation achieve, which is a crucial a part of coaching for a very hilly race just like the New York Metropolis Marathon. 

Mid-run readability isn’t very best, and the reference to my cellphone dropped greater than as soon as, however coronary heart charge monitoring shines — responsive, correct, and enhanced by useful haptic alerts once you shift zones. 

Restoration monitoring is surprisingly sturdy, providing clear sleep scores and resting coronary heart charge knowledge that really feel well-calibrated for basic wellness, even when not probably the most detailed. The true standout, although, is battery life, which simply lasted a full week with heavy use — really spectacular for a tool at this dimension and value level. 

At $159, the Cost 6 delivers strong worth for on a regular basis athletes who need the very least. If you happen to’re searching for the perfect health tracker for working for novices, this can be a funds decide price contemplating. For marathon coaching, it could possibly’t sustain. It is successfully a flowery pedometer, and also you is likely to be higher off shopping for a kind of.

After 500 miles, what would I like to recommend to a buddy?

So, after 18 weeks of coaching, 500 miles, and so, so many humorous appears (that is what occurs once you put on seven health trackers on the identical time), what did I resolve?

Here is what I would suggest to a buddy coaching for a marathon: I would put on the Whoop MG for well being monitoring, notably throughout coaching and restoration. I would put on the Suunto Run throughout coaching, except I had some huge cash to play with, after which I would get a Garmin Forerunner 570. If I used to be particularly working the NYC Marathon and was anxious about discovering folks, I would preserve the Apple Watch Extremely 3 on my wrist for the marathon. 

For now, I believe I would go with none system for just a few weeks. Free me from the info.