If there’s one thing we know about Fitbit fitness trackers, it’s that they’re not just for younger people who need the motivation to exercise and keep fit. They’re also good for senior citizens who would like to keep moving and keep fit irrespective of old age.
At the end of the day, every last one of us should really maintain a healthy lifestyle, whether we’re young or old.
Since fitness trackers are quite handy in providing the guide and motivation that we need to keep moving and keep fit, it makes a lot of sense to have something for the elderly.
But why Fitbit exactly?
Because, if you think about it, Fitbit is a household name that’s always on top of the game. That means whatever Fitbit you buy for a senior citizen will definitely give you value for your money.
Before you continue, you can also check out this post about using a fitness tracker to find a lost kid.
Here’s quick table of what we will cover:
1.  |
Fitbit Charge 3 |
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2.  |
Fitbit Versa 4 |
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3.  |
Fitbit Charge 5 |
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4.  |
Fitbit Luxe | |
5.  |
Fitbit Inspire 3 | |
6.  |
Fitbit Blaze |
How We Tested
Selecting the best-simplified Fitbits for older users required emphasizing critical features like readability, automated tracking, battery life, and wearability over more advanced metrics.
- Essential Features: We had groups of seniors spanning ages 65-82 test models for comfort, charging reliability, and button and screen legibility from increased wrist sizes and deteriorated vision conditions.
- App Interface: We also assessed the Fitbit app interface based on the ease of configuring devices and reading data and notifications in large fonts. Based on their direct input on challenges facing elderly users, we compiled models addressing key needs.
Best Fitbit for Older Ladies and Men – 2023
According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, about 46% of adults, who are 65 years and above have a smartphone, which is important for synching fitness trackers. Another study conducted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that about 28-34% of adults who are between 65 years and above fulfilled a set of guidelines required for physical activity.
So, whether you’re a retired citizen and you need a fitness tracker with a reminder to move or you’re an elderly who wants to keep working out with the help of an activity monitor, here are the top Fitbits to consider.
1. Fitbit Charge 3
The last of Fitbit’s, is an improved version of the Charge 2, with a few modifications that make it even more functional.
This one comes with no female health tracking. But it still makes a decent option for a senior audience that needs a general fitness and activity tracking device.
Unlike the original Charge and Charge 2, model 3 features a higher resolution for better readability and a very smooth and responsive touch-sensitive display for easy navigation.
Instead of a colored display, Fitbit chooses to make it black and white instead. While this improves battery life so you can get more runtime from a single charge, content isn’t nearly as crisp as what you get from Fitbit Versa.
Fitbit Charge 3 offers better notification than its predecessor, allowing you to get full call alerts and even read an entire text message from your contact. As of this writing, you can’t use this device to answer phone calls, Fitbit promised it but hasn’t delivered.
On tracking, Charge 3 includes smart workout tracking, features guided breathing, can count steps when walking or running, and has a 24/7 heart rate monitor.
In addition, Fitbit Charge 3 also includes an SPO2 sensor, which checks the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream to help you know if you’re sick otherwise.
- Waterproof up to 5 ATM, you’d have to swim up to 164 feet deep to destroy this device
- Battery life is 7 days, a good enough runtime to use the device for a week on a single charge
- Heart rate monitor and SPO2 sensors included
- Touch-sensitive and responsive screen with improved notification and readability experience
- NFC Payments are available on Fitbit Charge 3 Special Edition
- No on-board GPS system
- Swiping doesn’t work 100% of the time
- You can charge it only with Fitbit’s proprietary charger
2. Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch – Best for Older Men
The Versa 4 Smartwatch may be limited in features, but it’s one of the more likely accurate activity trackers Fitbit has ever built. For the price, you get a step counter, calorie counter, a waterproof design, 15 exercise modes, a sleep tracker, and a heart rate monitor. Thanks to these features, the Versa is downright the best alternative to Fitbit Ionic, which is an expensive pick.
Fitbit Versa doesn’t feature a built-in GPS system. But since it pairs well with your phone, you can still use it to get accurate mileage, pace, and splits from biking and /or running.
Female health tracking in a fitness tracker is a pure game changer. Its inclusion in the Versa means you can use the device to not only log your period symptoms but also gain more insight into your health. If anything is cool about this, it’s the ability to get insightful health reports on a watch face. So cool! But it’s still at the very basic level and there’s still more Fitbit should do to make this feature robust.
Give a big green tick to Fitbit Versa for its waterproof design. Water-resistant up to 50 meters deep, it’s easy to see why its fan base praises it for being such a badass watch when it comes to swimming. It simply takes a lot of water to destroy this watch, which means that if you take good care of it, it could last forever. Swim mode is among the exercise options you get. Switch to this, dive into a pool, and you’ll be able to display the length swam, meters swam, and the time spent swimming.
- Smaller and lighter, with a clear display that makes fitness stats easy to read
- Includes female health tracking features, which makes it an ideal option to include on this list
- You can take it swimming because it’s waterproof up to 50 meters deep
- Works quite well with Android and iOS app
- Battery life is better than Apple Watch, but poor compared to other Fitbit models
- Not access to Fitbit Pay, and you don’t get access to on-screen workouts
- Doesn’t include an onboard GPS
3. Fitbit Charge 5 Advanced Health & Fitness Tracker – Best for Older Ladies
The Fitbit Charge 5 is tailored for golden agers who want to take health and fitness to the next level. This tracker comes with a Daily Readiness Score, which helps you determine if you should go out and exercise or rest and recover on a specific day. And that is indispensable because, as an older adult, over-exercising exposes you to many problems, including prolonged muscle soreness and cardiac arrests.
Fitbit also understands that, as a senior, various aspects are likely to stress you out, from finances to declining health. As such, this beloved brand has equipped Fitbit Charge 5 with a Stress Management Score, which uses factors like heart rate variability and activity levels to track stress levels. With this feature, you can proactively manage stress and improve mental health.
- Compatible with both Android (OS 9+) and Apple (IOS 15+) smartphones
- Equipped with an ECG app for monitoring heart health and checking for signs of atrial fibrillation
- Comes with built-in GPS, meaning you can use it to monitor your real-time distance and pace while working out, even without your smartphone
- Improved screen, 2x brighter than Charge 4
- Daily sleep score for tracking and improving sleep quality
- 6-month Fitbit Premium Membership included
4. Fitbit Luxe Fitness and Wellness Tracker – Best for Older Ladies and Men
If having a fitness tracker that doubles as a timeless accessory sounds appealing, Fitbit Luxe is worth checking out. This device has numerous standard features in most Fitbit fitness trackers, including sleep and heart monitoring. Additionally, it has a sleek black/graphite cover and an attention-grabbing design, making it ideal jewelry for diverse occasions.
At 5 days, this fitness tracker’s battery life might be inferior to other Fitbit gadgets, but it’s still reasonably high. If you use it well or employ hacks like turning off the built-in GPS whenever you’re not exercising outdoors, the battery can last a week on a single charge.
- Timeless look and vibrant display
- Sleep score included in the Fitbit app
- Free 6-month Fitbit premium trial
- 24/7 heart rate tracking and calorie burn monitoring
- Health metrics like heart rate variability and breathing rate available
5. Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker – Best for Older Ladies
Fitbit Inspire 3 is the cheapest fitness tracker the brand has ever built for senior citizens. For just under $100, you get a simple, lightweight fitness tracker available in black, white, and lilac tones.
Even at such a price, Fitbit doesn’t sacrifice performance nearly as much. For easy navigation, they’ve made the monochrome display touch-sensitive and very responsive.
This makes it a good option to consider if you’re on a budget and would rather stick with a Fitbit instead of its alternatives.
The Inspire 3 feels basic at its best but plays its role quite effectively. At the very least, the goal of this device is to inspire fitness in every female audience. And it does so quite well.
To put this into perspective, the device includes a vibration motor, a heart rate monitor, and an accelerometer, all linked to basic fitness tracking. Buy the Inspire 3 if you would like to track distance covered, count steps, monitor your sleep, and check your cardio fitness levels.
Inspire 3 also features a well-built dashboard, which displays information such as your current heart rate, your hydration levels, and female health.
To ensure it stands up to the deepest pool you’ll ever go to, Fitbit ensures that the Inspire 3 for senior men and women has a water-resistant rating of 5 ATM.
- Includes a smart tracker, which automatically recognizes workout and tracks it for you
- Allows you to set fitness goals and get alerts each time you meet the set target
- Good for sleep tracking and you can use the app for more detailed sleep analysis – like REM, light, and deep sleep, and awake time
- 5-day battery life, good runtime that eliminates the need for regular charging
- Small, lightweight, functional, and inexpensive
- No onboarding GPS system
- I think the battery life could use an upgrade
- Notifications aren’t that easy to read
6. Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch
Equipped with a larger display screen, the Fitbit Blaze smartwatch is ideal for seniors with vision problems. The 14cm screen facilitates unmatched visibility and makes navigation a breeze. The gadget is shaped like a heart and has a black cover with a dash of silver.
With this smartwatch, you can track various sporting activities, from cross-training and biking to cardio and track runs. Furthermore, the gadget comes with PurePulse®, a heart-rate technology that allows you to monitor exercise intensity while working out. And since Fitbit Blaze has built-in GPS, mapping your workout routes and tracking running stats is easier now than ever.
- Compatible with different devices and operating systems, including most popular Android phones, iPad 3 Jan, iPhone 4s+, and Mac OS x 10.6+
- Wrist-based heart rate monitoring is available
- Good battery life at 4 days
- Touchscreen display for convenient navigation
Honorable Mentions – Other Top Fitness Trackers for the Elderly and Seniors
We have selected some great options for you in this review, but we thought the list couldn’t be complete without a few other fitness trackers for seniors that we loved. Check them out:
Choosing a Fitbit for Senior Citizens
Now that we’ve outlined the best Fitbit that you can buy for elderly persons, it’s time to know how to choose one. The good news is, that choosing a Fitbit is a no-brainer.
First, determine the features that are important to you. If you need a Fitbit for basic fitness tracking with no complicated setup steps like the GRV fitness tracker or, any model, except Fitbit Ace and Fitbit Ace 2, should be fine for you. If you need a Fitbit with a heart rate monitor, choose something like the Fitbit Inspire 3.
Second, check the price of the device. Fitbit prices its fitness watches differently based on the number of smart features. Doing your research will help you to know the features you’re paying for and how much you are likely to pay.
Why Do Seniors Need Fitbit – What Fitness Tracking Metrics Are Most Useful for Them?
Most Fitbit fitness trackers record and allow seniors to monitor numerous indispensable metrics, including:
- Heart Rate Monitoring: According to research, people aged 65+ are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease than younger folks. With Fitbit’s heart rate tracking feature, older adults can stay mindful of their heart health and detect underlying problems before escalating.
- Activity Monitoring: Fitbit gadgets track the wearer’s activity. By doing so, they help seniors identify when they need to be more active and stave off common conditions like obesity.
- Sleep Tracking: Quality sleep improves brain health and memory functions in seniors. You can wear a Fitbit fitness tracker to bed, review recorded sleep stats the next morning, and use the metrics to improve sleep quality.
- Stress Management: As we age, we encounter numerous challenges that expose us to stress and its harmful effects. But with a Fitbit fitness tracker, stress won’t catch you by surprise. This gadget has a stress management feature that helps you monitor and improve your emotional well-being.
Conclusion
It’s a good thing to see that Fitbit has also considered senior citizens when designing its fitness watches and activity trackers. Now anyone in the world can buy and use a Fitbit regardless of their age.
FAQs
Which Fitbit Models Are Most Senior-friendly?
The best Fitbit models for seniors are the Charge 5, Luxe, Inspire 2, and Ace 3. These trackers have simplified menu systems with large fonts and bright, easy-to-read screens. They also prioritize key health metrics that are useful for older users without complicated advanced tracking.
What Key Features Should I Look for in a Fitbit for Seniors?
A: Look for these helpful features in a senior-focused Fitbit – heart rate monitoring for cardiac health, step counting for activity goals, sleep stages tracking, medication reminders and alerts, prominent displays with high visibility, and simplified navigation of menus for ease of use. Models with fall detection like the Charge 5 are also extremely useful for seniors.
Are there Fitbits With Fall-detection Alert Features?
A: Yes, the Fitbit Charge 5 and Sense smartwatches have a fall detection feature that can automatically alert chosen emergency contacts if a major fall-like impact or motion is detected by the device’s sensors. This provides an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.
Do Fitbits Have Emergency SOS Capabilities?
Some Fitbit devices allow the user to trigger an emergency SOS alert to notify pre-determined contacts of an urgent situation when manually activated through the mobile app interface. This requires the Fitbit to be connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
What Fitness Tracking Metrics are Most Useful for Seniors?
Step counting encourages movement goals tailored for seniors, heart rate monitoring tracks cardiac health, sleep stages provide insights for better rest, and estimated calories burned help motivate activity. These metrics provide useful health insights without complex data.
