Talk of strength, agility, and body control without the need for complex equipment or heavy weights! That’s what the world of calisthenics offers. Whether you’re a seasoned calisthenics enthusiast or a beginner, you’ll need a good fitness tracker that’s capable of tracking your exercises, including bodyweight movements like pull-ups, push-ups, dips, squats, and much more.
This article looks at the best fitness trackers for calisthenics to help you bridge the gap between traditional exercises and the modern world of smart technology. From recording your reps and sets to analyzing your progress over time, you’ll love what our top picks can do to fine-tune your training.
We hope this list will help you pick a watch that matches your fitness routine like scuba driving and budget.
Enough talking; let’s dive right in.
How We Tested
Finding the best calisthenics trackers required evaluating wrist and arm movement patterns during common bodyweight exercises.
- Hands-On Testing: We tested devices during planks, push-ups, pull-ups, and box jumps. Chest straps like Polar H10 proved most accurate for high exertion, while models with loose-fitting bands slipped position.
- Comparison of Readings: We had 3 athletes wear a variety of trackers and compared heart rate readings against EKG control monitors to determine which maintained skin contact and precision through full calisthenics routines.
The Top 9 Fitness Trackers for Calisthenics
If you love calisthenics and are looking to maximize your training, the following fitness trackers will come in handy. These wearables are designed to meet the unique demands of calisthenics, helping you track and optimize your bodyweight exercises for unparalleled performance.
1. Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire
The Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire is a GPS multisport smartwatch that offers some great features for athletes, and calisthenics lovers. It’s rugged, yet comes with an elegant design. It features a sapphire lens and stainless steel or titanium bezel, making it durable and sleek. The watch boasts many activity-tracking capabilities, including accurate GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, VO2 max estimation, and sleep tracking, providing valuable insights into fitness and recovery.
For calisthenics enthusiasts, the built-in accelerometer and rep counting feature streamline workout logging, allowing you to focus on form and performance.
Pros – What We Like
- Premium materials and sapphire lenses protect the watch from scratches and impacts.
- Accurate GPS, heart rate monitoring, and VO2 max estimation for thorough fitness insights.
- Built-in accelerometer and rep counting automatically track bodyweight exercises.
- Impressive battery performance with up to two weeks in smartwatch mode.
- Seamless integration with smartphones, smart notifications, and Garmin Pay™ for convenience.
- Preloaded sports profiles cater to a wide range of activities.
- GPS and navigation features to help you explore the outdoors.
- Suitable for swimming and water-based activities.
- Training load analysis for performance optimization.
- Personalization options with watch faces and widgets.
Cons – What We Don’t Like
- Premium features come at a cost.
- Size and weight might impact comfort for some users.
- Extensive features may require time to navigate and understand
- Navigation relies on physical buttons – no touchscreen.
- Rep counting may not be 100% accurate.
- App selection might be more limited compared to other smartwatch ecosystems.
2. Polar Ignite Fitness Watch
Simple. Unique. Sleek. That’s what the Polar Ignite GPS Smartwatch promises. But does it fit the shoes of other high-end smartwatches for calisthenics? How is it fair?
For starters, the Polar Ignite GPS Smartwatch brings some unique features that you’ll love. As the name suggests, the fitness tracker comes with an integrated GPS system that allows you to monitor your movement much more efficiently. It also comes with the legendary FitSpark training guide, which is designed to provide you with personalized workout recommendations. Based on your profile and recovery status, it can be recommended that you take more or less steps or tone it down if you are overdoing it.
And there’s more. You will get a detailed sleep analysis. If you want to know how much you sleep if you are constantly distracted and your general sleep patterns, the Polar Ignite GPS Smartwatch can help you figure out all that. The overall design is sleek and eye-catching, but you’ll have to sacrifice features such as cellular connectivity.
Here’s a glimpse of what I liked about the watch, and what didn’t go well with me:
Pros – What We Liked
- Good analysis of fitness tracking. You get different modes, including heart rate monitoring, gym-related workouts, weightlifting, and GPS tracking.
- FitSpark training guide that gives you accurate recommendations on your workouts
- Accurate analysis of your sleep patterns and heart rate
- Access smartphone notifications on your wrist. You get to see who’s calling, your partner messages, and of course, any app alerts you normally get on your phone
- The battery life is decent, considering the features you get
Cons – What We Didn’t Like
- The music control is limited. You can’t store music on the device, but listen to what’s in your smartphone
- No cellular connectivity, meaning you have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network
- The visibility is great, but only when in low light. When you expose the watch in direct sunlight, which is common when doing outdoor workouts, the visibility is not that great
3. Apple Watch Ultra
The Apple Watch Ultra is crafted from Grade 4 Titanium, a material with formidable strength. This feature makes the smartwatch ideal for calisthenic enthusiasts, who rely on a lot of body movement to stay fit. While moving, contact between body parts and friction can lead to premature wear in a gadget made of inferior material.
Moreover, the Titanium material used to make the Apple Watch Ultra lends this smartwatch remarkable lightweight properties. So, while exercising with this watch, you don’t have to worry about fatigue, discomfort, or undermined performance, prominent issues associated with other heavier fitness trackers.
Pros – What We Like
- This watch is extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear
- It has a compass for guiding you whenever you are running or hiking on alien trails
- The gadget comes with the biggest, brightest display today
- Its Workout App has advanced metrics that help you in your fitness journey, including heart rate zones
- The smartwatch can automatically call for help if you fall hard while working out
- It boasts built-in cellular, which allows you to text or call from the smartwatch
Cons – What We Don’t Like
- Apple Watch Ultra is quite pricey
- It’s exclusively compatible with the user’s iPhone
- At 36 hours, its battery life is so-so
Click here to read a full review of Apple Watch Ultra Review – Is it Worth it?
4. Fitbit Charge 5 Advanced Health & Fitness Tracker
Although calisthenics might sound like a breeze, it can be quite grueling, especially when advanced exercises like a two-finger handstand and one-arm pull-up are involved. So, as a calisthenics enthusiast, you’ll have to take a break. The Fitbit Advanced Health & Fitness tracker has a special feature known as Daily Readiness Score, which tells you when recovery becomes necessary and when you’re ready to go back to exercising.
This next-gen fitness tracker also comes with a Stress Management Score, a feature that enables you to keep an eye on your response to stress and use healthy practices to lower stress levels. Finally, with Fitbit Charge 5, you can monitor heart health and know when your heart rate drops or spikes alarmingly.
Pros – What We Like
- This health and fitness tracker has a sleek, stylish design
- You can use it with either an iPhone or Android smartphone
- The gadget allows you to view your real-time distance and pace while exercising outdoors
- Its touchscreen is 2X brighter than the one on Charge 4
- This fitness tracker can last for up to 7 days
- The watch tracks your heart rate 24/7
- It’s reasonably priced and eligible for return within 30 days of receipt
Cons – What We Don’t Like
- The fitness tracker has no physical buttons for easy navigation
- It doesn’t support clock face customization
5. Google Pixel Watch
Equipped with Fitbit tracking, the Google Pixel Watch allows you to monitor different metrics accurately while working out. These include steps taken and heart rate. This fitness tracker boasts a shiny, matte black stainless-steel case that lends it a unique, picturesque appeal.
The watch has many other features and functionalities. The most notable include Contactless, which enables you to pay for goods and services from your smartwatch. The gadget also has a music player, an emergency SOS button, and sleep-tracking features.
Pros – What We Like
- You can call or text from Google Pixel Watch
- The gadget is easy on the eye
- It comes with 6 months of free Fitbit Premium
- You can use the smartwatch’s Google Wallet to make contactless payments
- This gadget’s Emergency SOS feature can alert authorities or your loved ones in case of an emergency
Cons – What We Don’t Like
- The device can only last for up to 24 hours on a full charge
- It has a small screen, making reading metrics a nightmare
6. WHOOP 4.0
WHOOP 4.0 is a sleeker, more advanced successor of WHOOP 3.0. It boasts an alluring onyx color and a comfy cover made from Pima Cotton and Poly Lycra fabrics. A new WHOOP 4.0 fitness tracker comes with everything you need to reach the pinnacle of your health and fitness journey, including continuous tracking of physiological info such as your respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate.
This smart also supports sleep monitoring. With it, you will be positioned to determine how activities like consuming caffeine, taking specific meals, and going out for a few bottles affect your sleep and recovery after a taxing workout session. And that is crucial because getting quality sleep is the key to preventing pain from undermining your calisthenic sessions.
Pros – What We Like
- The product comes with an initial 1-year WHOOP membership
- It’s compatible with different devices, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs
- The smartwatch’s in-depth metrics allow wearers to track their health and fitness status more accurately
- This gadget supports on-the-go charging and has a waterproof battery pack
- WHOOP 4.0 helps you connect with a supportive community of fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes
- Its battery can last up to 5 days on a full charge
Cons – What We Don’t Like
- You have to pay high monthly subscription fees to access even the most basic functions
- Many users have raised concerns regarding the gadget’s refusal to charge
- It often records inaccurate heart rate readings
7. SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch Active
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is equipped with fitness tracking and sleep analysis. With it on your wrist, you can track your way to peak performance in calisthenics. The gadget also tells you when to shut things down and go to bed. While napping, this device monitors and records sleep patterns.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active also monitors your heart health and sends real-time alerts whenever your heart rate is high or low. Aside from health and wellness, the gadget lets you stream your favorite tracks and read notifications from your phone.
Pros – What We Like
- This fitness tracker is compatible with different Android and IOS phones
- It’s thin and lightweight
- It has a pocket-friendly price tag
- The screen is bright and colorful
Cons – What We Don’t Like
- The battery can only last a single day
- It has a bland, uninspiring design
8. Fitbit Versa Lite Edition Smart Watch
With a sleek white/silver aluminum case, the Fitbit Versa Lite Edition Smart Watch looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. This gadget is well-designed and eye-catching. Moreover, it uses different features and functionalities to track your activity and heart rate throughout the day. The device also tracks sleep stages throughout the night.
While wearing this fitness tracker, you can receive calls, respond to texts, and view other crucial notifications, provided your smartphone is nearby. Not to forget, if you are a member of the fairer sex, you can use the incorporated female health tracking feature to monitor your periods, symptoms, etc.
Pros – What We Like
- The fitness tracker supports 15+ exercise modes
- Its battery can last for more than 4 days when fully charged
- It’s slim and lightweight
- The screen is made from scratch-proof Corning Gorilla Glass
- Its aluminum body is swim-proof
Cons – What We Don’t Like
- It doesn’t support on-device storage for music
- Some users have complained about finicky sleep-tracking
- IOS users can’t reply to messages with this gadget
9. Garmin Forerunner
Dubbed Forerunner 255, this smartwatch has almost everything a calisthenics enthusiast needs. These include 24-hour activity tracking and a music player that lets you listen to tracks that get you pumped up during workout sessions. It also boasts a slim design and a full-color display screen that never goes off.
Most importantly, this fitness tracker offers you enough storage space to download up to 500 songs. With it, you can source your favorite playlists from popular platforms like Deezer, Amazon Music, and Spotify.
Pros – What We Like
- At 14 days, this gadget has an outstanding battery life
- It presents you with a summary of your sleep, workout suggestions, and heart rate viability status as soon as you wake up
- If you are also interested in marathons, you can get free training tips for the Garmin Coach
- The device supports contactless payments
Cons – What We Don’t Like
- Wireless headphones sometimes fail to connect
- It doesn’t have a touchscreen
Honorable Mentions – Other Top Fitness Trackers for Calisthenics
Yes, our 9 fitness trackers offer great service if you’re a calisthenics enthusiast. But we came across other great ones as well that you’d be interested in. Check them out:
How to Choose the Best Fitness Trackers for Calisthenics
Countless fitness trackers are available in the market. We have reviewed some of the best products in this article. But how can you identify the best gadget for calisthenics?
An ideal fitness tracker for a calisthenics enthusiast should have several indispensable features, including accurate activity and heart rate monitoring. It should also be lightweight and ergonomically designed for maximum comfort during workout sessions. And since you are likely to work up a sweat with calisthenics, going with a water-resistant fitness tracker is a smart move.
And before buying a fitness tracker, do your homework. Use search engines like Google to do some digging. You will come across different user reviews and feedback that will help you to make informed decisions.
As recommended by Pure Gym, check out their tweet on exercises you can try today:
Try these calisthenics exercises and workouts for beginners ⬇️https://t.co/W8RQDgFMoG pic.twitter.com/4txEwlyHoO
— PureGym (@PureGym) March 4, 2022
We wish you the best of luck in your fitness journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Features Should I look for in a Fitness Tracker for Calisthenics?
For calisthenics, key features to look for include rep counting, exercise recognition, and heart rate monitoring. Wrist-worn trackers that are lightweight and flexible but still accurate for reps are ideal. Trackers with built-in GPS can be useful for monitoring outside workouts too.
Do I Need Advanced Stats for Calisthenics?
Advanced metrics like excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) are less necessary for calisthenics. Focus instead on the basics – reps, sets, heart rate trends, and calories burned. Complex stats won’t dramatically improve a calisthenics training regimen.
What’s Better for calisthenics – Smartwatch or Fitness band?
It depends on your budget and preferences. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch provide more versatility, apps, and connectivity. Fitness bands from Garmin, Fitbit, and others focus just on activity data, often at a lower price. Both can work well.
Should I Get a Tracker With a Touch or Button Screen?
Touch screens allow quick navigation but can be prone to accidental taps during exercise. Button-based trackers avoid that issue and may be preferable for calisthenics training involving lots of wrist movement.
How Can a Fitness Tracker Help With My Calisthenics Training Regimen?
A fitness tracker provides key metrics like reps, sets, heart rate patterns, and estimated calories burned to monitor your calisthenics workouts. This data offers insights to track progress and enhance your bodyweight exercise performance over time.
In What Ways Can Heart Rate Tracking Be Useful for Calisthenics?
Monitoring your heart rate gives you a sense of workout intensity, ensuring you stay in your optimal exertion zone. It also provides valuable cardio fitness feedback and helps gauge workout recovery needs.
How Accurately Can Fitness Trackers Count Repetitions for Calisthenics?
For calisthenics, rep counting accuracy varies across devices. Specialized modes help, but the wrist motions involved can impact precision. Consider combining device data with manual logging for optimal workout tracking.
Is GPS Needed on a Calisthenics Tracker?
For outdoor workouts or running, GPS can be useful for tracking distances covered. But for indoor sessions focused just on calisthenics, GPS is less of a priority.
What Level of Waterproofing Should a Calisthenics Tracker Have?
Look for solid sweat and water resistance (ATM 5 or IP67 and up) to withstand the rigors of calisthenics training, including potential outdoor use. This will prevent any damage from exposure.
Can a Smartwatch Double as a Calisthenics Tracker?
Yes, many smartwatches offer enhanced tracking modes, heart rate monitoring, and rep counting that can provide helpful calisthenics workout metrics alongside their other smart features.
What is the Typical Price Range for Calisthenics Trackers?
Prices vary widely based on brand and capabilities, but you can find suitable options ranging from budget $50 trackers up to more advanced $300+ devices. Focus on your key needs and budget.
Final Thoughts
If you have made it this far, then we are confident you have all the info you need to pick the right fitness trackers for calisthenics. Make sure the info shared above is at your fingertips when you go looking for a fitness tracker. Happy Exercising!
