Gone are the days when you have to step into a clinic, do a series of tests, and wait to know the condition of your body. With the advent of fitness watches, users can keep track of their health and physical routines with just a swipe (or sometimes, by just lifting their wrists). This is incredibly handy on the go, especially if you are working toward a particular fitness goal.
While a fitness watch in no way replaces a full body-health evaluation, it does offer an array of functions – tracking your sleep, your blood oxygen levels, numbers of steps, calories consumed or burned, etc. Depending on your requirements, some fitness watches come with the basics, enough for regular workout routines like running or swimming, while some include the full monty – tracking every type of sport imaginable.
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Mae An NG chevron_right
Table of Contents
Top 10 Fitness Watches in Malaysia
Why It’s Our Top Pick
An across-the-board highly appraised fitness watch, with solid customer feedback. This is a device suited for sports junkies, as it offers a wide selection of data tracking for different types of exercises – ranging from running and walking to yoga.
Wear it throughout the day to receive detailed feedback on your health based on your sleep activity, fitness levels, and workout routines.
Who is this for?
This is the perfect watch for a sportsperson. The watch gives you an analysis of your bodily functions, with a ‘Daily Readiness Score’ to help you decide whether or not you are suited for more strenuous activity on that day, which users find helpful. It measures accurately when tested against other tracking devices like a chest strap.
What to know
Runners will find the watch helpful, as it comes with GPS and an always-on feature, coupled with the standard ECG and blood oxygen gauge. This watch also has skin temperature tracking and an EDA sensor.
Android users will be able to send quick texts from their watch, though iPhone users, unfortunately, won’t have that added benefit. Users can easily swim or bathe with it, as it has water resistance up to 50m.
It also tracks your period and sleep cycle!
Who is this for?
Most users find this fitness watch easy to synchronize and use as it has a user-friendly interface. The customizable straps mean you can go from switch it up after sports mode to fancy dinner.
For such a low price, it comes with a wealth of features and you can swim in depths up to 50m as it is water-resistant.
What to know
As usual, Xiaomi has an affordable alternative for your electronic needs with all the features of a pricier fitness band. For Xiaomi users, you would have the advantage of being within the Xiaomi system, using their Xiaomi Fitness app to note down the data tracked by your watch.
The Xiaomi watch boasts an AMOLED display with 30 different fitness modes. Its slim design is fashionable and befits every outfit, and it has a customizable watch face.
There is heart rate monitoring and blood oxygen tracking, taking into account your sleeping pattern in the process. Also, it is easy to charge due to its magnetic charging, so you needn’t remove the strap.
Bonus point? You can control your music using your watch. No more awkward fumbling with your phone with sweaty hands!
Who is this for?
Parents appreciate the simple design and the ease of use of the device. They can keep track of their children’s progression through the Family Account on the Fitbit app as well. Its bright color choices attract the attention of children, who don the device without hesitation as they leave the house.
What to know
Fitness watches are not just for sports but also to ensure your child’s safety. This Fitbit has a feature that allows parents to track their kids’ activities and where they are at any given moment by setting up a family account.
While it may sound invasive, this feature is helpful for parents with younger kids, especially if they are working parents.
The watch is swim-proof and can withstand depths up to 50m. Parents can set the watch to ‘kid’s view’ so children above 6 years old can see their stats, or switch it to ‘do not disturb mode when your child does not want to be distracted.
Like a regular Fitbit, it can track your sleep and activity – including jumping and skipping; which will contribute to the kid’s daily activity training data. It also reminds your children to stretch and rest if they spend too much time on their smartphones and tablets.
What to know
Samsung is a classic household brand, and if you are an Android user (especially if you own a Samsung smartphone), you’ll love the Galaxy Watch.
Users of the brand will find it more convenient to keep within the Samsung system and be able to see notifications and store music inside of it if you do not want to lug around your phone as you work out.
There is a BioActive sensor, which is Samsung’s technology – combining an optical heart rate sensor, electrocardiogram, and a bioelectrical impedance sensor. The last one sends a light electrical current through your body to get a more accurate reading of your body composition (don’t worry, you are unlikely to get a shock).
You also get the standard calorie counter, automatic workout detection, and sleep tracking as well as a digital running coach installed in the watch.
Who is this for?
Users like its classic style, similar to that of the older versions of the Samsung watch – which is sleek and stylish. The BIA sensor improves the accuracy of the watch so Samsung users have that added upgrade from their old Samsung watches.
Apple users, however, will be unable to connect with the watch as it does not support the iOS system.
Who is this for?
The addition of the keyboard is welcomed by many users, though the prevailing voice-dictation feature is enough for some people. Some found that there are not a lot of additional features in this new watch compared to the Series 6.
With that said, unless you think a larger display and keyboard are essential, perhaps stick with the existing one you have!
What to know
Every Apple user knows of the Apple Watch, which is a device you should get if you have an iPhone and want a watch synchronizing with your entire Apple ecosystem. The new watch has a larger display and up to 33% faster charging.
Fans of the always-on display would be glad to know that this watch comes with that feature as the watch can be used as a regular watch without needing to ‘awaken’ the device.
With the larger display, Apple added a keyboard to the watch, making it easier to reply to messages. Users also get a 3-month free subscription to Apple Fitness, with customized workouts befitting your physique.
Aside from that, it has an ECG sensor, a calorie counter, and a sleep tracker.
Who is this for?
Diversity is a prime factor amongst the Fenix 7 designers; they made 16 different sizes for people of differing wrist sizes – the smallest 7S at 42mm and the 7X at 51mm, which users are thankful for. Topographical maps which are accessible via the watch also ensure that users are kept abreast of their routes.
What to know
It is good to have a heart rate monitor on your side when you are crunching to the beat of your workout playlist. With COVID-19 being a proverbial pain and people experiencing heart problems as a result, wearing a watch with a built-in heart rate monitor may just save your life. This goes the same for men around their 40s, as the risk of heart attacks increases at this stage.
The Fenix 7 is the epic smartwatch with all of the rugged features made for sportspeople who are adrenaline junkies.
Like most Garmin smartwatches, there is built-in GPS and the ability to solar charge the watch – perfect for outdoorsy people as you would hardly ever need to grab the charger.
Besides the SpO2 sensor and the various modes for different sports, you can also pay with the watch or control your music playback on it. More specifically, you can assess your stamina to determine if you are ready for high-powered exercise for the day, or if you would be better off doing a more low-intensity workout, like yoga.
Who is this for?
Users love the Fitbit features and app benefits. Assessment of your bodily functions as a whole provides a more comprehensive analysis of your calorie and body requirements.
Apple users are, however, unable to receive calls or reply to texts using the watch – but Android users can. Keep that in mind when considering your purchase.
What to know
One of the easiest concepts to grasp when trying to lose weight is the need to maintain a calorie deficit, ie: you keep within a certain amount of calories when eating and keep this amount in mind when exercising.
If you intend to eat a bit more than usual, you will have to burn a number of calories through cardio or strength training to keep within your calorie limit. Hence, getting this fitness watch will help you achieve your goal as it has a calorie counter coupled with extensive health-tracking features.
What to know
Like most Fitbits, this watch can monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, sleep stages, and menstrual health, aside from the calorie counter itself.
The system ensures that you know how many calories you are burning or eating a day so you do not go overboard and affect your overall health during your weight-loss journey. It also boasts an always-on display.
Who is this for?
People using the watch daily to track their sleep and basal body conditions found it to be a welcome addition to their list of accessories as it is a smartwatch that’s equipped with highly accurate body assessment data.
Users do not recommend an upgrade if you already have the Venu 2, as there is not a lot of difference. But for first-timers? This is a worthwhile buy.
What to know
This is Garmin’s combo of fitness-tracker-slash-smartwatch. While it does not contain as many health-tracking features as a full-fledged tracker, you get the added benefit of music control, and notifications as you would with a smartwatch.
You can also customize your watch face through the Garmin Connect IQ app which offers an array of designs to choose from.
An interesting feature of this Garmin is the guided workout animations for activities like yoga and Pilates. You can also receive calls using your watch and store up to 350 music tracks in the watch if you would much rather work out without your phone.
The device measures your steps, calories, SpO2, etc., but you can customize the data being shown on your watch through the app.
What to know?
Beginner sportspeople who need an all-in-one watch love the hybrid abilities of the watch. Looks aside, Garmin does not skimp on their tracking system as it is after all – a fitness watch.
For a Garmin, this is a very affordable model as well, the best option to segue you into the world of fitness trackers.
What to know
Those who do not like that ‘digital-artificial’ look but would like a fitness watch anyway – and Garmin’s Vivomove is the answer to that problem!
With an analog watch face coupled with discreet data projection when you want it, you can wear this watch on all occasions without a chunky sports watch on your wrist when you are wearing say, a suit or a nice dress. Many think the watch looks like a Swatch.
Despite its casual design, it offers many of the features of a traditional Garmin sports watch. The optical heart rate and SpO2 sensors are available, together with stress and sleep tracking, distance, and calorie tracking. You can even swim with it, as it is water-resistant.
As with all Garmin watches, you can download the Garmin Connect app for further information on your bodily functions.
Who is this for?
Multi-sports people found that the watch is reasonably priced but still chock-full of statistical features. The battery life is a tad low compared to other watches but it is as accurate and high-functioning as a more expensive model, like the Forerunner 945.
What to know
Avid swimmers would like a watch they can wear to track their progress. This particular device is made for triathletes – which would naturally suit all your waterproof needs.
Like most fitness watches, it is paired with smart functions like Garmin pay and also a built-in music player, and has an overall rugged, outdoorsy look – good for both its overall durability and also if you want to be all, “yeah that’s right, I work out”.
The device has GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems for outdoor activities. As usual, you have various sports modes from your regular running up to triathlon mode – added with stats for distance, heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, and sleep mode.
Its battery life is dependent on use, with up to 6 hours on music and GPS mode.
FAQs
Do fitness watches need a phone?
If you believe in working out without your phone by your side to fully focus, then you should get a fitness watch that does not need to connect to your phone to function. An example would be the Garmin Fenix 7, which can work independently of your phone.
That being said, the connection is pertinent when you want to monitor your progress through the watch’s app – though this can be done at home by synchronizing data stored by the watch during your routines into your phone.
Smartwatch or fitness tracker?
Smartwatches these days come with fitness tracking abilities, some of which could rival fitness trackers. Some people prefer the latter because they tend to be lighter and cheaper – with better accuracy as they are designed for the sole purpose of tracking your fitness progress. Nonetheless, recent smartwatches have rivaled pure fitness trackers in the market for their accuracy and the added benefit of being able to control your music and watch out for notifications. They are, however, more expensive and tend to be quite delicate. TLDR?
Your decision would be based on whether or not you are buying the watch specifically for sports, or as a daily-use watch.
Should you wear your smartwatch to sleep?
The short answer: you can. While it is true that smartwatches emit some radiation, there is no specific study that indicates that it will impact us negatively. If you are worried, just turn off the Bluetooth and Wi-fi to reduce the level of radiation emitted.
This is of course if you want to track your sleep – which is good for people who have trouble sleeping and want to understand their sleeping patterns. Those going through an intense fitness journey may want to wear it through the night too.
On the other hand, if you have no specific reason to track your sleep, you needn’t wear it to bed. After all, it can be pretty uncomfortable to have something hard on your wrist while you sleep.
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