Kit advice
Fitness trackers
Step counts, active minutes and workout timers on your wrist — useful if numbers keep you going.
Do you need one?
No — the workout timer on this site and your phone do a lot. But some people find a tracker motivating, and it can help you see how close you are to 150 active minutes a week.
Types
- Fitness bands — slim and light, focused on steps, active minutes and sleep.
- Smartwatches — notifications and apps as well as fitness features.
- GPS running watches — built for runners, tracking route, distance and pace without your phone.
Before you buy
Check the battery life, whether it works with your phone, and what data it collects and where it's stored. Treat heart-rate and sleep figures as a rough guide, not medical measurements.
Options to compare
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Fitness band (activity tracker)
Slim and light, focused on steps, active minutes and reminders to move.
- Long battery life
- Clear display outdoors
Good for: Tracking daily movement
Watch out for: Limited workout features
View on Amazon.co.uk Opens an Amazon.co.uk search so you can compare current options. -
GPS running watch
Tracks distance and pace without your phone — handy for Couch to 5K and beyond.
- Built-in GPS
- Simple interval timer
Good for: Runners and walkers
Watch out for: Bulkier than a band
View on Amazon.co.uk Opens an Amazon.co.uk search so you can compare current options. -
Smartwatch with fitness tracking
Notifications, apps and fitness features in one.
- Compatible with your phone
- Workout modes you'll use
Good for: All-day wear
Watch out for: Shorter battery life
View on Amazon.co.uk Opens an Amazon.co.uk search so you can compare current options.