There are so many brands flooding the market with smartwatches and fitness trackers that you become spoilt for choice.

What’s the difference between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker? Do I need one? How much is one? What can it do for me? I’m not very fit, so why should I get one?

Ok, a smartwatch like the Samsung Gear Sport is able to display smartphone notifications (such as emails, Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook), store music, hosts Spotify (so you can download your favourite playlists to the watch) and also has all the fitness tracking abilities (plus GPS connectivity).

A fitness tracker like the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro is more focused on fitness and is able to track a greater variety of physical activities – not just running, cycling, swimming, but also yoga, squats and crunches. It looks sportier, is lighter, hosts Spotify too and can also inform you of phone notifications. 

Some however, may feel that these watches are unnecessary. So, let me tell you why you should consider investing in one:

1) More convenient for your workouts

Most people start running with their phones, because they start with running apps to track their runs and they also want to listen to music when they run. These apps can record time, distance and calories, but the thing about running with your phone is – it can get bulky having it strapped to your arm or it can get tiring holding it with your hand.

With a watch like the Gear Fit2 Pro or the Gear Sport, it is easier on your arms and you can easily check the pace and distance while running. Also, you can do without your phone because you can download your Spotify playlists into the watches and not need your phone for music. (Premium Spotify account needed though.) Bye bye MP3 players! All you need is a set of good Bluetooth earphones, like the Samsung Gear IconX.

2) Gives purpose to your fitness regime; helps you track goals

Having a fitness watch means you are able to check on your progress of the workout. So when you’re on a run for example, you can look at your pace and see how you’re doing. Hence, you can now start setting goals. You can start to aim to complete a certain distance within a certain time or aim to run at a certain pace. Now you are training with purpose!

3) Get to understand your body

Besides heart rate, distance, speed and calories, these fitness watches can track steps and sleep. You can also input your coffee and water intake. These lifestyle elements can help you to understand your body – Are you getting restful sleep? Are you drinking enough water? Are you walking enough steps?

4) Doubles up as a phone alternative

Some of us keep our phones in our bags or pockets and sometimes we don’t feel the vibrations or hear the notifications. Or we are in meetings and it’s rude to take your phone out. With these watches, you will be notified when a call comes in or a text comes through, so you will know if something urgently needs your attention.

5) It’s for all fitness levels

Some people feel that these fitness watches are not for them because they don’t exercise a lot, or they feel they “aren’t fit enough”. But the truth is, anyone can get one.

The other day, my mother asked me for a fitness watch because her friends have one and she wanted to start tracking her daily steps. There are basic watches that only track steps, distance, time and calories, but I thought she could do with something more so I introduced her to the Gear Fit2 Pro. My mum’s fitness regime consists of Zumba and yoga, as well as a lot of walking; and her job as a tourist guide means she cannot hold her phone in her hand, so having the watch was a great help.

My sister runs occasionally and does some HIIT, and she was already using a fitness watch. But when I showed her what the Gear Sport could do, she was sold. (It’s also good that she’s using a Samsung phone.) Now she’s happily changing straps and customising the wallpaper with her own photos, on top of tracking her workouts. Oh, and she works at the zoo where her job requires some manual labour; and guess what? The Gear Sport automatically starts a workout when it detects her heart rate going up from the work she has to do. Cool!

Ok, you must be wondering about the price. The Gear Sport retails at S$468, while the Gear Fit2 Pro retails at S$268. Both can be used with iOS and Android. It can be a significant investment, but it brings a lot of convenience and also purpose.

More information at www.samsung.com/sg/wearables.

To Samsung users, the S Health app not only shows you your fitness data at a glance, you can share your progress on social media and compete with others around the world to collect points and badges. You can also participate in the National Steps Challenge Season 3 by the Health Promotion Board by syncing your S Health app with the Healthy 365 app, to win prizes for the steps you take.

*This post is sponsored by Samsung.