There’s an ankle fitness tracker for everyone.
But that doesn’t mean you should buy whichever has the highest ratings.
Why?
Because those Amazon stars don’t mean a thing if it doesn’t suit your needs.
So, how do you make the right decision?
You need to consider several factors first.
And…
Continue reading to discover:
- 7 of the best fitness trackers for your ankle.
- The forbidden truth behind wearing smartwatches on your ankle.
- 5 eye-opening tips to remember when choosing an ankle fitness tracker.
- And so much more…
7 best fitness trackers for your ankle
#1: Garmin Vivofit 2
Two words: battery life.
How long, you might wonder?
A whole frickin’ year.
And you know what that means?
- Zero workout interruptions.
- Staying active on the go and always having recorded data.
- No “oh-dear-god-my-fitness-tracker-died-on-me” moments.
One downside worth mentioning, though?
It doesn’t have as many features compared to premium fitness trackers out there.
Meaning, the Garmin Vivofit 2’s ideal if you want a basic tracker for tracking…
- Steps.
- Heart rate.
- Calories burned.
- Distance traveled.
With just the basic functions, no wonder it doesn’t consume a lot of battery power.
Overall, it snags a top spot for its…
- Simplicity.
- Astounding battery.
- Practical functionality.
#2: Misfit Ray
The Misfit Ray isn’t just a fitness tracker.
It’s got enough spunk to pass for an ankle bracelet too.
But don’t be fooled by its aesthetic glamour.
This ankle fitness tracker packs intriguing features to make you wish you got one sooner.
How so?
For starters, it doesn’t only come with a heart monitor.
You can even get a pulse estimate, which is perfect if you want to know your resting heart rate.
Second, the Misfit Ray comes with a sleep tracker to check how well or poorly you’re sleeping.
Third, its battery life lasts up to 6 months.
And finally, this ankle fitness tracker pairs well with any attire.
So if you want something that stands out and works as a statement piece, Misfit Ray fits the bill.
“Are there any cons I should take note of?”
There are a few.
If you’re a screen-hungry zombie who prefers a digital display, the Misfit Ray may not be for you.
In addition, it’s not super accurate most of the time.
And for fitness junkies, this might be a dealbreaker.
And you need to take extra care of the strap as it tends to wear down faster.
#3: Moov HR Sweat
The Moov HR Sweat looks pretty basic at first glance.
Not to mention, the design doesn’t exactly spark your eye with appeal.
So, why mention it to begin with?
Because this fitness tracker was specially built for your ankle.
Put simply, it’s downright comfortable.
Now, what about its functionality as a fitness tracker?
A standout quality the Moov HR Sweat has is its in-app audio coaching feature.
But how does it work?
Think of it as a motivational coach that encourages you to pump out more while…
- Cycling.
- Walking.
- Running.
- Swimming.
- Cardio Boxing.
- Performing bodyweight exercises.
If you’re an enthusiastic gym rat, the Moov HR Sweat’s perfect for you.
In addition, it’s ideal for anyone looking to put in active sweat sessions daily.
#4: Garmin Foot Pod
“What in the world is a foot pod?”
In a nutshell, it works like a fitness tracker and is mostly used for running and jogging sessions.
Ultimately, a Garmin foot pod tracks the following:
- Speed.
- Distance.
- Running cadence.
Now, before you take a step back and move on to the next ankle tracker, you should know:
This product is very accurate. Even more than all the other 3 mentioned above.
Additionally, this is 1 ankle device you should use alongside a fitness tracker.
What do I mean by that?
Say you have the Garmin Vivosmart 4.
First, you’d have to pair the foot pod to your Garmin device.
Then, just attach the Garmin pod to your shoe, start running, and it’ll track your running metrics.
The best part?
It’s lightweight, easy to wear, and the battery lasts up to a year.
However, the Garmin foot pod mostly benefits…
- Runners.
- Athletes who want more insight into their running performance.
Not to mention, it’s only compatible with a Garmin fitness tracker.
#5: Fitbit Zip
Like the Garmin foot pod, the Fitbit Zip is also a lightweight tracker you can easily attach to your shoe.
Then again, a safer approach would be to use an ankle band so you can store it safely while running.
Now, what makes the Fitbit Zip different from the Garmin foot pod?
Put it this way.
If the Garmin foot pod’s more focused on running metrics, then…
The Fitbit Zip’s an all-around fitness tracker.
Not to mention, it’s compatible with several trackers and can sync with your smartphone too.
If you want, you can even monitor your progress and stats through your phone.
It’s also water-resistant and comes with long battery life – 6 months to be exact.
#6: Mi Smart Band 6
Want an ankle fitness tracker that costs less than $100?
Go for the Mi Smart Band 6.
In fact, it costs below $50.
“But then…what’s the catch?”
To tell you the truth, there’s hardly anything you should be worried about.
What surprised me was all the things it could do, such as:
- Being able to track up to 30 different sports activities.
- Monitors your oxygen levels when you’re resting and working out.
- Tracks your sleep and breathing patterns including stress monitoring.
- Notifies you what your current heart rate is – once in the day and another at night.
And that’s not all.
The Mi Smart Band 6 also has up to 14 days of battery life before it needs recharging.
And finally, it’s water-resistant up to 50 meters too.
All this for roughly $45? Now, that’s a steal!
#7: Pro-Fit Active
Last but not least, the Pro-Fit Active bags 1st place for anyone who’s on a tight budget.
It’s got all the basics down from step tracking to calorie counting along with heart rate monitoring.
You can also track 14 different sports activities and monitor your sleeping patterns.
However, its battery life isn’t the best compared to all the ankle trackers mentioned here.
Overall, it has the shortest, lasting up to 5 or 7 days before it needs recharging.
“Then who would benefit the most using the Pro-Fit Active?”
The Pro-Fit Active is ideal for…
- You’re only looking for basic tracking features.
- Anyone who’s still new to using fitness or ankle trackers.
- You don’t want to invest so much yet in an ankle tracker and prefer to do a test run first.
You might also like: 13 Best Activity Trackers Without Screen In 2022 + Tips
Fitness tracker ankle: 5 tips to pick the right one
#1: You don’t need the best display
First off, toss the fancy display out the window.
You don’t need it.
Fitness trackers aren’t smartphones, after all.
So a nice display isn’t important unless you’re using it to make calls, text, or browse the web.
Which, of course, you aren’t.
At best, pick an ankle fitness tracker with a decent screen size that’s at least 1 inch.
#2: Battery life is a high priority
It goes without saying that a longer battery life’s much better.
Why?
Because what happens if it dies on you in the middle of a workout session?
Are you going to wait for 1 to 2 hours before it fully recharges and exercise only after?
Not only is that inconvenient, but it’s also a huge waste of your time.
Worse – how else are you supposed to get accurate tracking if the battery can’t even last a day?
Pro tip? An ankle fitness tracker should at least have 24-hour battery life.
Fortunately, all the ankle fitness trackers mentioned above last waaay longer than that.
#3: Comfort above all
If it feels discomforting to wear, it’s not wearable.
An uncomfortable ankle tracker leads to a rather unproductive sweat session.
How so?
Because it’s distracting.
And if you constantly have to scratch your ankle, you might as well remove the tracker, right?
That said, make sure the ankle fitness tracker’s comfortable on your skin.
A good workaround is by using an ankle band, so the tracker snugly stays in place.
#4: Waterproof protection
Dude…2 things: mud and rain.
Also, an ankle fitness tracker’s closer to the ground compared to wearing it on your wrist.
Meaning, it’s more likely for water or mud splashes to come in contact with your tracker.
However, you don’t need the highest water resistance.
That’s why I ensured that the ankle fitness trackers above are water-resistant up to 50 meters.
And that’s enough to protect your device.
#5: Extra features are just a bonus
Heart rate and sleep monitoring are bonus features.
If your main purpose is to count your calories burned and steps, a basic ankle fitness tracker’s fine.
Above all, choose whichever’s most beneficial to you.
People also ask:
Can you wear a fitness tracker on your ankle?
You can wear a fitness tracker on your ankle; however, some don’t recommend it.
For instance.
Fitbit doesn’t recommend wearing their fitness trackers on your ankle.
This is because it’s less accurate when it comes to heart rate monitoring.
However, wearing an ankle fitness tracker provides better accuracy for step counting.
Is there a step tracker for your ankle?
All fitness trackers have step tracking as a feature.
In fact, it’s one of the most basic features found in ankle or wrist fitness trackers.
Is there a Fitbit you can wear on your ankle?
As mentioned previously, Fitbit doesn’t recommend wearing their devices on your ankle.
However, the Fitbit Zip is 1 tracker you can easily attach to your shoe.
In addition, there’s an alternative solution for those who want to wear a Fitbit on their ankle:
These bands are designed for wearing fitness trackers on your ankle.
Not to mention, it’s lightweight, comfortable to wear, and ensures your Fitbit stays in place.
Does a smartwatch work on your ankle?
A smartwatch will work on your ankle, but you should be cautious of 1 thing:
It’s more prone to damage.
Why?
Put it this way.
Compare the design and body of a smartwatch to an ankle fitness tracker.
Smartwatches are bulkier, more robust, and have a bigger screen.
That means it’s easily scraped if you’re not careful.
Not to mention, it takes up more space in your ankle.
Put simply, you just might end a running session with your smartwatch caked in mud and dirt.
Then again, you can take extra precautions by wearing an ankle band to protect it.
Finally, make sure your smartwatch isn’t too tight on your ankle.
The last thing you want is for it to restrict your blood flow while jogging or running.