Updated May 2021
Tracking your activity and other health data becomes a lot easier with the right fitness tracker. And if you are partaking in specialized training, you will need to find the right device. Here, I have looked through and chosen the best fitness trackers for CrossFit training.
CrossFit is a type of exercise that focuses on high-intensity training. This training requires you to use everyday movements on a more intense scale. Taking part in these types of workouts implies the need for your fitness watch to monitor more than simply the steps you take.
Walking and running is easy to monitor using a step counter or with integrated GPS functioning; however, with CrossFit training you need to look for additional features for your fitness watch.
Choosing a fitness tracker is a personal endeavor because you should choose a tracker that provides you with the functionality you are looking for. You may not be interested in phone notifications coming through to your watch, but you might need a waterproof device.
We have taken all of this into consideration and compiled this list for you to make a well-informed decision when you buy your fitness tracker for CrossFit training.
Quick Links For The Best CrossFit Activity Tracker
- The Overall Best Fitness Tracker For CrossFit: Xiaomi Mi Band 5 Smart Wristband
- The Best Budget Fitness: Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband
- The Best Cheap Fitness Tracker Under 50: Garmin Vívosmart HR Activity Tracker
- The Best GPS Fitness Tracker Watch: Lintelek Fitness Tracker With Heart Rate Monitor
- The Best Budget Waterproof Fitness Tracker: HUAWEI Band 3 Pro All-In-One Fitness Activity Tracker
Product Image | Product | Features | Rating & Price |
 | Xiaomi Mi Band 5 Smart Wristband (The Overall Best Fitness Tracker For CrossFit) |
| 4.6 |
 | Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband (The Best Budget Fitness) |
| 4.5 |
 | Garmin Vívosmart HR Activity Tracker (The Best Cheap Fitness Tracker Under 50) |
| 4.2 |
 | Lintelek Fitness Tracker With Heart Rate Monitor (The Best GPS Fitness Tracker Watch) |
| 4.1 |
 | HUAWEI Band 3 Pro All-In-One Fitness Activity Tracker (The Best Budget Waterproof Fitness Tracker) |
| 4.1 |
What Is CrossFit?
CrossFit is a type of strength and conditioning training that utilizes functional movements that are performed at a high level of intensity. The movements are usually everyday actions taken to the next level by adding heavy weights or resistance elements to your training.
The various exercises are done for a predetermined amount of time and with an emphasis on the work you put in to help your body build up muscle. This means that during a CrossFit session, you will need to work hard and rest hard.
The workouts completed in CrossFit classes focus on speed, distance, and load in order to push you to increase your strength and endurance. The workouts vary from day to day, and a variety of tools are used including speed ropes, plyo boxes, and medicine balls.
The main difference between traditional workouts and CrossFit is the emphasis on strength rather than on the number of reps completed. When you enter a CrossFit gym, you won’t find the traditional equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, and weight machines.
The various sports that make up CrossFit each offer a different type of training for your body and work on different parts of your body, too. CrossFit is usually done as a group workout where the group decides on tasks to complete for the day and members encourage each other throughout the exercise session.
These workouts incorporate a variety of training methods, everyday situations, and techniques from various sports to combine the most effective elements. This results in a training program that involves heavy lifting, cardio, flexibility training, and mobility work to give you the ultimate workout.
What Specifics Does A Fitness Tracker Need For CrossFit?
Because you are doing multiple sports actions while you are doing CrossFit exercises, you are going to want a device that can accurately recognize your movements and record your activity.
Not only should the tracker recognize your steps and distance when you are walking, but it should be able to read movements other than standard walking motion.
You will probably be wanting a tracker that can do more than just act as a pedometer and count steps and distance, and to have more functions.
Your heart rate, for example, could be a fitness measurement you would want in addition to your blood pressure, blood oxygen, sleep patterns and quality, and even alarm settings.
The alarm settings can be helpful during training sessions when you need to time each workout, since you don’t use the traditional methods of counting reps.
While most people who do CrossFit are highly active and get to the gym to work out and exercise, sometimes we all need a little boost and reminder to keep active.
Many trackers today are equipped with a gentle reminder feature that prompts you to get up and get moving if you are being sedentary, which is a feature you may want to keep you motivated to do your CrossFit exercises regularly.
Considerations For Adding Fitness Trackers To This List
Accuracy: Some people report a lot of issues with the accuracy of step tracking, distance, and heart rate monitoring. For CrossFit, you are going to want particularly accurate fitness trackers that will record all of the hard work you are putting in.
Durability: A fitness tracker that is durable is obviously a highly sought-after quality, because you are investing your money into this device. Your tracker should be durable for long-term wear so you do not have to replace it too soon due to daily wear and tear.
Long battery life: Your battery should not be something you have to continuously be worrying about throughout the day or even the week. Your battery should charge and last you through the week with continual use, and it should be strong enough to not need replacements often.
Water-resistant or waterproof: With CrossFit, you will most probably be sweating profusely throughout the workout. You will want your device to hold up against the sweat without damaging it.
Top 5 Fitness Trackers For Crossfit
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 Smart Wristband
Xiaomi is known for making durable, less expensive electronics like cell phones and fitness trackers as well. This Xiaomi band is Bluetooth capable and will sync up with your HUAWEI smartphone in order for you to keep your data logged and get updates from your phone.
You will have a stylish band to wear to the office or to the gym or even for morning runs.
You do not have to worry about taking it off and changing it when you want to look more official, because it looks professional as well.
Your steps will be counted throughout the day regardless whether you are walking, running, or engaging in CrossFit activities.
The distance you have moved, your calories, and your sleep will all be monitored while you have the band on your wrist. Your sleep will be tracked whether it is light sleep or deep sleep as well as all of your active time.
Pros:
- Light sleep tracked
- Less expensive
- Stylish
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Difficulty connecting with Bluetooth
- Some found the step count off
Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband
Fitbit is probably a name you know and a brand you have heard of. You may even resort to calling all fitness trackers Fitbits. They have made some of the highest quality, fashionable fitness trackers, so their name is one we remember.
Fitbit has many models out there, but this is one that we particularly like for CrossFitters because it is not only durable but tracks many areas of your health.
This is an all-day tracker that measures your heart rate and steps automatically, as long as you are wearing the device.
There is also a GPS feature, and your steps, distance, and even stairs are counted. You will have a more accurate reading of what you have accomplished throughout the day.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Special heart rate tracking
- GPS tracking
- Durable
Cons:
- Some report allergic reactions to the band
- Some report charging issues
Garmin Vívosmart HR Activity Tracker
This particular choice is very sleekly designed and will be fashionable for you to wear no matter your outfit. It is easy to read the time and information on this device regardless of the lighting where you are.
Your distance walked or run, the steps you take, calories, and heart rate will be counted and tracked continuously. You can set up gentle reminders for you to get throughout the day, to keep active.
Pros:
- Fashionable
- Multiple measures tracked
- Syncs with phones
- Accurate
Cons:
- Few color options
- Some report difficulty setting up the device
Lintelek Fitness Tracker With Heart Rate Monitor
The Lintelek fitness tracker is great for those on a budget but does not come cheaply made. This will be useful for you in CrossFit as it measures and tracks multiple areas of fitness to accurately read all of the sports activities you do.
This is a Bluetooth-capable device, so you can sync the tracker to your phone. The Bluetooth capabilities also allow your watch to provide you with notification updates when it is connected to your phone.
This device charges wirelessly, and you simply remove the tracker from the band and plug it into a USB port to charge.
Pros:
- Sleep tracking
- Bluetooth
- Inexpensive
- Continuous heart rate tracking
Cons:
- The band may be slightly breakable
- May smell when new
HUAWEI Band 3 Pro All-In-One Fitness Activity Tracker
This band is marketed as an activity tracker because it is designed with multi-sport functions to track more fitness measurements. This is a waterproof device that will be able to take all of the sweat and water that will come with working out, without doing any damage.
There is a built-in GPS and a step tracker that will help you keep track of your distance and act as a pedometer. It goes deeper than that, though, and tracks your sleep throughout the night as well.
Your sleep will be tracked accurately regardless of if it is deep sleep or light sleep, which is not a common measure. Typically these devices limit themselves to only deep sleep tracking and measuring the quality of sleep.
Pros:
- Sleep mode tracking
- GPS built in
- Multi-sport functions
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Some parts of the app show up in Chinese
- Instructions are a bit difficult
How You Can Improve Your CrossFit Workouts
CrossFit can take on various forms, and the workouts may vary between people and gyms. This is due to the versatile and flexible nature of the training methods. Each day can look very different in a CrossFit gym. This is beneficial as it surprises your body and leads to a continuous full-body workout.
However, there are some important elements to the best CrossFit workouts, and you can use these commonalities to ensure that you are getting the most out of your workouts.
Get A Coach
The first goal is to find yourself the right coach. CrossFit is rarely done alone, and usually you will complete these types of workouts in a gym with a group of people. This leads to higher levels of motivation and support.
You need to choose a trainer or a gym that offers the right type of CrossFit for you. As mentioned before, the styles and methods may differ between gyms, and you should be comfortable with the setup and methods used in the gym you choose to join.
Keep Good Form
One of the most important elements to CrossFit is your form, and this can be the deciding factor in whether you build muscle or end up injured from a training session. This is another reason why going to a gym is the best option for beginners.
Throughout each workout and training session, you should be continuously focusing on your form and letting your training or fellow trainees guide you through the exercise. Other people can monitor your form better than you can, unless you are positioned in front of a mirror. You should ask someone to keep an eye on your form to help prevent injuries.
CrossFit Activity Tracker FAQs
Can Fitness Trackers Monitor Your Gym Workouts?
A fitness tracker won’t be able to track specific elements of your gym workouts such as rep counting and what activities were done. However, it will track the level of intensity throughout your workout with continuous heart rate monitoring.
If your fitness tracker includes various sports modes it will better understand the type of activity you are doing, to give a more accurate reading of the activity. This data from your workout is usually saved to an app where you can keep track of your training on a daily or weekly basis.
Do Fitness Trackers Track Weight Lifting?
No. Fitness trackers won’t give you specific training data from weight lifting such as the reps completed or the level of weights you are lifting. However, it will track your activity through your heart rate.
A good quality fitness tracker can determine the number of calories burned throughout your workout and provide you with a graph of your heart rate levels, as well as blood oxygen levels on some devices.
Is A Pedometer Or Fitness Tracker Better For Workouts?
A fitness tracker is the better option for your workouts. Pedometers are designed to calculate the number of steps during a specific time frame. This is calculated by the movement of your hips.
Fitness trackers on the other hand can give you more insight during your workouts. It can accumulate all the data needed to give you an accurate idea of how intense and successful your workout was. It does this mostly through heart rate monitoring.
Final Thoughts
Fitness trackers are good for those who are active and those who are simply looking to monitor their health regularly.
Specifically speaking for CrossFit, this will give you real updates and log information to help you better track how the workouts you do are good for you. This is why it should be included among your essential fitness accessories.
CrossFit implements multiple sports into a single routine, which means you need a very smart tracker that can recognize the type of activity you are participating in. Not only will this keep an accurate record of your steps but will watch your heart rate as well.
If you sync the tracker with your phone, you can keep it on hand all day and not only get fitness updates but any missed messages and calls from your phone. You do not have to worry about stopping your workout to constantly check your phone but can continue exercising.
You can speak with your doctor about your overall health and specifically how a fitness tracker can be a benefit for you. The information that is tracked and recorded by this device can be used to give you and your doctor a better picture of your health.
The best fitness watch for CrossFit, in my opinion, is the Fitbit Charge 2. Coming in a close second to the Xiaomi fitness tracker is the Fitbit because of its ability to connect to different devices rather than being limited to HUAWEI devices.
If you have tried any of these fitness trackers, let us know in the comments below. We love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
