One of the latest fitness trends you may have seen on Instagram and Twitter is a sudden resurgence of Fitbits and various other fitness trackers, but with a new twist. Many people have taken to wearing trackers on their ankles rather than wearing a fitness tracker on the wrist and arm.
While wearing a fitness tracker on your ankle may give you a more accurate step count and heart rate monitoring, depending on the model, it can also endanger your warranty and provide less accurate data for other measurements being tracked.
However, there are fitness trackers specifically made to wear on your ankle and can provide a whole slew of precise information in real-time.
Keep reading to find out more about the best ankle fitness tracker and find the best for you and your workout.
Top 5 Best Ankle Fitness Tracker
Now that you’ve been briefed on what to expect, let’s dive into the top fitness tracker on your ankle that’s currently on the market.
1. Garmin Foot Pod
Description: The Garmin Foot Pod attaches to your shoelaces and connects with the Garmin Forerunner Watch series and Ant+ Adapter for iPhone. Unlike other trackers, Garmin’s tracker is unique in that it’s able to fully analyze your movements to provide you with 98% accuracy for your distance and speed.
Best Features:
- Connects directly to your Forerunner, whether you’re in or out of GPS range
- Also available as a waistband-attachment, Garmin’s Running Dynamics Pod
- Monitors distance and cadence
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Response to changes in stride-length
- Pro: Includes removable battery with a battery life of one year
- Pro: Uses MEMs inertial-sensor technology
- Con: You have to purchase additional equipment from Garmin for it to work
- Con: Uses a replaceable watch battery, and there is no rechargeable battery option
You can pick up the Garmin Foot Pod on Amazon by clicking here.
2. Moov Now Ankle Fitness Tracker
Description: The Moov Now Ankle Fitness Tracker uses Omni Motion technology to record and analyze your motion in 3D space to provide you with an entirely new, fully personalized workout experience. As you walk, run, cycle, swim, box, and workout, the Moov Now Ankle Fitness Tracker encourages you to challenge yourself while providing tips tailored to you to improve your workout.
Best Features:
- Ideal for cycling, swimming, cardio boxing, bodyweight workouts, running, and walking
- Coaches you through your workout in real-time with guided instruction and information
- Compatible with virtually any smartphone (iOS and Android) via Bluetooth
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Completely waterproof, so you can wear it all day long
- Pro: Provides data on your swimming laps, strokes, rests, and turns
- Pro: Tracks your stride, pace, technique, and cadence when running and walking
- Con: You have to have a smartphone or similar device with an iOS or Android system (i.e., iPod, iPad, or tablet) to use it
- Con: Uses a replaceable watch battery with 6-month battery life, and there is no rechargeable battery option
Click here to see the Moov Now Ankle Fitness Tracker on Amazon.
3. Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker
Description: Simple and compact, the Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Fitness Tracker has a smooth silicone clip so you can slide it onto your waistband, bra, shirt, or pocket. The Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Fitness Tracker uses a 3-axis accelerometer to take precise measurements and is removable so that you can wear it with other types of bands. (10, 11)
Best Features:
- Compatible with Bluetooth 4.0 smartphones, tablets, and computers
- The LCD comes to life with a tap and sleeps when not in use to extend battery life
- Sweat, rain, and splash-proof for worry-free wear
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Available in Lime Green, Charcoal Grey, and Magenta Pink
- Pro: Tracks distance, steps, calories burned, and active minutes
- Pro: Saves 7 days of motion data and 23 days of daily totals
- Con: Cheaper in the UK and Europe than in the United States
- Con: While you can wear it on your shoelaces, doing so invalidates the warranty as it’s not a recommended way to use the Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity tracker
- Con: Uses a replaceable watch battery, and there is no rechargeable battery option
You can click here to check out the Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker on Amazon.
4. Moov HR Sweat
Description: The Moov HR Sweat is similar to the previous entry from the company on this list, the Moov Now Ankle Fitness Tracker; however, rather than an anklet, the Moov HR Sweat takes the form of a headband. The Moov HR Sweat is equipped with real-time, personalized coaching to keep you engaged and on track and has the distinction of being the “first ever real-time heart rate based coaching.” (12, 13, 14)
Best Features:
- Ideal for swimming, running, walking, cycling, and bodyweight exercises
- Also incorporates coaching and tracking for high-intensity interval training, and heart rate training
- Moov’s Sweatproof Pulse Vision™ technology provides unrivaled accuracy
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Comfortable and lightweight at less than half an ounce
- Pro: Compatible with most iOS and Android devices
- Pro: All measurements are sent via Bluetooth wireless data capture and store directly to your device in-app
- Con: You have to have a smartphone or similar device with an iOS or Android system (i.e., iPod, iPad, or tablet) in order to use it
- Con: While you can wear it as an anklet or bracelet as well, doing so invalidates the warranty as it’s not a recommended way to use Moov HR Sweat
Click here to check out the Moov HR Sweat on Amazon.
5. B-Great Ankle Band for Men and Women Compatible with Fitbit Flex
Description: The B-Great Ankle Band for Men and Women Compatible with Fitbit Flex is the unicorn of our top 5 list in that it’s unlike the other fitness trackers that we’ve covered. This Ankle Band doesn’t actually come equipped with any tracking device.
Rather, it allows you to turn the bullet-style fitness tracker you already have and securely wear it on your ankle inside a hidden mesh pouch closed with a touch fastener.
Best Features:
- Available in two sizes, various colors, and in packs of multiple bands
- Compatible with Fitbit Flex 2, Fitbit One, Fitbit Zip, Charge 2, Charge 3, Alta HR, Garmin Vivofit/2/3/4/JR, Misfit, Sony, and other bullet-style Fitness Trackers
- Most budget-friendly option on our list
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Allows you to use the tracker you already have in a new way
- Pro: The most inexpensive product on our list, by far
- Pro: Made of nylon-mesh so you can wear it comfortably anywhere, even to sleep
- Pro: Quick and easy snap closure prevents skin irritation and keeps the band securely on
- Con: Not compatible with Iconic, Blaze, Versa, Versa 2, Charge, or Charge HR wearables
Get the best B-Great Ankle Band for Men and Women Compatible with Fitbit Flex from Amazon by clicking here.
Buying Guide: Ankle Fitness Trackers
Before you can figure out which fitness tracker for ankle is the right fit for you, let’s go over some of the basics to keep in mind while browsing.
Differences with Smart Watch Fitness Trackers
Although smartwatch fitness trackers and ankle fitness trackers accomplish the same basic goal of tracking and storing data about your workouts, a few key differences distinguish the two.
Aside from the obvious contrast of where you physically wear the tracker, an ankle tracker for ankle measures your pulse either through your posterior tibial artery (in layman’s terms, the back of your ankle) region or through the dorsalis pedis artery (the top of your foot).
In contrast, smartwatch fitness trackers use a pulse reading from the radial artery (the inside of your wrist).
Fitness Tracking: What Does It Track?
In general, fitness trackers monitor several data points, including:
- Heart rate monitoring
- Track your steps
- Distance traveled
- Workout duration
Price
Depending on the brand, style, and amount of technology integrated into the tracker, you can expect to pay from $7.99 to as much as $99.99 or more.
Compatibility (iOS or Android)
Because most fitness trackers work in tandem with downloadable apps, it’s also important to note whether or not the tracker you’re considering is compatible with your phone’s operating system. You can find out what operating system your phone is using by accessing your settings.
Additionayy7890l Features
The best fitness tracker comes with additional features, such as:
- GPS monitor
- Sleep tracking
- Stress tracking
- Blood oxygen sensor
- Touch screen
The Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
We’ve officially covered everything you need to know about Ankle Fitness trackers, from our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide to our Top 5 Best Ankle Fitness Trackers. It’s time to choose the best fitness tracker to fit your fitness goals.
Keeping in mind all that we’ve discussed, our recommendation is the B-Great Ankle Band for Men and Women Compatible with Fitbit Flex. In addition to being the most budget-friendly option, the B-Great Ankle Band for Men and Women Compatible with Fitbit Flex offers the most diverse selection of styles.
It also allows you to use the fitness tracker you already have, so you don’t have to learn how to use a new app and fitness tracker system.
In the interest of full disclosure, this content is paid for with fees by advertising and linking.
