How to choose the best fitness watch
What features should you look for in a fitness watch?
The right fitness watch depends on how you move. If you run or hike regularly, GPS is non-negotiable: it tracks your route without needing your phone. If sleep quality is your focus, look for continuous heart rate monitoring and sleep stage tracking.
Battery life matters more than most people expect. A watch that dies mid-long-run is a watch you'll stop wearing. Most fitness watches cover step counting, calorie estimates, and automatic workout detection. The more premium models add ECG readings, blood oxygen monitoring, and VO2 max tracking for a deeper picture of your health.
Fitness watches for women vs. men: what's different?
No fitness watch is built exclusively for women or men. What varies is form factor and feature set. Smaller watches like the Garmin Lily 2 are popular for their lightweight, jewelry-inspired design, and both Apple Watch and many Garmin models include menstrual cycle and fertility tracking via their companion apps.
Battery life, GPS accuracy, and health sensors are identical across gender-marketed versions of the same model. The smartest move: choose the watch that fits your wrist, matches your training, and has the health features you'll actually use.
GPS vs. non-GPS fitness watches
GPS fitness watches record your real-time location, pace, and distance outdoors without needing your phone. They're the standard choice for runners, cyclists, and hikers. Non-GPS watches, including most Fitbit models, rely on step counting and can use connected GPS from your phone when you need it.
Non-GPS models are lighter, less expensive, and last significantly longer on a single charge, up to two weeks in some cases. If your workouts happen indoors or close to home, non-GPS usually covers everything you need. If you head outside without your phone, GPS is worth the investment.
Why buy a refurbished fitness watch?
A refurbished fitness watch is a watch that's been professionally inspected, repaired where needed, and graded for quality before being resold. On Back Market, every fitness watch is tested across up to 100 points before it reaches you. That includes heart rate sensors, GPS, accelerometer, display, and charging, all confirmed fully functional.
The result is access to premium Garmin, Apple Watch, and Samsung Galaxy Watch models at a fraction of their original retail price. Every device comes with a 1-year warranty and 30 days to change your mind.
Top fitness watch brands on Back Market
Garmin Garmin is the preferred choice for serious athletes. Its fitness watches are built around GPS accuracy, sport-specific tracking (running, cycling, swimming, hiking), and battery life that lasts days to weeks. The Garmin Forerunner series targets runners, while the Fenix and Venu lines deliver premium health monitoring. Refurbished Garmin watches often cost 40 to 70% less than new. Shop all Garmin watches on Back Market.
Fitbit Fitbit is the most accessible entry point into fitness tracking. Its watches, including the Fitbit Charge 6 and Inspire series, prioritize simplicity: steps, heart rate, and sleep tracking in a slim, lightweight design with up to 10 days of battery life. Fitbit connects to Google Health for broader health data and is the most beginner-friendly option in the category.
Apple Watch Apple Watch is the benchmark fitness watch for iPhone users. It combines precise workout tracking, ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and crash detection in a design that moves from the gym to the office without skipping a beat. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 offer the most advanced health features. Browse refurbished Apple Watch with fitness tracking to compare models and grades.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Samsung Galaxy Watch is the top pick for Android users, particularly those in the Google or Samsung ecosystem. It runs Wear OS and integrates with Samsung Health for detailed fitness analytics, including body composition measurement on select models. The Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 7 are the current flagship options available refurbished.