Editor’s Desk
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I have been utilizing the Pixel Watch 3 as my major smartwatch over the previous 12 months. In comparison with earlier Put on OS watches I’ve used previously, that is simply the perfect, due to its smooth design, clean efficiency, and surprisingly first rate battery life. But, whereas the Fitbit integration is a pleasant perk of proudly owning a Pixel Watch, there’s one area of interest function that retains it from being my go-to fitness center smartwatch, and it is the explanation why I always change to a Garmin watch once I work out.
The Pixel Watch does an awesome job monitoring my exercises, particularly my runs (once I really do them), but it surely’s not so nice at holding monitor once I raise weights. In actual fact, it is fairly rudimentary when in comparison with another smartwatches, and admittedly, I am shocked that Google hasn’t improved on this entrance with its flagship smartwatch. Coronary heart charge, energetic energy, and cardio load are all there, however the one factor I actually want is automated rep counting.
That is one thing Garmin does very properly; even Samsung manages this to some extent. With the give attention to extra operating options lately, I might like to see the Pixel Watch 4 add rep counting to its repertoire.
How Garmin counts reps and units
I actually like that Garmin can mechanically rely reps and begin or cease units. This implies I haven’t got to manually do it each time; the watch does it for me. Once I’m on the fitness center, I am usually misplaced in my music. Whereas I am not as critical as among the different guys who jot down their each set in notebooks, I nonetheless like to remain on monitor with my exercises. That stated, I usually neglect what rep or set I am on, so it is good to look at my Garmin watch to examine.
I do not know the ins and outs of how this works, however Garmin states that it may possibly monitor “weight coaching workouts that include distinct and constant motions, similar to bench press,” in addition to “workouts designed to focus on single muscle teams/physique elements.” After performing the identical motion a couple of occasions, it’s going to register that I’m performing a set and can begin counting my reps, retroactively including my first reps to my present ones.
As soon as I cease performing these actions, the watch will mechanically log that set and enter a resting interval, full with its personal timer, in order that I am not over- or under-resting between units. That relaxation interval will cease as soon as it notices that I’ve began performing repetitive actions once more. Then it is going to begin counting reps on a brand new set.
Issues are a lot easier on the Pixel Watch 3, which simply tracks my exercise with out reps, units, or relaxation intervals. Nevertheless, it may possibly mechanically detect sure actions, similar to operating and strolling. I really feel that Fitbit may make the most of the identical motion information for weightlifting reps, as Garmin does. Even when it is not excellent, I feel one thing can be higher than nothing.
I am not the one one who feels that Google may and may do higher. Android Central senior editor Nicholas Sutrich additionally factors out that his Amazfit watch makes his Pixel Watch really feel like a toy, with a significant function spotlight being the flexibility to log and analyze reps as you’re employed out. And like Garmin, Amazfit makes use of this information in a reasonably helpful approach that Google may be taught from.
It is not excellent, but it surely’s higher than nothing
Whereas the tactic is not 100% correct, Garmin watches just like the Venu 3 and Forerunner 570 do an awesome job at it, and are both spot on with the counts or off by only one or (at most) two reps. Nevertheless, should you do discover that one thing’s off, Garmin permits you to shortly edit the reps and even enter the burden whereas it counts down to start the remaining interval.
You can even edit the final set should you neglect to, or go into the Garmin app to make any modifications later.
It is also vital to notice that this function usually solely works on exercises the place the watch can precisely monitor your actions. Garmin really has an inventory of exercises which might be tougher to trace with its watches, so it is vital to maintain this in thoughts should you plan to depend on this function:
- Stationary wrist workouts: dips, pullups, pushups, planks
- Leg remoted workouts: extensions, seated presses, calf raises, hamstring curls
- Complicated/hybrid motions: field jumps, “CrossFit” kind workouts, burpees
- Brief-range workouts: shoulder shrugs
- Battle ropes and leap rope
In these circumstances, the watch usually will not register that you just’re even doing something and can proceed to point out you in a relaxation interval. Because of this, leg day might be the one time when this function isn’t dependable, apart from squats. Nevertheless, they’re usually dependable for weightlifting and may function an excellent different to pen and paper.
It is not simply counting reps. It is a lot extra
Whereas counting reps, Gamin really takes this information even additional. It makes use of that motion information to find out what workouts I am doing. Then, after my exercise, it exhibits me a diagram of the muscle teams that I labored out primarily based on my actions.
Once more, it isn’t 100% correct, but it surely’s fairly spot on more often than not, and it is a useful technique to visualize my exercises and see which muscle groups acquired extra targeted than others, in addition to what I could have to work on the subsequent day or the next week.
Proper now, I get pleasure from utilizing Fitbit on the Pixel Watch, significantly for the AI-powered operating coach, however the post-workout information is usually fairly barebones. Including extra metrics like motion information and focused muscle graphs would go a good distance in the direction of enhancing Fitbit for extra individuals who may gain advantage from that information.
Study from Garmin, compete with Samsung
When Google introduced the Pixel Watch 3, it was clear that there’s extra give attention to operating options and the rest, as if Google is making an attempt to compete with Garmin to try to steal clients away from its in style Forerunner or Venu collection. Which will or is probably not true, however I feel Google ought to broaden the scope of the Pixel Watch past simply operating.
I am not saying Google should not add extra operating options. By all means, I am positive my colleague Michael Hicks would like to see extra Garmin-like options on the Pixel Watch that cater to runners. That stated, the Pixel Watch nonetheless cannot compete with Garmin when it comes to battery life or the sheer variety of exercise/sports activities modes.
Nevertheless, Samsung is an effective place to look, and I feel Google ought to shift its focus to competing with the Galaxy Watch wherever it may possibly.
Once I first purchased my Galaxy Watch 5 a couple of years in the past, I used to be very shocked to see that it mechanically counted my reps. This was earlier than I had ever used a Garmin watch, so I used to be fairly impressed to see this function on a Put on OS watch. That stated, it nonetheless left lots to be desired.
On the fitness center, it might usually rely virtually any motion as a rep, overestimating the rely by fairly a bit. It additionally would not mechanically begin and cease units, so I must do it manually; in any other case, each motion would rely as a rep in a single set. Nonetheless, I appreciated that it at the least tried to rely my reps for me, even when the outcomes have been fairly inaccurate.
The function was additionally restricted to sure exercises, forcing you to alter to particular workouts, whereas Garmin will log no matter you do primarily based solely in your actions. There is not any have to specify beforehand what exercise you are about to do.
I have not had the chance to check any newer Galaxy smartwatches, together with the brand new Galaxy Watch 8, however that is at the least an space the place Google can attempt to one-up Samsung’s health efforts by studying from Garmin.
Do not fail me, Google
The Pixel Watch might not have the battery life to compete with Garmin, however Google has entry to a wealth of knowledge and quite a few methods to put it to use in methods that can profit its customers. I’ve full religion that Google may carry options like automated rep counting to the Pixel Watch, particularly if it means giving customers a extra complete have a look at their exercises.
And with the Pixel Watch 4 proper across the nook, I actually hope Google throws us a bone and provides extra options geared towards weightlifters and bodybuilders. As a result of, because it stands, I am both going to proceed to depend on Garmin for the fitness center, or I will replace my getting older Galaxy Watch 5 to the Galaxy Watch 8 and make that my go-to smartwatch for every part.
