The Pixel Watch serves as a solid fitness tracker, yet it could benefit greatly from Garmin’s expertise.
For the past year, I’ve made the Pixel Watch 3 my main smartwatch. When compared to other Wear OS devices I’ve tried before, this one stands out as the best due to its elegant design, seamless performance, and impressively good battery life. However, despite the Fitbit integration being a valuable addition, there’s a specific feature that prevents it from being my preferred gym smartwatch, which is why I often revert to a Garmin watch during workouts.
The Pixel Watch excels at monitoring my workouts, particularly my running sessions (when I actually manage to do them), but it falls short in tracking weightlifting. In fact, by comparison to other smartwatches, it’s quite basic, and I’m genuinely surprised that Google hasn’t enhanced this feature for its leading smartwatch. While heart rate, active calories, and cardio load data are available, what I truly need is the ability to automatically count my repetitions.
This is an area where Garmin excels; even Samsung has some capabilities in this regard. Given the recent emphasis on running features, I would greatly appreciate seeing the Pixel Watch 4 incorporate rep counting into its features.
Garmin’s Method for Counting Reps and Sets
I appreciate that Garmin can automatically count repetitions and manage the start or stop of sets. This functionality means I don’t have to keep track manually; the watch does it for me. At the gym, I can easily get lost in my music. While I’m not as dedicated as some who meticulously log every set in notebooks, I still aim to stay on track with my workouts. Often, I forget which rep or set I’m on, so it’s convenient to check my Garmin watch.
Although I’m not fully versed in the technicalities, Garmin claims it can monitor “weight training exercises that involve distinct and consistent movements, like the bench press,” along with “exercises aimed at specific muscle groups/body parts.” After executing the same motion multiple times, it will recognize that I am in a set and begin counting my repetitions, retroactively adding the earlier reps to my current count.
When I cease those movements, the watch automatically records that set and initiates a resting phase, complete with its own timer, ensuring I don’t overdo or underdo my rest between sets. That rest period ceases once the watch detects that I’m engaged in repetitive movements again, at which point it will begin counting reps for the new set.
The Pixel Watch 3 simplifies things by merely tracking my workout without counting reps, sets, or rest durations. However, it does have the capability to automatically recognize certain activities like running and walking. I believe Fitbit could leverage the same movement data for weightlifting reps like Garmin does. Even if it’s not flawless, having some functionality would be preferable to having none.
I’m not alone in my belief that Google could improve. Nicholas Sutrich, a senior editor at Android Central, notes that his Amazfit watch makes his Pixel Watch feel inferior, especially highlighting its capacity to log and analyze repetitions during workouts. Similar to Garmin, Amazfit utilizes this data in a practical manner that Google could emulate.
It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing
While the accuracy isn’t perfect, Garmin watches such as the Venu 3 and Forerunner 570 perform admirably, typically being only one or two reps off in their counts. If any discrepancies arise, Garmin allows for quick adjustments to the rep count and even lets you record the weight while it counts down to the start of your rest period.
You can also modify the last set if you forget to do so, or use the Garmin app to make adjustments later.
It’s crucial to note that this feature generally functions best during workouts where the watch can effectively monitor your movements. Garmin actually maintains a list of workouts that may pose challenges for its tracking capabilities, so it’s important to consider this if you plan to depend on this feature:
– Stationary wrist exercises: dips, pull-ups, push-ups, planks
– Leg isolated exercises: extensions, seated presses, calf raises, hamstring curls
– Complex/hybrid motions: box jumps, “CrossFit” style workouts, burpees
– Short-range exercises: shoulder shrugs
– Battle ropes and jump rope
In these scenarios, the watch may not acknowledge that you’re completing any activity and will display you as being in a rest period. Consequently, leg day tends to be the only occasion when this feature proves unreliable, other than with squats. Nonetheless, they are generally dependable for weightlifting and can serve as a suitable alternative to pen and paper.
It’s not just about counting reps; there’s so much more involved.
