# Back-to-School Fitness Trackers: From the Pixel Watch 3 to the Oura Ring
As students return to school, the shift from home-cooked meals and organized high school athletics to dorm living and buffet-style dining can result in changes to lifestyle that may affect health. Although the well-known “Freshman 15” weight gain is frequently overstated, research indicates that some students do gain weight during their initial college year. To assist students in maintaining their fitness and wellness objectives, we’ve put together a list of excellent back-to-school fitness trackers, ranging from smartwatches such as the **Google Pixel Watch 3** to smart rings like the **Oura Ring**.
## Why a Fitness Tracker is a Smart Investment for College Students
College life is often fast-paced, with students balancing classes, social engagements, and potentially part-time employment. Without the structure of high school sports or parental supervision, it’s easy to fall into unhealthy routines. A fitness tracker can aid students in remaining conscious of their activity levels, sleep habits, and overall well-being.
### The Freshman 15: Myth or Reality?
The “Freshman 15” is the notion that students gain 15 pounds during their first college year. While this is commonly exaggerated, a study from the **National Library of Medicine** found the average weight gain among students to be 2.7 pounds, with just 5% gaining 15 pounds. Notably, students with previously healthy BMIs were more prone to weight gain, especially young men, who gained an average of 7.1 pounds. The research also suggested that some students were unknowingly heading toward obesity.
Although a fitness tracker cannot in itself prevent weight gain, it can assist students in developing healthy habits by monitoring their activity, sleep, and overall wellness. Here’s a look at some of the finest fitness trackers for students.
## The Advantages of a Smartwatch for College Students
Fitness trackers and smartwatches provide more than mere step counting. They can help students organize their time, maintain order, and even alleviate stress. Here are some major advantages:
– **Time Management**: Smartwatches enable students to create on-wrist to-do lists, set Pomodoro timers for focused study periods, and receive calendar alerts for classes and assignments.
– **Stress Management**: Many smartwatches feature guided meditation practices and breathing exercises to assist students in managing stress, particularly during exam seasons.
– **Fitness Tracking**: Smartwatches can monitor workouts, daily steps, and calories burned, helping students remain active even amidst academic pressures.
– **Sleep Monitoring**: Sleep is vital for both physical and mental health. Fitness trackers can assess sleep quality and offer insights on how well-rested students are, which can affect their overall wellness.
## Top Fitness Trackers for Students
### 1. **Google Pixel Watch 3**
The **Google Pixel Watch 3** is an excellent choice for students seeking a stylish, feature-rich smartwatch. It incorporates **Fitbit’s Cardio Load** tool, which tracks how frequently you elevate your heart rate and provides feedback on your fitness levels. A notable feature is its ability to reward you for everyday actions, such as hurrying to class, not solely formal workouts.
The Pixel Watch 3 also offers **target load goals** each morning, suggesting whether to workout or rest based on your sleep quality. This makes it a superb option for students aiming to balance fitness with a rigorous academic schedule.
– **Pros**: Stylish appearance, Fitbit integration, Google Assistant, swift performance, fast charging.
– **Cons**: Battery life may be lacking for heavy users.
### 2. **Apple Watch Series 9**
For those with iPhones, the **Apple Watch Series 9** stands as a prime contender. With the latest **watchOS 11**, Apple has rolled out a **training load graph** that monitors your workout intensity over time. While it doesn’t track non-workout activities like the Pixel Watch 3, it provides a clear insight into your fitness journey and can help sustain motivation.
The Apple Watch also excels in time management, featuring calendar alerts, to-do lists, and focus modes to assist students in staying aligned with their academic duties.
– **Pros**: Flawless integration with iPhone, outstanding fitness monitoring, excellent productivity features.
– **Cons**: Pricey, particularly for budget-conscious students.
### 3. **Garmin Forerunner or Instinct Series**
For students who take running or cycling seriously, **Garmin** watches present a fantastic option. While they might lack some smart functionalities of competing watches, they shine in fitness tracking. Garmin’s **training load tools** are more comprehensive compared to those provided by Google or Apple, and these watches offer **daily suggested workouts** based on your fitness levels.
Garmin watches are also renowned for their robustness and extended battery life, making them ideal for active students.
