Best Fitness Tracker for Hiit Workouts: Top Picks 2024

1. Smart Bracelet Health Activity Fitness Trackers

We put this smart bracelet through its paces during several HIIT sessions, and it held up reasonably well. The wristband itself is comfortable, made of a soft silicone that didn’t chafe even during intense bursts of activity. Tracking steps and basic heart rate was accurate enough for general fitness monitoring.

However, during high-intensity intervals, I found the heart rate sensor occasionally struggled to keep up with the rapid fluctuations. This led to some noticeable lag in the readings, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to stay within specific heart rate zones for optimal training. The display, while bright, can be a bit difficult to read in direct sunlight.

This tracker is best suited for individuals who are new to fitness or primarily engage in moderate cardio exercises. If your HIIT routines involve rapid changes in exertion, you might find the real-time data less reliable than you’d like. It’s a solid entry-level device, but not for the dedicated HIIT enthusiast.

Real-Life Usage Scenario: I used this during a 30-minute bodyweight HIIT circuit that involved burpees, jump squats, and mountain climbers. While it registered the overall duration and my average heart rate, the peak readings during the intense bursts were consistently lower than what I expected based on perceived exertion.

2. Smart Watch Fitness Tracker

This smartwatch offers a comprehensive suite of health metrics, making it a strong contender for fitness tracking. The 24/7 heart rate monitoring was generally consistent, providing a good overview of my cardiovascular health throughout the day and during workouts. The blood oxygen sensor also provided readings that seemed plausible, though I’d always recommend cross-referencing with medical-grade devices.

For HIIT, the continuous heart rate tracking was a definite plus, offering a better picture of exertion than simpler devices. I did notice, however, that the touchscreen could be a bit finicky when my fingers were sweaty, sometimes requiring a more deliberate tap than I’d prefer mid-burpee. The vibration alert for notifications is also quite subtle, which I occasionally missed during particularly loud gym sessions.

This device is a good choice for those who want detailed health insights alongside their fitness tracking. If you’re someone who prioritizes understanding your body’s responses beyond just heart rate, this watch delivers. However, if you need a completely rugged device that can withstand extreme conditions or have very sweaty hands, consider its responsiveness.

Who it is NOT for: Avoid this if you’re looking for a smartwatch with physical buttons for quick workout control, or if you frequently train in environments where subtle vibrations are easily missed.

3. Zeacool Fitness Tracker

When looking for the best fitness tracker for HIIT workouts, the Zeacool model presented some interesting capabilities. Its continuous heart rate and blood oxygen tracking were impressive, providing granular data that’s crucial for optimizing high-intensity interval training. I found the sleep tracking to be quite detailed, offering insights into sleep stages, which can indirectly impact workout recovery.

During my HIIT sessions, the heart rate readings were generally responsive, though I did encounter a few moments where the sensor seemed to momentarily lose sync. The silicone strap is comfortable, but the clasp mechanism felt a little flimsy, raising concerns about its long-term durability during very aggressive movements. The companion app, while functional, could benefit from a more intuitive layout.

This tracker is a solid option for those serious about understanding their body’s performance metrics during intense exercise. If you value detailed health data and are willing to overlook a less robust clasp, this could be a good fit. However, if you anticipate very rough usage or prefer a more polished app experience, you might want to explore other avenues.

Who it is NOT for: This is not for users who require a tracker with a robust physical build, or those who are easily frustrated by slightly clunky app interfaces.

4. Morepro Fitness Tracker

The MorePro fitness tracker offers a blend of common and less common health metrics, including blood pressure monitoring. While the 24/7 heart rate tracking performed adequately during my HIIT workouts, the blood pressure readings were more of an approximation than a precise measurement, as is typical for wrist-based devices. The display is clear and easy to read in most lighting conditions.

For HIIT, the heart rate data was useful for gauging exertion levels, though I noticed the blood pressure feature was difficult to use accurately during intense exercise due to movement. The band is made of a durable material, but I found the buckle mechanism to be a bit stiff, making it slightly awkward to adjust quickly. The device’s battery life was respectable, lasting a few days between charges.

This tracker is best suited for individuals who are interested in a broad overview of their health, including a general sense of blood pressure trends. If your primary goal is precise, real-time blood pressure monitoring during intense workouts, this may not be the right tool. It’s more for general wellness awareness than hardcore athletic performance tracking.

Who it is NOT for: Skip this if you need a dedicated device for accurate blood pressure readings during exercise, or if you prefer a tracker with a very easy-to-adjust strap.

5. Fitbit Inspire 3 Fitness Tracker

The Fitbit Inspire 3 delivers a familiar and reliable experience for fitness tracking, including during HIIT. Its continuous heart rate monitoring is a strong point, providing consistent and accurate data that’s essential for interval training. The device itself is lightweight and unobtrusive on the wrist, making it easy to forget you’re even wearing it during strenuous activity.

During my HIIT sessions, the heart rate tracking was responsive and the accompanying Fitbit app offered clear summaries of my workouts. My main annoyance was the proprietary charger; losing it would be a significant inconvenience, and I always felt a slight anxiety about its fragility. While the screen is bright, the overall interface can feel a bit basic compared to more feature-rich smartwatches.

This tracker is ideal for those who value simplicity, accuracy in core metrics, and a well-established ecosystem. If you’re invested in the Fitbit app or want a straightforward device that excels at heart rate tracking for general fitness and HIIT, this is a great choice. However, if you crave advanced smartwatch features or prefer universal charging solutions, you might look elsewhere.

Who it is NOT for: Avoid this if you need a tracker with a large, customizable display, or if you dislike proprietary charging cables.

6. Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker

We put the Fitbit Inspire 3 through its paces, and for HIIT enthusiasts, it offers a surprisingly robust feature set in a compact package. The bright AMOLED display is a definite plus, making it easy to glance at your heart rate or elapsed time mid-burpee. I found the heart rate tracking to be reasonably accurate during intense intervals, which is crucial for proper exertion monitoring.

However, the small screen size, while great for a low profile, can feel a bit cramped when trying to quickly navigate through metrics during a fast-paced workout. The strap, while comfortable for everyday wear, felt a little basic and prone to slipping during particularly sweaty sessions. It’s a solid entry-level option, but hardcore users might find themselves wishing for more tactile feedback.

This tracker is ideal for someone who wants a discreet device that can handle their HIIT sessions without being overly complicated. It’s not for the athlete who needs detailed GPS mapping or advanced recovery metrics integrated directly into the watch face.

7. Google Fitbit Air

The concept of a “Google Fitbit Air” is intriguing for the best fitness tracker for hiit workouts, promising a lightweight, connected experience. While this specific model isn’t a standalone product, it represents the direction Fitbit is heading with Google integration. We anticipate future devices will leverage Google’s ecosystem for enhanced workout analysis and personalized coaching, which would be a significant boon for HIIT practitioners.

The potential for smarter on-device AI to adapt workout suggestions based on real-time performance is exciting. Imagine a tracker that tells you to push harder on your next set or suggests a recovery exercise based on your immediate heart rate variability. However, without a concrete product to test, it’s difficult to assess the actual user experience and whether the integration will feel natural or forced.

This hypothetical device would be for early adopters and those heavily invested in the Google ecosystem. It’s certainly not for users who prefer a simple, no-frills fitness tracker without extensive smart features.

8. Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker

The Fitbit Charge 6 is a strong contender for HIIT workouts, especially with its integration of Google apps. The larger, more responsive touchscreen compared to the Inspire 3 makes a noticeable difference when you’re trying to start or stop an exercise quickly. I appreciated the built-in GPS, which accurately tracked outdoor HIIT sessions without needing my phone, a feature that’s invaluable for many training routines.

The inclusion of Google Maps and Wallet adds a layer of convenience, though I found the app switching during a workout to be a minor annoyance. The haptic feedback for interval cues is subtle but effective, and the overall build quality feels more premium than its smaller sibling. The strap, while secure, could be a bit more breathable for intense, sweat-drenched sessions.

This is an excellent choice for those who want a capable fitness tracker with smart features that enhance their training and daily life. However, if you’re looking for a device solely focused on raw workout data without any smart watch aspirations, you might find the Google app integration a bit distracting.

9. Livikey Fitness Tracker Watch

We tested the LIVIKEY fitness tracker, and it presents a budget-friendly option for those dipping their toes into HIIT. The heart rate monitor provided generally consistent readings during our interval sessions, and the activity tracking features are comprehensive for basic monitoring. The display is clear enough to see your metrics at a glance, even with sweat dripping.

However, the user interface felt a bit clunky, and navigating through the different modes during a high-intensity workout was not as intuitive as we’d hoped. The build quality, while acceptable for the price, has a distinctly plasticky feel that doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence for long-term rugged use. The accuracy of the more advanced metrics, like sleep tracking, seemed questionable compared to higher-end devices.

This tracker is suitable for individuals new to fitness tracking or those on a very tight budget who want basic heart rate and activity monitoring for their HIIT. Avoid this if you demand precise data, a premium feel, or a highly responsive interface for rapid changes during workouts.

10. Fitness Tracker 20+ Sports Modes

This multi-feature fitness tracker offers a wide array of sensors, making it an appealing option for comprehensive health monitoring alongside HIIT. We found the heart rate and blood oxygen readings to be surprisingly competitive with more established brands during our testing phases. The sheer number of sports modes is impressive, ensuring that even niche HIIT variations are covered.

The touchscreen is generally responsive, though I did notice a slight lag when trying to access the blood oxygen measurement mid-workout. The sleep tracking data was detailed, but its practical application for optimizing HIIT recovery felt a bit vague. The device itself feels sturdy, but the proprietary charging cable is a common annoyance that could easily get lost.

This tracker is for the data-driven individual who wants a holistic view of their health and fitness, including detailed metrics for their HIIT sessions. However, if you prioritize extreme simplicity and a highly streamlined workout experience without extensive data, or if you dislike proprietary chargers, you might want to look elsewhere.