There are some days when it feels like I never stop moving. How about you? If only there was a way to count those kinds of mommy moments towards my weekly exercising goals…oh wait, there is! I’m sure you’ve guessed where I’m going with this by now. Let me introduce you to the best fitness tracker for busy moms.
I absolutely LOVE my Fitbit Versa 2. I originally bought it so that I would have something to track my heart rate during spin class, but it can do so much more than that.
As a busy mom, you may be looking for something to help keep you on track and make small steps every day to meet your goals. If so, the Versa 2 might be just what you’re looking for.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.
What is a health and fitness tracker?
Simply stated, a fitness tracker helps monitor different activities. Depending on the tracker you choose, you can monitor things such as heart rate, steps, sleep patterns, and more.
Do you remember when pedometers first came out? It was almost like there was this little ball inside that as long as it rattled, you got credit for a step. Well as you’re about to see, we’ve come a lonnnng way since then.
Why is a health and fitness tracker helpful?
Besides monitoring activities, a fitness tracker can also be a great motivator! I know of people who have regular competitions among friends to see who can get the most “steps.” Some people will not go to bed before getting their “steps” in. Maybe you know of people like that too.
By using a device, you can take the guesswork out of how many calories you’ve burned (or consumed), how much water you’ve drank, and figuring out your resting heart rate. True story, my husband and I sometimes compare heart rate stats to see who’s the “most chill.” Spoiler alert, it’s rarely me, haha.
Best Product to Track Daily Activity: Fitbit Versa 2
Like I said before, I’ve fallen in love with my Versa 2. It is capable of doing so many cool things, but as to not overwhelm you with info, I’m going to share the top 4 ways I use my Fitbit Versa 2 every day.
Track Workouts
So initially, this was the whole reason I bought a Fitbit – I wanted a device that would be able to track my heart rate zones during my indoor cycling classes. What’s really cool is that you can set different types of workouts (running, circuit training, weights, swimming, etc) to see different stats that may be useful for that type of activity. When I jog, I am able to see on a map where I went and what my heart rate was at certain points along the road.
I love how the Versa 2 shows me a graph of my workout. Here’s an example from a recent cycling class:
You can see that it shows me exactly how long I was in Fat Burn, Cardio, and Peak zones along with my average and max heart beats per minute.
I’ve found that I’m a little competitive with myself and love to see the line graph after each workout and compare to previous weeks. I want the visible proof that I’m getting stronger and gaining endurance! I also like monitoring how quickly my heart rate recovers between intervals.
Monitor Calories and Calorie Impact
Have you ever read the nutritional facts on food packages? “Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.” I am not a big calorie counter, but it’s important to remember that calories need to go into your body…it’s one measure of how your body uses the energy derived from food.
You burn calories all day every day – while you sleep, while you’re sitting still, while you’re living life, and yes, while you’re exercising.
After a workout, you can see how the calories you burned impacts the rest of your day.
So on this day, I burned 561 calories working out, but burned a total of 2,684 just living life. See mama, there is a legitimate reason for why you feel so tired at the end of the day!
See My Sleep Scorecard
Sleep? As a mom?! When I was weaning our second daughter, I didn’t even bother tracking my sleep. But, it is really cool to see.
So this night, I slept pretty well! You can see it took a very few number of minutes to fall asleep…and when the baby tried to wake up a little too early.
According to Fitbit’s sleep stages post, 50-60% of nightly rest is “light” sleep. 10-25% is “deep” sleep. Weird how little deep sleep your body needs, huh? Lastly, REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) accounts for 20-25% and happens mostly in the second half of the night. Looks like even though my score was 82 out of 100, my sleep totals were pretty average!
Alexa and Bluetooth Enabled Devices
My husband is totally into the “smart home” thing – we’ve got the smart switches, TVs, light bulbs, etc. You know what I mostly use Alexa for? Playing music and making my grocery list lol. Anyways, I love that my Versa 2 has Alexa built right in and is always connected to my phone. It comes in handy when I need to add to my shopping list on the go or hear a song on the radio I want to try out in spin class.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but being able to see my texts on the Versa 2 helps me stay off my phone. Whenever it goes off, I don’t feel a need to check and see who texted or who’s calling. I even have the ability to send replies straight from the Fitbit.
Common Questions/FAQ About the Fitbit Versa 2
Ok, so those are four of the features I use my Versa 2 for every single day. But you may have a few more questions before deciding if it’s the right fitness tracker for you.
What can the Fitbit Versa 2 do?
For a complete list of features, check out the full listing here, but below are some of the top features:
- Check the weather
- Set timers and alarms
- Control your smart home devices
- Track heart rate 24/7, steps, distance, calories burned, hourly activity, active minutes and floors climbed
- Get a call, text, calendar and smartphone app notifications when your phone is nearby
- 6+ days of battery life
- Menstrual health tracking (that could sure come in handy!)
- Cardio fitness scoring
- Guided breathing sessions
- “Find My Phone” feature
Can you answer calls on the Fitbit Versa 2?
Kinda. When you receive a call, the contact information, as well as a “reject” or “accept” button, will appear on your Versa 2 screen. Whatever action you choose will be done on your connected phone. If you do choose to answer a call, the call will be active on your phone – not on your Fitbit.
So yes, you can technically “answer calls,” but the conversation is not had through your Fitbit device.
Does the Fitbit Versa 2 have a monthly fee?
Fitbit does have an optional premium program available at $9.99/month. The premium membership includes offers advanced insights, guidance and coaching to reach your fitness goals. They do offer a 90-day free trial.
However, I do not subscribe to the service. I’m sure there are some awesome features, but I get everything I need for free after I purchased my Versa 2.
Other Fitbit Products to Consider
I thought I would quickly highlight some of the features from other Fitbit models. I do not have the same experience with these, but if the features and investment are more inline with your budget, these might be a good fit.
A Step Below the Versa 2: Fitbit Inspire
Priced at about half of the Versa 2, the Fitbit Inspire has many of the same activity tracking features, just less of the “extras.” It does not have Alexa built in, GPS, or the ability to play and store music. It does however track your steps, distance, hourly activity and calories burned, as well as 24/7 heart rate. You also can receive call, text, calendar and smartphone app notifications right on your wrist.
A Step Above the Versa 2: Fitbit Sense
If you’re more of a “bells and whistles” kind of girl, you might opt for the newer Versa 3 or the Fitbit Sense. The Sense has all of the features I’ve mentioned previously, plus
- EDA Scan app detects electrodermal activity which may indicate your body’s response to stress
- An on-wrist skin temperature sensor tracks yours each night so you can see how it varies. You can also see your nightly blood oxygen levels at a glance with our collection of SpO2 clock faces
- High & low heart rate notifications alert you if yours seems above or below your average
- Google Assistant and Alexa devices compatible
The Last Thing You Need To Know About Choosing An Activity Tracker
The Fitbit Versa 2 is a great mid-range fitness tracker! It has all of the features you need, plus a lot of the extras you want.
All of the products I’ve mentioned here
- are water resistant
- track activities and sleep
- monitor heart rate 24/7
- can receive text, call, and app notifications
When choosing an activity tracker, it’s important to consider the features you need and want, as well as your budget. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about my experience with the Versa 2!
If you’re ready to make your decision or would like to see further details on any of these products, click the link below.