Are you a keen skateboarder? Do you currently use a wearable fitness tracker? Our topic for this article is The Best 5 Fitness Trackers For Skateboarding. Millions of people who participate in different sporting activities are now using fitness trackers and other wearable health tech. Let’s begin the article!
Introduction
Skateboarding is not just a sport but also a lifestyle, blending creativity, agility, balance, and endurance. From casual street skating to technical tricks at the park, it demands both physical strength and mental focus. While skateboarding might not seem like the kind of activity you would monitor with a fitness tracker, wearable technology has advanced enough to capture valuable data that can help skaters improve performance, reduce injury risk, and track overall fitness progress.
Fitness trackers are no longer limited to counting steps or monitoring sleep. Today’s devices come packed with sensors that track heart rate, calories burned, oxygen levels, and even GPS routes. For skateboarders, this means being able to measure the intensity of skate sessions, monitor recovery, and optimize endurance for long rides.
Choosing the right fitness tracker for skateboarding requires balancing durability, comfort, and advanced health metrics. In this guide, we will break down the best five fitness trackers for skateboarding, exploring their key features, prices, benefits, pros, and cons, along with tips for getting the most out of your wearable.
What Makes a Fitness Tracker Good for Skateboarding
Skateboarding puts unique demands on the body and environment. A fitness tracker designed for this sport should offer features beyond basic step tracking. Here are the most important aspects to consider:
☑ Durability and toughness – the device should withstand impact and vibration
☑ Accurate heart rate monitoring – to track effort during sessions
☑ GPS and route tracking – for long rides, cruises, and mapping skate routes
☑ Battery life – to last through long days at the park or street
☑ Comfort and secure fit – so it stays in place while performing tricks
☑ Additional health insights – sleep, recovery, stress, and oxygen data for overall performance
The Best 5 Fitness Trackers For Skateboarding
1. Apple Watch SE (Second Generation)
The Apple Watch SE is an excellent option for skateboarders who want more than just fitness tracking. It offers detailed activity insights while also functioning as a versatile smartwatch.
Key Features
- Built in GPS for tracking skate routes
- Continuous heart rate monitoring
- Fall detection and emergency SOS (valuable for skaters prone to crashes)
- Daily activity rings to encourage movement
- Integration with Apple Fitness+
- Battery life up to 18 hours
Price
Around $250 to $280 US dollars.
Benefits
☑ Great for skaters who want both performance tracking and lifestyle features
☑ Strong safety features like fall detection
☑ Excellent app ecosystem for fitness and health
Pros
☑ Highly accurate heart rate and distance tracking
☑ Comfortable sleek design
☑ Seamless pairing with iPhone
Cons
☑ Battery life is shorter than many dedicated fitness trackers
☑ Higher cost compared to entry level wearables
2. Garmin Forerunner 55
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is built for athletes and works especially well for skateboarders who want accurate GPS, heart rate tracking, and long battery life.
Key Features
- GPS for route and speed tracking
- Steps, pace, and distance monitoring
- Stress and recovery tracking
- Sleep insights with daily recommendations
- Battery life up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode
Price
Around $200 US dollars.
Benefits
☑ Excellent GPS for long rides and commutes
☑ Long battery life for skaters spending long days outdoors
☑ Provides fitness level insights for endurance
Pros
☑ Reliable and durable design
☑ Accurate performance metrics
☑ Lightweight and easy to wear
Cons
☑ May feel too performance focused for casual skaters
☑ Lacks lifestyle features like music or messaging apps
3. Fitbit Charge 6
The Fitbit Charge 6 is an affordable yet feature rich tracker that works perfectly for casual skateboarders who want health insights without breaking the bank.
Key Features
- Continuous heart rate tracking
- Steps, distance, and calorie tracking
- Built in GPS for outdoor rides
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- Sleep tracking with detailed stages
- Battery life up to 7 days
Price
Around $160 US dollars.
Benefits
☑ Perfect mix of affordability and advanced features
☑ Slim lightweight design ideal for skating
☑ Excellent app integration for progress tracking
Pros
☑ Accurate for calorie and heart rate monitoring
☑ Comfortable enough for daily use
☑ Syncs easily with Google Fit and other apps
Cons
☑ Smaller screen compared to smartwatch models
☑ Shorter battery life than premium devices
4. Garmin Instinct 2
For skaters who want a rugged device that can withstand impacts, the Garmin Instinct 2 is one of the toughest wearables available. It is designed for outdoor sports and extreme environments.
Key Features
- Rugged build resistant to impact and water
- GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo navigation systems
- Heart rate and stress monitoring
- Long battery life up to 4 weeks in smartwatch mode
- Tracking for multiple sport modes
Price
Around $350 US dollars.
Benefits
☑ Extremely durable design for skaters who take risks
☑ Long battery life for extended skate sessions
☑ Excellent for outdoor adventures beyond skateboarding
Pros
☑ Military grade toughness
☑ Highly accurate GPS and tracking
☑ Perfect for skaters who want durability and reliability
Cons
☑ Bulkier design compared to slim trackers
☑ Higher price point than other options
5. Xiaomi Mi Band 8
For budget conscious skateboarders, the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 offers a surprising amount of functionality at a very low price.
Key Features
- Steps, distance, and calorie tracking
- Continuous heart rate monitoring
- Sleep and stress tracking
- Lightweight design with comfortable fit
- Battery life up to 15 days
Price
Around $50 US dollars.
Benefits
☑ Very affordable while still delivering accurate data
☑ Ideal for beginners who want to track skate sessions casually
☑ Long battery life compared to premium devices
Pros
☑ Best budget option with solid accuracy
☑ Simple and easy to use
☑ Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
☑ Limited advanced features
☑ Build quality not as strong as premium trackers
Who Should Use Skateboarding Fitness Trackers
Skateboarding fitness trackers are most suitable for:
- Casual skaters who want to monitor overall fitness and health
- Street skaters who benefit from fall detection and safety features
- Commuter skaters who want GPS tracking for routes and distance
- Athletic skaters focusing on endurance and calorie burn
- Health conscious users who want sleep and stress tracking along with activity data
They may be less suitable for:
- Skaters who dislike wearing devices on the wrist during tricks
- Those only interested in skateboarding tricks rather than fitness data
How to Get the Best From Your Wearable
☑ Wear it snugly – ensure the tracker sits comfortably but firmly to capture accurate data
☑ Enable GPS – when cruising outdoors, use GPS for accurate distance and speed tracking
☑ Set custom activity modes – track skateboarding under biking or custom exercise to capture calories and heart rate
☑ Monitor recovery – use sleep and stress data to avoid overtraining or fatigue
☑ Sync with apps – connect with Google Fit, Apple Health, or Garmin Connect for deeper insights
☑ Use fall detection features – for skaters at higher risk of injury, safety settings are valuable
6 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can fitness trackers accurately track skateboarding?
Yes, while most trackers do not have a dedicated skateboarding mode, they can capture calories, heart rate, distance, and GPS routes with high accuracy.
2. Which fitness tracker is best for durability?
The Garmin Instinct 2 is the most rugged option, built to withstand impact and outdoor environments.
3. Do I need GPS for skateboarding?
GPS is useful for commuters and long distance skaters, but casual street skaters may not need it.
4. Can a fitness tracker help improve skateboarding skills?
Yes, by monitoring heart rate, endurance, and recovery, skaters can train smarter and stay in peak condition for longer sessions.
5. What is the best budget tracker for skateboarding?
The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 offers the most features at a very low price, making it ideal for beginners.
6. Are smartwatch features useful for skaters?
Yes, safety features like fall detection, notifications, and music control are valuable during skate sessions.
Conclusion
Skateboarding is a demanding and creative sport that requires balance, stamina, and resilience. The right fitness tracker can give skaters valuable insights into performance, health, and recovery while also providing safety features that add peace of mind. From rugged devices like the Garmin Instinct 2 to budget friendly options like the Xiaomi Mi Band 8, there is a wearable for every type of skater.
The Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Charge 6 are excellent all rounders for those who want daily health insights, while the Garmin Forerunner 55 is perfect for performance driven riders. Ultimately, the best tracker depends on whether you prioritize durability, affordability, or advanced features. No matter which device you choose, having a fitness tracker on your wrist ensures that every skate session contributes not just to fun and skill, but also to long term health and performance.
Our Thanks!
We would like to offer you our sincere thanks for reading this article on The Best 5 Fitness Trackers For Skateboarding. We hope that you have found it helpful with your search for a suitable wearable fitness tracker. Why not take a look at one of our related articles. It’s titled The Best 5 Fitness Trackers For Swimming.
Please let us know in the comments which type and brand of fitness tracker you are currently using or plan to buy in the future!
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All the best!
Eamon