Fitness trackers are everywhere, from YouTube influencers to bodybuilders and powerlifters. Even the strongest guys use them to follow their sleep quality or step count.
A fitness tracker with or without a phone connection can be a game-changer and eliminate all the guesswork out of your conditioning.
But, when it comes to combat sports like Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing, the options are limited. The workouts are intensive, and they test your endurance to the maximum, which is why people are more eager to see how many calories they can burn in one session.
The accuracy of the trackers is something that depends on the model and price.
As you already know, the market is overflowing with trackers, from chest and arm straps to watches that act like heart-rate monitors.
We at MMAWhisperer believe that only a reliable tracker can offer you valuable insight from your training. We thoroughly researched and found the best fitness trackers for BJJ!
Whether you are on a budget or need a quickly-chargeable one, you can find the best fitness tracker that will match your needs after our reviews.
Table of Contents
Popular Fitness Tracking Devices For BJJ
An activity tracker can help you understand the recovery process and the amount of quality sleep you get each night and also give you an insight into your energy expenditure.
While searching for the best fitness trackers for BJJ, we considered the devices’ comfort, accuracy, price, durability, charging time, and safety. We narrowed our choices to five fitness devices to help you stay on track and follow your energy expenditure. Without further ado, the best fitness trackers for BJJ are:
- Fitbit Charge 5 – Best tracker for martial arts
- Whoop 4.0 – Accurate tracker with great design
- Garmin Tactix Delta – Comfortable and versatile premium tracker
- Powr Labs Heart Rate Monitor – Best chest strap for BJJ training
- Scosche Rhythm – Affordable and accurate heart rate tracker
Best Fitness Trackers for BJJ Reviewed
Fitbit Charge 5
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the size of the tracker and the design are crucial. Every tracker must be unrecognizable and not affect your performance on the mats. The Fitbit Charge 5 does exactly that; it has a small and compact design while being packed with a lot of impressive attributes.
The interface of this tracker is very simple and neatly presents all the features like an EDA sensor for measuring stress responses, sleep tracking, heart rate, and much more.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is specifically designed with workouts in mind and can be your new training buddy.
Testing methodology
While testing the Fitbit 5, the onboard GPS was impressively accurate. We tried tracking many activities, such as swimming, running, and lifting weights, in addition to Jiu-Jitsu training.
The slim design of the wristband is great and comfortable and tracks the sleep quality without itching.
The Charge 5 is the newest release from Fitbit and mixes the best features of all the previous devices. This gadget is packed with a lot of power and precisely monitors the heart rate. The Fitbit Charge 5 is great for Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and other combat sports.
You can benefit from the device even when you are not training. You can get regular reminders to stretch and follow your daily steps count.
Features
| Fitbit Charge 5 | |
| Battery Life | 7 days |
| Charging Time | 1-2 hours |
| Water Resistance | Yes, but only up to 50 meters |
| Compatibility | Android/iOS |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS |
| Color Options | 3 |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great price | No music control |
| On-board GPS | The on-screen data is limited |
| Many tracking features |
Garmin Tactix Delta [premium product]
Despite having a larger design; the Garmin Tactix Delta is one of the best fitness trackers for combat sports. Although many people think of a hike or trail run when they hear the name Garmin, the company is one of the best in the game and produces fitness trackers for many activities.
The tactic Delta is arguably smaller than other Garmin products. The watch is a bit pricey, but it is cool, durable, and offers tremendous value for your money.
If you want a genuine tactical timepiece, the Delta is your best choice. The watch can be a part of your everyday kit, whether you like to train in Jiu-Jitsu, hike in the mountains, or lift weights.
Testing methodology
In Jiu-Jitsu class, you cannot show up with a large piece of metal on your wrist and look for someone to spar with.
However, the Garmin Tactix Delta has a strap made of silicone and a small display created to meet military standards. Do you see a connection now?
Regardless of whether they are on active duty or retired, soldiers often battle their demons through Jiu-Jitsu. They use the Tactix Delta to train in martial arts, go on deployment, and enjoy its many features.
Because we aren’t soldiers, we took the watch for a spin in the mountains. The accuracy is amazing, and the GPS was uninterrupted even at the highest points.
Features
| Garmin Tactix Delta | |
| Battery Life | 21 days |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Water Resistance | Yes |
| Compatibility | Android/iOS |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2, GPS |
| Color Options | 1 |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| GPS and music | Expensive |
| Lightweight and durable | |
| Made with military standards in mind |
Powr Labs Heart Rate Monitor
Some people believe that the wrist is not a good place for a device that can monitor your heart rate or energy expenditure. The Powr Labs heart monitor is a chest strap that can be great for Jiu-Jitsu training with or without a Gi.
This product was invented by endurance athletes from Utah who were tired of paying extraordinary amounts of money for workout gear.
Powr Labs is a simple strap that accurately follows your activities super comfortable and comes at a low price. This heart rate monitor can deliver results even in the nastiest and sweatiest conditions. The Powr Labs heart rate monitor shines on all fronts and is affordable, reliable, and durable.
Testing methodology
While testing the Powr Lab, we focused the most on comfortability during the entire HIIT training. Because the chest strap is made from super soft and stretchable material, it stayed in one spot during the entire session and was comfortable all workout long.
Another thing we noticed is how quickly and easily the gadget pairs via Bluetooth. The Powr Labs chest strap is water and sweat resistance and offers real-time data from the training.
We tried the heart rate monitor in unrelenting conditions. Jiu-Jitsu training and conditioning can be especially rigorous and intense. Powr Labs is an incredible fitness tracker that can keep up with every movement.
Features
| Powr Labs Heart Rate Monitor | |
| Battery Life | 6+ months |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours |
| Water Resistance | IP67 – water and sweat resistance |
| Compatibility | Android/iOS/Mac/Windows |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Color Options | 1 |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | No accurate results on dark or tattooed skin |
| Durable | |
| Long battery life |
Scosche Rhythm
In our article so far, we gave you many options for tracking your fitness while rolling on the mats and training Jiu-Jitsu. From watches to straps, there is something for everyone. The Scosche Rhythm is a combination of every single product.
The fitness tracker is a wearable heart rate sensor that you can strap around your arm and connect to your phone to see an accurate calorie expenditure.
The Scosche Rhythm is a unique sensor for anyone who is not a fan of watchers and likes to keep the wrists free from choking and grabbing.
Scosche is a company that always seeks ways to separate from the crowd and delivers cutting-edge products.
Testing methodology
When we tested the Scosche Rhythm arm strap, we were surprised at how far away can we leave our phones.
The Scosche HRM can work properly even if you are 100 feet away from your device without interruptions.
Additionally, the armband has great features and is one of the best fitness trackers for BJJ. The Scosche Rhythm is very precise, especially for mixed martial arts training like Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and kickboxing, because it has optical sensors that register the most appropriate BPM zone.
Finding your best BPM zone will allow you to maximize your performance during the workouts and improve your conditioning.
Features
| Scosche Rhythm | |
| Battery Life | 8 Hours |
| Charging Time | 1 hours |
| Water Resistance | IP67 – waterproof |
| Compatibility | Ant+ or Bluetooth Smart Technology |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Color Options | 2 |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great connectivity | Does not store data |
| Precise performance | The app only has basic features |
| Easy to wear |
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I WEAR A FITNESS TRACKER DURING BJJ TRAINING?
Yes, you can wear a fitness tracker during Jiu-Jitsu training, but you have to make certain choices before you do.
If you wear a Gi, which is made of thick material and covers your entire point, the outfit covers most places where a fitness tracker has usually worn the wrist, chest area, or biceps.
Something else that you take into great consideration is comfort level. The tracker should allow you to perform and make moves to make your opponent surrender. Imagine showing up in training with a huge chunk of plastic or metal on your wrist. Nobody would volunteer to be your sparring partner.
WHAT FITNESS TRACKER SHOWS THE MOST ACCURATE RESULTS FROM BJJ TRAINING?
Before buying a fitness tracker for Jiu-Jitsu, you must consider and compare every option on the market. A chest strap is the most reliable and advanced tracker that can improve your performance and show the most accurate results.
Chest straps show the most precise results because they are close to the heart and capture every single movement without making you feel restrained.
HOW LONG DO FITNESS TRACKERS LAST?
A good fitness tracker from a reliable company should have a life span of five years. Eventually, it all comes down to the quality of the product, the price, and how often you use it.
HOW LONG DOES A FITNESS TRACKER TAKE TO CHARGE?
A fitness tracker needs about two to three hours for a full charge.
Price Breakdown
Fitness trackers are booming every day of the week, and many choices can suit everyone’s budget. Even though smartwatches are everywhere, fitness trackers are still immensely popular for several reasons. For instance, a flashy and large tracker like the Apple Watch in Jiu-Jitsu will certainly affect your performance.
Fitness trackers are smaller and generally less techy, which is why they are perfect for tracking your activity during BJJ training. On average, the best fitness trackers for BJJ have a price range of $50 to $200. Garmin manufactures the most long-lasting watches and trackers, but they go for more than $500. You can wait for a discount if your eye is set on a tracker beyond your budget.
Main Alternatives Compared
| Fitbit Charge 5 | Garmin Tactix Delta | |
| Battery Life | 7 days | 60 hours |
| Charging Time | 1-2 hours | 2 hours |
| Water Resistance | Yes, up to 50 meters | Yes |
| Compatibility | Android/iOS | Android/iOS |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS | Bluetooth 5.2, GPS |
| Color Options | 3 | 1 |
| Price | Around $100 | Around $850 |
