In a former life – or what feels like a former life – I was the Director of Integration at Strava and, before that, the lead device test and integration manager. So yeah, I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time testing workout GPS and wellness devices. And when I say testing, I mean everything from breadcrumb GPS that makes you feel like Hansel and Gretel to sleep tracking rings that think I’m napping when I’m actually staring at the ceiling at 2 AM, contemplating my life choices.
Now that I’m officially out of the industry, what am I using? Here’s the lineup:
- Coros: Battery life champ, multi-band GNSS wizard, and rugged enough to survive a 24-hour labor session. I mean, this thing will keep tracking you through a marathon, a trail run, and a toddler meltdown – all without needing a charge.
- Hammerhead: Beautiful. For a long time, it was a pretty shell of a device, like the athlete who looks the part but bonks at mile 10. But it’s gotten better – smoother interface, better battery, and a solid app.
- Peloton: My favorite piece of fitness equipment in the garage. The app doesn’t have custom workouts, but it does have structured plans that keep me motivated when traveling. Plus, it’s gamified enough to make you forget you’re actually sweating.
- Sole Tread: The treadmill that saved my marathon cycle when my kitchen was in full remodel chaos.
- Whoop: My love/hate relationship in a tiny strap. It’s like that friend who gives unsolicited advice – mostly good, sometimes annoying.
- Zwift bike: The sleek, sexy setup that makes indoor riding almost as good as a trail day. Zwift workouts and training plans are great for structured intervals and FTP work. But since my Zwift account is currently expired due to our remodel, I haven’t been using them lately.
- Concept 2 rower: Row, row, row to keep the monotony at bay. There’s something oddly satisfying about hitting a specific split time over and over again.
I used to be 100% Garmin. Also spent time with Apple Watches. Dabbled with Samsung and Google/Pixel watches. Tested Polar, Wahoo, Rouvy, Suunto, and everything in between – even VR and a ton of fitness-only apps. Honestly, if it has GPS and/or records your fitness workouts, I probably tested it out at some point.
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
Most people think GPS is the only game in town, but it’s just one of many satellite systems. GPS is the U.S. system, but there’s also GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), BeiDou (China), and QZSS (Japan). Why does this matter? If you’re running in dense forests, canyons, or urban areas, having multi-band GNSS can drastically improve accuracy and reduce dropouts – or those fun bouncy lines that make it look like you ran through a few buildings.
Devices are all getting better in this area, but Coros is the standout. I’ve never had a single recording issue, even during a multi-day event where the battery just kept on ticking. Plus, it can track every global satellite system out there without breaking a sweat.
Battery Life Analysis
Battery life is where Coros shines. In standard GPS mode, it easily outlasts most Garmin models, and in multi-band GNSS mode, it still performs exceptionally. Let’s just say that even with recording a minimum of one activity daily, I only need to charge my device once every few WEEKS! Garmin and Wahoo hold their own, but they’re not touching Coros in this department.
Connectivity and App Ecosystems
Coros, Garmin, and Whoop all integrate well with major apps like Strava, TrainingPeaks, and Zwift. For busy moms, the key is ease of syncing and sharing data with multiple family members or coaches. Garmin’s LiveTrack is a standout – I can keep tabs on my husband while he’s out on a long ride, and he can track me during a run. Wahoo’s live tracking is solid too but lacks the seamless, foolproof feel of Garmin’s setup.
Coros has live tracking as well, but my phone and watch tend to disconnect randomly, so it’s not as reliable in that department. Hammerhead syncs well with Strava but still feels like it’s finding its groove when it comes to full ecosystem integration.
Data Analysis and Metrics
Coros is fantastic for running power metrics and advanced training analysis, while Whoop is the reigning champ of HRV, sleep, and recovery data. Why does this matter for moms? Monitoring HRV and sleep can be a game changer postpartum. Whoop gives you insights on recovery that a basic fitness tracker won’t. Garmin, meanwhile, balances both – not as in-depth as Whoop for HRV, but solid for all-around fitness metrics.
SuperSapien is another standout that I wish I still had in my lineup, especially for athletes looking to dial in their nutrition and energy management. Having a continuous glucose monitor was a game changer for me — it’s like having a personal coach reminding you when to fuel and when to back off. Supersapien nails it with athlete-focused insights that go beyond just blood sugar spikes and dips. It’s not just about avoiding bonking; it’s about optimizing every mile, every interval, and every recovery session. If you’re serious about training, it’s worth the investment. I’d 100% go back to SuperSap if it was in my budget…
Custom Workouts, Schedules, and Training Plans
Coros, Garmin, and Zwift all handle custom workouts, but Garmin still has the most robust interface for creating structured workouts and adjusting on the fly. Peloton doesn’t offer custom workouts but has structured workout plans and schedules that keep me consistent. Zwift excels at detailed training plans and intervals, while Coros keeps it simple with basic interval settings and route planning.
Kid-Friendly Features and Family Integration
Garmin wins for family integration with LiveTrack and incident detection – features I use when my husband’s on a ride and I’m out running. Apple Watch also has Family Setup, but it’s more lifestyle-oriented than fitness-focused. Wahoo is worth mentioning too – solid routing and tracking capabilities, but Garmin still gets my vote for its reliability and ease of use.
Subscribe to my site for more future posts regarding:
- How Coros performed during my 24-hour labor.
- Best devices for postpartum recovery.
- Using a treadmill to finish a marathon training cycle.
- Best devices for traveling athletes.
- How to use fitness tech for daily family walks or homeschool P.E.
Run Teach Bike 
This could be submitted for publication in a journal.
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