Our findings suggest that wearing a fitness tracker on your ankle isn’t the most reasonable idea because the data you get is not as accurate as when the watch would be on the wrist.
In short, activity trackers such as Garmin, Whoop, Letscom, Xiaomi, Apple, and Fitbit among others are not designed to be worn on the ankle but on the wrist.
Are Fitness Trackers Accurate when Worn on the Ankle?
First of all, you compromise your smartwatch warranty when you have it on your ankle. Secondly, since the smartwatches are supposed to be on the wrist you end up getting the wrong/inaccurate reading when you have it on the ankle.
There are also other fitness smartwatches that detect steps more when on the ankle as the steps are more detectable while striking strides.
With the fitness watch on the ankle get ready not to see time or metrics unless you are a whoop 4 user (the smartwatch without display).
Use Fitness Tracker Ankle Bands
In case you feel like the activity tracker isn’t giving you the correct step counts then consider wearing it with an ankle fitness tracker band. These Ankle bands hold the watch so firm and are now available on Amazon.
Factors to Consider Before Wearing a Fitness Tracker On Your Ankle
Some of the things you need to keep in mind before wearing a fitness tracker meant for the wrist on the ankle include; they are not built for the ankle, inability to track certain activities, and random acts of failing.
1. No Built for the Ankle
Most fitness trackers are designed to be on the wrist and not on the ankle and that’s why they are made from bottom to up to interpret the maker’s intentions.
2. Inability to track certain activities
When you are putting on your fitness tracker may be, Fitbit Alta HR, Charge 4, Xiaomi Mi Band 3, or Garmin Vivosmart 4 have in mind that you will not be able to get the right metrics for certain activities like sleep, heart rate, skin temperature, SpO2 e.tc.
The only metric you can count on while the tracker is on the ankle is the step count and calories in and out.
3. Random Instances of Failure
Unlike the upper parts of our bodies which move every time our feet don’t move a lot. The only time the feet moves is when you are walking, jogging, running, or cycling. For that reason, a lot of activities will not be recorded with the fitness tracker on the ankle.
Is There A Fitness Tracker You Can Wear On Your Ankle?
Sure, have a few fitness smartwatches that are designed to be worn on the ankle to keep track of both fitness and wellness activities. We have Moov, Gamin Foot Pod, and Misfit Ray.
1. The Moov
Moov is a fitness tracker that has got all you would want on an activity watch. Unlike Fitbit, Garmin, Apple, Whoop, Letscom, and Samsung watches, it is specifically designed to be worn on the ankle.
You don’t even need an ankle band to hold it firm on the ankle as it already copy’s your ankle’s morphology.
You will love this ankle fitness tracker it can work independently without a phone until when it is time to sync.
That way you are also not distracted by notifications. Apart from connecting it to your phone you could also sync it to your PC/laptop and use headphones to get entertained while working out.
Moov is the best activity tracker you can have as a cyclist, runner, and gym-goer. It is also a better choice for people who sweat profusely or like running when it rains as it is waterproof. Check Moov now on Amazon.
2. The Garmin Foot Pod
Foot Pod is also another activity watch made by Garmin. Like Moov, Garmin Foot Pod is designed for the ankle.
Unfortunately, having this watch with no other Garmin watch is of no use. Foot Pod requires another Garmin smartwatch (the ones meant for the wrist) to work.
The tracker specifically works with Garmin Watches, connecting it to other fitness watches will just disappoint.
It is the activity monitor to go for when you are not sure of how accurate your fitness data is from the wrist.
Those already with Garmin watches can have the tracker on their ankle and use it to transfer step count data to the Garmin App.
Unlike its brother Moov, it comes at an affordable price, more affordable than a new fitness tracker.
Garmin Foot Pod is the best ankle fitness tracker alternative for users with Garmin smartwatches. If you are a Garmin user and would like to try the Foot Pod check here.
3. The Misfit Ray
Misfit Ray is yet another fitness tracker band small and slim like Fitbit Charge 4 but similar to whoop 4.0 because it has no display. The tracker can work both on the wrist and ankle.
In case you are in search of something more stylish tracker or a watch that doesn’t need a phone consider Misfit Ray.
The fitness monitor is goldish, very simple with a black strap. The straps are customizable, you can opt to replay the original one with stainless steel, nylon, or nylon tassel.
You ought to be careful with this one because if not worn right it may cause you ankle pain. So, as much as you want the fit to be perfect make sure it isn’t too tight.
The fact that the fitness tracker comes at an affordable price and keeps charge for about 3 months will make you love it more.
Also, Read: About the merit and demerits of smartwatches and find out whether it is ok to wear fitness trackers with a watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t we encourage the Wearing of Fitness Trackers on the Ankle?
Almost every fitness tracker you will find on the market is calibrated to monitor fitness and wellness data from the wrist. The only activity you may get reliable data with the tracker on the ankle is your step counts.
Other details like the heart rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen levels aren’t accurate and that’s because of the fit on the ankle lose thus the sensors at the back of the activity trackers hardly come into contact with the skin where readings are derived.
Can you wear Fitbit Sense or Versa on Your Ankle?
Yes, you can have either of the Fitbit watches on your ankle but be sure the only things that will be counted are the calories burned and steps taken. With no accurate heart reading, blood pressure readings e.tc.
