Editor’s Desk
Android Central’s Editor’s Desk is a weekly column discussing the most recent information, developments, and happenings within the Android and cell tech house.
I have been utilizing the Pixel Watch 3 as my main smartwatch over the previous 12 months. In comparison with earlier Put on OS watches I’ve used up to now, that is simply the perfect, due to its smooth design, easy efficiency, and surprisingly first rate battery life. But, whereas the Fitbit integration is a pleasant perk of proudly owning a Pixel Watch, there’s one area of interest function that retains it from being my go-to gymnasium smartwatch, and it is the explanation why I continually change to a Garmin watch after I work out.
The Pixel Watch does an awesome job monitoring my exercises, particularly my runs (after I really do them), but it surely’s not so nice at maintaining observe after I elevate weights. In actual fact, it is fairly rudimentary when in comparison with another smartwatches, and admittedly, I am stunned that Google hasn’t improved on this entrance with its flagship smartwatch. Coronary heart price, energetic energy, and cardio load are all there, however the one factor I actually want is automated rep counting.
That is one thing Garmin does very nicely; even Samsung manages this to some extent. With the deal with extra operating options in recent times, I might like to see the Pixel Watch 4 add rep counting to its repertoire.
How Garmin counts reps and units
I actually like that Garmin can mechanically rely reps and begin or cease units. This implies I haven’t got to manually do it each time; the watch does it for me. After I’m on the gymnasium, I am typically misplaced in my music. Whereas I am not as severe as among the different guys who jot down their each set in notebooks, I nonetheless like to remain on observe with my exercises. That stated, I typically overlook what rep or set I am on, so it is good to look at my Garmin watch to examine.
I do not know the ins and outs of how this works, however Garmin states that it might observe “weight coaching workout routines that include distinct and constant motions, similar to bench press,” in addition to “workout routines designed to focus on single muscle teams/physique elements.” After performing the identical motion just a few instances, it’s going to register that I’m performing a set and can begin counting my reps, retroactively including my first reps to my present ones.
As soon as I cease performing these actions, the watch will mechanically log that set and enter a resting interval, full with its personal timer, in order that I am not over- or under-resting between units. That relaxation interval will cease as soon as it notices that I’ve began performing repetitive actions once more. Then it’ll begin counting reps on a brand new set.
Issues are a lot easier on the Pixel Watch 3, which simply tracks my exercise with out reps, units, or relaxation durations. Nonetheless, it might mechanically detect sure actions, similar to operating and strolling. I really feel that Fitbit may make the most of the identical motion information for weightlifting reps, as Garmin does. Even when it is not excellent, I feel one thing could be higher than nothing.
I am not the one one who feels that Google may and will do higher. Android Central senior editor Nicholas Sutrich additionally factors out that his Amazfit watch makes his Pixel Watch really feel like a toy, with a significant function spotlight being the flexibility to log and analyze reps as you’re employed out. And like Garmin, Amazfit makes use of this information in a reasonably helpful method that Google may study from.
It isn’t excellent, but it surely’s higher than nothing
Whereas the tactic is not 100% correct, Garmin watches just like the Venu 3 and Forerunner 570 do an awesome job at it, and are both spot on with the counts or off by only one or (at most) two reps. Nonetheless, should you do discover that one thing’s off, Garmin enables you to shortly edit the reps and even enter the burden whereas it counts down to start the remaining interval.
You may also edit the final set should you overlook to, or go into the Garmin app to make any modifications later.
It is also necessary to notice that this function usually solely works on exercises the place the watch can precisely observe your actions. Garmin really has an inventory of exercises which might be harder to trace with its watches, so it is necessary to maintain this in thoughts should you plan to depend on this function:
- Stationary wrist workout routines: dips, pullups, pushups, planks
- Leg remoted workout routines: extensions, seated presses, calf raises, hamstring curls
- Complicated/hybrid motions: field jumps, “CrossFit” sort workout routines, burpees
- Brief-range workout routines: shoulder shrugs
- Battle ropes and soar rope
In these circumstances, the watch typically will not register that you just’re even doing something and can proceed to indicate you in a relaxation interval. Consequently, leg day might be the one time when this function just isn’t dependable, except for squats. Nonetheless, they’re typically dependable for weightlifting and may function a superb various to pen and paper.
It isn’t simply counting reps. It is a lot extra
Whereas counting reps, Gamin really takes this information even additional. It makes use of that motion information to find out what workout routines I am doing. Then, after my exercise, it reveals me a diagram of the muscle teams that I labored out based mostly on my actions.
Once more, it is not 100% correct, but it surely’s fairly spot on more often than not, and it is a useful approach to visualize my exercises and see which muscle groups acquired extra centered than others, in addition to what I’ll must work on the following day or the next week.
Proper now, I take pleasure in utilizing Fitbit on the Pixel Watch, significantly for the AI-powered operating coach, however the post-workout information is commonly fairly barebones. Including extra metrics like motion information and focused muscle graphs would go a good distance in the direction of enhancing Fitbit for extra individuals who may gain advantage from that information.
Be taught from Garmin, compete with Samsung
When Google introduced the Pixel Watch 3, it was clear that there’s extra deal with operating options and the rest, as if Google is attempting to compete with Garmin to try to steal clients away from its well-liked Forerunner or Venu sequence. Which will or will not be true, however I feel Google ought to develop the scope of the Pixel Watch past simply operating.
I am not saying Google should not add extra operating options. By all means, I am certain my colleague Michael Hicks would like to see extra Garmin-like options on the Pixel Watch that cater to runners. That stated, the Pixel Watch nonetheless cannot compete with Garmin by way of battery life or the sheer variety of exercise/sports activities modes.
Nonetheless, Samsung is an efficient place to look, and I feel Google ought to shift its focus to competing with the Galaxy Watch wherever it might.
After I first purchased my Galaxy Watch 5 just a few years in the past, I used to be very stunned to see that it mechanically counted my reps. This was earlier than I had ever used a Garmin watch, so I used to be fairly impressed to see this function on a Put on OS watch. That stated, it nonetheless left rather a lot to be desired.
On the gymnasium, it will typically rely virtually any motion as a rep, overestimating the rely by fairly a bit. It additionally would not mechanically begin and cease units, so I must do it manually; in any other case, each motion would rely as a rep in a single set. Nonetheless, I appreciated that it at the least tried to rely my reps for me, even when the outcomes have been fairly inaccurate.
The function was additionally restricted to sure exercises, forcing you to alter to particular workout routines, whereas Garmin will log no matter you do based mostly solely in your actions. There is not any must specify beforehand what exercise you are about to do.
I have not had the chance to check any newer Galaxy smartwatches, together with the brand new Galaxy Watch 8, however that is at the least an space the place Google can attempt to one-up Samsung’s health efforts by studying from Garmin.
Do not fail me, Google
The Pixel Watch could not have the battery life to compete with Garmin, however Google has entry to a wealth of knowledge and quite a few methods to put it to use in methods that can profit its customers. I’ve full religion that Google may convey options like automated rep counting to the Pixel Watch, particularly if it means giving customers a extra complete take a look at their exercises.
And with the Pixel Watch 4 proper across the nook, I actually hope Google throws us a bone and provides extra options geared towards weightlifters and bodybuilders. As a result of, because it stands, I am both going to proceed to depend on Garmin for the gymnasium, or I am going to replace my growing older Galaxy Watch 5 to the Galaxy Watch 8 and make that my go-to smartwatch for all the things.
