These picks are the best way to spend your hard-earned cash. I get a day closer to my wedding every day, every hour, and I still haven’t locked in the workout regimen I promised my fiancée I would do months ago. I can blame it on the weather or our busy schedule, but the truth is it’s just something I’ve never loved doing.
I’ve always needed external motivation through toys (let’s call it tech). The first time I got an Apple Watch or when I first started wearing an Oura Ring and seeing how it affected my sleep—these are the things that get me in the gym. Seeing my progress, turning it into a game, that stuff sounds corny, but it works for me.
Then at the same time, I still have yet to find what I really want. I’ve always yearned for a versatile wearable with real-time workout tracking that I’m comfortable sleeping in—there are plenty of those. But finally, there’s one that’s not trying to nickel and dime me.
It’s taken years of searching and waiting, but I think I may have found what I’m looking for in the Garmin Cirqa. This smart band is the perfect fitness and sleep tracker that’s comfortable, won’t distract me during the day, and doesn’t charge me an annual subscription for basic features. Frankly, I think it’s the shake-up the category has been needing.
To put it bluntly, the Cirqa is part of a larger wave of screenless wearables inspired by the Whoop band. The common denominator, aside from the lack of screen, is that the devices are small and multifaceted. They can be used with an included wrist strap or attached to a bicep band for better accuracy for weightlifting—it all depends on your preference and comfort level.
All of these (tech) companies insist that, for the best results, you gotta wear these devices to sleep. Your sleep data informs your workout plan and so the cycle continues. In my time, I’ve found this “more data the better” mantra to largely be true, but unfortunately most smartwatches and straps just aren’t that comfortable to sleep in.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
