Wearable technology is proof that the digital age is advancing faster and faster every day. With plenty of unique, stylish, and functional items to choose from, wearable tech is becoming more and more commonplace, especially in the world of sports and fitness.

Garmin, a GPS and wearable technology manufacturer and maker, has recently released their latest product into the market: the Vivofit 4. It is a basic and simple fitness tracker without extra bells and whistles, tracking only steps, time, calories burned, and sleep. It can also track distance, which it does based on the stride length that you input in the settings menu. The smartwatch also automatically starts timers during walks and runs, monitoring higher intensity steps as a separate counter.

Some other features available on this watch are an alarm, a countdown timer, a feature that makes it easy for you to find your phone, and a weather display. It also records times of inactivity that will inform you if you have been sitting still for too long, prompting you to walk for a short while to reset the alert. You can also set daily goals for your fitness journey, which will be automatically and gradually increased as you meet them. These combined features are great for those who need a little extra motivation.

The Vivofit 4’s design is sleek and simple, with a thin band – which is slightly less thick than Garmin’s previous installments – and a small 11mm x 11mm, 88 x 88 pixel screen with 8 colors. It makes use of a single button to cycle through different displays and functions. Unfortunately, that
makes the watch a little inconvenient to use, as you have to click it multiple times to get to the screen you want. Other more complex functions on the watch require different pressing patterns, such as a longer push followed by a shorter one. This is also quite clunky and can be frustrating when you’re figuring out how to get somewhere.

The tracking function on the Vivofit 4 leaves something to be desired. It’s relatively accurate, but nowhere as reliable as a GPS feature would be. However, the smartwatch has the ability to automatically detect and classify a number of different activities, like swimming, biking, and jogging, which is a useful additional feature not typically expected of a product in this price range. You can also sync information tracked using the smartwatch to the Garmin Connect app for easier management and sharing.

In terms of battery life, the Vivofit 4 really shines through. It has a life of over one year before requiring changing, and this is in spite of its always on display, which is a feature new to the Vivofit line. The watch also comes in a few different colours and two sizes, which are both
adjustable like an ordinary watch. There are also small personalization settings available in the watch, which adds a nice custom feel to it.

All in all, the Garmin Vivofit 4 is a great option for those who are looking to get a little more exercise in their life at an affordable price, but is not the best for fitness fanatics who need all the bells and whistles that come with higher end smartwatches. It isn’t a perfect piece of wearable tech, but its simplicity and low price make it worth the investment for those who need an extra fitness boost.