Golfer Recommends Fitness Strap Over Whoop Band

Late last year, I purchased an Amazfit Balance smartwatch, which I still admire for its design, performance, and affordability. Recently, I had the chance to test its successor, the Amazfit Balance 2, which is priced at $249. The Balance 2 offers several significant upgrades, including a longer battery life, enhanced water resistance, a heavier build, and the latest BioTracker 6.0 biometric sensor. Key Features of the Amazfit Balance 2 The Amazfit Balance 2 sports a 21-day battery life, a substantial improvement from the 14 days offered by its predecessor. This is largely thanks to the larger 658 mAh battery, a 183 mAh increase from the previous model. Despite the added weight (now 46 grams, compared to 39 grams), the watch remains comfortable and discreet with its 12.3mm thickness. The Balance 2 uses standard 22mm quick-release watch bands, and Amazfit includes two in the box: Black and Lava. The watch's dual speakers and microphone enable phone calls and voice assistant integration. Notably, it features the Zepp Flow AI assistant, powered by OpenAI’s GPT technology, which offers comprehensive workout planning and fitness insights. The Zepp smartphone app (available on Android and iOS) provides full-color maps, route navigation, and accurate positioning through six satellite systems, ensuring users stay on track during outdoor activities. Advanced Metrics and Workouts The Balance 2 excels in heart rate monitoring, with readings closely matching those from other high-end smartwatches. It can connect to external sensors such as heart rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors, further enhancing its utility for serious athletes. One standout feature is the support for over 170 workout modes, with automatic detection for 25 specific exercises, tracking repetitions, sets, and rest periods. This makes it particularly useful for strength training enthusiasts. Additionally, the watch includes detailed golf course maps, which can be downloaded and used in offline mode. With a digital crown for easy navigation and pin location updates, it's a robust tool for golfers. Ski resort maps are also supported, though I haven’t tested this feature yet. Sleep Tracking and the Helio Strap While the Balance 2 is excellent for sleep tracking, not everyone finds it comfortable to wear a smartwatch to bed. To address this, Amazfit has introduced the Helio Strap, a minimalist fitness tracker without a watch face. Priced at $99, the Helio Strap is incredibly lightweight (just 20 grams) and battery-efficient, lasting up to 10 days on a single charge and up to 25 days in battery-saver mode. The Helio Strap pairs seamlessly with the Zepp app, providing all the essential health and fitness metrics, including workout tracking, heart health, and sleep statistics. Its lack of a watch face eliminates the temptation to check it during workouts, allowing for a more focused exercise session. Users can snap photos of their meals for AI-driven calorie breakdowns, and the app offers additional insights such as sleep apnea risk, stress levels, and skin temperature. BioCharge and PAI Metrics The Zepp app introduces the BioCharge score, a holistic measure of physical energy that ranges from 0 to 100. This score is calculated based on factors like heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate, sleep quality, and stress levels, giving users a daily snapshot of their overall well-being. The app requires at least seven days of data to provide accurate assessments, and I found it to be quite reliable. Another notable metric is the Personal Activity Indicator (PAI), which awards points based on cardiorespiratory measurements. The goal is to achieve a weekly score of 100, with the difficulty scaling as your fitness improves. This metric is effective in motivating users to maintain consistent activity levels. Zepp Aura Premium Service Amazfit offers a premium service called Zepp Aura, available for $11.99 per month or $69.99 annually. New watch owners receive a free 14-day trial to assess whether the premium features are worthwhile. These features include advanced sleep reports, an AI sleep assistant, and a curated library of sleep and meditation music. Users also gain access to weekly and monthly health analyses, which provide deeper insights into their fitness and wellness data. Evaluation by Industry Insiders Industry insiders have praised the Amazfit Balance 2 for its combination of advanced features and affordability. The watch's extended battery life and improved water resistance make it a practical choice for daily wear and sports activities. The Helio Strap is seen as a valuable addition to Amazfit’s ecosystem, offering a more comfortable and less distracting alternative for specific activities like sleeping and exercising. Company Profile Amazfit, a subsidiary of Huami, is known for producing high-quality, budget-friendly smartwatches and fitness trackers. Their products, such as the Bip 5 and the new Balance 2, are designed to compete with more expensive brands like Garmin and Fitbit. The company's focus on seamless integration with the Zepp app and innovative health metrics sets it apart in the market. Conclusion The Amazfit Balance 2 is a compelling upgrade to its predecessor, offering longer battery life, enhanced water resistance, and a wealth of advanced features. Combined with the minimalist Helio Strap, the ecosystem provides a versatile and user-friendly approach to fitness tracking. For those on a budget who prioritize comprehensive health and wellness data, the Balance 2 and Helio Strap are excellent choices. ZDNet's buying advice is that the Amazfit Balance 2, and the Helio Strap in particular, are solid options for people looking for a reliable and affordable fitness tracking solution.