How do I balance wearing an Apple Watch and a “real” watch?
Like many people, I own an Apple Watch to track my fitness. I don’t really like wearing it but it has it’s obvious uses. How do others balance a fitness watch with a mechanical watch? Do you literally just wear the fitness watch when you exercise and then switch? If so, how do you record your steps etc? I couldn’t bear to wear both at the same time!! All answers welcomed!
129 comments
Sort by
Ed McAra
Born an Edward. Known as Eddie all through school. Now I’m Ed. Where will this name shortening end and should I be worried? Always liked watches but only really got the bug in the last couple of years...
Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK.
Member since
Last active: 3 weeks ago
7.00” / 17.78 cm
With a smart phone almost as a man made organ attached to most of us all day long, I don’t need another Watch+ tracking device on my wrist :)
Just like Castro, two watches in one hand.
I put my galaxy watch in a drawer nearly two years ago when I bought my first automatic. I find that's the best place for it!
I run, train or swim every day and find I don't need to track anything to stay fit.
TicWatch Pro 3 GPS on my right wrist, cool watch on my left. Thinking about getting a longer strap and maybe wearing the smartwatch up higher on my arm. I literally leave it in theater mode all the time now, so no notifications and stays dark, it basically is only for fitness tracking. I can hit the button and check notifications, but it stays dark and quiet. Eventually, when the battery dies enough, I'm going to replace it with a fitness tracker ring or something. But for now, I double wrist.
Easy solution is eBay.
That’s pretty much what I do now. I don’t like being a slave to the Apple Watch though.
With a smart phone almost as a man made organ attached to most of us all day long, I don’t need another Watch+ tracking device on my wrist :)
That’s how I feel. Not sure I’m brave enough to ditch it though.
Just like Castro, two watches in one hand.
Ha ha - don’t think I’m cool enough to carry off that look!
I put my galaxy watch in a drawer nearly two years ago when I bought my first automatic. I find that's the best place for it!
I run, train or swim every day and find I don't need to track anything to stay fit.
I need to adopt this mindset!
Not sure I could keep this up! Would be worried about losing one of them.
TicWatch Pro 3 GPS on my right wrist, cool watch on my left. Thinking about getting a longer strap and maybe wearing the smartwatch up higher on my arm. I literally leave it in theater mode all the time now, so no notifications and stays dark, it basically is only for fitness tracking. I can hit the button and check notifications, but it stays dark and quiet. Eventually, when the battery dies enough, I'm going to replace it with a fitness tracker ring or something. But for now, I double wrist.
This is the sensible option but I just don’t think I could do it. Tried it once and it just didn’t feel right.
Easy solution is eBay.
Ha ha - to buy or sell though, that’s the question…
I’m new to Watch Crunch. Does anyone use the Apple app? I can’t seem to post replies using the app but it’s fine using the web version. I’m sure it’s user error but happy for any advice!!
Ha ha - great point.
Thanks - glad it’s not just me then!!
I have a perceivably uncommon perspective on this, as my Apple watch helped detect an underlying heart condition I didn’t know I had. At 33 that was kind of unexpected so anytime I’m not feeling like myself I toss it on for a bit, in addition to wearing it anytime I workout or have a day that I know I’ll be exerting myself more than average.
Same thing happened to me, though I was 55.
People were in shape and exercised long before the Apple watch. I totally don't understand the need to know how many steps you took in a day. But to each their own.
@TheCianinator just mentioned it but you can wear them on your ankle. You can buy an ankle strap for your Apple watch on Amazon for next to nothing.
How many miles works for me, and the heart monitoring is critical. It does so much I don't even need to TAKE the phone with me.
You can wear one on each wrist. One for time, the other is for functions.
That's still kidding yourself, my Ultra keeps better time than ANY mechanical wrist watch. And yes I double wrist, but I don't pretend a "real watch" can keep time better than my Ultra. Its just because old watches are fun.
I wear my Garmin while exercising only and a mechanical the rest of the time. My wife will wear a mechanical on her right wrist and Apple on her left unless she’s going to a more dress event. Just depends really on how much info you want / need from your Apple Watch.
I’m OK when I exercise - just wear my Apple Watch. It’s when I’m out in public that I have the dilemma!!
my day to day is a Garmin Fenix 6 but when I go out with my wife to dinner or w friends I will rock my automatic watch.
I wear an Apple watch. Its Titanium.
Ya, so does my buddy who works there and he’s the one that got me into collecting. Kinda’ funny if you think about it.
Easy: never wear the apple watch and always wear a real watch. Think about this: when is an apple watch ever useful? The answer is probably never. You don't need to know your heart rate, you don't need to track workouts on a watch.
The thing is, I DO find my Apple Watch useful and think it’s great for tracking my workouts etc but I just don’t like being a slave to it.
my day to day is a Garmin Fenix 6 but when I go out with my wife to dinner or w friends I will rock my automatic watch.
That’s pretty much what I do right now.
If you are worried about steps, then you aren't working out enough. Cycle, kayak, swim or run three times a week. Get something dedicated for fitness, then yes.. Toss the apple in a drawer.
Garmin 935 running or swimming and a Garmin 530 (a bike head unit) for bikes!.
Trading data with off the charts details, and done far better than an Apple Watch can do.
If I’m not training - say ~95 % of the time, an automatic watch because I love them. My Garmins go in the bin or get sold after a couple years, just like an Apple Watch , not building memories with those devices
Want to check for afib? Feel your pulse on your wrist! ( Afib is not a heart attack, just a fast irregular rhythm)
I wouldn't even try. Balancing a decent watch and an Apple Wart is like trying to balance a bowling ball and a feather, it can be done but with great and mostly useless effort. 🙄
If you are worried about steps, then you aren't working out enough. Cycle, kayak, swim or run three times a week. Get something dedicated for fitness, then yes.. Toss the apple in a drawer.
Wouldn’t say I’m worried about steps and I exercise “properly” on a regular basis but I find keeping an eye on my steps keeps me a bit more focussed on rest days.
Garmin 935 running or swimming and a Garmin 530 (a bike head unit) for bikes!.
Trading data with off the charts details, and done far better than an Apple Watch can do.
If I’m not training - say ~95 % of the time, an automatic watch because I love them. My Garmins go in the bin or get sold after a couple years, just like an Apple Watch , not building memories with those devices
Want to check for afib? Feel your pulse on your wrist! ( Afib is not a heart attack, just a fast irregular rhythm)
I used to use a Garmin and agree that they are better for tracking exercise but I think the Apple Watch is a better smart watch. I like to wear a mechanical watch when I can.
I wouldn't even try. Balancing a decent watch and an Apple Wart is like trying to balance a bowling ball and a feather, it can be done but with great and mostly useless effort. 🙄
I think you’re right. I actually like the functionality of the Apple Watch but it doesn’t have the soul of a real watch.