If you’re keen to step up your rugby training, deciding to buy a fitness tracker for rugby is a great step to help you measure your progress. There aren’t any pure-play rugby fitness trackers out on the market but GPS trackers are becoming increasingly popular amongst rugby players as a way to monitor performance and track progress. So we break down what’s the most practical and useful option for the sport based on your needs.

The best fitness trackers for the average rugby player come in two forms: an activity tracker watch or a wearable fitness vest tracker. The main point of difference here is that a chest strap or fitness vest can be worn on match day and for contact sessions whereas a watch would need to be taped over but can give live feedback in a user friendly way.

Best Rugby Fitness Tracker Watch

The great thing about a fitness tracker watch for rugby is that they cater to the varied training modalities required for the sport. Rugby training requires strength sessions in the gym, circuits, running and sometimes rowing/swimming/cycling. Most fitness tracker watches have built-in programmes for these various modalities that can track your reps, time your sets, record your running route and keep you on pace whilst you’re completing your rugby training. If you’re running 5ks or doing interval sprints, an activity tracker takes the brain-work out of counting reps, showing your cadence if you want to work on running form and keeping to pace.

Garmin Forerunner 95

Buy Garmin Forerunner on Amazon (£129)

The Garmin Forerunner 95 is a simple but effective GPS watch that offers advanced tracking and analysis for rugby players. This watch features a durable design that can withstand the physical demands of the game. It also offers real-time tracking and analytics that allow coaches and players to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions. The Garmin Forerunner 95 has a battery life of up to 36 hours and can track rugby-specific metrics such as distance, speed, acceleration, heart rate. It’s a handy entry-level watch which has all the key metrics without too many bells and whistles.

The good:

• Water and sweat resistant.
• Good battery life to last for multiple trainings and matches.
• Durable for contact sessions.

The bad:

• Needs taping or strapping for contact rugby sessions.
• Entry-level basic features Garmin

Buy Garmin Forerunner on Amazon (£129)

Garmin Vivoactive 4S

Buy Garmin Vivoactive 4S from Amazon (£199)

The Garmin Vivoactive 4S is a real step up from the Forerunner in display, monitoring options, general design and aesthetic. It has a larger screen, a longer battery life and accounts for other modes of exercise. The Vivoactive is a grade above the forerunner. the S in 4S stands for small; it’s compact design makes it feel durable, sleek and not in the way at all for rugby training For the extra £65, it’s well worth the investment.

Buy Garmin Vivoactive 4S from Amazon (£199)

Wearable Fitness Vest Tracker

Buying a wearable fitness vest is a great choice if you want a comprehensive breakdown of your rugby training and performance. The big bonus over the watches is that they can worn for training and matches too and helps monitor performance and make data-driven decisions. and can track metrics such as distance, speed, acceleration, heart rate, and power.The fitness tracker and vest track heart rate in conjunction with GPS to track distance, top speed and sprint distances whilst your training or playing rugby. The accompanying apps provide visual insights like movement heat maps and data trends over time as well as customised recovery and training tips. Stats can be shared with friends and compared against the rugby pros to take your rugby to the next level. The two best wearable fitness vest trackers on the market are the STATSports vest worn by most pro clubs for £199.99 or the CATAPULT ONE for £159.99. Despite the slight discount, the CATAPULT ONE boasts the most metrics and captures the most data on the market and is used by many professional rugby clubs and is our number one choice.

A great benefit of this kind of fitness tracker for rugby clubs is how easily they can register new players. Many university clubs opt to buy a few units that can be shared between players whilst training or playing to monitor their stats for a particular activity or period of the game.

CATAPULT ONE

Buy CATAPULT ONE: (£159.99) on Amazon

The Catapult GPS Tracker is a powerful and accurate device that is widely used in rugby. This tracker features a small, lightweight design that can be easily worn by players during training and matches. It also offers real-time tracking and analytics that allow coaches and players to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions. The Catapult GPS Tracker has a battery life of up to 12 hours and can track metrics such as distance, speed, acceleration, and heart rate.

• Most data and metrics, used by many professional clubs.
• Includes Catapult One pod, vest, charging dock, carrying case, and a one-year Catapult One membership.
• Rugby Review’s personal choice

Buy CATAPULT ONE: (£159.99) on Amazon

STATsports

Buy StatsSports on Amazon (£199.99)

The STATSports Apex Athlete Series is a popular GPS tracker that offers advanced performance metrics and analysis. This tracker features a lightweight design that can be worn discreetly under a player’s jersey or shorts. It also offers real-time tracking and analytics that allow coaches and players to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions. The STATSports Apex Athlete Series has a battery life of up to 10 hours and can track metrics such as distance, speed,, heart rate, and power.

• FIFA and World Rugby Approved GPS Tracker
• Widely regarded as the go-to brand used by most pro clubs.
• Includes STATsports pod (6+ hr battery life), Apex Vest, Athlete Series App.

Buy StatsSports on Amazon (£199.99)

Both brands market themselves football-centrically but rest assured they are great options for rugby players too.

Polar Heart Rate Strap

Buy Polar Heart Rate Strap on Amazon (£69.99)

If you are interested to monitor your Heart Rate and HRV for strain from rugby training and subsequent recovery, maybe consider the Polar Heart Rate strap. It’s compatible with over 200 apps, fitness watches and devices like Strava and Garmin. The advantage of the chest strap for rugby players is reliable and up to date heart rate data. Rugby players are more increasingly exploring heart rate zone training and taking on low and slow ‘Zone 2’ runs. The Polar strap is as good as kit gets for providing this data and helping you uild aerobic capacity.

Buy Polar Heart Rate Strap on Amazon (£69.99)

What is best for you?

In conclusion, GPS trackers are a valuable tool for rugby players who want to monitor their performance and track their progress. The Catapult GPS Tracker, STATSports Apex Athlete Series, Polar Heart Rate strap, Garmin Forerunner and Garmin Vivoactive are all excellent choices that offer accuracy, reliability, and advanced tracking and analysis. Choose the one that best suits your rugby needs and preferences, and you will be sure to improve your performance and achieve your goals on the rugby field.