A smartwatch can tell you how far you ran down to the meter. Put the same watch on a barbell day and it often gets vague: heart rate that lags, calories that look guessed, and a rep count that is either missing or wrong. If you lift, the “best” watch is not the one with the biggest spec sheet. It is the one that handles the few things lifters actually need.
This guide covers what to look for in the best smartwatch for weightlifting, which brands count reps on their own, how far you can trust wrist heart rate under load, and where a cheap chest strap still beats every watch. It is based on manufacturer manuals, published validation research and published reviews rather than our own lab test, so treat the picks as a buying framework and check the return window before you commit.
Quick answer
If automatic rep counting matters to you, buy a Garmin with a Strength activity, such as the Vivoactive 6 ($299.99) or Venu 4 ($549.99). If you want the best all round watch and are happy to log sets in an app, an Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch works, but neither is known for counting reps on its own. For accurate heart rate during heavy sets, pair any of them with a chest strap.
What a Lifter Actually Needs From a Smartwatch
Running watches are judged on GPS and pace. Lifting is different, because the wrist is doing a lot of the work and the watch is often strapped to the exact joint that is bending, gripping and flexing under load. That changes the checklist.
| Feature | Why it matters when you lift | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Rep and set tracking | Saves you from typing every set between lifts | Is counting automatic, and can you correct it afterward? |
| Heart rate sensor | Shows rest recovery and session effort | Support for a Bluetooth chest strap |
| Physical buttons | Chalky or sweaty fingers fight touchscreens | Dedicated start, lap and back buttons |
| Strap and case | A bulky case gets in the way during presses and pull-ups | Slim profile and a secure, sweat-friendly band |
| Recovery metrics | Helps decide whether to push or back off tomorrow | Sleep, HRV and training load in the companion app |
| Battery | You want it to survive a week of workouts plus sleep tracking | Real world life with always on display enabled |
Which Watches Count Reps on Their Own?
This is where brands split. Garmin is the one with a documented, built in rep counter. According to the Garmin owner’s manuals for watches such as the Vivoactive 6, the watch counts reps by default in a Strength activity, and the count appears once you pass four reps. On the Forerunner 165 manual, a rep is counted when the arm wearing the watch returns to its starting position. It also means the watch is tracking your wrist, not the bar.
Garmin is also upfront about the limits. The watch can only count one move per set, so you end the set and start a new one when you switch exercises. Garmin lists several movements it struggles with:
Usually counts well
- ✓ Curls and arm movements with a clear start and end
- ✓ Overhead and shoulder presses
- ✓ Rows and other free weight pulls
- ~ Check the count each set and edit if needed
Where Garmin says to add reps by hand
- ✕ Dips, pull-ups, push-ups and planks
- ✕ Leg extensions, seated presses and calf raises
- ✕ Box jumps and burpees
- ✕ Short range moves such as shrugs
You can correct reps after the set or later in Garmin Connect, so a miscount does not ruin the log. Third party testers have also reported larger errors on some lifts on older models, so verify the number for your key exercises in the first week.
Apple and Samsung are a different story. Reviews of the built in Apple Workout app say its strength workout types record heart rate, calories and duration, not reps, and that dedicated lifting apps such as Strong and Hevy rely on manual set entry. A hands on Galaxy Watch 9 review likewise found that its strength modes do not count reps, sets or rest breaks. Those are reviewer reports, so confirm on your own firmware, but plan around the idea that you will log sets in an app.
The Picks: Watches Worth Considering for Lifting
| Watch | US price | Best for | Lifting caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Vivoactive 6 | $299.99 | Best value with rep counting | Same wrist limits as every Garmin |
| Garmin Venu 4 | $549.99 | Best Garmin for the gym | Two buttons, so more touchscreen use |
| Garmin Forerunner 570 | $549.99 | Lifters who also run | Built around running first |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | From $399 | iPhone users who log in an app | No built in rep counting reported |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 | From $379.99 | Android users | Strength modes reported not to count reps |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | From $799 | Rugged, big screen, long battery | Large and heavy for some lifts |
Garmin: The Safe Pick for Rep Counting
Garmin is the clearest answer if you want the watch to do the counting. The Vivoactive 6 gets you the Strength activity at $299.99, and one comparison guide lists the Venu 4, Vivoactive 6 and Forerunner 570 as supporting Garmin Coach strength plans, which are free adaptive programs in the Garmin Connect app. If you are weighing the lineup, our guide to the best Garmin smartwatch compares the current models side by side, and our Vivoactive 6 review covers the budget pick in detail.
The honest downside is that no wrist counter understands your barbell. It sees your forearm move. That is why leg work, bodyweight moves and short range lifts are the weak spots, and why you should expect to correct a set now and then.
Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch: Great Watches, Weak Rep Counters
The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 for the 42mm GPS model, with the 46mm at $449 and cellular adding $100. The Ultra 4 starts at $799. Both are excellent daily watches, and Apple’s heart rate sensing has held up well in comparison studies. For lifting, though, the usual workflow is to start a strength workout on the watch for heart rate and calories, then log sets in an app such as Hevy or Strong. If battery life between gym days is a worry, see our look at Apple Watch Series 12 battery life in real world use.
The Galaxy Watch 9 launched at $379.99 for the 40mm and $409.99 for the 44mm, with LTE adding $50, and it has since dropped to $299 in a Samsung deal. It is the better pick for Android phones, but plan to log your sets elsewhere.
How Accurate Is Wrist Heart Rate Under the Bar?
Less than during a run. Polar’s own support page notes that wrist sensing struggles when the sensor moves, or when there is pressure or movement in the muscles and tendons near it, which describes a deadlift grip well. A review of wrist and forearm devices found they tend to show larger heart rate errors during exercise with more arm movement.
One 2024 validation study of the Polar Vantage V2 worn on both wrists is a useful reality check. During weight training the readings correlated well with the reference (r of 0.90 and 0.91), but overall error was still large at about 12.3 and 12.7 bpm RMSE, with wide limits of agreement. In plain terms, the watch follows the trend but the exact number can be well off.
Polar’s guidance is blunt: for the best accuracy in sprints, intervals and strength training, it recommends the Polar H10 chest strap, and the H10 page lists watches such as the Pacer and Grit X2 as compatible. A strap costs far less than a flagship watch, and most Garmin, Polar, Apple and Samsung watches can pair with a Bluetooth strap. If your goal is to read recovery between sets accurately, that is the cheapest upgrade you can make.
Wrist or Strap: Which Should You Trust?
Wrist sensor is fine for
- ✓ Session length and rough effort
- ✓ Resting heart rate and sleep
- ✓ Weekly trends and recovery
- ~ Treat calorie numbers as a rough guide
Use a chest strap for
- ✓ Heart rate between heavy sets
- ✓ Circuit and HIIT style sessions
- ✓ Gripping lifts like deadlifts and rows
- ✓ Cleaner data for training zones
How to Get Better Data From Any Watch When You Lift
- Move the watch up your forearm. Wearing it a finger width above the wrist bone keeps it off the joint that flexes under load.
- Tighten the band for working sets. A snug fit reduces sensor movement, then loosen it between sessions.
- Start the right activity. Use Strength on Garmin, not Cardio, or the rep counter will not run.
- End a set before switching lifts. Garmin counts one move per set, so mixing exercises will scramble the count.
- Check reps right after the set. Correct them on the watch or in Garmin Connect while you still remember the number.
- Add a chest strap if heart rate matters. It is the simplest fix for noisy wrist readings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smartwatch for weightlifting?
For automatic rep counting, a Garmin with a Strength activity is the strongest choice, with the Vivoactive 6 as the value option. If you prefer Apple or Samsung for everyday use, expect to log sets in an app.
Does the Apple Watch count reps?
Reviews of the built in Workout app say its strength workout types track heart rate, calories and time but not reps. Third party apps can add set logging, and some try automatic counting from wrist motion, with varying accuracy.
Can a smartwatch count squats and leg exercises?
Not reliably. Garmin warns that leg exercises may not be counted because the watch tracks your wrist. Add those reps by hand.
Is wrist heart rate accurate while lifting?
It follows the trend but can be off by a noticeable margin. Studies show larger errors during high arm movement, and Polar recommends a chest strap for strength training.
Do I need a chest strap if I buy a smartwatch?
Not for casual lifting. If you use heart rate to time rest or guide intensity, a strap such as the Polar H10 gives cleaner data.
Final Verdict
The Bottom Line
The best smartwatch for weightlifting is a Garmin if you want reps counted for you, and the Vivoactive 6 is the sweet spot on price. Apple and Samsung win as everyday watches but expect manual set logging. Whatever you buy, remember that a wrist cannot see the bar, so verify your counts and add a chest strap when heart rate accuracy matters.
Features, firmware and prices change often, so confirm details on the manufacturer’s page before buying. Rep counting claims for Apple and Samsung come from published reviews, not our own testing. This article is for general information and is not medical advice.
Featured image: Pexels.
About this article: GeekBlog covers U.S. technology news, AI, phones, smartwatches and gaming. Every story is written and checked under our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake or have a story tip? Contact our editors.
