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How To: Set up a Smart Watch

This article was written by my colleague NRTC Managed Services Admin

Have you stuck to your New Year’s Resolution? Have you finally unpacked that fancy stairstepper you got for Christmas and are ready to get climbing? Now may be the perfect time for you to up your fitness game by investing in a smart watch. They aren’t cheap (typically $100-500) but prices are coming down every day and they really can add value for those interested in hardcore training stats and those just looking to track steps.

First, a few steps to choosing the right watch for you:

  1. Know your operating system. A smart watch needs a smart phone so make sure that the watch you select is compatible with your phone.
  2. Be realistic about what you need. If you’re a serious athlete, you may want a heartrate monitor to ensure you’re training efficiently or a GPS, but those features will cost you. If you don’t need them, don’t buy them.
  3. Consider if battery life matters. If you’re an endurance racer, a hybrid watch (that looks like an analog watch without a touchscreen) may work best for long runs because the battery life is longer. If you plan to interact a lot with a touchscreen, be prepared to charge your battery more often.

You’ve picked a winner so the next step is the setup! Each watch will be subtly different, and most models provide instructions in the box (and on the manufacturer’s website), but the basic steps are the same:

  1. Download the watch’s app to your phone.
  2. Turn the smartwatch on and make sure it’s fully charged.
  3. Typically, a menu appears asking you to confirm settings. Select language, units of measure, etc.
  4. Pair your watch with your phone. Go to your phone’s Settings/Bluetooth and find your smartwatch listed among the possible devices. Some pairings will require you to pull a code from your watch and select it on your phone.
  5. Once the phone and watch are paired, you may be prompted to begin software updates. This may take some time so make sure your phone is charged and you’re connected to the WiFi.
  6. When updates are complete, you may be invited to take a tutorial on how to use your new watch. Check it out to make sure you’re getting everything you can out of your new watch!

Remember that there are hundreds of watches available and the right one is out there for you. Shop around, find the one with just enough—but not more than you need—and enjoy the kickstart it will give your workouts and the motivation it will give you to take just a few more steps every day!

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