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Smart watch/ tracker: dominant or non dominant wrist?
fishgutzy
Posts: 2,807 Member
For me, non-dominant wrist.
The only argument I have seen made for wearing one in the dominant hand is also an argument against that.
Wearing in the dominant side will result in me movement of the wrist registering as steps because our dominant hand moves more.
The reason for wearing non- dominant was, back in the day, to reduce risk of damage while working.
As a swimmer, another reason is that my Garmin, and all trackers that count laps, register the push off pause in wrist movement as the turn.
I catch with my dominant hand first after the turn. My non dominant hand starts extended longer. That reduces the turn register errors/misses.
Also, the buttons are easier to manipulate with my dominant hand.
The only argument I have seen made for wearing one in the dominant hand is also an argument against that.
Wearing in the dominant side will result in me movement of the wrist registering as steps because our dominant hand moves more.
The reason for wearing non- dominant was, back in the day, to reduce risk of damage while working.
As a swimmer, another reason is that my Garmin, and all trackers that count laps, register the push off pause in wrist movement as the turn.
I catch with my dominant hand first after the turn. My non dominant hand starts extended longer. That reduces the turn register errors/misses.
Also, the buttons are easier to manipulate with my dominant hand.
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Replies
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I've always gone non dominant for trackers, probably because I grew up always wearing my watch on that wrist. The other reason today though, is that it wouldn't last a week on the job on the dominant wrist.1
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I do dominant, where I wore my regular (time only) watch. Still underestimates my all-day calorie burn, but gets rowing speed/distance close enough, so I'm happy.1
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The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.2
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The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.
This. I remember being out with co-workers and someone mentioning they didn't know I was left handed. I looked at them puzzled and said I'm not. Was just a day where my left wrist was itchy and I had my watch on my right.
I got silicon bands (under $15 on Amazon) and just wear it on my non-dominate now1 -
The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.
I have a theory that the problem comes from bacteria (particularly staff) building up on the inside of the watch band. The band that came with my Garmin is def silicone (of a rather stiff grade). I take it off At least once a day, wash it and my wrist with soap, dry thoroughly, and replace. Things have gotten better. I imagine that a breathable webbing band could be an improvement, but still should be washed regularly. Interested in others comments.1 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.
I have a theory that the problem comes from bacteria (particularly staff) building up on the inside of the watch band. The band that came with my Garmin is def silicone (of a rather stiff grade). I take it off At least once a day, wash it and my wrist with soap, dry thoroughly, and replace. Things have gotten better. I imagine that a breathable webbing band could be an improvement, but still should be washed regularly. Interested in others comments.
I was mine when I charge it, otherwise occasionally seem to get some irritation. Not sure whether bacterial or other irritants (soap or cleaning supply residue that missed rinsing, say).0 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.
I have a theory that the problem comes from bacteria (particularly staff) building up on the inside of the watch band. The band that came with my Garmin is def silicone (of a rather stiff grade). I take it off At least once a day, wash it and my wrist with soap, dry thoroughly, and replace. Things have gotten better. I imagine that a breathable webbing band could be an improvement, but still should be washed regularly. Interested in others comments.
I wash mine fairly frequently (more often than it gets charged) though not once a day. I'll try that and see how things fair. Webbing would likely be a major improvement though.
edit: it also an issue of it being against my skin constantly as compared to my RoadID which has never caused irritation but is significantly looser.0 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.
I have a theory that the problem comes from bacteria (particularly staff) building up on the inside of the watch band. The band that came with my Garmin is def silicone (of a rather stiff grade). I take it off At least once a day, wash it and my wrist with soap, dry thoroughly, and replace. Things have gotten better. I imagine that a breathable webbing band could be an improvement, but still should be washed regularly. Interested in others comments.
I was mine when I charge it, otherwise occasionally seem to get some irritation. Not sure whether bacterial or other irritants (soap or cleaning supply residue that missed rinsing, say).
My Garmin gets washed with me in the shower after swimming.
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I wear mine on my dominant hand, and forget it's there.Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.
I have a theory that the problem comes from bacteria (particularly staff) building up on the inside of the watch band. The band that came with my Garmin is def silicone (of a rather stiff grade). I take it off At least once a day, wash it and my wrist with soap, dry thoroughly, and replace. Things have gotten better. I imagine that a breathable webbing band could be an improvement, but still should be washed regularly. Interested in others comments.
I wash mine fairly frequently (more often than it gets charged) though not once a day. I'll try that and see how things fair. Webbing would likely be a major improvement though.
edit: it also an issue of it being against my skin constantly as compared to my RoadID which has never caused irritation but is significantly looser.
REI sells webbing watch bands. The one I had was surprisingly uncomfortable where the velcro connected. If you go that route, don't buy it online, go to a store and try it on first.0 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.
I have a theory that the problem comes from bacteria (particularly staff) building up on the inside of the watch band. The band that came with my Garmin is def silicone (of a rather stiff grade). I take it off At least once a day, wash it and my wrist with soap, dry thoroughly, and replace. Things have gotten better. I imagine that a breathable webbing band could be an improvement, but still should be washed regularly. Interested in others comments.
I only have issues with mine with the Garmin supplied wristband when I switched out for a canvas NATO strap, no irritation, I don't think it's even bacteria that's the issue just moisture causing the watch strap to rub.0 -
nondominant.
it will count more steps and full range of movement because i'm not holding things in that hand/arm.
i'm prone to eczema so irritation is part of life with a watch band1 -
NorthCascades wrote: »I wear mine on my dominant hand, and forget it's there.Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »The watch band irritates my skin after a while on both wrists. Not enough for me to not wear it or pay $50 for a silicone band (I will at some point). As a result, I'll wear it on whatever wrist isn't itchy.
I have a theory that the problem comes from bacteria (particularly staff) building up on the inside of the watch band. The band that came with my Garmin is def silicone (of a rather stiff grade). I take it off At least once a day, wash it and my wrist with soap, dry thoroughly, and replace. Things have gotten better. I imagine that a breathable webbing band could be an improvement, but still should be washed regularly. Interested in others comments.
I wash mine fairly frequently (more often than it gets charged) though not once a day. I'll try that and see how things fair. Webbing would likely be a major improvement though.
edit: it also an issue of it being against my skin constantly as compared to my RoadID which has never caused irritation but is significantly looser.
REI sells webbing watch bands. The one I had was surprisingly uncomfortable where the velcro connected. If you go that route, don't buy it online, go to a store and try it on first.
Good to know. Next time I'm near REI I'll stop in and see what they have. I know that there are specific Garmin branded webbing bands, but none of them appear to be compatible with the FR935.1 -
Can't win...ambidexter but I generally choose my left hand for simplicity.
It doesn't seem to matter counting steps unless flailing my arm in a ridiculous manner requiring purposeful effort2 -
Nondominant for me too. I tried to wear it on my right wrist and got too many extra steps credited for just the wrist movement. Also, i too believe that the skin irritation caused by bacteria. So when it happens, i clean the band really well, sometimes even take it off and soak in rubbing alcohol for a while, clean the irritated skin and cover with the band-aid to protect from further irritation. It clears up in a few days, and then i remember to clean the band often and well, because it's annoying to have that problem. Pretty preventable.1
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Dominant hand but only bc the non dominant one is clumsy to me when I’m trying to work out and view my heart rate0
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Nondominant for me, because I am a teacher and when I tried to wear it on my dominant hand it kept counting the hand movements (especially when writing on the blackboard) as steps.1
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Non dominant and I set it as my dominant hand. I still wake up having taken 8-11 steps so I must turn over aggressively
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Non-dominant just because I've always worn my watch on my non-dominant wrist. It goes back to school days where I wanted to be able to check the time while still writing in exams!0
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I ordered some cheap silicone ones from Amazon (about $10 for 3) for my Fitbit Charge 2. They have holes through the whole band & don't seem to cause irritation.0
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Now I feel like a slob cuz I never wash mine
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Dominant hand, because back in the days of wristwatches and ballpoints, it was easier to flip your wrist while writing to check the time. But I’ve learned to take it off while doing needlepoint or particularly crochet. I gained almost a mile crocheting a scarf one evening before I realized what was going on, lol.3
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