Middle- and long-distance runners will be excited to hear that Amazfit’s latest smartwatch has a lactate threshold test.
Until recently, Amazfit wasn’t particularly popular in the UK, at least compared to rival smartwatch makers. But they make their mark by signing athletes like Josh Kerr and: Grant Fisher. Moreover, their products are gaining a reputation for offering features that are as good as the more expensive brands, but at an affordable price.
It Active 3 Premium is one of their latest watches and is lighter than models like the T-Rex 3:. Aimed at runners of all standards, beginners are likely to be attracted by the AI ”Zepp trainer” and a library of training plans to complement the watch.
It’s lightweight, weighing less than 55g, with a slim bezel and a pleasing 1.32-inch crystal clear AMOLED display. Data is easy to read even in direct sunlight, while sapphire glass protects the screen from scratches.
The watch also has an impressive battery life of up to 12 days, and we found that to be accurate in our testing period.
The most interesting thing is that Active 3 Premium has the ability to determine your lactate threshold, which will appeal to runners who want to do Norwegian-style threshold sessions without getting a blood finger or ear piercing. Unsurprisingly, it can also estimate VO2 max, indicating optimal training zones by intensity, although the latter is now standard for smartwatches.
For those who like to exercise in a variety of sports, there are over 170 sports items, from outdoor, running or track to strength training, as well as the ultra-fashionable Hyrox. There is even an option for board games like chess.
When it comes to recovery metrics, there are a number such as sleep quality, heart rate variability, and training load and fatigue over short, medium, and long-term periods. There is also a “BioCharge” function that shows the energy level in real time.
READ MORE. Josh Kerr’s Amazfit Armband
Added to this is shoe wear tracking, which can track your ability to enter the gear you’re using so you know when it’s the best time to replace it.
The watch also syncs well with other Zepp “ecosystem” products, such as the Helio Ring or the Helio Strap, all of which connect to the user-friendly Zepp app.
