I was leading an active lifestyle here in the UAE, juggling between a basic fitness tracker for the gym and my phone for everything else. It was cumbersome, inefficient, and my tracker couldn't handle a simple swim at Kite Beach. The frustration hit hardest during those scorching Dubai summers when, halfway through an outdoor run and drenched in sweat, I'd have to fumble between devices just to check a message or change my playlist. I would see other people at the gym and how they seamlessly track their workout, take calls, and monitor their health-all with one device on their wrist. That's when it hit me: I needed to find watches for an active lifestyle that could keep up with the demanding pace of living here in the UAE.
My search became a mission to discover innovative fitness accessories that would be more than just another piece of technology, but a real companion for everything, from morning CrossFit sessions to evening beach volleyball and weekend hikes in Hatta. Let me take you through my journey with 7md Store to find that perfect smartwatch.
Phase 1: The Everyday Athlete – Mastering My Workouts
My journey to finding the perfect watches for an active lifestyle began where most of us spend our time: the daily grind of workouts, errands, and everything in between.
My First Impression: The Search for the Best Smartwatch for Workouts
My first try was the 7MD Smart Watch (7MD298). I was drawn by the promise that this device was a jack-of-all-trades. Judging from its specs online, it seemed like the kind of device that wouldn't force me to compromise: something that could handle my morning HIIT sessions, track evening swims, and still function as a proper smartwatch throughout the day without dying by lunchtime.
A Week in My Life Using the 7MD Smart Watch
At the gym, the more than 100 sports modes were a revelation; I could seamlessly transition from a treadmill session into weightlifting and get tailored data for both. The bright AMOLED screen was perfectly visible under the harsh gym lights; that meant I wasn't squinting to check my heart rate mid-set. That small detail made a bigger difference than I expected in maintaining my workout flow.
A day at the pool proved that this is truly one of the best waterproof smartwatches for swimming. With its IP68 rating, I was confident to track my laps without worry. I had had bad experiences with "water-resistant" devices that could not handle more than a mere splash, so being able to dive into the water freely was liberating. This watch accurately captured every lap and stroke type, turning my casual swim into usable data.
Daily life with this watch revealed its practical side. The Bluetooth calling was surprisingly helpful, letting me take quick calls while my phone was buried in my gym bag. The seven-to ten-day battery life meant I wasn't constantly anxious about charging, which had been a major pain point with my old tracker that needed juice every other day.
The Verdict for Daily Fitness
In my active routine, everything went perfectly; from gym sessions to swimming, counting daily steps, and monitoring my health. It became clear that this was one of the best fitness smartwatches for someone who wants an overview of their health and doesn't want to delve into minute details. It handled my everyday athlete lifestyle with ease and proved itself as a reliable companion that just worked when I needed it to.
Phase 2: The Call of the Outdoors – Needing More from My Tech
My daily companion had served me well, but the UAE's epic landscape beckoned. Specialized tech that could withstand unforgiving terrain, extended battery life, and precise phone-free navigation were what I needed now to really push my limits.
From City Parks to Mountain Trails
As my fitness journey continued to evolve, so did my activities. The gym routine felt mastered, and it was now time to start joining friends on exhilarating early morning trail runs in the challenging Hajar mountains and going on long cycling trips through Al Qudra. My lifestyle required much more resiliency and self-sufficiency from my gear. This push into the great outdoors really underlined a new set of needs that my current watch, while excellent for daily use, couldn't fully meet on its own.
Identifying the Gaps
While the 7MD Smart Watch was a great day-to-day companion, I found myself reverting to my phone for detailed route tracking and safety in remote areas quite often, which quickly drained its battery. For more serious outdoor adventures, what I wanted was a high-accuracy GPS built right into the watch, more rigid construction, and a compass. My search transitioned from general fitness devices to specialized watches for an active lifestyle that could function properly even when off the grid.
Phase 3: The Adventure Companion – The GPS Pro Experience
It was time for an upgrade when specialized outdoor adventures started taking their toll. I needed a real expedition partner, with built-in GPS and a construction of utmost durability. A pro-grade watch to match my need for self-sufficient, untethered exploration across the UAE.
Upgrading to a Dedicated GPS Sports Watch in the UAE
My research led me to the 7MD GPS Pro Smart Watch (7MD338). The name itself promised a more professional, specialized experience. I'll freely admit that at first I had my doubts whether the upgrade would justify itself, but reading through the features, I could see this was designed for exactly the kind of outdoor pursuits I'd grown into. It wasn't trying to be everything to everyone; it was laser-focused on serious outdoor performance.
Putting the "Pro" to the Test on a Hike
The built-in GPS was a game-changer from the first trail run: I could leave my phone behind yet get a precise map of my route, changes in elevation, and pace variations throughout the terrain. It was liberating to live this smartwatch lifestyle, being truly untethered, and it felt free in ways I hadn't anticipated. There's something liberating about going into the mountains with just your watch, water, and determination.
The geomagnetic compass and altitude sensors gave real-time data on my ascent and direction, adding a whole new dimension to outdoor adventures. On one particularly foggy morning hike in Jebel Jais, being able to check my bearing without reaching for my phone kept me confident and sure that I was on the right track. The altitude reading was almost addictive to watch as I pushed through tough climbs, giving me tangible proof of progress.
Moreover, the 5ATM water resistance provided added peace of mind against sweat, rain, or an impromptu dip in a wadi after a hot desert ride. This was not just marketing speak, either. I tested it thoroughly during one cycling trip where unexpected rain caught us mid-route, and the watch didn't miss a beat tracking every soggy kilometer without needing any protective measures.
However, the TWS Music feature allowed me to listen to my favorite playlist directly from the watch to my earbuds, completely phone-free. This might sound like a small luxury, but having one's own soundtrack on a solo sunrise trail run, without the bulk and worry of carrying a phone, makes these early morning adventures almost meditative and entirely yours.
Final Thoughts: A Journey of Smart Fitness
This journey wasn't just about buying new gadgets; it was about finally finding tech that truly kept pace with my evolving active lifestyle here in the UAE. I started frustrated, juggling multiple devices just to cover the basics, but I ended up discovering specialized tools. The 7MD Smart Watch perfectly handled my daily fitness—the gym, the pool, and general health monitoring—offering reliability and an impressive battery life. When the mountains called, the 7MD GPS Pro Smart Watch stepped in with the serious tracking, phone-free music, and rugged durability I needed for my toughest hikes.
Ultimately, I learned that the best watches for an active lifestyle aren't static; they are the smart companions that evolve with you, meeting you exactly where you are and pushing you toward where you want to go next. It’s time to stop compromising on your tech. Start your own fitness journey by exploring these smart fitness accessories from 7md Store and find the companion that will push you to your next goal.
FAQs
How do these smartwatches sync data to a smartphone?
Both watches connect to your smartphone (iOS or Android) via Bluetooth using a dedicated companion app. All your workout data, health metrics, and sleep patterns are automatically synced to the app, where you can view your progress, track trends, and analyze your performance over time.
Are the watch straps interchangeable on these models?
Yes, most smartwatches, including these, use a standard pin mechanism for their straps. This allows you to easily swap them out for different materials (like silicone, leather, or nylon) or colors to match your activity or style, making them highly customizable.
How exactly does the TWS Music feature on the GPS Pro work without a phone?
The 7MD GPS Pro has onboard storage that allows you to load music files directly onto the watch itself. You can then pair your TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbuds directly to the watch via Bluetooth, enabling a completely phone-free music experience during your workouts.
What is the main tracking difference between a G-Sensor (like in the 7MD298) and a dedicated GPS (in the GPS Pro) for an outdoor run?
A G-Sensor (accelerometer) estimates distance by tracking the motion of your arm swings, which is great for treadmill runs or general step counting. A dedicated GPS device communicates with satellites to pinpoint your exact location, providing highly accurate maps, pace, and distance measurements for outdoor activities, which is the gold standard for runners and cyclists.