Garmin Heart Rate Monitor Broken After Battery Change

garmin-hrm

The Garmin Premium Heart Rate Monitor and the Garmin Standard Heart Rate Monitor both rely on the CR2032 battery. When replacing your battery, it can sometimes cause a power overload of your device and can make your Heart Rate Monitor inoperable, leaving you befuddled as to how it’s not working when you just replaced the battery! This is actually a very common problem that many users have come across.

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Troubleshooting Your Garmin

It can be frustrating when you’re just heading out for a long run, and you realize your trusty Garmin isn’t working. Panic that you’ll have to run without your GPS, fear that it is truly beyond repair, and sadness that you may have just lost a good friend all run through your mind at once. Luckily, troubleshooting your Garmin isn’t too time consuming, and may save you from having to buy a whole new watch.  This article is how to reset your Garmin. Here’s an article about your Garmin warranty.

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Adidas Smartwatch takes fitness seriously with GPS

Adidas Smartwatch with GPS

Considering the hype of the new Garmin 220 and 620, this watch is going under the radar. I need to get one and write a review, but it’s not available for another week. In the meantime…

The smartwatch can figure out your heart rate from the pulse in your wrist, and then factor that in with various onboard movement sensors as well as route tracking. The watch will cook up a custom exercise program with personalized training suggestions, and give prompts for that routine on the color display.

Slash Gear has all the details.

Sneak Peek: Tom Tom GPS Watch

Tom Tom Runner GPS Watch

 

It looks like a new entrant in the Best GPS Running Watch sweepstakes is coming soon…

We got our hands on the latest training tool from TomTom to hit the market. The watch is currently under testing and there will be a full low down which will feature in the December issue of the magazine, but in the meantime if you’re on the lookout for a new device, here is what both the TomTom Runner and the TomTom Multi-Sport has to offer:

Read the details at Runnersworld UK.

5 Tricks to Getting the Best GPS Running Watch

Home Before Dark by heza, on Flickr

Home Before Dark by heza, on Flickr


Deciding on the best GPS running watch for your needs can be tricky. There are a ton of different styles out these days, and that number is only going to increase over time.
I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed, so I came up with a few main things to consider. Here are 5 tricks to choose the best GPS running watch that I’ve found after checking out a few of them.

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Choose your Perfect GPS Watch

best-watch

It seems that everyone has an idea of how to pick the best GPS running watch. See, I have one too. So, I find it helpful to provide another opinion.

Garmin has been the industry leader for over a decade, new GPS watches from established companies such as Magellan, TomTom, Timex, and Polar have entered the market. GPS watches made today come in a wide range of prices and styles, and are often designed for specific types of athletes.

Read the full article at Running Shoes Guru

Find and Improve Your Average Jogging Speed

A lot of people, especially when they first start running, don’t know their average jogging speed. 

Instead of measuring it, they just go by “what feels good.” And even though that is a pretty good indicator, I recommend putting some numbers to that feeling. Anytime you quantify something, it becomes much easier to measure improvements.

After all, how can you improve your running speed if you don’t even know what that speed is? This article is focused around one thing- to help you find and improve your average jogging speed.

Finding Your Average Jogging Speed

The first thing you want to do is identify the distance you want to use. If you’re just starting, you might want to go with one mile. If you’re a more seasoned runner, a few miles will give you a better average pace. 

If you aren’t using something measured out like a running track, consider using a website like Gmap-Pedometer. You could also measure out the distance with your car.

Next, you should time yourself with a sport watch. You can use a regular watch, but it generally won’t be as accurate because you can’t see the number of seconds.

Make sure that you jog at your average pace. You want to feel comfortable and be able to carry on a conversation, but don’t take it too easy. You still want to make sure you get a good workout.

Once you’ve completed the run, divide your time by how far you ran. This will give you your average pace for the distance covered. For example, if you ran for 20 minutes and covered 2 miles, your average jogging speed was 10 minutes per mile. This is also known is your running pace.

If you’re into the high-tech stuff, there are GPS watches or devices you clip onto your shoe to determine your average pace. These are useful because they’re easy to use and can give you the current speed. The only disadvantage is that they’re a financial investment.

Once you’ve figured out your average speed, you have a baseline to improve from, right?

Now let’s talk about how to get faster.

Improving Your Average Jogging Speed

Your running speed depends on a variety of different factors. From your running gear to your oxygen uptake efficiency, everything plays a part.

For this article however, we’ll mainly discuss the different training methods you can use to increase speed.

Interval Training

Over the last few years, more and more emphasis has been placed on interval training. This type of running has more benefits than just helping you run faster. It also helps build muscle, burn fat, and improve your overall health.

Interval training basically involves switching back and forth between sprints and slower, easier walks or jogs. The sprinting portion is what actually improves your running ability and wears you out, while the jog just lets you recover your breath and energy.

Technically you can simply rest between each sprint session, but it’s not recommended. By walking or jogging, you keep your heart rate up and build more endurance.

Finally, make sure you have some structure to intervals. You don’t want to stop sprinting “when you feel like it.” Determine a set amount of time or a specific distance, then don’t stop until you reach that goal.

Hill Runs

PHOTO CREDIT: Running High by ruggin, on Flickr

PHOTO CREDIT: Running High by ruggin, Flickr

Spending just one or two days on hill runs can have huge effects on your speed. Not only does it give your legs a harder workout, but you also improve your form because hill runs force you to pick your knees up.

Just be careful when going back downhill. You’re actually putting more force on your knees and ankles, so it’s easier to hurt yourself if you aren’t paying attention.

Fartleks

Similar to interval training, fartleks are useful because they throw structure out the window. While interval training typically involves a set distance or time goal repeated multiple times, fartleks typically involve more different types of workouts. 

For example, a fartlek may have you jog for 2 minutes, sprint up a hill, walk fast for 5 minutes, run at 70% of your max for 3 minutes, jog for 2, etc.

These typically work best if you plan it out ahead of time or have someone else plan it for you.

The reason this improves your average jogging speed is that it prevents your muscles from becoming over-efficient. Similar to interval training, by changing your speed multiple times, you’re causing muscle confusion.

Strength Training

A lot of new runners don’t realize how important strength training is for running. By building stronger calf and quad muscles, your muscles will have more explosive power and endurance.

A few of the best exercises to start with are the power clean, squat and dumbbell jerk. Just make sure that you incorporate upper body workouts as well, such as pull-ups and the bench press. Of course, don’t forget your core. Building a strong core through abdominal exercises will have you improve.

Conclusion

I’m all about measuring. If you don’t know your average jogging speed right now, I recommend measuring it today or tomorrow. The sooner, the better.

Then you can incorporate some of the techniques mentioned here- as well as getting better gear and improving your nutrition- to quickly improve your speed.

(PHOTO CREDIT on Featured image: 100 meters by quapan, Flickr)

Esquire Magazine Has a Guide to Buying Watches

Although I like to talk about watches on this site, our focus is solely on a timepiece that can help you with your running and exercise routine. Beyond that, I stopped wearing a watch a long time ago if I’m not wearing my running shoes. I have a really nice watch my wife gave me a long time ago. I don’t even remember where it is. But, that doesn’t mean “you” shouldn’t have a nice watch. I have a guide to select the best watch for running. But, now you have one for style…

esquire-magazine-logo

If you’re a man who cares about style, you probably own (or want to own) a few watches: an everyday watch, a weekend watch, plus maybe the damn good lookin’ watch and even a luxury watch that’s bespoke unto itself.

Read more at Esquire.

How many years will the battery in my Garmin Forerunner last?

I don’t often get asked how many years will the battery in my Garmin Forerunner last? This is something that I haven’t really thought about.

Usually, I get asked how long the battery will last between charges. That is a fairly simple question to answer. As a matter-of-fact, Garmin answers this on their own website. For example, on the popular Forerunner 410, they tell you to expect 8 hours of battery life.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=83274#specsTab

However, in real usage, that number is a variable, especially since satellites aren’t 100% predictable and the watch will sometimes lose a signal.

Regardless, the real question remains, how long will the battery last in my watch before I need to get a new one?

Properties of the Battery in my Garmin

First, let’s take a look at the battery itself. Garmin uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. There is a lot written about these types of batteries. For the average person, Wikipedia will tell you a lot on the Wikipedia rechargeable lithium-ion battery page.

Pay attention to cycles. Cycles are simply the number of times that you can fully recharge the battery before the battery cannot hold an acceptable charge. Wikipedia is very broad saying that the rechargeable li-on batteries can be cycled anywhere from 400 to 1200 times. Unfortunately, that’s a broad range, so we’ll have to make assumptions to narrow it down.

For simplicity, let’s say that the average life of the battery is 600. I use 600 cycles instead of splitting the range to 800 because most people don’t fully discharge their battery. Now that may be old information that you must fully discharge before recharging, but I would rather be conservative, which is why I selected 600 cycles as the useful lifespan for a runner.

Calculating Lifetime Battery Life

Now, how do we convert 600 cycles into something meaning for a runner? We need to estimate how many times a week the average person will recharge their Garmin Forerunner. Based on my inexact method of asking about 15 people, the number is between 2-3 times per week. Now, let’s make some calculations.

Our formula is: 600 cycles / number of charges per week = number of useful weeks

Years of Useful Life: 5.8

Low Number of Charges is 2 per Week: 600 / 2 = 300 weeks of charges (5.8 years)

Years of Useful Life: 4.6

Medium Number of Charges is 2.5 per Week: 600 / 2.5 = 250 weeks of charges (4.6 years)

Years of Useful Life: 3.8

High Number of Charges is 3 per Week: 600 / 3 = 200 weeks of charges (3.8 years)

Now that you have the formula, you can make changes to develop your own estimate.

As a final note, when considering buying a used Garmin, look at these numbers and compare to the age of the watch you are buying. If the watch is going on 4 years, it is probably smart to avoid buying that particular watch.

Will a GPS watch work while running on a cruise ship?

I had a great question via email today that I just had to write about. Mandy has a brand new Garmin 410 Forerunner GPS watch. This summer, she is going on a cruise and would like to keep up her running while on the ship. That’s great! Congratulations Mandy, on keeping up with your fitness. But, what she wants to know is if her GPS will will work while on the ship.

Cruise ship running track

Image licensed under CC from Flickr user lotopspin. Thank you.

While on a cruise ship, there are 2 ways that you can keep up with your running. First, use the treadmill in the cruise ship health club. Just about all cruise ships have clubs of various sizes. And, typically, a least a few treadmills for you to get in your run.

But, if you are like me, you prefer to run outside. No problem as most of the larger cruise ships have a small walking/jogging/running track on the perimeter of one of the larger decks. So, go outside and enjoy the fresh air and run in many circles.

Now, on to the question…will the GPS watch work while running on a cruise ship. The answer is yes, it will work, but it will absolutely NOT be accurate while the ship is moving. First, out on the open ocean, you should be able to get a very strong satellite signal. But, if you run when the ship is moving, the GPS calculation tracks your movement and the ships movement at the same time.

Let’s say that you are running from the back of the ship to the front while the ship is in motion. The GPS will seem to cover a lot of ground. But, if you run from the front to the back of the ship, you will have covered less ground. If the ship is barely moving in a bay, you may even be standing still according to your GPS.

You best bet is to consult with a member of the ships crew. They should be able to tell you the length of the track on the ship. Then, you can simply count your laps.

Why is my GPS Watch Off?

Photo by Flickr user: 1yen

Periodically, I receive emails asking about the accuracy of GPS running watches. Along the same lines, runners are wondering if their watch is accurate because they just completed a 5K race, but the GPS watch reads something other than 5,000 meters.

So, I was going to write a post that addresses these questions. However, I recall a couple of great articles on this topic. First, the NY Times made a half-hearted effort to explain the discrepancy of GPS watches:

GPS Watch Can be an Unreliable Running Partner

An excerpt:

It seems clear enough that a GPS watch is not very accurate, yet online runners’ forums, like one at the Web site of Runners World, are filled with comments from confused athletes who rely on the devices.

However, the article was not written as a true scientific analysis to explain why GPS watches calculate distances differently. Thankfully, someone else was able to provide a logical response:

Why the New York Times GPS Running Article Missed the Boat by DC Rainmaker

Part of the response:

The challenge here is that I’d ask first – what were the watches in question?  What brands, devices and software versions?  For example, was the one that was off by .42 miles (97.3% accurate) an older model from 5-6 years ago, or was it more recent?  Who made it?  What firmware version?

Regardless of all the analysis, the benefits of a GPS watch are many. Having an understanding of how far  you’ve run and how long it took will help you improve your running.

How to Fix a Broken Garmin Running Watch

Garmin has some of the most popular watches for runners. This includes the Garmin Forerunner line, from the 110, 210, 410, 610 and 910. Of course, there are older models in the 05 series, such as the 105 and 405. In addition to the Forerunner series, Garmin watches for running include FR 60 series of GPS watches.

Garmin GPS Watch Repair

Read our Garmin GPS watch reviews if you are in the market to buy a new GPS watch for running.

When your Garmin watch is broken, or not working properly, there are a few steps you can take to fix it. Garmin has a fairly good reputation in service and support, and contacting them directly is always an option. That said, before you delve into contacting Garmin, we advise that you do a little troubleshooting of your own. Troubleshooting Your Garmin is a great resource.

Your watch battery may also be causing a problem. Check out my page on How many years will the battery in my Garmin Forerunner last? if you think this might be your problem.

When you need your Garmin watch fixed, you need to determine whether your watch is still under warranty or out of warranty. Remember, the 1 year warranty is a limited warranty. So, if you damage the watch by smacking it against a tree on a trail run, they will not fix it.

Covered by Warranty Garmin GPS Watch

If your watch is covered by warranty, the process is simple and Garmin provides clear instructions on their site at:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/warranty.html

You can request a repaid by calling their customer service number at 1-800-800-1020 (U.S. only). At that point, they will provide you with instructions on what to do. They will also provide you with an RMA number and a docking number to ship the watch back with. Make sure you include this information. You don’t want to be the one with your watch lost while already at Garmin. And, omitting this information can result in a delay of your repair.

Out of Warranty Garmin GPS Watch

If you are out of warranty, well, it will cost you to repair the watch. However, repair will be a lot cheaper than buying a new watch for running. To get repair service, you complete the request on the Garmin site at:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/outofwarranty.html

One nice thing about Garmin is that they will provide you with a price for repair before you ship the watch back to them. So, you know exactly what it will cost you to repair.

A Note on Shipping

When sending your GPS watch to Garmin for repair, please package it in a box and not an envelope. It may be cheaper, but you may end up having the watch damaged even further due to shipping. So, any small box with a little crumbled up paper for padding would be ideal. Make sure to include insurance as it is required by Garmin for shipping. Unfortunately, you may be required to pay the shipping cost to Garmin, depending on your situation.

Repair Warranty

Garmin provides a 90 warranty on their repair work. They also have a 1 year warranty on the product if you purchase it new. If you have a problem covered by your warranty, the good folks at Garmin will let you know how much time is left on your warranty.

Running without a Watch, GPS or Heart Rate Monitor

A couple of days ago, for the first time in a long time, I went for a run with a watch, GPS or heart rate monitor. I was feeling a little down and felt that a short run would do me good. So, I decided to head out the door without any electronics. I told my wife I would head down into the canyon and be back in 30 minutes.

So, I headed out the door, checked my form and started a leisurely run over to the trail that would take me down about 300 feet into a canyon. I wasn’t quite sure how far I would run, what my course would be or if I wanted this to be an easy or hard run. Sometimes, no plan is a good plan.

It’s a somewhat steep hill going down and the day was somewhat warm. Last summer I got into the habit of either singing or snapping my fingers as I head down on narrow trails. I do this for good reason, last summer is when I got too close for comfort to a rattle snack. So, I try to make a little noise to let them know I’m coming. I got the idea from mountain bikers who have bells attached to their bikes as they careen around the trails.

The descent is about 300 feet and takes me to a creek. When I got to the bottom, the small bridge was washed to an angle from rain last week. So, I spent about 10 minutes or so trying to straighten it out. I gave up and threw a couple of rocks in the water to make sure the step to the bridge was easy. Once I got across, I decided to head on over to Paradise Falls, about a mile away.

Running with no watch to Paradise Falls

I started feeling really good on the way to the falls. Since this was later afternoon on a weekday, I had only passed one hiker. So, I felt a great sense of calm listening to my footsteps and my breathing.

I checked out the falls and say a young couple sitting on a rock. So, I decided not to disturb them. I turned and started to backtrack on the trail from where I came. At that point, I started thinking how good I felt, so I turned around and kept moving alongside the creek. From the falls, you can continue to a developed campsite. That was fun as there were two more stream crossings, I got my left foot wet.

When I got the campsite, I was planning to head back up canyon along a fire road. However, I saw a sign for the lizard rock trail. This is the backside of a trail that is fairly long. From the starting point, I had only taken it to the actual Lizard Rock. But, never beyond. So, I figured why not and kept going. I knew I was in for a tough run because from the bottom of the canyon to the top of lizard rock was about a 500 foot climb in less than a mile.

Just as I started up the steep switchbacks, a few guys on mountain bikes came screaming downhill. I jumped to the edge of the narrow trail and hugged the mountain. They yelled out that there were five more riders. I kept an eye ahead as I started back on the trail. Sure enough, in less than 60 seconds, the all five riders passed me.

As I got the steep part, I tried a new running technique of crossing over my feet at a slight angle as opposed to running straight up. The hill was tough, but I felt unbelievably happy to be running up, a slew of positive thoughts kept passing through my head. I stopped a couple of time, but this was because I wanted to take in the view.

The last 40 feet are very steep to get up to Lizard Rock, so I mostly walked it. But, from the top, I felt great.

This picture is the trail to Lizard Rock from the front. I stood on top for about two minutes to soak up the view and felt great. I took the front trail back home. It was all downhill.

From this point, I felt like I was running on air. My legs were refreshed at the top and I took it easy coming down. As a matter of fact, this run was my easiest run in years, despite the hill climb. I just felt great.

Lizard Rock is just to the left/top of the center of this map:

View Larger Map

No Running Watch, GPS or Heart Rate Monitor

I have a general idea of how long this run took. I stopped at a drinking fountain near a nature center. I stopped at the falls and a couple of times up the mountain and the top of the mountain. Not once did I wonder how long I had been running or how far.

 

The next time you need to clear your head, don’t just go for an easy run, go to explore. You never know where your mind will take you.

Why Buy a Watch for Running?

A watch for running is a key piece of equipment for any runner. While it is a given that a pair of running shoes are practically required equipment for runners, another piece of equipment that most seasoned runners know is important is a watch for running.   A running watch proves to be important and helpful for people who have taken up running to lose weight or just to maintain good health.  These days, the cost to stay fit through exercise or for supplemental nutrients taken with food, can be a lot. That is why physical activity, which does not cost that much, is recommended.  Increasing the health of the cardiovascular system through running is an easy and affordable way of doing so, leading to healthy results. You need a good watch, such as a GPS running watch. One of the most popular is the Garmin watch for running.

Why Use a Watch for Running

A watch for running is not just any ordinary watch. The design of this watch is not necessarily just to tell time like other watches, but for the precise purpose of letting users appreciate the activity of running, which should help them realize how they run and plan on how they should run for improved health. Beginners who are looking for the best running watch may be too ambitious and should first consider knowing the basics of good running watches.  First, the watch for running should have the ability to record information such as the time the runner took to cover point A to B, the distance covered, the speed, the runner’s pulse and heart rates and the total number of calories burnt during the run.

Watch for Running Summary

As a watch for running records this information, the runner can keep track of the progress of his or her running program.  This would make it possible for the runner to see areas in need of improvement, or if the program is on track, or off.  Also, this information can be analyzed by the runner with a fitness expert, trainer or a doctor to see if the whole program is sufficient or if more things should be done for the runner’s fitness goals to be realized. A watch for running will help you achieve those goals.

Five Tips to Find the Best Running Watch

Professional athletes and sports enthusiasts put on their best efforts when engaged in their chosen sport. For such endeavors, they look for the best supporting equipment, such as running sports watch. Every athlete runs to strengthen the body so the best running watch can help during trainings.

In looking for the best running watch, five tips should be considered by every runner.

Best Running Watch: Tip 1

First, a lot of running watches are available in today’s market, so the athlete must check the right sports watch for his chosen sport. A great example is the sports watch with hard chest straps for monitoring your heart rate, as it won’t be suited for swimmers since they need to be flexible with their movements. Be sure that the purpose of the watch matches the sport before buying one.

Best Running Watch: Tip 2

Second, consider the durability of the watch, as sports require toughness. Varying environmental conditions must be endured by a sports watch. In case it malfunctions, be sure that the watch has a warranty.

Best Running Watch: Tip 3

Third, choose a running GPS watch with a wide and clear screen display for easier reading. The large display can also accommodate metric viewings through the scroll function and four text lines.

Best Running Watch: Tip 4

Fourth, the best running watch must have GPS features not only for location mapping, but also for downloading premade training manuals. The manuals can act as a sports trainer and learning the sport would be easier while enhancing the skills and stamina of the runner.

Best Running Watch: Tip 5

Lastly, famous brands must be on-top of the list as their names symbolize the best quality watches out in the market. They also offer tons of features that are not available in other watch brands. They also certify the quality of the products through a warranty, ensuring the best running watch has a long life. One brand I really like is Garmin (see my Garmin GPS Watch Reviews).

Best Running Watch: Summary

With the practical five tips that are given, a runner can really choose the best running watch for his activty. Remember that the tips given are only written to assist an athlete in deciding what kind of watch is best for him and the tips don’t favor any particular model or brand of sports watch. The best running watch for you will always depend on your needs.

Digital Workouts for Runners: A Running Watch Review

Working out can bring your body to its peak level; so taking on a sport is a good form of exercise. During training, several pieces of equipment can be used to enhance the body and your skills. It would also be great to have computerized support, such as sports watch. In looking for the best watch, it would help to read a running watch review before making your final decision.

The review must focus on the features of the watch especially the main features and strengths of the watch. It would greatly help the reader when the featured watch can measure time, speed, heart rate and even terrain. Those parameters can help in identifying the specific training needed to improve your running.

The running watch review of a GPS watch reveals that GPS watch capabilities serve as a speed monitor, heart rate monitor and distance monitor. With data right at hand, areas of improvement could be easily identified. The watch also shows the map of the current location and can provide directions despite of the presence of tall buildings or trees. Getting lost won’t be a problem with the assistance of the mapping system of the GPS sports watch.

The good running watch can also connect through to Internet or your computer and provide some already created runs, which can digitize your workout. The easy-to-follow plan can save time and effort in figuring out the best training to start with.

Style may also play a key role in choosing a watch as each person has different tastes. An athlete can also feel comfortable and motivated for his practice when the sports watch he uses matches his taste, like his favorite color. Some may prefer light colors while other people prefer dark colors. Shape and size are also part of the style as the latter may have a small, medium or large screen display in which the user navigates her watch.

With the help of the sports watch, workouts can be easier than before and no more worries of getting lost. Be sure also to watch out for the weaknesses of the watch, as they can be detrimental to one’s performance. Before going into a particular sport like running, it’s advisable to read a running watch review to equip yourself with the proper knowledge in running and sports while guiding you in choosing the sports watch right for you.

 

Accurate and Easy to Use can Describe What is the Best GPS Watch

Active people need a watch that does not only function for time checks but also to assist them in their sports endeavors. For runners, they would need a watch that can monitor their health status, track their runs and provide directions. It seems that a GPS watch would be needed. In looking for the best watch, you must answer the question: what is the best GPS watch for running?

The best GPS watch should be accurate and easy to use which means the features must not be complicated, as no technical knowledge is required to operate it. It must come with an easy-to-understand manual so that even the people with the least technological knowledge can use and operate it. The watch must also come with a warranty, as factory defects must not compromise the training and assistance needed by runners from a GPS watch.

Basically, sports watches must fit the runners, but what is the best watch that can give the maximum feedback for training runs? A GPS watch must provide style and sleekness at the same time while assisting the runner in their training. Each runner must be able to check his heart rate, distance, location and movement speed through a clear, small screen display. Heart rate monitors are easiest if they are wireless so as not to affect the mobility of the sportsmen. GPS receivers must be very sensitive as the running speed is measured while the location must be accurately determined. Tall buildings and trees must not be able to affect the accuracy of the GPS locator as the watch has its GPS antenna to provide an enhanced view of the environment by locking itself to the satellites.

Many GPS watches are already available in the market. It’s up to the user to choose what is the best GPS watch for him.

Which is the Best Watch for Running?

While a pair of the best running shoes is still the undisputed king of running equipment, modern technology has introduced a number of devices that runners have considered to be beneficial for particular goals.  But, as with shoes, there is not one timepiece that can be considered the best watch for running.  What is best for one runner can be different for another, especially if the goals of one runner are different from the other, which means personal preferences still come into play when choosing a runner watch.  After all, there are different kinds of runners, from long-distance runners who want to make sure they have the endurance, sprint runners who want to improve on speed, and fitness runners who want to make sure running is an aerobic exercise that would have good results on their health.

But that doesn’t mean that there are no watches that separate themselves from the pack by having the most number of beneficial features that generally cater to most types of runners.  But then, with the advance in technology even affecting timepieces, one can note that looking for the best watch for running has become more complicated than, say, five, or even just a couple of years ago.  Generally though, the features that a runner needs, no matter what their goals are:

A clear screen that can be read at arm’s length. This is essential especially for those who feel the need for speed and would not want to waste even precious milliseconds to stop and look closer at what their watches are indicating.

A huge amount of memory storage to save information on number of laps and times.

A timer that has both a traditional count up time and a countdown, both that can track intervals.

Apart from that, all other features are fair game and would depend on the runner’s personal preferences.  For those who want to have their location and distances noted, they should check out GPS sports watch reviews, while those who are very conscious of their fitness level better look out for watches that have heart rate monitors.

 

Which GPS Watch Reviews to Believe?

A runner looking for GPS watch reviews means one thing: they are getting serious about their running business.  They may have realized that a simple runner’s watch does not cut it anymore, and having GPS technology is something that would enhance their overall running performance.  However, as GPS watch reviews also admit, the technology is still not perfect, and they are only now becoming popular and useful.  Thus, a lot of people, while recognizing the benefits they could get from having a GPS-equipped watch, do not exactly know yet what to look for in a watch that has GPS capabilities.  But then, it all comes back to the runner.  As several GPS watches have different features, the runner should look for a model that suits their particular needs.

For example, GPS watches are great for those who are engaged in activities that rely on some kind or direction or orientation, like hiking.  At best, GPS watches really excel when being used for running.  So, will a runner’s watch be similar with a hiker’s watch?  Well, there will be many similar features, so yes, but certainly not the same. That is why matching the GPS watch and other features with the specific sport or activity of the person looking for it is important.

It is in this light that running GPS watch reviews make their importance felt.  Without knowing the other features, a shopper will not know if a particular watch would suit his or her lifestyle or activity.  For example, a GPS watch with altitude detector would definitely be heaven sent for a hiker or mountain climber, but unless a runner is preparing for a lot of mountain running, altitude is not really a main factor in the performance of a runner.  On the other hand, a GPS and heart rate watch would be highly suitable to a runner, as the intensity of his or her run will produce a spike in his or her heart rate, which in turn informs how good he or she performed in a run vis-à-vis health or fitness goals. So, take a look at our GPS watch reviews to find the best watch for you.