For the health fanatic or even novice, there are endless possibilities for keeping track of one’s fitness goals. For runners, the running watch is certainly becoming a companion of choice for those of all fitness levels. When shopping for a running or fitness watch, there are some things to keep in mind as far as features are concerned.
The distance runner may want to consider a running watch that keeps track of distance, time and pace. For those, the most likely candidate would be either a watch with a pedometer feature or a gps enabled running watch. Pedometers are usually attached to the waist area or directly to the running shoe and calculate distance and speed by measuring the runners stride distance. The information is then (most commonly) sent to the watch via wireless technology where the information can be viewed in real-time or downloaded to a computer or website for further analysis later. The pedometer is calibrated to your individual stride and works by calculating your stride with time and distance traveled.
GPS enabled running watches are more technologically advanced and are able to utilize Global Positioning Satellites to calculate distance, speed, and pace. Even with all these features, the best gps running watch will be the one that fits closely to your individual running needs. Depending on whether you’re a distance or sprinter, GPS can add invaluable assistance towards reaching your running goals.
Heart rate monitors are also becoming a more common feature included with many running and fitness watches. The more accurate monitors use a chest strap which transmits heart rate readings to the watch via wireless technology. Keeping ones heart rate in the optimal range for the best workout is easier with the assistance of an accurate heart rate monitor.
Whether you need the advanced features of GPS or a simple pedometer, many watches now interface with some type of online utility via uploading which can help assess your fitness information more thoroughly.