As an athlete, you want to get the most from every workout, which is why a distance running watch is more than an accessory, it is a necessity. Your distance running watch will help you achieve your fitness goals. You do not need to spend a fortune on an effective running watch with many bells and whistles, but you do need to become educated about what makes one better than another and which one will work best for you. All of them should be able to track your distance and speed but it is the advanced features that help you do so much more.
The most basic of all units is a Chronograph. It works like a stopwatch but looks like a watch. Sometimes they provide an alarm and a countdown timer. If you spend more, they will probably also come with lap counting capability. They look a lot like a simple watch, are small and you can wear them every day. What they do not offer is the ability to measure distance, speed and heart rate.
Pedometers are inexpensive and easy to use. Just clip them close to your waist and it will measure your steps. Sometimes a pedometer will estimate how many calories have been burned and occasionally will provide you with a clock. Spend a little more and Pedometers are available with stopwatch, timers and GPS. Like many distance-running watches, some are even able to download information to your computer.
There are a couple of types of Heart Rate Monitors available. The most popular is wireless chest-strap monitor. Signals are sent to the wrist strap receiver. The other type of HRM looks like a watch. It is comfortable and less expensive but not as accurate. Sometimes information on speed and distance is available with more advanced models.
Speed and Distance athletic monitors will tell you how far you have traveled and give you the speed. A heart rate monitor is often included as well. Look for models that are designed for either cyclists or runners. A little more expensive, the GPS version provides very accurate information in one compact wrist strap unit. The accelerometer is almost as accurate as the GPS version but not as pricey. GPS monitors do not always work in some remote locations.
As an aside, athletes who are truly serious about monitoring their body’s performance will probably want to look a Body Composition Monitor in addition to a distance running watch or distance watches. It can track everything from your blood pressure to your oxygen saturation levels. It is a scale with a whole lot of extra features. It will tell you what your BMI is and your percentage of body fat.
Let us have a look at some of the most popular distance running watches on the market. For well under two hundred dollars, you walk away with a New Balance N8 Trainer. It gives you heart rate, distance and speed. Unlike other units, the New Balance provides a heart rate strap and footpad.
For fewer than one hundred dollars, the Timex Ironman Sleek 150 Lap is superior when it comes to simply lap timing. With a big, easy to read display you do not have to squint to read the information and all you have to do is tap the face of the watch to tick off your laps. For approx $140-170, the Polar RS300 studies your heart rate throughout your workout and helps you set zones for yourself. Spend a little more and you can add a GOS armband or a footpad.
Nothing beats the Garmin FR60 for sheer amount of information. It will provide you with your heart rate, calories, speed, distance and more. Download the information and create a few handy charts. If you are just getting started on fitness regime try the Nike + Sport band. It does not give you heart rate or laps but will tell you your speed, distance and the time that has elapsed. Affordably priced, it is a great start for beginners.
An old adage states, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure”. This is very true when it comes to fitness. Becoming your personal best often requires the right tools for the job, and in this case, a distance running watch or monitor may be exactly what you need.
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