GPS Running Watch

The GPS Running Watch is a relatively new addition to the Heart Rate Monitor Range. Prior to this there was Personal Heart Rate Monitors that gave some very basic read outs – Heart Rate, Average Heart Rate, Timings, Etc. However, the advent of the Global Positioning System Network (or GPS for short) has caused the market to be flooded with mobile consumer GPS devices including hand held devices, mobile phones and relatively recently, GPS wristwatch systems.

The latter, the GPS Running Watch is of interest here, with a whole host of new and feature packed devices available. Some Examples of what features are available with these new devices:

GPS Running Watch

• Speed Measurement – Kilometers per Hour or Miles per Hour
• Pace Measurement – Minutes per Kilometer or Minutes per Mile
• Distance Travelled Overall
• Distance Based Alerts
• Distance Based Lap Splits
• Gains or Losses in Elevation
• Auto-Correcting Time
• Altitude Rate of Ascent
• Altitude Rate of Descent
• Altitude/Elevation Alarm

There are also a number of Brand specific features such as with the Garmin GPS Watch Forerunner Series, or the Timex Ironman Heart Rate Monitor series.

One of my personal favourites is the Garmin Forerunner 305. While this is not a small watch, it is in fact quite a chunky piece of equipment, it is comfortable and has all the functionality you will need. To learn more about the Forerunner 305 CLICK HERE.

If you are considering buying a GPS Running Watch, you should consider what the primary activity you will be using it for. GPS Running Watches come in a considerable range of prices. So if you only run occasionally you may only need a basic model that records a few measurements, this will probably suffice and will not cost too much. However at the other end of the scale something like the Suunto X10 could set you back up to $600 US, but will sport a multitude of features and will be able to download information to a computer for analysis.

Some features to consider:

Some GPS Running Watches have a stronger GPS receiver than others, allowing them to pick up signals in areas where there are weak GPS signals, so maybe this maybe important if you are a trail runner.

If most of your training will be based on heart rate zones and not just time and distances, then a watch that reads your heart rate is available.

If you are an advanced runner, then maybe foot-mounted monitors that communicate with the watch that will show not only your stride length but how far you have travelled, amongst other things.

With mapping abilities some GPS Running Watches will allow you to map your route on your computer once you have completed your run and some can even show where you went up and down hills.

Another, fairly important consideration is the size and appearance. Some GPS Running Watches are quite chunky, some wrist bands are more comfortable than others and the screens on some are quite cluttered and difficult to read quickly.

So before you go out and buy your GPS Running Watch, do your research. Think about the features you need compared with how much you are willing to pay. There are a lot of really useful devices on the market today, so take your time and find the GPS Running Watch that is best for you.

As  said the Garmin Forerunner 305 will give all the functionality you will need. To learn more about the Forerunner 305 CLICK HERE

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