LEARNING CENTER: HOW TO
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST GPS WATCH: A BUYING GUIDE
A GPS watch can serve as a tool to help you get the most from your run, and elevate your training. The basic function of a GPS watch is to gather data from satellites to give you accurate information about how far you've run and how fast you are running. In addition to this basic function, however, many GPS watches offer countless additional features. Ultimately, the best watch for your run will depend on what you want the watch to do for you.
The runner looking for simple distance and pace tracking
If you are looking to track your distance and pace, and you want a watch that is easy to use, there are a number of simple GPS watches offered for under about $150.00. These watches won't have a lot of bells and whistles, but they will consistently track and record the distance, pace, and time of your run. These watches will mark each lap automatically, and can be set to use one mile or one kilometer as a lap distance.
On these devices you will be able to review a few of your most recent workouts, and many even allow you to upload the workout information to an online platform. Many simple GPS watches also include the ability to set a few intervals, or time periods for different paces. This feature is helpful for run/walk training or speed workouts.
Simple GPS watches are ideal for beginning runners, or runners simply looking to record distance and pace without a lot of extra features.
The runner looking for advanced training features
If you want to get more data out of your watch than simply pace and distance, advanced GPS watches offer personalized training data, heart rate monitor compatibility, and the ability to customize the functions and display of the watch face. You will find these watches for under about $350. These watches have the option of purchasing a heart rate monitor with the watch, and some even include a built-in optical heart rate monitor on the watch itself.
Some of the training features offered by the watch might include tracking of personal records, customizable intervals, estimation of your race finishing time, estimation of your personal fitness and improvement over time, connection to your smart phone, and various other features depending on the model and brand.
These watches also typically allow the runner to personalize the data that is displayed on the watch face, and sometimes add multiple pages of data to scroll through during a workout. Greater memory recall lets you review past workouts, while connection to online platforms allows you to upload data for even more functionality.
These watches are ideal for an intermediate runner, or a runner looking to gather more data from each workout to ensure that they are getting the most from their runs.
The athlete looking for advanced training features for multiple sports or activities
Athletes who engage or compete in multiple sports and are looking to maximize their training in each sport should choose a multisport GPS watch. Multisport watches are characterized by an ability to offer unique training features for a variety of different activities, usually including swimming and cycling in addition to run specific features. These watches usually start at about $450 and offer significantly more features than even advanced GPS watches. Building on the functionality of an advanced GPS watch, a multisport watch will still include running-specific training data, but also features additional modes and settings for other activities.
Multisport GPS watches all have the ability to add a heart rate monitor, and many offer maximum functionality when used in conjunction with a heart rate monitor. They offer different modes for swimming, cycling, and other outdoor-related modes in certain models. These watches will have the longest battery life when compared to other GPS watches, and are therefore a good choice for athletes who will be exercising for 10 or more hours in a single session.
When choosing within the multisport category, it's important to decide what you want to do with your watch. A triathlete, for example, will typically only need a watch to provide metrics for swimming, cycling, and running workouts. An outdoor enthusiast who participates in skiing, trail running, and hiking might prefer a watch that also includes mapping or course-creating capabilities. Taking these factors into account, it's best to look into each watch's capabilities using the 'Product Details' tab on the watch page.
