You’re on the bleeding edge of fitness devices if you’re looking for a running monitor to help you reach your fitness goals for 2022. The greatest running watches are some of the most amazing, high-tech, and expensive wearables available. We’re talking about apps that provide artificial based on intelligence conclusions about the data you collect, GPS, and biometrics.
However, it might be challenging to choose the best running watch because there are so many options. Here’s how to pick the greatest running watch for you, even if you already own the best running shoes.
Clearly understand what the running watch is
This is not a step-counting exercise. That applies to cellphones, smart watches, and fitness monitors that mostly serve as casual motivators and eyes. Running watches, also known as GPS watches & multisport watches, must be much more fixated on precision and efficiency. Bring on location tracking driven by GPS, which eliminates the need to estimate distances, and a variety of biometric sensor devices.
The measurement of oxygen levels in the blood (SpO2) is an upcoming function that will help you workout at the proper intensity. Heartbeat monitoring is now a standard feature. The latter is excellent to have as a general indicator of fitness, but it is only useful when moving if you’re going to be free diving, trekking, or climbing at high elevations. Marathon runners might discover it useful.
The majority of higher-end running clocks also include specialized triathlon modes that track full events without requiring you to record your bike ride, swim, and race separately. Nearly all running watches enable multiple activities.
Consider the type of athlete you are
Is a running watch necessary? Consider purchasing a fitness tracker or smart watch if you only occasionally jog and want to continue keeping track of the amount that you move. A running watch is for you, though, if you’re a frequent runner, biker, or triathlete who is determined to get better.
If you upgrade from a Fitbit or smartphone application to a running watch, you’re likely to notice data. Multi-sport modes, cadence sensors, stride length estimators, heart rate monitors, and connectivity with external sensors like foot pods and chest-strap heart rate monitors have replaced the straightforward algorithms, step counting, and obsession with attaining 10,000 steps. The information-packed Coros Apex and the Polar Vantage V2, the latter of which adds a regular fitness test to create your benchmark, are two running watches that are entirely and solely focused on running.
Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of GPS
Using navigation, are you aware of your location? The US-built Global Positioning System, or GPS, is just one of many satellite navigation systems in use today. All of them operate in the same way, using a running watch’s receiver to tune in to radio signals via networks of orbiting satellites. A receiver can triangulate signals from four satellites to determine your position on the earth every few seconds and to within a few meters.
Running watches are frequently touted as being compatible with GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), a system operated by Russia that is marginally more accurate than GPS, Galileo, owned by the EU, QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), and BDS (BeiDou), as well as other satellite navigation systems. However, it’s advisable to have access to two satellite systems because more satellites will be available at any given time. You don’t need a running watch that supports all of them.
