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How to Choose a Running Watch

The type of runner you are determines the type of running watch to buy.

Serious runners know that one of the best ways to prepare for race day is with careful tracking of miles, pace and heart rate. Casual runners and joggers can usually get away with a regular, digital sport watch, but those running dozens of miles a week with a set pace in mind need to sort through the hype and choose a running watch to carefully track each stride. With a bit of concentration and prioritizing, each runner can pick a running watch for his or her budget, style and fitness needs.

1 Look for comfort when selecting a running watch. Runners of all levels and intensities should look for a comfortable band. Make sure the band won't chafe or cut your wrists while on long runs. Always make sure the watch is waterproof to protect it and you from sweat damage.

2 Pick a watch with a digital readout. Any runner is going to want the watch to be easy to use. After all, your focus is on the run, not yourgear. Make sure the numbers are large enough to read while in motion. Also make sure that the buttons are easy to push while in motion.

3 Determine what type of runner you are and how you plan to use a running watch. The needs of the everyday, serious runner are going to be different than the needs of a more casual, few-times-a-week runner. If you run fewer than a dozen miles a week, mostly for fitness, you can get by with a more stripped-down watch. For this type of runner, look for a waterproof, digital watch with a stopwatch timer and lap counter. That should be all you need to track your runs and determine pacing. Unless you plan to record your time each day in a log, consider looking for a watch with lap recall memory to keep track of your previous workouts. For the more serious runner, determine where you will be running, whether you run for speed or distance and how often you plan to go on training runs.

4 Pick a watch with a heart monitor attachment. For training runs, it can be useful to look for a watch with a heart monitor attachment to monitor your physical progression on runs, not just your time. Using a heart monitor ensures your heart rate stays in a safe range, while helping you determine how much more you can push during long runs or short bursts.

5 Choose a watch with memory. The more serious runner should also look for a watch with a good enough memory to keep track of laps and runs. Without memory, the laps will reset with each new recording. Some watches also offer an easy download feature to better track runs over the long term on a personal computer.

6 Look for a watch with a split timing feature, which allows you to keep track of the total time of the run as well as counting down intervals. For training, this feature can be very helpful for timing short bursts of speed used in interval training.

For more information on this topic please visit the following: Timex Run Trainer 2.0, Polar RC3 and Running Watches