Running is one of the most natural things that the human body can do. Nothing beats the feeling of getting your favorite pair of running shoes and setting off along a new route with a focused and clear mind to beat the distractions of everyday life. Nonetheless, even the most experienced runners could do with some assistance when it comes to keeping track of their progress and setting fitness goals. Luckily, the market in wearables for runners is huge, and there are numerous innovative device options for every ability. Read on for a review of the six best wearable running watches on the market today.
1. Garmin Forerunner 45
Coming in a variety of stylish colors, the Garmin Forerunner 45 is slightly less expensive than other models from the GPS giant. The watch offers a range of impressive functions to give you feedback on your run, including a heart rate monitor, GPS tracker, Garmin Coach adaptive training plans, text-messaging capabilities and up to seven days of battery life.
2. Garmin Forerunner 245
The big brother of the Foreunner 45, this watch carries all the same functions but adds a nifty music player into the mix. The music player learns which songs you react best to at which stage of your run and plays them to improve your performance. It also features a function that measures the dynamics of your running style, so you can run as efficiently as possible.
3. Suunto 9 Baro
On the higher end of the market, the Suunto 9 offers almost unbeatable durability and is perfect for ultramarathon runners. It is water-resistant up to 100 meters and houses a sophisticated altimeter. Incredibly, it even combines GPS data with barometric altitude information to provide a range of data on atmospheric conditions, such as air pressure and coming weather conditions.
4. Polar Ignite
The Ignite watch from Polar offers all the usual features you expect from a smart running watch, including GPS and a heart rate monitor. Where it stands out, however, is that it recommends different training schedules on a daily basis based on its evaluation of what you would benefit from most.
5. TomTom Spark
The Spark model from TomTom is one of the best budget options on the market. It combines simple yet reliable GPS, a heart rate monitor and the ability to store and play songs with a sleek and stylish design. If you have do not have unlimited funds, you can’t go wrong with a Spark.
6. Fitbit Ionic
Incorporating a multi-day battery life, GPS, continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep stage monitoring and a personalized voice coach, the Ionic is a strong player in the wearable running market. It does not cost the earth and is available in some attractive colors. It also includes an integrated music storage facility and a range of expert-led audio coaching sessions to meet all your workout needs.
With so many fitness watches on the market, choose the right one for you might seem like a daunting prospect. Remember to do your research before you splash out on your new device.