Running Gear Tips - Running Watches or Heart Rate Monitors

Running Watches

Most runners use a running watch with a stopwatch function to measure how long they run.

Running watches with a lap function are useful for races, so that you can check your speed at each mile marker. They are also useful if you train on the track or at home on fitness treadmills where you need to monitor carefully the speed of your efforts, and your recovery times between efforts.

Some runners use a repeat 'countdown' function that enables them to program their watch to bleep at regular intervals, to pace themselves while they are running (e.g. every 25 seconds if they are running 100 second laps) or to regulate their recovery times.

Features of Good Running Watches

- a large display, so that you can see it while you are running, and a light so that you can see it in the dark;
- a stopwatch with a lap function, preferably one that can store 10 or more laps in its memory;
- water resistance, for running in the rain;
- easy-to-press buttons, so that you can press the lap button during a race or on the track.

Heart rate monitors

Heart rate monitors consist of two components: a chest strap (sensor) and watch (receiver). The straps can be bought separately when you need them. The watch usually has the normal functions of a sports watch, as well as the heart rate functions.

You can use heart rate monitors to adjust your training; to track your progress as you become fitter; to check for over training; and to help you judge your pace. They are, however, expensive, and they are certainly not a necessary piece of equipment unless you choose to base your training on heart rate training zones.

Serious runners may want a heart rate monitor that can download stored data from the watch to a personal computer, using either a special interface unit or a microphone. This allows the runner to store and analyze the data from each session. There is one brand that downloads data straight to a specially equipped mobile phone.

Some heart rate monitors estimate the number of calories used in each workout, based on your gender and weight. This can help to provide additional motivation, although the calculations are not very accurate.