Today’s sports watches are far superior to “smart watches” and many such fitness bracelets. Their first feature is a GPS receiver. Thanks to him, the watch shows your exact coordinates or can build a jogging track. It’s hard to overestimate how much easier this makes life when training. And when you urgently need to report your coordinates in the mountains, this can save your life. In more advanced versions, it is possible to download maps and follow the track drawn on the new g shock watch screen or navigate the full map. In many trail races, the presence of such a track is mandatory.
Secondly, almost all modern sports watches are compatible or even immediately supplied with a heart rate sensor (HRM-monitor). This is the most important feature for tracking your workout results. With its help, you can and should control your efforts in training and competitions. Many watches are now able to not only track but also interpret training results, provide recovery recommendations and predict fitness levels. This is especially useful for amateurs who do not have a trainer nearby who would correctly regulate the load on the heart.
There are two types of heart rate sensors – chest and wrist. In the first case, you will have to wear a chest strap for measurements, and in the second case, the watch will measure your pulse directly from your wrist. The wrist is more convenient, but less accurate – at rest, the accuracy is about the same, however, when the pulse rises, the wrist begins to lose accuracy. Manufacturers know this, so if your watch has a wrist sensor, you can always use a chest strap.
Thirdly, the battery in a sports watch “lives” much longer. Now in the line of any serious manufacturer you can find watches that will survive in the navigation mode a daily routine. And in the “urban” mode, when you just use them as a regular watch, charging can last for days or even weeks.
These services will help you understand your current condition and plan a training system that will help you improve your athletic performance.