Imagine you are out running on a trail with your new smartwatch. After running for an hour, you check your smartwatch to realise it didn’t track your progress. Annoyed, you make your way back home. Only after reading all the features of your new gadget, you realise it isn’t ideal for runners. While it tracks your heart rate, it doesn’t track your runs along with other data like calories burned, your pace and so on.
It’s easy to know whether you need a smart watch, or a regular one, to help you stay on track while you’re outdoors. However, when choosing the right watch, you might get a bit confused by all the different choices available. This is why looking at sites such as Hotrate can help you find a suitable watch that meets all your needs. Their reviews will allow you to know these watches’ features in-depth.
Let’s face it, when it comes to technology we all have been out-smarted at some point in our lives. There are hundreds of smartwatches in the market each with different features. As a runner, smartwatches are a great companion on your run as they track your progress. However, you need a watch that has specific features for runners as not all of them do. These are features to look for that could well enhance your running experience.
Barometric Altimeter
As a runner, you will most likely run a variety of different trails and with hill running more popular today than ever before, many people want to track altitude gain. You need a smartwatch that can keep up with you as you go and if you have a barometric altimeter you can measure your altitude with accuracy.
Not every smartwatch features a barometric altimeter, the is a popular one that does.
Heart-rate sensor
The heart-rate sensor is a basic feature that you can find in most smartwatches. It is important for all runners as it allows you to determine heart-rate during the course of the run. Some watches give more detailed information during the run, like average rate, highest and lowest rate, and so on.
GPS
The GPS feature on smartwatches is a great asset for many runners. It allows you to download routes, usually in GPX format, so you can follow a route while out on the trail. The GPS keeps track of a run, it logs the path that was taken and also allows you to navigate on a trail if you get lost. Some watches present a map of the trail so you can follow it.
Cadence Tracker
Cadence is an important measurement for runners. It is the number of steps you take in a span of a minute. A smartwatch should be able to measure this accurately to as it helps it display various different data of your run. The tracker helps it determine your pace and with the help of GPS tracks data of your run from calories burned to the fastest/slowest mile.
Some smartwatches come with specific notifications that are added to the cadence feature. For example, Apple has the Rolling Mile Pace that allows you to customise your notifications for when you hit a mile or whatever distance you want. This will prompt you to check the cadence as you achieve a milestone.
Promote Running Through Competition
Most running applications now come with a way to connect with friends and challenge them on runs. This motivates you and them to run more. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch come equipped with this feature known as Activity Competitions. The feature tracks your weekly activity, shares it with your friends and challenges them to do better. There is nothing like friendly competition to motivate runners.
Looking for the best smartwatch available on the web? Apple launched Watch Series 4 on September 21. Thanks to the savings you’ll get, you can get their new model at a lower price.
Bluetooth Connectivity
When out on your run, the last thing you want to do is have to constantly take your phone out to check calls, messages and other notifications. The beauty of a smartwatch is that it syncs with your phone and allows you to check all notifications and even answer calls from the watch. One of the most popular smartwatch with this feature is the Apple Watch.
Battery Life
While the battery life may seem like an afterthought, the last thing you want is to be out all day and then have your smartwatch die on you during your run. When the watch utilises various activity features, battery drains at a faster rate.
You will find smartwatches that start to give out after 5 hours of intense activity and others that last longer. Depending on your daily activity, you can decide roughly how long the battery should be of the watch.
As a runner, smartwatch features can be a great bonus for improving fitness, knowing where you are and safety. As a runner, you want a stylish yet lightweight. While we are on the topic of being stylish, you probably will want look at new gear to maximise your potential. Here’s the bonus – check out these Nike deals and coupons for amazing offers.
