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Playing sports requires serious supervision. For some, this control is necessary in order to closely monitor the calorie expenditure, which is so necessary for getting rid of excess weight. Otherwise, the obtained measurement results are required for the correct laying of the path to the highest sporting achievements.

There is also a category of people for whom sports is a matter of survival. Physical activity is necessary to restore health. But they need to be carefully monitored so that playing sports will bring real benefits, and not additional harm.

It is rather inconvenient to carry with you a bunch of devices necessary for objective monitoring of your physical condition. This is where watches equipped with additional functions come to the fore.

Basic criteria for a sports watch

To obtain detailed data on the physical condition of the athlete and the loads received, it is desirable to receive the following information:

• The frequency of contraction of the heart muscle. In other words, the pulse.
• Distance traveled.
• Arterial pressure.

Based on this information, the athlete can independently make a decision to increase or decrease physical activity.

Pulse

Watches equipped with a heart rate monitor have become widespread. The main difference lies in the sensor, which can be located directly in the watch itself or fixed on the athlete's chest. When placing the sensor in a watch or bracelet, it is not possible to obtain accurate heart rate data.

There are various restrictions on the use of such a watch. In particular, they should only be worn on the left hand and should be in constant contact with the skin.

But if you want to get really accurate information, you will have to give preference to a watch that comes with an additional sensor. On the chest, such a sensor is usually attached with an elastic band.

Distance traveled

You can estimate the distance traveled using a pedometer or, in other words, a pedometer. But the problem is that its readings can differ significantly depending on your gait, weight, height, age, location of the sensor and some other indicators.

Pedometer manufacturers do not have a single standard for the correct step. Errors can be partially corrected if your device has a programming function. It is possible to judge the calorie consumption by the pedometer readings very roughly.

People with different constitution and physical form spend different things on overcoming the same distance. Recently, watches equipped with a GPS system have appeared on the market. Such a watch allows you to measure the path you have traveled much more accurately.

Arterial pressure

There is no reliable way to measure blood pressure with a device located on the wrist. Even automatic blood pressure monitors fixed on the forearm have a serious error.

Age especially affects the accuracy of readings. The thickened vessel walls prevent accurate data from being obtained. Although some watch manufacturers, such as Casio, tried to equip their models with blood pressure monitors, such devices did not gain popularity. You will hardly be able to find a watch equipped with a tonometer on sale now.

How to choose?

If you have a need to purchase a watch with additional functions, you can do this based on the following parameters when choosing:

• Power supply operating time
• Location of sensors
• Signal transmission method

Let's try to consider each parameter separately.

Power supply operating time

In sports watches equipped with a heart rate monitor, batteries do not last much less than in regular watches. But the power consumption increases significantly if the device is equipped with a GPS system.

In such watches, not a battery is used as a power source, but a battery that requires regular recharging. Depending on the version, the battery capacity can be enough for a period of operation from five to twenty hours. Therefore, without the need for GPS, it is better not to turn on.

Location of sensors

As mentioned above, sensors located on the wrist give information with a certain error. For the heart rate monitor, the preferred location is the athlete's chest, and the foot pod sensor is best placed on the belt.

If you believe that such placement of sensors brings you some discomfort, then you will have to put up with the error in the measurement results.

Signal transmission method

A device in which the signals coming from the sensors are not encoded or protected from interference is easier to manufacture. For this reason, they are much cheaper.

However, the low signal security greatly reduces the quality of measurements and the usability of such a watch. But it's up to you to decide whether to spend your money on a better model.

Additional functions

But these are just the main parameters. For the convenience of users, manufacturers equip sports watches with various additional functions:

• Automatic calorie counting. As already mentioned, the result of such a calculation is rather arbitrary. But as a reference point can come in handy.
• Memorizing training history.This function is necessary in order for you to evaluate the effectiveness of your sports activities. By comparing the results, you can plan your workouts more intelligently.
• Training zones.In the sports watch menu, some manufacturers have introduced so-called training zones, which allow you to monitor your heart rate. They can automatically process the received information or be programmed in manual mode. In the event that, based on these indicators, your watch calculates the amount of burned fats, then this is more a marketing ploy than a real help during training. There is no unified system for calculating such indicators. Some modes of these zones are beyond the power of even trained sports masters. But for those with health problems, heart rate tracking is a must.
• Heart rate zone change warning.It can be generated by vibration and / or sound. This function is important, both for those who have health problems, and for the lazy, seeking to load their body to a minimum.
• Cyclicity of measurements.This is the most common option that allows you to take measurements cyclically, in segments or circles. Its convenience is obvious.
• Communication with a computer.This option is especially convenient for those who keep a diary of their sports activities on a computer. Transferring data directly is much more convenient than entering it yourself.

The list goes on and on, since there is no limit to the imagination of marketers. But among the functions offered, it is best to choose the ones that you really need.

Among the manufacturers of smart sports watches, such firms as Garmin, Beurer, Sigma have proven themselves well. Apple also produces such watches. It is difficult to choose the best among the various models. In addition, the choice of such a device, as well as a watch, is highly dependent on personal preference.

Athletes have to seriously consider when it comes to choosing a GPS smartwatch for running. These devices are great support and help for runners, tracking distance, pace, heart rate, calories burned and more. But which are the best and most suitable ones?

We have compiled a review of running watches - the top 10 best models with a description, characteristics and their pros and cons. Most of them have functions for tracking runs and other sports. With such devices, you can monitor your health, keep statistics of data, view the history of physical activity and monitor the quality of sleep. All this is a smart sports watch with a GPS tracker that you can choose for yourself in 2019.

Garmin Fenix \u200b\u200b5X Plus

• Colored topographic maps
• Music player
• The presence of a pulse oximeter
• Accurate measurements
• Large set of activities

• High price
• No signal selection
• Hand sweating under the silicone strap
• The screen is not touch

The Garmin Fenix \u200b\u200b5X Plus sports watch with heart rate and GPS and color TOPO maps and Trendline popular routes. They are designed specifically for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, and the built-in heart rate monitor has a pulse oximeter - a special technology for determining blood oxygen saturation under heavy loads.

Whether you're in town or on the trail, with the Fenix \u200b\u200bGPS watch, its mapping and navigation features help you navigate and navigate your course.

5X Plus gives you access to physiological metrics and running dynamics to track workout statistics and measure your progress. For added motivation, you can download advanced workouts and training plans using Garmin Connect.

The display here is not touch-sensitive, and navigation through the menu is carried out using buttons.

Sport

The Fenix \u200b\u200b5X Plus GPS watch is not only a reliable running partner, but also an indispensable companion if you're into multisport. Dedicated pre-loaded activity profiles in the watch are designed for sports such as:

• Swimming
• Bicycle riding
• Hiking
• Skiing
• Boating
• Kayaking
• And much more

Features and sensors

• Multi-network navigation GPS, GLONASS and Galileo
• Altimeter
• Barometer
• Compass
• Training history
• Sleep monitoring
• Acclimation sensor Pulse Ox
• NFC (Garmin Pay)
• Smart notifications
• Music player

While the Garmin Fenix \u200b\u200b5X Plus is an expensive running sports watch with heart rate and foot pod, it is packed with premium features, offering quality materials and accurate sports data.

And this is the most convenient smart watch with GPS maps, which will appeal to those who like jogging in unfamiliar and beautiful places.

Price - $ 814.

• For multisport runners
• Sports recognition
• Accurate indicators
• Lungs
• 24/7 heart rate monitoring
• Waterproof case
• Smartphone notifications

• Expensive
• Signal not regulated
• Inaccurate readings while swimming

The Garmin Forerunner 735XT Running Heart Rate Watch is the ultimate multisport running watch. They are designed for athletes who require running stress and collecting accurate training data.

The slimmed-down form factor and comfortable strap allow you to carry your device all day long. By automatically uploading your data to Garmin Connect, you can share your wins and stats on social media.

A special feature of this sports watch is the button control. For some, this may seem inconvenient, but due to the fact that fingers often sweat during exercise, using the watch becomes more convenient without interacting with the touch screen.

Sport

The Garmin Forerunner 735XT GPS running watch is a great companion that accurately displays steps, calories burned, distance traveled, activity time, speed, heart rate zones and more.

The 735XT also recognizes sports such as:

• Indoor and outdoor running
• Skiing and cross-country skiing
• Rowing
• Hiking
• Power training
• Triathlon

In our opinion, Garmin is the best running watch because it recognizes sports workouts and also detects heart rate zones to alert you to high heart rates.

Features and sensors

• GPS / GLONASS
• Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor
• Compass
• Accelerometer
• Weather
• Smartphone Music Control
• The calendar
• Changing dials
• V02 Max
• GPS coordinates
• Possibility of use in the pool and in open water

This GPS sports watch is your recovery partner with daily activity monitoring that tracks steps, calories and sleep. And smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, and real-time tracking make the 735XT the perfect smartwatch for runners.

Price - $ 334.

• Good battery life
• Intuitive setup
• Easy to use
• Heart rate tracking while swimming
• Great for running

• Not cheap
• Requires frequent recharging with active use

The Garmin Forerunner 935 premium running smartwatch offers cutting-edge features for running and multisport training. They are lightweight at just 49g and comfortable to wear, so you can wear them all day long. They are compatible with any of the replaceable QuickFit straps.

Using the built-in barometer, they provide altitude measurements, and the altimeter and electronic compass help you navigate the terrain.

An important feature of this smartwatch for runners is the training status assessment to determine the level of active load, so that the athlete does not overwork.

Biomechanical measurements such as cadence, stride length, key contact time and balance, vertical oscillation and vertical ratio are the keys to understanding a runner's shape. In this regard, we have put Garmin in our ranking of sports watches with GPS and heart rate monitor.

Sport

• Indoor running
• Outdoor jogging
• Indoor cycling
• Cycling
• Swimming (in the pool and outside)
• Rowing
• Hike
• Power training
• Triathlon

Features and sensors

• Alarm clock
• Timer
• Stopwatch
• Barometric altimeter
• Compass
• Gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Thermometer
• GLONASS
• Heart rate sensor
• Phone notifications
• Smartphone camera control
• LiveTrack Safety and Tracking Function

The Forerunner 935 Sports Running Watch with Heart Rate helps you monitor your workouts and recovery so your runner can better prepare for a race or training cycle. Training status is a new performance monitoring tool that automatically evaluates recent training history and performance metrics so that an athlete knows if they are training productively, have reached their maximum or exceeded the limit.

Price - $ 334.

• Accurate sensors
• Beautiful and comfortable
• Multifunctional
• Bright and clear display
• Waterproof

• High price
• Short battery life
• Do not track sleep
• No support for Android smartphones
• LTE and ECG are useless in our country

Apple Watch Series 4 is a versatile smartwatch for running, casual, and casual style.

It is an upgraded fourth generation model with a larger display, improved speaker and an innovative heart rate sensor with ECG capability. Although the latter function, along with LTE, does not work in our country.

Even so, this smartwatch is the best wearable device on the market today, offering a range of accurate sensors to track your physical activity.

Excellent appearance, change of straps, suitable case sizes (40 mm and 44 mm) with a choice of its color and material give the watch versatility and individuality.

Sport

Smartwatches provide metrics for tracking health and fitness:

• UV Index
• Calories
• Distance traveled
• Pulse
• Number of steps
• Training time
• Physical activity

Features and sensors

• Wi-Fi module
• Positioning using GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS
• Bluetooth interface
• Optical heart rate sensor
• Electric pulse sensor
• Water resistant 5ATM
• Music player
• Smart notifications
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor
• Gyroscope
• NFC (Apple Pay)

This is arguably the best gps tracker watch, offering great looks, slim form factor, light weight and the most advanced technology.

Price - from $ 406.

• Thin and light
• Especially for fitness
• Accurate indicators
• Choice of interchangeable dials
• Receive smartphone notifications
• Compatible with Android and iOS
• Good bright display
• Suitable for both men and women

• No high heart rate warnings
• Limited features for iPhone
• No bezel

When the choice of a sports watch settles on a device with a sleek design, this is also the right decision. Samsung's Galaxy Watch Active offers a super thin and lightweight design especially for outdoor enthusiasts. The appearance has changed due to the absence of the company's patented rotating bezel, which simplified interaction with the display.

The watch with a heart rate monitor and GPS Active is suitable for athletes who love to run, because thanks to a comfortable fit on the arm and light weight, they are practically invisible during training, and durable Corning Gorilla Glass protects against accidental bumps. You will be able to see data statistics during active activities and then view them in the Samsung Health app

Running is automatically recognized, so you don't need to look for a special section or widget before running to start a workout. Plus, thanks to GPS, you can track your route. Direct sunlight reads the information well, which is very important for runners who train outdoors during the day.

Sport

In addition to running with the Galaxy Watch Active, you can also engage in activities such as:

• Running on a treadmill
• Walking
• Hike
• Cycling (indoor and outdoor)
• Swimming in the pool and in the open air
• Circular workouts
• Power training
• Stretching
• Much more

The screens are customizable so that during sports you can see the most important data, such as, for example, goal, distance, speed, pace or calories burned.

Features and sensors

• Continuous reading of heartbeats
• GPS / GLONASS / Beidou / Galileo
• NFC (Samsung Pay)
• Water resistance 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810G
• 4GB internal storage for music storage
• Sleep tracking
• Rewards and motivation
• User feedback
• Stress tracking function
• Accelerometer
• Barometer
• Gyroscope
• Heart rate sensor
• Light sensor

The Galaxy Watch Active is a trusted fitness companion that proactively advises you to stay motivated, achieve your goals and challenge yourself to support your healthy lifestyle.

Price - $ 250.

SUUNTO 3 Fitness

• Light and thin
• Individual planner
• Sleep monitoring
• Smartphone notifications
• Feedback
• Color selection
• Swimming resistance

• No GPS
• Expensive

Suunto 3 Fitness running watch has a built-in personal training plan to help you improve your overall fitness. By focusing on your current heart rate, your fitness level and your overall training history, the watch automatically creates a personalized weekly plan detailing what to do. If you have to skip your Saturday run, Suunto will adapt this plan accordingly.

There are a variety of strap colors and several case color options to choose from, so you can choose this watch according to your preference. Both female and male models are available for sale.

Sport

Suunto 3 Fitness has built-in tracking modes for sports such as:

• Swimming
• Bike
• Workouts in the gym
• Much more

As you run, you will be able to see information on the watch screen, which includes indicators of speed, pace and distance calculated using the accelerometer. Any of your activities will display data on the number of steps and calories burned.

In addition, sleep quality monitoring and fitness level indicator influence adaptive training recommendations.

Features and sensors

• Heart rate monitor
• Accelerometer
• Pedometer
• Water resistant up to 30 m
• Connected GPS
• Alarm clock
• Stopwatch
• Timer
• Countdown timer
• Customizable watch faces
• Phone notifications

As a beautifully engineered personal training companion and elegant swimming and running watch, Suunto 3 Fitness provides personalized training guidance based on fitness level and adapts to training rhythms, inspiring you to keep moving.

The Fitbit Versa is a super lightweight running smartwatch with over 15 workout modes. They come in 5 beautiful colors and slim, user-friendly designs. Water resistance 5ATM allows you to swim without removing the device from your hand.

By connecting the Versa to your smartphone's GPS, you can get more accurate pace and run times. In addition, the watch monitors physical activity throughout the day and provides more than 4 days of battery life.

As you run, the device detects exactly when you paused for a short break.

In addition to automatically recognizing training and recording all the parameters obtained during sports, it is possible to monitor women's health. Periods, cycles and ovulation can be recorded and tracked.

Sport

• Swimming
• Cycling
• Tennis
• Other workouts

Features and sensors

• Sleep phase recognition
• Call notifications, calendar events and texts
• 15 training modes
• Store and play over 300 music tracks
• Bluetooth
• Accelerometer
• Gyroscope
• Altimeter
• light sensor
• Heart rate monitor 24/7

In the Fitbit app, you can find all the information about the amount of water you drink and exercise, you can set goals and track all your progress.

Price - $ 220.

The GPS sports running watch is designed for beginners looking to compete for general fitness as well as professionals looking to master any marathon.

The Polar M430 is capable of working with a chest strap for more accurate heart rate readings, as well as improved indoor activity tracking so runners on the treadmill can record statistics seamlessly.

Sport

• Indoor running
• Running on the street
• Various running modes
• Burning calories
• Active time
• Swimming
• Bike

Features and sensors

• Accelerometer
• Plan of the education
• Recovery program
• Calorie score
• VO2 Max
• 6 LED heart rate sensor

Whether you are a real runner or a marathon trainer, the Polar M430 is the best GPS running watch. They have a comfortable, breathable wristband, their screen is easy to read in the sun, and you get runners-friendly stats like heart rate, steps, distance, average pace, and speed.

Instead of running with an app on the phone, the fact that even novice runners need to know their heart rate, pace and mileage is placed in the piggy bank of reasons FOR buying another gadget. And those who are ready to achieve goals and progress cannot do without an intelligent and sometimes speaking assistant.

Choosing a watch is almost like buying a car. We read reviews, consult with a friend, go to shops to feel. Marathon Academy takes your headache away and offers you a complete guide to watch selection. Enjoy!

First, let's figure out what functions you need. There are a lot of them in watches, and the chosen model and its cost depend on your needs.

Gps... Thanks to it, the speed and distance are measured, the track of the route is drawn. If you manage to run in the woods and get lost, this advanced GPS watch will make life easier for rescuers. It also measures the height.

Heart rate monitor important for runners of all skill levels. Without understanding your heart rate zone, you will not be able to give an adequate load and understand the effectiveness of training. Watches are available with or without a chest heart rate sensor, then you need to buy it separately. Modern models come with a built-in LED sensor, it measures the heart rate right on the wrist. This allows you to measure during the day or in a dream if the watch is not removed.

VO2max... Measurement of maximum oxygen consumption is an indicator of endurance. It is usually measured in a laboratory setting, but sports watches have learned to cope with it too.

Recovery time... The device analyzes the indicators and predicts how long it will take to rest and recover in order for the training to be as effective as possible.

Calorie counter... A feature that came from fitness bracelets. Calories expended in a workout are counted.

Auto pause - a useful function for those who run down the street and stop at traffic lights. The tracker will pause your run.

Virtual partner (for solo runners). Creates the illusion of running with a partner running slightly faster than you.

Workout planner... Advanced watch models can make a plan for you depending on your goals. But it's best to consult a live trainer.

Synchronization with a smartphone or computer. All gadgets have this feature, but manufacturers have different applications.

Watch weight... Pay attention to how comfortable you are with running the device.

Battery... The battery capacity is approximately the same for different models, but the use of GPS and Bluetooth drains the watch faster. You don't want to be left without a tracker in the marathon, do you?

Important: The heart rate monitors built into the watch (at least on the top Garmin models) are not suitable for full interval training. They have large delays in readings and serious inaccuracies, up to 15 hits of difference. Therefore, it is better to purchase a separate chest heart rate monitor, the same Garmin or Polar. The latter are a little cheaper and no worse.

But the main criterion when choosing a watch is the budget. Below we present the most popular models in three price categories. Prices are shown in two versions: in Russia and from foreign sites. Official dealers in Russia have watches in stock with a Russian guarantee. But the product is much more expensive than if you buy in Europe / USA. Can be ordered on proven Western sites. Find a suitable model in Moscow stores, and then place an order on one of these sites:

ebay.com

bike24.com

bike-discount.de

wiggle.ru

Despite the noticeable difference in price, remember that buying a watch from an authorized representative, you also receive warranty support and service. Whereas when ordering online, you will have to wait for delivery and you will receive only the worldwide guarantee.

So, the checklist before buying:

With a chest heart rate monitor (the clearest way to measure your heart rate).

So that there was synchronization via Bluetooth (it is convenient to synchronize workouts with the application).

Within your budget.

Up to 10.000 rubles

Suunto SS015855000

They have the simplest functions for controlling heart rate with the transition to heart rate zones, calorie consumption and even gives training recommendations in real time.

They have several options for colored straps, if that's important to you.

In Russia - from 7 400 rubles

Polar M200

They have all the functions for successful training: GPS, pedometer and general physical activity meter, sleep tracker, heart rate sensor. Fully waterproof and have replaceable straps.

In Russia - from 6 150 rubles

Bike 24 - from 6,000 rubles

10,000-20,000 rubles

Garmin 35

Garmin Forerunner 35 is a basic sports watch with GPS navigator, built-in heart rate monitor, activity tracker that tracks sleep and calories.

In Russia - from 7,900 rubles

Bike 24 - from 6 500 rubles

Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR Black

A complete running and triathlon watch with built-in optical heart rate, power measurement (for running and cycling), navigation support, multisport features, extensive sports configuration and sleep tracking. Fully justify their cost.

In Russia - from 17,000 rubles

Bike 24 - from 11,000 rubles

Garmin 235

The Garmin Forerunner 235 is a great sports watch with GPS, built-in heart rate, activity tracker that tracks sleep and calories, and built-in accelerometer to track distance and pace as you run. Designed to be worn 24 hours a day, this device will not miss the slightest detail in your activity. The proprietary software transfers notifications from the smartphone to the watch screen, and the number and colors of interchangeable straps make them suitable for both men and women.

In Russia - from 15 500 rubles

Above 20,000 rubles

Garmin 735XT HRM-Run

Running properly must be effective, safe and always enjoyable. Someone gets this pleasure from the process itself, while others are also important about the results. To ensure that all three conditions are met, it will not hurt both of them to have professional help in the person of a coach or special devices designed just for athletes. There are plenty of running watches on the market right now, but how do you choose? What to look at?

First, immediately look for a watch with a heart rate monitor or the heart rate monitor itself. Correct work with heart rate zones is a guarantee of not only good results, but also health and recovery. Secondly, the choice depends on your experience, level of training and requirements. If you are just starting to run without a coach, a watch with training programs for distances from 5 km to marathon is a great help. Third, consider where you most often run or plan to run and estimate your GPS and maps needs.

We advise you to choose from the products of the three leaders of the sports watch market - Garmin, Polar and Suunto. Of course, there are Apple Watch and other popular devices, but their fans are unlikely to need the advice from this article. We have selected 9 models for you that will definitely help you at one stage or another of your running training, and also prepared a discount at the end of the article. Explore and choose.

1. Polar H10 chest heart rate monitor

Let's start with the main basic assistant - the chest heart rate monitor. Today many companies produce proprietary heart rate sensors, but it was Polar who first patented in 1979, and 3 years later introduced a wireless wearable heart rate monitor, so we recommend its devices.

Polar H10 is a worthy result of this 40 years of expertise. The chest heart rate sensor is equipped with electrodes and changes the heart rate according to the ECG principle, which ensures high measurement accuracy. Polar H10 does not need to be charged: the battery is replaceable and is designed for 400 hours of training. The device supports Bluetooth Low Energy technologies and the Bluetooth Smart sensor can be synced with Polar devices and third-party apps to get data directly to them.

Polar H10 comes with Polar V800 smartwatch by default and provides tilt test accuracy. The heart rate monitor is perfect for swimming, as it is protected from moisture at a depth of 30 meters and supports data transmission at a frequency of 5 kHz. If the accuracy of heart rate measurement is important to you, down to a percentage, then we recommend using the H10 - either paired with a watch, or autonomously. True, there is only enough memory for one training session, but synchronization is fast.

More about Polar H10.

2. Polar OH1 shoulder heart rate monitor

A less canonical but more wearable format is the shoulder heart rate monitor. Polar OH1 is the first standalone heart rate sensor, which means you can sync it with your smartphone or use it yourself. Unlike the H10 and other chest heart rate monitors, the OH1 uses an optical heart rate monitor rather than an ECG. Thanks to this, it became possible to mount the sensor almost anywhere and not constantly check the adhesion of the electrodes. For girls, this is especially true: cardio tape under a sports bra or competition jersey can be very rubbing.

On the downside, unlike its predecessor, OH1 does not support 5 kHz data transmission (Gymlink). But the internal memory of this sensor is 4 MB; this is enough for 200 training hours. The Polar OH1 battery is rechargeable, lasting 12 hours on a single charge. The sensor can be used in water. In general, a suitable option for those who like not only to run.

More about Polar OH1.

3. Smart watch Polar V800 H10

If you are looking for a serious running watch and an equally serious chest heart rate monitor, we recommend the Polar V800 as it is a combination of a great watch and an H10, no compromises. The watch is shockproof and the glass is scratch resistant - perhaps even more than the premium sapphire displays of top Garmin. Yes, V800 is inferior to other models (and even the younger M430) in terms of black and white screen resolution, but this is compensated by an excellent viewing angle and autonomy - the watch keeps a charge up to 30 days.

The device is ideal for triathletes. Firstly, the watch is not afraid of water (neither open, nor a pool) and thanks to the H10 it displays the heart rate correctly. Secondly, the firmware allows you to combine several sports in one training session, changing modes by pressing one button. Thanks to the built-in altimeter, you can also determine the ascents and descents at a distance. The function of returning to the desired point is available, which is useful in everyday life. In the Polar Flow app or desktop, you can see the maximum pace, cadence and level of load for each training session, as well as get motivating information about the effect of the activity. In addition, V800 owners have the option of regularly performing a Vo 2 max test and a tilt test.

The Polar V800 is perfect for cycling sports, especially running and triathlon, keeping track of your aerobic threshold, calculating R-R intervals and doing some serious training analytics.

More about Polar V800.

4. Polar M430 sports watch

Of course, it's best to combine a watch and a full heart rate monitor, but the benefits of a built-in wrist heart rate monitor are hard to overestimate. If the V800 is paired with the H10, then in the case of the M430, let's remember the OH1. The devices share the same optical heart rate monitor, the most accurate in its class, developed by Polar. Heart rate tracking occurs 24/7. The model weighs only 51 grams, and the charge lasts about 10 days using GPS in training 2-3 times a week.

The Polar Flow ecosystem supports about 100 sport profiles and contains training programs for 5 km, 10 km, half marathon or marathon runs scheduled every day for 2-3 months. In the app, you can create your own training plan and track your progress using analytics and Running Index and Polar OwnIndex - indicators that reflect aerobic running efficiency and (VO₂max), respectively. Users have access to several GPS accuracy modes, interval training, as well as analytics of sleep duration and quality and planned recovery time after exercise.

Polar M430 is a very decent in functionality, but affordable (especially when compared to other models) watch, which is sharpened specifically for runners.

More about Polar M430.

5. Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR

Moving on to another Finnish company - Suunto. It has been manufacturing liquid compasses, diving computers and sports watches for over 80 years. Alas, the legendary Ambit 3 was discontinued and Suunto Spartan was launched. Suunto Spartan became the first line of the Finnish company with a color display, and the Sport Wrist HR is the first model of this line with an integrated optical PerformTek heart rate sensor from the American Valencell. They weigh 72 g, the display is touch-sensitive, color and is made of crystal glass

What can this watch do? Suunto has its own Movescount ecosystem with over 80 sport modes (including multisport and triathlon) and display customization. The watch supports interval training and provides activity summary information. There is route and level navigation with GPS / GLONASS, built-in accelerometer and FusedSpeed \u200b\u200b™ technology. In training mode Sport Wrist HR live up to 40 hours with energy saving.

Runners will benefit from milestone heart rate charts, pace measurements, recovery predictions, personal bests, and coached planning. Bonus for girls: in addition to colorful models, there is a very beautiful one - Gold, in white with gold edging. This watch can withstand 10 days in "time" mode and up to 12 hours with a working GPS-module.

More about Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR.

6. Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro

The Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro is the Finnish brand's ultimate watch, with both an optical heart rate monitor and a barometric altimeter. In terms of their dimensions, the Baro is absolutely identical to the Sport Wrist HR, but in design they differ: there is a steel Stealth and an amber Amber. The model is almost indestructible: withstands immersion up to 100 m, protected from impact and damage.

Sport Wrist HR Barо will work 10 hours in the mode of every second GPS tracking and 40 - when accessing satellites every minute in an energy-saving mode. The watch is charged using a magnetic docking station - very convenient.

The model is designed for sports in nature and especially in the mountains, be it running or mountaineering. Thanks to the built-in barometer, the Baro will warn the owner of changes in the weather, and also inform the exact time of sunset and sunrise. Route navigation, POI (Points of Interest) and ETA functions will also be useful - navigation to selected points with calculation of arrival time. Especially noteworthy are the heatmaps in Suunto Movescount.

More about Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro.

7. Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR

Finally, the third model from Suunto is the lightest and smallest: it weighs 56-66g and is 14.9mm thick, so the Trainers look good and fit even on narrow wrists. There is, of course, the other side of the coin: the watch has lost quite a lot of autonomy, and you have to charge it every other day. Suunto may be lagging behind Polar and Garmin in battery life, but it surpasses them in display quality: the resolution is 300 x 320 versus 240 x 240 at best. In addition, the Trainer has more colors for every taste.

In terms of functionality, this version is almost the same as the Sport Wrist HR: the same 80 sports profiles, customizable displays for runners, full-fledged GPS navigation and tracking. Is that the depth of immersion has become less - and, in fact, the operating time. As a result, we have a slightly less "long-playing", but quite competitive model for less money.

More about Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR.

8. Sports watch Garmin Forerunner 935

Unlike Polar, Garmin has always specialized in working with GPS, which could not but affect the functionality of their devices. The Garmin Forerunner 935 is practically an on-board computer that you can study for several weeks. At the same time, the watch is light (49 g) and stylish, it looks good even under a suit. The watch lasts up to 2 weeks without recharging, and charges in just an hour and a half. With continuously operating GPS, they will last for 24 hours, and in economy mode - up to 50 hours.

FR 935 are equipped with Wi-Fi module and barometric altimeter. Optical heart rate monitor, heart rate measurement occurs around the clock every 2 seconds, which makes it convenient to work with heart rate zones during training - the watch warns of leaving the desired zone. The same data is used to calculate HRmax, HRR and recovery time. With analytics in Garmin Connect, you can find out your lactate threshold, recommended exercise levels, functional power thresholds, and even race predictions. There is an opportunity to train with a virtual "partner" or compare the results with real people, as well as a paid option for contacting a coach. A participant of the Moscow Marathon 2017 wrote about how to use the Garmin Forerunner 935 to prepare for a marathon and on a distance. his review. From customizing watch faces and widgets to measuring cadence and cadence, there are plenty of options for running. You can even control music on your phone!

More about Garmin Forerunner 935.

9. Sports watch Garmin Fenix \u200b\u200b5

If even the most advanced functionality is not enough for you, and finances allow, then you should think about premium watches - such as the Garmin Fenix \u200b\u200b5 with a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal. They are like an executive class car: they can do a lot, are incredibly comfortable to use and will make a proper impression on business partners.

We are, however, interested in their "professional" sports capabilities. This model differs little from the Forerunner 935 - except that the Fenix \u200b\u200b5 has more functions for tourism. This Garmin model also supports ANT + and offers the ability to connect third-party sensors. Both the Garmin Elevate optical heart rate monitor and GPS navigation work fine. Water resistant to 10 ATM, so you can swim and dive. In terms of autonomy, the Fenix \u200b\u200b5 smartwatch lasts 336 hours, with GPS always on, 24 hours, and Ultratrack save mode, 75.

If you train in the city, choose the basic Fenix \u200b\u200b5 model, if outdoors - then the support of topographic maps and the ability to plot a route in versions 5X and 5S will come in handy.

More about Garmin fenix 5.

Summary

Of course, these 9 models are far from the only ones that will be useful to runners, but their range of possibilities is quite indicative. You can compare the listed models in more detail in a convenient calculator DCRainmaker, and choose any model - on the site Inspector Gadgets with a 5% discount for prokomod MARAFON... In the meantime, we remind you that running is about pleasure and we wish you great results - with or without a watch.