What Exactly Does A Garmin Watch Do?
I have decided that I’d like to take running a little more seriously and I noticed a lot of the “real” runners use Garmin watches..what are they used for?
I have decided that I’d like to take running a little more seriously and I noticed a lot of the “real” runners use Garmin watches..what are they used for?
All Garmins (other than the Forerunner 50) incorporate GPS (global positioning).
This allows them to track your running as accurately as possible, and far more accurately than something like a pedometer or the Nike Plus system.
They have a lot of features and adjustability, most revolving around the GPS. You can very accurately track your actual distance and pacing (and heart rate with some models), and are able to even view your route in detail once you download a run to your computer afterwards.
Indeed, there’s a lot of information it records that you can manipulate and study on the computer after the fact via software like SportTracks as well. You can accurately see whatever splits you want, review elevation data, with some models see how your heart rate varied, see how your run breaks down with what paces and heart rate zones for what durations, etc.
Those who wear them in races are able to review things in hindsight and get a sense of if they went out too fast and the like (which is actually one of its biggest bonuses during a race too, especially when combined with heart rate).
Anyway, everything else tends to estimate distance and pace, and certainly doesn’t give you the information a Garmin does. It essentially records everything you could want to know during a run, and does it accurately.
They possess other features to help you retrace your route and the like if running in an unknown location, but the main thing is that you can constantly accurately monitor and record just about anything relevant to your run.
Garmin has the manuals for all models on their website, which can be a way to understand the features and how they work if you’re interested. They’re also often featured at race expos if you want to play a bit with one firsthand.
They plot where you are running exactly using GPS technology. They also show speed, distance, calories, you can download all this to a computer. You can see your route while you are running so that you can return to your starting point. They show elevation and grade and some of the monitor your heart rate. Check out http://www.garmin.com