These watches, while having their differences share one common thing. Regardless of features and price, they are all great running watches, that deliver on the features that runners need.

Some will be simpler than others, some will cost more and many of these watches excel in a specific area. A watch’s individual strengths (and weaknesses) should always be taken into account before making your purchase.

So without further ado, we present to you, our favorite running watches.

Garmin Forerunner 405CX – GPS Running Watch

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $369.95

Garmin Watches have gained immense popularity in recent times for producing the best gps watches available to runners and athletes of any level. The Forerunner watches are regarded as the best GPS running watches on the market by many, which we think is deserved. We rate their latest watch, the 405CX highly. But make no mistake, the Forerunner watches are high-level sports watches intended for those who demand top-line features. If all you seek is a simple runners watch, the 405CX will probably overwhelm you, but if you’re looking for an advanced watch that can just about do it all, then the Forerunner 405CX is definitely worth the investment. Read more about the Forerunner 405CX here See how Forerunner GPS Watches Differ here

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Runners Watch

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $199.99

The Forerunner 305 is an older Garmin Watch and still represents great value in terms of features. The 305 was even the “winner” of our best sports watches post. While bulkier than the 405CX, it has the same basic features, plus a few that the 405CX lacks like navigation and tracking abilities inluding a navigation map view mode. The 305 comes in two options, the 205 watch has the same features as the 305 and looks identical, except that it does not support a heart rate monitor chest strap. Both support an optional foot pod device, allowing you to measure speed and distance on an indoor track if required. The 405CX was designed more for the average runner, than the 305, but if you can live with the extra size and lack of ANT+ support and touch-sensitive bezel, the 305 is close to being the equivalent of the newer watch.

Timex Bodylink T5F011 – Combo Running Watch Pack

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $294.97 Includes heart rate monitor strap and data recorder 2. Cheaper options (w/out data recorder) are also available.

The Bodylink series is a group of three of Timex’s top-line sports watches and is targeted at performance athletes. The T5F011 is the most suitable for runners in the series, with multiple heart rate zones, an advanced interval timer mode, 100 Lap History and Timex’s Finish Mode that enables you to predict your finishing time in a race or a long run. Like all the Bodylink watches the T5F011 is a Timex GPS Watch, but unlike the Garmin Forerunner, a GPS device must be attatched externally to your body. In order to transfer data to computer the T5F011 Bodylink watch requires the Timex Data Recorder device, a coin-size module that clips onto your body and can interface with a PC. The Data Recorder is an additional purchase or can be purchased as part of a cost-effective bundle. Read more about the Bodylink Series here

Timex Bodylink T5G311 – Female Size Running Watch Pack

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $210.00

The T5G311 is a Bodylink watch designed to be a more comfortable fit for female runners. The watch is smaller and a much better fit on a petite wrist. The watch itself features most of the features of the T5F011, but has fewer interval countdown timers and lacks Finish Mode, the finish time predictor feature. The T5G311 does feature target heart rate zones including average heart rate and time in the zone over a session. The watch aslo calculates your maximum heart rate automatically. With 100-hour chrono and 100-lap memory recall and GPS speed and distance measurement. Read more about the Bodylink Series here

Garmin FR60 – Footpod Fitness Watch

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $197.99

The Garmin FR60 is an upgrade to the Forerunner 50 watch, the only Forerunner watch that does not support GPS tracking, it uses a foot pod to measure speed and distance instead. The FR60 features several significant improvements on the Forerunner 50 including the inclusion of the Virtual Partner feature, better water proofing, more battery life, better interval timing and more memory storage. Like all modern Forerunner watches, the FR60 features wireless ANT+ support, that lets you transfer your workout data to PC or Mac as well as support for the Garmin Connect online fitness portal. The FR60 has all the quality functionality that Garmin have perfected over the years in their other watches, making it a great watch for running or basic fitness. Read more about the Garmin FR60 Watch here

Polar RS300

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $219.99

The Polar RS300X is available in two varieties: the RS300X sd, that uses a footpod device to track speed and distance and the RS300X G1 GPS sensor that uses a GPS pod for speed/distance measurement. It can also be purchased as a stand-alone watch without either. The RS300X replaces the RS200. The watch has a personal training mode that guides you to the right intensity as well as the Polar Fitness Test feature. With a sophisticated interval trainer feature and support for 16 exercise files, each capable of recording 99 laps. As you would expect from Polar, the RS300X comes with a top-quality digital heart rate monitor with heart rate-based target heart rate zones, calcualated maximum heart rate and alarms. This watch also features a sophisticated exercise sets mode for extended exercise profiles, speed and distance features such as speed and pace zones, distance summeries and a trip odometer. If a quality, functional sports running watch is what you seek, the RS300X delivers Polar’s unique style of sports watch excellence. Read more about the Polar RS300X here.

Suunto Training Series t3c Computer Running Watch

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $142.00

The Suunto Training Series watches are a sophisticated line of computer watches that assist runners in achieving their fitness and performance goals through a collection of fitness analytics, found only in Suunto watches. The t3c falls in about the middle of the line and is suitable for runners in training for endurance events, but can also cater to cyclists, skiiers and triathletes. The t3c watch is capable of measuring and presenting your real-time training effect, an indicator of how effectively you are working out that is superior to measuring heart rate alone. The t3c can also measure calories, can accomodate interval training and speed and distance tracking (when used with an optional GPS pod or foot pod device). For a sophisticated, personalized training schedule based on your workout results, you might also consider the Suunto t4c and for maximum sporting analysis, the Suunto t6c, provides considerably more functionality including read-time EPOC display, barometric altimeter for elevation data, beat-to-beat heart rate recording and a detailed analysis of 7 body parameters. Read more about the Suunto T Series here

Timex Men’s Ironman Sleek Triathlon 150-Lap Running Watch

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $55.37

Not everyone is seeking a running watch computer, or can afford it, but fortunately Timex caters to the entry level runner as easily as it does to the top end. Timex delivers an affordable, robust running watch that has the basic features runners need to follow a structured training program. The 150 Lap Timex Sleek Ironman Triathlon running watch not only has a stylish, sleek look, but features 9 interval timers, a 100 hour chronograph with 199 lap counter and 150 lap memory. This watch is also water resistant to 100 meters, features the Indiglo illumination system with night mode, three alarms and two time zones. If you do not seek a heart rate monitor, speed and distance tracking or advanced analysis features in a running sports watch, than a watch like the 150-Lap Sleek Timex is probably exactly what you need.

Timex Men’s Ironman DataLink 200-Lap Running Watch

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $50.95

For all the running computer hackers community, Timex has you covered too, with this unusual programmable PDA/sports watch. The Timex T5C291 Data Link USB Ironman watch comes with a USB slot that can link directly to a PC (not Mac sorry). The data can be viewed within the bundled software package that comes with the watch. The watch is programmable to an extent, allowing you to set up hundreds of alarms, timers and interval countdown timers with custom sounds. The Data Link is an unusual concept, as it was designed to be a cross between a personal organizer and sports watch, but in terms of sports features, we think it the Timex Ironman Data Link makes a great choice as a cheap and extremely functional watch. Sports features include 200-lap memory with mulitple countdown timers that have custom labels. The watch also supports multi-event interval timers, Indiglo night-light with night mode and is water resistant to 100 meters. A nice feature of the Data Link watch is that it has a turnable stainless steel crown on the right hand side, allowing you to toggle through settings with relative ease.

Timex Men’s FLIX 100-Lap Running Watch

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $41.19

This is one of the most popular Ironman Watches and comes bunlded with all the basic features runners need. Firstly the watch features a 100 hour chronograph, with 199 lap counter and 100 lap memory recall. The watch also has 9 interval timers with countdown/stop and countdown repeat options. A training log stores workouts in the watches memory by date with a summary of the best lap, average lap and total segment time and the watch features Timex’s Indiglo Night Light system with Night Mode and water resistance to 100 meters. Non sporting features include 5 alarms, dual time zones and the revolutionary FLIX system, that activates Indiglo with a firm shake of the wrist and thus eliminating the need to fumble around in the dark for buttons to view your stopwatch times. This is another very affordable, yet functional entry level runners watch that should be all you require for simple, structured training.

Timex Women’s Sleek 50-Lap Digital Running Watch

BUY ON AMAZON FOR $39.88

We have made few ladies sports watch recommendations so far. This is more that there are so many good mens sports watches that caught our eye than a lack of good ladies sports watches, so here is one for the ladies. The Timex Ironman Sleek 50-Lap watch for ladies features an ultra-durable, feminine design and comfortably fits a slim wrist. This watch has the features you expect in timex sports watches, including a 100 hour chronograph stopwatch, with 99 Lap Counter and 50 Lap Memory Recall. With two interval repetition counters you can perform, variable length timed interval sessions and this watch is also water resistant to 100 meters, has Indiglo night light and night mode, three alarms and dual time zones. This is an affordable womens sports watch for those who want a feminine watch, without the need for a lot of fancy features.

The list above are all great running watches, but are by no means a complete list. We will endevor to keep this list up to date, so you can use it as a quick guide to get you thinking about running watch options.

Whatever your budget and requirements, you should be able to find a running watch amongst the ones listed here, however there are runners watches at an even higher end of the market that do much more than the ones listed here.

We will cover them another time, for those who are seeking the maximum analytical performance in an activities watch.

We will also endevor to add to this collection when we find new running watches that we think would make suitable additions.

Garmin is noted for it’s GPS technology used in car navigation systems and hand-held devices, and is also very highly regarded in the running community with several popular GPS sports watch innovations. Garmin also have non-GPS sports running watches that offer many of the features found in their GPS watch models, without the expense or burden of the power-hungry GPS systems.

The Garmin Forerunner 60 (FR60) is their most recent offering in this non-GPS category and is effectively an upgrade to their highly popular Forerunner 50 sports watch. The older Forerunner 50 measured speed + distance by using a footpod device, but a few of the advanced sports features in the GPS Forerunner were sorely missed. The FR60 addresses some of these missing functions.

This new watch features more hours of memory, better water resistance and some notable watch modes that were missing from the Forerunner 50 like the Virtual Partner feature.

To briefly sum up. The FR60 runners watch offers the following advantages to it’s users:

• Built in digital heart rate monitor
• ANT+ technology for compatibility with exercise machines and other heart rate monitor straps
• Wireless uploads to a PC or Mac and the option to import your data into GarminConnect, Garmin’s online fitness web portal
• Virtual Partner sports watch feature
• Improved waterproofing
• 100 laps or 15 hours of detailed data storage
• Foot pod compatibility for speed + distance tracking

What the FR60 is NOT, and a few disadvantages of the FR60 include:

• No GPS and no navigation functionality
• Pricey footpod, around $70, which must be attached to your running shoe

If you seek a fully fledged GPS sports watch, we recommend the Garmin Forerunner 405CX or Forerunner 310XT.

Support for Interval Training Workouts

In the past we have talked about how an interval timer features in a watch can assist serious athletes in sessions that alternate between hard and easy training efforts. We even consider this one of the features needed in a running watch.

The Forerunner FR60 Garmin Watch can be used for interval training sessions based on time and distance (if used with a footpod device) and has a more sophisticated interval timer features than the Forerunner 50, making it a much more practical choice for serious athletes.

Virtual Partner^TM Feature

One of the standout features of the GPS Garmins, the Virtual Partner^TM feature is a computerized “stick man” that can be configured to run at your target pace during a run.

If you are lagging too far behind your goal pace, your “virtual partner” is displayed ahead of you on your display, or behind you if you are running faster than your goal.

Compatible with Garmin Connect

Garmin Connect is an online fitness portal that allows you to set up a customized fitness profile that you can use for tracking and sharing your training data.

The website is compatible with Garmin devices and allows you to share experiences with like-minded athletes from around the world. Not only can you track your fitness progress with Garmin Connect, but the online community nature of the service allows you to find and stay connected with a group of likeminded people from around the world.

Wireless Technology

Like the Forerunner 50 and other Forerunner Watches, the new FR60 watch supports ANT+™ technology. With support for ANT+ the watch can seamlessly communicate with your PC or Mac computer and potentially a speed cadence foot pod and other ANT+ compatible devices including heart rate monitors from other manufacturers and a host of exercise equipment.

Buy Garmin FR60 Fitness Heart Rate Watch

	Garmin FR60 Men’s Black Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $197.99
	Garmin FR60 Men’s Red Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $129.95
	Garmin FR60 Women’s Black Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $129.95
	Garmin FR60 Women’s Lilac Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $129.99

Garmin Forerunner 50 vs Garmin FR 60

	Garmin Forerunner 50	Garmin FR60
	Buy on Amazon for $74.99
Water resistance	30 meters	50 meters
Lap history	100 laps or up to 7 hours of data	100 laps or up to 15 hours of data
Heart rate monitor	Some versions	All versions
Virtual Partner
Auto Pause (pause/resume based on speed)
Auto Scroll (cycle through pages during workout)
Time + Dist alerts
Interval Training	Only based on alarms

Detailed Comparison

	Garmin Forerunner 50	Garmin FR60
	Buy on Amazon for $74.99
Specifications
Unit dimensions, WxHxD	1.7″ x 2.3″ x 0.8″ (4.2 x 5.8 x 2.0 cm)	men’s: 2.2″ x 1.5″ x 0.5″ (5.6 x 3.8 x 1.3 cm) women’s: 2.0″ x 1.5″ x 0.6″ (5.2 x 3.8 x 1.4 cm)
Weight	1.5 oz (42.5 g)	men’s: 1.6 oz (44 g) women’s: 1.4 oz (41 g)
PC transfer	Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer)	Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer)
Battery Type	coin cell battery (CR2032)	coin cell battery (CR2032)
Battery Life	1 year	1 year
Heart Rate Support	Some versions	All versions
Display Data Fields	2	3
Bike speed/cadence support	yes (optional)	yes (optional)
Foot Pod support	yes (optional)	yes (some versions)
Water resistance	30 meters	50 meters
Memory
Lap history	100 laps or up to 7 hours of data	100 laps or up to 20 hours of data
Software
Garmin Connect™
Garmin Training Center® Compatible
Mac Support
Sports Features
Virtual Partner
Auto Pause® (pause/resume based on speed)
Auto Lap® (automatically starts a new lap)
Auto Scroll (cycle through pages during workout)
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace)
Time + Dist alerts (triggers alarm when you reach goal)
Interval Training (set up exercise and rest intervals)	Only based on alarms
Customizable screen(s)
Watch Features
Time of day (12/24h)
Dual time zones
Calendar (day/date)
Daily alarm

Conclusion

The FR60 watches will be sold on Amazon for around $129.95 without a footpod and for around $129.95 with a foot pod device included. With ANT+ technology, Virtual Partner, heart rate monitor support and support for interval training, this watch is a cheaper, yet viable alternative to a GPS enabled sports watch

Purchase Garmin FR60 Fitness Heart Rate Watches on Amazon

	Garmin FR60 Men’s Black Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $197.99
	Garmin FR60 Men’s Red Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $129.95
	Garmin FR60 Women’s Black Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $129.95
	Garmin FR60 Women’s Lilac Fitness Watch (with Footpod) BUY ON AMAZON FOR $129.99

This article introduces a particular type of Timex Ironman Sports Watch. A full guide to Timex IRONMANTM Watches can be viewed here BUY TIMEX ROAD TRAINER WATCHES HERE

Timex Ironman^TM Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Buy on Amazon for Not Known

Heart rate monitors are a useful tool for determining if you are training at a suitable level for your fitness needs and for checking if you have recovered enough before your next hard exertion.

Timex have recently added two brand new models to their Timex Sports Watch line.

The Timex Race Trainer heart rate monitor sports watch, (discussed in the last blog post) has the ability to wirelessly download your data to PC which using the new ANT+ powered Timex Data Xchanger Device. Once on computer the user then has the option of uploading their data into Timex’s powerful Timex Trainer Online Web Portal, powered by Training Peaks.

The Timex Road Trainer watch is another great heart rate monitor from Timex at a budget that won’t put off too many semi-serious runners and athletes who don’t need the full features of the Race Trainer.

Road Trainer Watch Features

The Timex Road Trainer watch allows you to choose a pre-set target heart rate zone or define your own. At the completion of your workout, your Timex sports watch will present a summary showing how much time you have spent in a particular zone and during your workout, your heart rate can be viewed in either beats per minute or percentage of maximum heart rate. The Road Trainer supports zone alarms as well, for when you are above or below your chosen heart zone. The watch tracks your average heart rate, calories burned and has a 50 lap capacity for each session. Heart rate lap data is saved in the watch’s memory too.

The Road Trainer watch features a standard chronograph stopwatch, allowing you to record laps and view individual lap and split times. A countdown timer is also featured, accommodating fixed timed interval training workouts and Timex’s patented INDIGLO night light with NIGHT MODE feature, allowing you to train effectively in low-light conditions.

While the Road Trainer sports watch does not have the Data Xchange device, it is compatible with the Timex Data Recorder 2 (purchased separately) that allows you to store multiple session and heart rate information. The Data Recorder is an external device that communicates wirelessly with certain models of Timex wrist watches, but unlike the new Data Xchange device, it must be plugged directly into your PC to transfer session data to computer.

In summary, the Timex Road Trainer watch is a reliable, easy to use, affordable, entry level Timex Sports watch for semi-serious or serious runners who do not require the ability to track and analyze their workout history online.

Buy Timex Road Trainer and Timex Race Trainer Watches

This article introduces a particular type of Timex Sports Watch. A full guide to Timex IRONMANTM Watches can be viewed here. Timex Ironman Watches BUY TIMEX RACE TRAINER WATCHES HERE

Timex Ironman^TM Race Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Blue/Gray)

Buy on Amazon for Not Known

Looking for an affordable, yet powerful heart rate monitor watch? The Timex Race Trainer and Timex Road Trainer watches offer a “watered down” version of the fundamental features found in the top-line sports watches, without the hefty price tag.

The latest generation Timex Sports Watch combines heart rate monitoring, with the latest trend of computer connectivity with their new XChange technology that allows you to upload your data to PC and enter it into the Training Peaks online community to compare and discuss with like-minded athletes.

The Timex training site is a centralized portal where you can track your training as well as your dietary intake.

The intuitive website takes a leaf out of what other leading watches such as Garmin Watches, Suunto and Polar sports watches are doing, they offer the transfer of data to PC with the option of importing into their custom-built online portals.

Never before have athletes had such an opportunity to compare and communicate with like-minded athletes from around the world.

The Timex Race Trainer Heart Rate Watch

The Timex Race Trainer is suitable for semi-serious and serious runners. The standout features include:

If you’ve used a Timex sports watch in the past and have been frustrated at the need to use the external data recorder to save your session data, you’ll be pleased by the Race Trainer’s ability to store session and heart rate data in the watch piece itself. The crucial piece of technology you will require to download your training data from Race Trainer to computer is the Timex Data Xchanger, which is an optional component.

The Xchanger uses ANT+ technology, that connects to your PC via a USB port, allowing you to wirelessly transfer your watch data to your computer. ANT+ compatibility is the technology used in the Garmin Forerunner 405CX GPS Watch. This means your Timex heart rate monitor chest strap can be used with this popular Forerunner watch.

The ANT+ Data Xchanger also allows you to edit your watch settings from your computer, meaning you can configure heart rate zones, alarms, interval timers, etc from your desktop computer. You can also analyze and edit stored workouts.User reports have also suggested that the slimline chest strap that comes with this watch is incredibly comfortable compared with other Timex heart rate monitors.

The Race Trainer watch from Timex comes in four modern style color schemes for both men and women.

Buy Timex Race Trainer and Timex Road Racer Watches

The Timex Online Training Peaks Web Interface

The online interface lets you create and customize an account and transfer your data into the online portal. It is essentially an online journal that can accommodate your personal fitness and nutritional information. The interface is powered by the Training Peaks platform, an established web portal for fitness tracking with wide support for a large number of devices.

With the Timex training site, not only can you import and analyze your personal fitness data, but you can choose to follow any number of structured workout plans which have been designed for athletes of all levels by six time Ironman winner Dave Scott. The site also features the blogs of more than 40 Timex multi-sport team athletes for an endless source of training tips, advice and inspiration.

Three free plans are automatically available when you create an account:

• Novice Sprint Distance Swim Plan (Dave Scott)
• Intermediate Olympic Distance Swim Plan (Dave Scott)
• 6 Week Strength and Injury Prevention Program (Dave Scott)

If you need something more specific, you have the option of selecting from many more commercially available training programs, which can be purchased online through the interface.

This is an example of the online portal interface. The default screen, “calendar view” allows you to navigate past sessions and enter in new ones on the days you’ve trained

When your workout data has been uploaded, the Timex Training site provides a customizable “dashboard” that is populated with different types of information, analysis pages, journals, calendars and even tips on daily nutrition.

The Timex Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Sports Watch

Timex IRONMANTM Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor

Buy on Amazon for $99.95

If you are after a basic watch without online functionality, the Timex Road Trainer is a heart rate monitor watch without online support, but with most of the same functionality as the Race Trainer watch. The road trainer is suitable for semi-serious athletes seeking a cheap heart rate monitoring watch and can live without the extra memory and data transfer ability found in the Road Trainer.

The Road Trainer does not support session workout storage and does not support Interval Timers. It can track the same information that the Race Trainer can over a single workout, but if you need multiple session storage, the Race Trainer or another sports watch is a better option.

We would recommend the Road Trainer watch as a great starter heart rate monitor watch for semi-serious runners that want to track their vital statistics on their long runs.

In Summary

Overall the Timex Race Trainer watch is an affordable, mid-level heart rate monitor watch with the ability to transfer workout data to a computer and then import that same data into a powerful online community portal.

The Road Trainer watch is a cheaper alternative to the Race Trainer, sharing many of the heart rate features, but lacks the multi-session storage, interval timers and PC data transfer ability of the Ironman^TM Race Trainer.

If you are seeking a more powerful Timex sports watch that also has the ability to transfer data to PC and into the online portal (with the Timex Data Recorder), consider a Timex Bodylink watch.

View the Race Trainer website here.

This article presents a list of cheap running watches. These are basic starter watches that are suitable for beginners or casual joggers, but probably won’t have the features needed for advanced training. If you are looking for a more advanced watch, you can learn about the more advanced features in our running watch guide. You can also visit a collection of our favorite running watches if you would like to buy a running watch.

Perhaps the most important piece of running equipment after shoes and shorts is the running watch. With a watch you can record how long your runs take and compare your times against past efforts. Using time as a benchmark, you can use your digital stopwatch to determine if you are getting faster and fitter.

Digital sports watches handy too, when competing in an event such as a fun run, or even multi-sport events involving other activities like running, swimming (if the watch is sufficiently waterproof), skiing, rowing and bike riding.

If you are starting out then you are probably looking for a cheap running watch.

If you are wondering what is the best watch to buy, here are a few tips on choosing the right cheap digital watch:

• Ensure that has a clear, readable screen that is viewable at an arm’s length – the digits should be large and clear enough that they are comfortable to read while running
• The buttons should be easy to press while on the run
• A cheap sports watch for running should cost no more than $35 USD and in most cases you canl expect to pay around $15 USD

Want some suggestions?

We have compiled a list of our 10 favorite discount watches for runners.

To quickly recap, these watches don’t have many advanced features.

If you are looking for a discount running watch that is a little more advanced, visit our top 10 favorite cheap running watches with running features. These will cost a little extra, but all support session/lap recall and interval timers.

But if you just want something “cheap and dirty” to get you going quickly, the featured watches on this page will do the job quite nicely for basic stopwatch timing.

Top 10 Discount Running Watches For Men and Women

Price:$14.88

TIMEX MEN’S 1440 SPORT DIGITAL WATCH T5J561/T5J571/T5J581 This Timex1440 is a cheap men’s watch that integrates technological innovations with contemporary details. Featuring a large digital display that is suitable for both casual wear and sporting activities, the Timex 1440 watches are one of the industry’s best affordable time-pieces. Indiglo Night-Light 24-Hour Chronograph 24-Hour Countdown Timer Dual Time Zone & Daily Alarm Water Resistant – 50 Meters (165 Feet) 2 Year Battery Life One-Year Warranty

TIMEX WOMEN’S 1440 SPORTS MAGNETISM WATCH T5B821/T5B831 Fitness smart women have really taken to the Timex Magnetism 1440 ladies sports watch – a sleek, svelte and nicely shaped watch designed for small wrists. The Magnetism presents a clear digital display that is easily viewed while on-the-move. Both stylish and affordable, the Magnetism can as easily be worn in the gym as it can with casual dress. Indiglo Night-Light 24-Hour Chronograph Dual Time Zone & Daily Alarm Water Resistant – 50 Meters (165 Feet) 2 Year Battery Life One-Year Warranty

Price: $11.44

TIMEX WOMEN’S MARATHON MIDSIZE WATCH

T5D681 T5J451 T5J441 Price: $25.95 Price: $25.23 Price: $20.00

Indiglo Night-Light 24-Hour Chronograph with Runaround Alert Pulse Calculator and Bar Graph Indicator Daily Alarm & Day Display & Dual Time Zones Water Resistant – 50 Meters (165 Feet) One-Year Warranty The Timex Marathon watch may cost a little more than the Magnetism, but it offers a few extra niceities. In addition to the standard Timex 24 hour stopwatch the Marathon features 10-12 preset timers with runaround alert plus a pulse heart rate calculator and graph indicator. In terms of size and looks, the Marathon will suit a feminine wrist and looks the part both on the sports field or in your casual day-to-day life. Buy this watch if you can benefit from more sports features than the 1440 watches.

CASIO MEN’S DIGITAL SPORT WATCH W756B-1AV The Casio W756B-1AV is a cheap mens watch that looks and is robust enough to take a beating as you would expect from a Casio sports watch. In addition to a basic stop watch, the W756B-1AV features down-time recording which is quite useful when stopped at traffic lights or when otherwise interrupted. This watch also features 9 countdown timers which makes it suitable for interval training workouts. While this cheap black watch might be a handful for the beginner, once mastered the extra features are a nice addition at a supurb price, plus it features an ultra-long lasting battery. Stopwatch with 1/100 sec accuracy. Elapsed time, event timer, injury timer Auto LED Light with Afterglow World Time – 29 Time Zones (48 cities) 9 Interval Counliown Timers Daily Alarm & Hourly Chime 10 Year Battery sports timer Water Resistant to 100m (330 feet)

Price: $24.95

Price: $12.00

CASIO WOMEN’S DIGITAL WATCH One for the ages, this model Casio watch has been in production for years and features the original retro design – an affordable, durable, water-resistant timepiece constructed without unnecessary buttons or frills, the LA11WB-1 is a cheap sport watch that is perfect for the woman who wants to get down to running, without fuss or nonsense. Water Resistant Daily Alarm Counliown Timer 24 hour Stopwatch with 1/100 second accuracy Hourly Time Signal Auto Calendar Accuracy: +/-30 seconds per month Battery SR1116W Approx. battery life: 2 years

FREESTYLE MEN’S ROCKWAY WATCH While the button configuration on this watch might take a bit longer to get used to, the watch works and looks great. Of all the discount running watches for men, the Freestyle Rockway 712011 features 30-lap memory per session, an especially useful function for the beginner who might, in future want to try some interval training sessions. At $24.99 on Amazon this discount mens watch is a steal for the runner who wants a few extra feature. 30 Lap Memory Chronograph & Counliown Timer Dual Time & Alarm Night Vision Backlight Display Durable Polyurethane Strap Water resistance to 100 meters (330 feet)

Price: $24.99

Price: $35.00

NIKE TRIAX SPEED 10 REGULAR WATCH The snug fitting Nike Triax WR0124-001 features a unique angle and S-shape that allows for optimal viewing while on the move, making this one of the more ergonomically friendly among the discount running watches. The chronograph keeps a running time and stores up to 10 laps. The five interval timers also allow you to set goal times and compare your actual times against them. This watch is perfect for runners at a beginner or intermediate level. Data mode tallies Total Time, Lap Times, and Best and Average Laps 10-lap Chronograph One Touch Backlighting Five Interval Timers Water resistance to 100 meters (330 feet) 2 Year Warranty

TIMEX IRONMAN TRIATHLON 30-LAP TRADITIONAL WATCH We would be hard pressed NOT to include a Timex Ironman on a list of discount running watches. The Timex Ironman has a 20 year track record originating from the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon Event when it aquired the “Ironman” brand back in 1986. Today Ironman watches are the best selling sports time-pieces and for good reason. The Ironman watches have an intuitive design that has been proven over the years, suiting both beginners and those who want to move up to an intermediate level. Top pusher gives easy access to lap and split times INDIGLO® Night-Light with Night-Mode Stopwatch, 30-lap recall, 99-lap counter 24-hour counliown timer Alarms, Reminders & Dual Time-Zone Water resistance to 100 meters (330 feet)

Price: $39.99

Price: Not Known

ARMITRON MEN’S CHRONOGRAPH SPORT WATCH If you seek a discount mens watch that is the center of attention, the Armitron Men’s Chronograph Sport watch may be for you with two distinctly loud color schemes in options – red or blue. Buy this watch for it’s looks. At Not Known US on Amazon, the Armitron 40-6769 watches make a great starter watch, but you will probably want to upgrade when you get into more advanced training. Instalite Night Vision Display Chronograph Mode, 1/100th of a sec accuracy with Lap/Split operation Counliown Timer Day of week, Date and 12 or 24 hour time Dual Time Zones 24 Hour Alarm Hourly Chime Water Resistant to 50m (165 feet)

ARMITRON WOMEN’S DIGITAL SPORT WATCH This cute looking digital sports watch from Armitron is a discount ladies sports watch that is simple, stylish and delivers on the basic functions. Buy this watch for it’s looks, it is a great model to get you started on your running and fitness program. Instalite Night Vision Display Chronograph Mode, 1/100th of a sec accuracy with Lap/Split operation Day of week, Date and 12 or 24 hour time Dual Time Zones 24 Hour Alarm Hourly Chime Water Resistant to 50m (165 feet)

Price: Not Known

For more Discount Watches, the Discount Watch Store carries over 3500 styles of watches from over 50 watch brands. Come choose from our large collection of watches today.

If you’ve spent time among endurance sporting folk, you may have heard the term VO₂ Max.

VO₂ Max is a sporting jargon term. It is a popular measure of an athlete’s performance, but what does it mean and how is it relevant to your own performance and fitness program?

VO₂ Max is defined as the maximum capacity of an individual’s body to transport and utilize oxygen during intense or maximal exercise.

It is commonly used as a benchmark of an athlete’s capacity to perform sustained exercise and is linked to aerobic endurance.

In scientific VO₂ Max is measured as milliliters of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body weight. In simple terms it is essentially:

How fast you’re sucking in air when running full speed!

To measure VO₂ Max accurately, an athlete is usually tested on a treadmill wearing a special mouth-piece that measures the volume of air inhaled. The speed of the treadmill is increased gradually and as intensity increases so do does oxygen consumption until a point is reached at which increased intensity does not result in greater oxygen consumption.

The rate of air intake at this point is an athlete’s VO₂ Max.

This measurement is considered the best indicator of an athlete’s cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance. The theory goes, the more energy you use when running hard, the more ATP energy you can produce. ATP being Adenosine Triphosphate, a chemical compound that breaks down to release energy responsible for muscle contraction.

Endurance athletes typically have very high VO₂ Max values, so if you participate in any type of endurance sport: running, riding, skiing, chances are, your VO₂ Max will be much higher than the average person’s.

Comparisons

To get an idea of where an individual stands in the grand scheme of things, here are some comparisons:

• Average young untrained male: 45
• Average young untrained female: 38
• Competitive club athlete: 70
• World class male athletes, cyclists and cross-country skiers typically exceed 75
• Five time Tour de France Winner Lance Armstrong: 85
• Three time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond: 92.5 (reportedly at his peak)
• Cross-country skier Bjørn Dæhlie 96
• A Thoroughbred horse: 180
• A Siberian sled dog: 240

All values are measured in ml/kg/min

How to Change Your VO2 Max

VO₂ Max has a genetic component, but can also be increased through training by increasing both training volume and intensity. This will be harder if you’re already quite fit because you may already be close to your genetic potential. You may also not be genetically disposed to increases in VO₂ Max in which case no amount of training will make any difference.

What Other Factors Affect VO2 Max?

Your VO₂ Max will generally decrease past the age of 20, decreasing nearly 30% by age 65. This can be offset by training. Your gender is also a factor, the average male generally have a higher VO₂ Max than the average female.

Your VO₂ Max will also be slightly lower at a higher altitude because there is less oxygen.

VO₂ Max and Athletic Performance

VO₂ Max is not a guarantee of elite performance, but an indicator of an athlete’s potential for aerobic endurance. In terms of performance and especially winning a race, many other factors come into play such as training load, biomechanics, muscle fibre types, lactate threshold, mental strength, tactics, preparation and intelligence.

VO₂ Max Treadmill Test

How to Find Your VO₂ Max

As we have touched upon, measuring your VO₂ Max accurately requires an all-out effort (usually on a treadmill or bicycle) performed under a strict protocol in a sports performance lab. These protocols involve specific increases in speed and intensity of the exercise and collection and measurement of the volume and oxygen concentration of inhaled and exhaled air. This determines how much oxygen the athlete is using.

An athlete’s oxygen consumption rises linearly in relation to exercise intensity to a point where the aerobic threshold is reached. After this occurs, consumption plateaus out, even if the intensity is increased. This plateau marks the VO₂ Max.

There are a variety of alternative methods used to estimate VO₂ Max, but none are as accurate as direct testing.

This is a running related article. If you wish to shop for a running watch, you can Buy Running Watches Here.

I came across an article the other day with a couple of tips that I think can improve the average distance runners performances, yet are shunned by many.

These two activities are hills and speed work.

Yeah, yeah I can hear your groans and complaints already, but in years of running I have seen that these two unpopular activities can go a long way to promoting a runner’s strength, speed and lactate threshold giving a runner an edge over his competitors who ignore these types of sessions.

When you are done reading, be sure to check out our article, the Six Fundamental Exercise Types of The Long Distance Runner for examples of other types of endurance training.

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Two Secrets For Improving Long Distance Running Times by Scott Malin

Building up endurance for long races by turning in countless hours of distance running is only one aspect of reaching your goal. Running is a sport that must be learned just like any other. It requires more than simply jogging around a lot. When you learn to utilize all avenues of running instead of doing only long, slow distance runs, you can improve your cardio capacity, teach your muscles to work more efficiently and cut your distance times down drastically.

Secret #1 – Hills
Hills are an excellent way to vary the terrain and difficulty of a run. Mixed hills can add a much needed dimension to a long distance run, allowing different muscle groups to function at anaerobic levels for a short period of time. In addition, hills (especially trail runs) promote the use and strengthening of the ankle. Ankles are a seldom talked about part of the body until a runner comes up with a sprain, yet they are essential for balance and stabilization, especially as runs become longer. Running hills can help in the following ways:

• Stronger push-off power
• Improves stride frequency
• Develops control and stabilization (downhill running)
• Promotes strength endurance
• Helps to develop maximum speed
• Improves the bodies ability to handle lactic acid
• Improved hip flexibility

Secret #2 – Sprints
Sprints are an extraordinary way to improve your distance running speed. Contrary to what some distance runners may think, sprinting and distance running do not need to be at odds with each other. They work wonderfully well together and offer up a more balanced training regime. Sprinting will increase your lactate threshold and promote better blood flow to the muscles. Simply put, getting more nutrients in and taking more waste taken out makes it easier to go longer distances. Sprinting benefits are:

• Increased running speed – allows for faster distance runs
• Raise the body’s lactate threshold- allows you to run faster before lactic acid forms
• Improves blood flow to the muscles- more oxygen reaches muscles allowing for better function
• Improved aerobic capacity- allowing the body to utilize oxygen more efficiently for prolonged periods of time.

Long distance running can be very rewarding but if you, like many others find yourself stuck in a plateau, why not give one of these options a try. You will be amazed at the results!

If you would like to learn more or find other great articles on health, fitness and nutrition, please visit: www.dynamicsofmotion.com

Scott Malin is a widely respected expert on the subject of fitness, strength, and nutrition. To learn more, please visit: www.dynamicsofmotion.com

It is common knowledge that music can help runners or cyclists find their “zone” or to get athlete’s adrenaline pumping and so improve one’s motivation.

Since the emergence of Apple’s line of iPod solid-state devices, MP3 players are small enough, with large enough battery life and hard drives with low enough prices are low enough, that just about any athlete can have access hours of audio content wherever their workout takes them. Sleek and portable, runners, cyclists and rowers from all over the world have made their iPOD shuffle, or nano a standard accessory for their regular workouts.

In fact the popularity of the iPod has become so widespread that large sporting companies have created new products that cater to this market. The Nike+ is an example and can interface with an iPod nano and transmit data from a standard running shoe to iPod.

Timex, a reknown innovator who have always designed their sports time-pieces to be as intuitive and natural as possible have caught onto the trend and have engineered their own iPod interface technology that offers some great advantages to runners who find it difficult to access their iPod while in motion.

The iControl IRONMAN watch is visually identical to the sleek 50-Lap IRONMAN watch T54281, with the exception of a few more buttons, but is fitted with a small receiver that connects with an iPod and effectively puts you in control of your music . This feature has great benefits. You might, for example be in the habbit of having your iPod strapped to your arm – a potentially awkward position to reach when working out, with the iControl, you can control your audio in an an easy button press or two. You might prefer to store your iPod out of the way in a backpack with just the ear phones attached, the iControl is a perfect solution, here too.

Not that, the iControl need be limited to only fitness activities, for example the iControl serves as a remote control when you are in your car, or around the house if you are a user of an iPod audio sound system such as the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 Audio System for iPod.

As you would expect, the iControl possesses Timex’s highly functional standard features, plus a few extras including highest contract display, chronograph mode with a resolution of 1/100th of a second and recall with 50-lap memory, a Countdown Timer up to 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds, 3 programmable Alarms, Water Resistance, INDIGLO illumination, Night-Mode, Multiple Time Zones and Interval timers.

The iControl is offered in five color options: blue green, orange, black, gray and silver. The new buttons are not obvious, so the iControl can easily pass for a standard IRONMAN.

The iControl is compatible with the first generation 1, 2, and 4GB iPod nano, second generation nano (aluminum) 2, 4 and 8GB and the 5th generation (video) 30, 60, and 80GB iPods.

If you wish to purchase a Timex iControl IRONMAN Watch, or would like to learn more there are seven attractive color options to choose from. Simply click on the one you like and you will be transferred directly to Amazon’s secure product page.

Buy Timex Ironman iControl Watches

Photo courtesy of Matt Biddulph.

GPS watches tend to fall into two distinct categories in functionality with some crossover in between. GPS running watches and GPS navigation watches.

This article discusses GPS watches with navigation.

Navigation GPS allow you to find your way in the world. Most common navigation feature sets allow you to enter routes into the watches memory, enter specific locations or waypoints, follow a route or go to a specific location and in the case where a GPS has a larger screen, view your position on a map.

The Navigation mode of a GPS watch can be used to pre-plan a destination and ensure that you find it. You can also create a “waypoint” at specific locations that can be uniquely tagged and navigated to later.

Navigation mode can shows you the:

• distance
• direction
• estimated time of arrival (Suunto X watches only)
• and other essential information for all the waypoints of the selected route

A GPS watch can also guide you back to your starting point.

The following GPS watches can be considered to have at least a basic level of navigation features:

• Garmin Forerunner 405 and 405CX (basic waypoints and compass)
• Garmin Forerunner 205, 305 and 310XT
• Garmin Forerunner 301
• Garmin Forerunner 201
• Timex IRONMAN Bodylink Trail Runner
• Suunto X9/i and X9M/i
• Suunto X10
• Globalsat GH-615
• Globalsat GH-625

In the next section we will look at some of these common navigation features.

There are X general navigation features in GPS watches that support navigation. They are:

• Map Mode – The ability to view routes and waypoints in a graphical map representation
• Mark Waypoints/Locations – The ability to enter a location into the watch’s memory
• Create Routes – The ability to create a conjoined series of waypoints
• Breadcrumbs or Track Logs – The ability to automatically lay down a route in real-time
• Navigate to Waypoint – GPS watches have the ability to direct you to a waypoint
• Navigate Route – Navigation watches have the ability to direct you along a route

Map Mode

Most GPS tracking/navigation watches feature a visual map that allows you to view your position and nearby waypoints or your entire route within the current vicinity. Map modes are available in the Forerunner 205, 305 and the new 310XT and the GlobalSat watches GH-615 and GH-625. Not all GPS watches support a map viewing mode. On a watch screen size is limited, and in watches that attempt to reduce the burden of size and bulkiness often present in a GPS watch, the ability to present a map is often sacrificed.

The Forerunner 305 Map Mode	The GlobalSat GH625 Map Mode

Marking Locations/Waypoints

The ability to flag a location in three dimensions (latitude, longitude and elevation), in the watch’s memory is a feature of all GPS watches that offer you the ability to navigate, whether that be entered via computer software or the watch (flagging the current location). The waypoint can be saved using the watch’s unique numbering system with the option of assigning it a custom label.

Garmin Forerunner 205 and 305 waypoint entry	GlobalSat GH-625 waypoing entry

Creating and Modifying a Custom Route

A route is a straight line path between two or more points on the map. Navigation GPS watches let you create and save routes into the watch’s memory, then navigate to a specified route. Locations can be entered and saved in the watch’s memory and then used to construct routes.

Navigating. Finding a Waypoint, Compass View and Finding Your Way Home

Watches featuring GPS navigation have the ability to navigate to an individual waypoint and about a sequence of waypoints within a route. Some GPS watches lie the Forerunner 305, GlobalSat feature a compass view screen that graphically displays the direction to the next waypoints, the distance to the next waypoint and in some watches, the ETA to the next waypoint.

The Forerunner 305 Compass mode is displayed here presenting the direction to the next waypoint, distance and estimated time.	Selecting NAVIGATE in the Forerunner 305 your route will appear as a dark line connecting each location within the route.

Finding Your Way Home

A useful navigation feature is the “return to start” of a run or route that directs you back to your starting position, based on your most recent run.

The “back to start” feature of the Forerunner 205 and 305 is displayed here the route of your most recent run.

How GPS Navigation Watches Compare So how do navigation watches stack up? Below is a chart that illustrates how navigation gps watches differ:

	Map View	Waypoints	Routes	Track Logs	Compass
Forerunner 405 Buy For Not Known Forerunner 405CX Buy For Not Known	No	100	No	No	Yes
Forerunner 205/305 Buy For $145.00 Forerunner 310XT Buy For Not Known	Yes	100	50	No	Yes
Suunto X10 Buy For Not Known	No	500	50 (up to 50 waypoints)	25 tracks (max. 26000 track points)	Yes
Suunto X9i/X9Mi Buy For $299.95	No	500	50 (up to 50 waypoints)	25 tracks (max. 8000 track points)	Yes
Garmin Forerunner 301 Buy For $250.00	Yes	100	50	No	Yes
Garmin Forerunner 201 Buy For $250.00	Yes	100	No	No	Yes
Garmin Forerunner 101 Buy For Not Known	Yes	100	No	No	Yes
Timex Trailrunner Buy For $199.99	No	10	No	No	No
Globalsat GH-625 Buy For $189.95	Yes	60,000	6,000	6,000	Yes
Globalsat GH-615 Buy For Not Known	Yes	60,000	6,000	6,000	Yes

]]> http://www.sportswatchinformant.com/gps-watches-for-advanced-navigation-and-tracking-2/feed 0 http://www.sportswatchinformant.com/gps-watches-for-advanced-navigation-and-tracking-2 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SportsWatchInformant/~3/_WRl1rBaAgs/freestyle-shane-dorian-ii-surfer-watch-with-sport-features http://www.sportswatchinformant.com/freestyle-shane-dorian-ii-surfer-watch-with-sport-features#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 02:00:24 +0000 admin http://www.sportswatchinformant.com/?p=1370

Features:

• Worn by surfers, Designed to withstand a heavy day of water activity
• All stainless steel case and buckle
• Countdown Timer
• Multi-Lap Chronograph

The Freestyle Shane Dorian II Digital Sports Watch is a waterproof sports watch for men as well as a ladies sport watch.

This watch is designed with surfers in mind and named after surfer Shane Dorian, who is a master of a wide variety of board skills. Established in 1981, Freestyle Watches was the brainchild of a couple of Surfers whose mission was to create a watch line that could withstand the abusive conditions of their beach lifestyle.

So dedicated are the company to creating watches that can hold up to the harshest of conditions that every watch made by the company is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Although designed with surfers in mind, this watch offers some sports features that are useful to runners, swimmers, rowers and athletes of other persuasions who want a basic, stylish watch. Featuring a countdown timer and multi-lap chronograph (but no session recall), you can use the timer for fixed rep time/fixed recovery time interval training sessions.

The watch also offers:

• Alarm
• Day and date display
• Dual time
• NightVision backlight
• Scratch-resistant mineral crystal
• Water resistance to 50 meters (165 feet) suitable for swimming but not for diving
• Comfortable, durable black polyurethane band

The Freestyle Shane Dorian II is available in two attractive colors.

Not Known	Not Known