Running has become an increasingly popular form of exercise in recent years, and with that, the demand for running trackers has also increased. Running trackers are designed to track your running progress and provide valuable insights that can help you improve your performance. There are many different running trackers on the market, each with their own unique features and benefits. In this article, we will review four different running trackers in-depth to help you choose the right one for you.
1. Garmin Forerunner 945
The Garmin Forerunner 945 is a high-end GPS smartwatch designed for athletes, particularly runners. It offers advanced features such as GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, training load tracking, and music playback. It also provides advanced performance metrics, including VO2 max, training status, and lactate threshold, to help runners track their progress and optimize their training.
Design and Comfort
The Garmin Forerunner 945 features a sleek and stylish design, with a round watch face and a lightweight, durable body. The watch is available in two color options: black and blue. It has a 1.2-inch display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels and is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass DX lens. The watch band is made of silicone and is easily adjustable for a comfortable fit.
Overall, the Forerunner 945 is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even during intense workouts. The watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water sports.
Features
The Garmin Forerunner 945 is packed with features designed to help runners track their performance and optimize their training. Some of its key features include:
- GPS Tracking: The watch uses GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellites to track your location, distance, and pace during runs. It can also track your route and elevation changes.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: The watch uses wrist-based heart rate monitoring to track your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts. It also provides advanced metrics such as heart rate variability and estimated oxygen consumption.
- Training Load Tracking: The watch tracks your training load and provides insights into your training status, recovery time, and overall training effectiveness.
- Performance Metrics: The watch provides advanced performance metrics such as VO2 max, lactate threshold, and training status to help you track your progress and optimize your training.
- Music Playback: The watch has built-in storage for up to 1,000 songs, allowing you to listen to music during workouts without needing to carry your phone.
- Battery Life: The watch has a long battery life of up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 10 hours in GPS mode with music playback.
Pros:
- Advanced GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring for accurate workout tracking
- Provides advanced performance metrics for tracking progress and optimizing training
- Built-in music storage for listening to music during workouts
- Long battery life of up to two weeks in smartwatch mode
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other running trackers on the market
- Some users may find the watch face to be too bulky or heavy for their liking
- Some users may prefer more customization options for the watch face and display
Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 945 is a top-of-the-line running tracker that offers advanced features and performance metrics to help runners track their progress and optimize their training. While it is expensive, it is a worthwhile investment for serious runners who want to take their training to the next level.
2. Fitbit Charge 4
The Fitbit Charge 4 is a fitness tracker designed to help users monitor their daily activities, including exercise, sleep, and heart rate. It is specifically designed for runners, providing real-time metrics and insights on performance, progress, and goals. The Charge 4 comes with built-in GPS, so you can track your runs without the need for a phone or other device.
Design and Comfort
The Fitbit Charge 4 has a sleek and modern design that is both stylish and functional. It has a rectangular face with a black and white OLED display that is easy to read in both bright sunlight and dimly lit conditions. The tracker itself is lightweight and comfortable to wear, with a soft silicone band that is adjustable to fit a wide range of wrist sizes. The Charge 4 is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for use in the rain or while swimming.
Features
As a running tracker, the Fitbit Charge 4 has a wide range of features that make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their performance. One of the most significant features is the built-in GPS, which allows you to track your route, pace, and distance without needing to carry your phone with you. The Charge 4 also provides real-time heart rate tracking, which can help you stay in your target heart rate zone and avoid overexertion.
Other features of the Fitbit Charge 4 include:
- Multiple sport modes: The Charge 4 includes 20+ different workout modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and yoga. You can customize the screen to show the metrics that matter most to you during your workout.
- Sleep tracking: The Charge 4 tracks your sleep quality and provides insights on how to improve your sleep habits.
- Music control: You can control music playback on your phone directly from the Charge 4, making it easy to listen to your favourite tunes during your workout.
- Contactless payments: The Charge 4 includes a built-in NFC chip, which allows you to make contactless payments using your watch.
- Smart notifications: You can receive calls, texts, and other notifications directly on your wrist, without needing to check your phone.
Pros:
- Built-in GPS for accurate tracking of your running metrics
- Sleek and modern design that is both stylish and functional
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time
- Wide range of features, including multiple workout modes, sleep tracking, music control, and contactless payments
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities
- Provides real-time heart rate tracking to help you stay in your target heart rate zone
Cons:
- Battery life is relatively short, lasting only up to 5 days on a single charge
- The charger is proprietary, so you can’t use a standard USB cable to charge the device
- The Fitbit app can be overwhelming to use for some users, with a lot of data and metrics to navigate
- The screen can be difficult to read in bright sunlight, although it’s still readable.
Overall, the Fitbit Charge 4 is an excellent running tracker that offers a wide range of features and metrics to help you monitor your performance, set goals, and track your progress. The built-in GPS and real-time heart rate tracking make it a valuable tool for runners of all levels, while the sleek design and comfortable fit make it easy to wear for extended periods of time. While there are some minor drawbacks, such as the short battery life and proprietary charger, the pros outweigh the cons, making the Charge 4 a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to take their running to the next level.
3. Polar Vantage V2
The Polar Vantage V2 is a high-end GPS multisport watch designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It comes packed with advanced features and sensors, including a heart rate monitor, GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, and barometer, making it an excellent tool for tracking and analysing your running performance.
Design and Comfort
The Vantage V2 has a sleek and minimalist design with a round display and a stainless steel case that looks stylish on the wrist. It has a comfortable silicone strap that can be easily adjusted for a snug fit. The watch is lightweight, weighing only 52 grams, which means you can wear it for extended periods without feeling any discomfort.
Features
The Vantage V2 is loaded with features that make it an excellent running tracker. The watch can track your heart rate, calories burned, distance, pace, and speed, providing you with detailed insights into your performance. It also has a built-in GPS that allows you to track your route and analyse your running data with the Polar Flow app.
The watch also has advanced training features such as Training Load Pro, which tracks your training intensity and helps you plan and adjust your training schedule accordingly. It also has Recovery Pro, which provides you with insights into your recovery time, allowing you to optimize your training and avoid overtraining.
The Vantage V2 is also waterproof up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and water sports. It has a long battery life of up to 40 hours in GPS mode, which means you can use it for extended periods without needing to recharge.
Pros
- Sleek and stylish design
- Comfortable to wear for extended periods
- Advanced features for tracking and analyzing running performance
- Built-in GPS for accurate route tracking
- Long battery life of up to 40 hours in GPS mode
- Waterproof up to 100 meters, suitable for swimming and water sports
Cons
- Expensive compared to other running trackers
- Limited third-party app support
- Some users may find the watch too bulky or heavy
Overall, the Polar Vantage V2 is an excellent running tracker that offers advanced features and accurate data tracking. While it may be expensive, it’s worth the investment for serious runners and fitness enthusiasts who want to improve their performance and optimize their training. The watch’s sleek design and comfortable fit make it a pleasure to wear, and its long battery life and waterproofing make it a versatile tool for various sports and activities. However, it may not be suitable for everyone due to its bulkiness and limited third-party app support.
4. Apple Watch Series 6
The Apple Watch Series 6 is a premium smartwatch that features a stunning always-on retina display with a resolution of 368×448 pixels. It is powered by Apple’s latest S6 chip, which delivers faster performance and greater energy efficiency. The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters and comes in two different sizes: 40mm and 44mm.
Design and Comfort
The Apple Watch Series 6 comes in a sleek and stylish design that appeals to both men and women. It features a stainless steel case that gives it a premium look and feel. The watch comes with a variety of customizable watch faces, allowing users to personalize their device according to their preferences.
When it comes to comfort, the Apple Watch Series 6 is incredibly lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods. The straps are made of soft, flexible materials that feel comfortable against the skin.
Features
The Apple Watch Series 6 is packed with advanced features that make it the ultimate running companion. Some of the key features include:
- Heart Rate Monitoring: The Apple Watch Series 6 features advanced heart rate monitoring capabilities that allow users to track their heart rate throughout the day. It also provides alerts if it detects an irregular heart rate.
- GPS and Cellular Connectivity: The watch comes with built-in GPS and cellular connectivity, allowing users to track their runs and stay connected even without their iPhone.
- Blood Oxygen Monitoring: The watch features a blood oxygen sensor that measures the oxygen saturation in the blood. This feature can be especially useful for runners, as it can provide insights into how their body is responding to exercise.
- ECG App: The Apple Watch Series 6 comes with an ECG app that can provide a detailed analysis of the user’s heart rhythm. This can be especially useful for runners who want to keep track of their heart health.
- Fitness and Activity Tracking: The watch comes with a variety of fitness and activity tracking features, including a workout app, activity rings, and personalized coaching.
Pros
- Sleek and stylish design
- Advanced features such as GPS, heart rate monitoring, and blood oxygen monitoring
- Always-on retina display
- Comfortable to wear for extended periods
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
Cons
- Expensive compared to other smartwatches in the market
- Battery life could be better, especially when using advanced features such as GPS and cellular connectivity
- Limited customization options compared to other smartwatches
In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 6 is a premium smartwatch that is specifically designed for fitness enthusiasts, especially runners. With its advanced features and sleek design, it has become a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts. However, it comes with a high price tag and limited customization options. Overall, the Apple Watch Series 6 is a great investment for runners who want to take their fitness to the next level.
