In recent years, sports lovers and athletes have received support thanks to innovative technology and more specifically, sports watches. Sport watches are equipped with a wide range of functions that allow you to fully monitor your physical activity by assessing intensities, recording workouts, and much, much more.
Today, there are a variety of sports watches in the market, and instead of buying one on a whim, it’s important to consider what features you require from your watch in order to better your individual goals and performance.
So, where do you begin when looking for a sports watch and what functions do these tech-savvy watches offer? Let’s take a look.
Sports Band vs Sports Watch
Before we dive into the functionality of sports watches, it is important we outline the difference between a sports band and a sports watch. Sport bands are bracelets that are designed for low-impact physical activity and have various but limited functions.
In contrast, a sports watch is an actual watch that comes complete with a series of advanced functions related to sports. A sports watch is designed to be a great athletic partner for both amateurs and experienced athletes.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the functionalities offered by sports watches. Let’s dive right in.
The functionality of Sports Watches
There are a wide variety of sports watches on the market today, and before purchasing one, it is vital you understand what features and parameters you should consider, making sure the sports watch you choose corresponds to your overall sports requirements.
Of course, the aesthetics of the watch you choose will factor in. A smartwatch isn’t just used for exercising, it’s usually worn all day and with this in mind, it should reflect your own style. But begin your search based on features – and then select a watch in your style that has all those gestures. Don’t do it the other way around.
A general sports watch will combine the functions of an alarm, stopwatch, and classic wristwatch. This kind of watch is designed to be tough, attractive, and of course, useful in all elements of athletics. A sports watch should also be water resistant, and shock resistant and help track and improve your running time or laps.
Unlike traditional watches, sports watches are made of rubber or plastic components and the time on a sports watch is in digital LCD, while the watch also comes with mode buttons, input settings, and change functions. But the primary feature of a sports watch is the chronometer.
Your sports watch will have a button called “chrono”, allowing you to switch it from date and time to a stopwatch. The watch will also be able to track your laps, mile markers, and run-time – right up to a split second. The stopwatch functionality helps athletes lap their times while keeping track of all time accumulated. You can view these times through the watch and usually an app that is connected to your smartphone.
A sports watch should be suited to all sports and if you are a triathlete, you can wear the sport watch as it is shock and water-resistant, making it perfect for all types of sporting, from trail runs and cycling to swimming and skiing.
A sports watch is also able to function as an alarm – ensuring you aren’t late for the gym or for your race. Some models support a variety of alarms, meaning you can set up a few different alarms throughout the day. For example, you can let yourself know when it’s time to move from one exercise to another. Some sports watches also allow you to use the alarm to time your sets. For example, you can set your alarm to 5 minutes and once the 5 minutes are up, your watch will beep, and it will start the time over. This kind of functionality ensures you keep your workout schedule without any mistakes.
Some sports watches are also designed to track your dietary requirements. For example, some athletes work with professional nutritionists and are advised to eat at certain times of the day. With this in mind, you are able to track your eating habits throughout the day to ensure you have the right energy for your workout routines.
But it doesn’t just end there. Some sports watches include a compass, heart rate monitor, thermometer, tachymeter (to calculate speed) and even a tide indicator (for divers). Many sports watches also come with sensors and every good sports watch should be able to track your heart rate well. Some sports watches go as far as to offer ECG-like capabilities and a blood oxygen sensor. You can also find sports watches that come with a built-in GPS chip for precisely mapping your outdoor exercises.
Essentially, anything you need to track your performance, health and safety can be found in a sports watch. You just need to decide which features work best for you.
The technology of the sports watch is constantly evolving and with so many options available on the market, you are sure to find the ideal sports watch to suit your lifestyle and specific needs.