Want to get back into sports? Want to hit the pavement again for some running or cycling? A sports watch is undoubtedly the best accessory to wear around your wrist to support you in all your workouts. In this article, we’ll walk you through the best features your sports watch can have.Â
The end of summer and the start of the school year often mean getting back into sport. Regular resumption of physical and sporting activity is usually established at this time of year to eliminate all the excess of the summer period. Nowadays, it is even possible to follow all your efforts and physical progress in real time with a sports watch.
These smartwatches, specially designed for our sports activities, allow us to perform a whole host of functions to track our progress in the sports we practice. Running, cycling, bodybuilding, swimming, hiking, and yoga: all the physical activities that we can one day experience can lend themselves to the game of the sports watch. In this article, and to help you choose the best sports watch, we present the best features that your sports watch can have.
GPS, the number one feature for athletes
What would a sports watch be without the GPS function ?! GPS watches are therefore perfect for tracking your route in space. They allow you to find your way, follow your route, and see its evolution in real time. A true means of geolocation, the GPS watch can program your routes and also offer backtracking (which records your starting point so you don’t get lost on your outing). GPS is therefore a very important feature for your sports watch. And it is perfectly suited to sports such as running, cycling, trekking, mountaineering, and, of course, hiking.
The altimeter, the tool that mountain enthusiasts must have on their watch
While GPS is an important feature for a sports smartwatch, the altimeter is just as valuable for a certain category of athletes. This tool allows you to measure the difference in altitude between ground level and your current location. It provides valuable information on atmospheric pressure relative to your current altitude. The altimeter is an essential tool for all mountain sports, such as mountaineering and hiking. It also allows you to quickly determine the elevation gain or loss of your route.
 Heart rate monitors, to measure your heartbeat
The other important feature to have for your sports watch concerns your heartbeat. With a heart rate monitor, your watch can measure your heartbeat using a sensor that is generally placed under the watch face. Analyzing your heart rate I, therefore, indeed possible, and all athletes will be able to analyze their progress in terms of heart rate. This tool is particularly suitable for endurance sports, such as running or cycling.
Waterproofness and pressure resistance a valuable tools for extreme sports fans
When looking for a watch for sports, we often forget that diving and water sports are great physical activities to enjoy. However, these cannot be done with a traditional watch. Therefore, sports watches sometimes come with waterproof and pressure-resistant features. These features are very valuable because they allow you to use your watch several meters underwater.
Breathing measurement, for fans of relaxation or yoga
It may not be as impressive a sport as mountaineering or diving, but yoga is a dephysical activity in its own right. The number one time to relax, it allows you to release pressure and unwind while performing a few stretching movements. To track your progress in this discipline, some sports watches offer a breathing measurement tool. This can be very useful for analyzing your sessions.
The watch’s battery life, a vital function for adventurous sportsmen
This may not be an essential feature for some, but for others, the battery life of a sports watch can become vital. For athletes who enjoy hiking or trekking for several days, for example, it is essential to have a sports watch that can last for several hours and several days. Fortunately, special watches exist for this type of sport, and they can offer unbeatable battery life that extends over several days.
Choosing a sports watch isn’t a matter of chance. As we’ve just seen, several features are available to help you practice specific sports. It’s therefore important to understand your sporting preferences to choose the best features for your sports watch.
