Playing sports requires serious supervision. For some, this control is necessary in order to closely monitor the calorie expenditure, which is so necessary for getting rid of excess weight. Otherwise, the obtained measurement results are required for the correct laying of the path to the highest sporting achievements.
There is also a category of people for whom sports is a matter of survival. Physical activity is necessary to restore health. But they need to be carefully monitored so that playing sports will bring real benefits, and not additional harm.
It is rather inconvenient to carry with you a bunch of devices necessary for objective monitoring of your physical condition. This is where watches equipped with additional functions come to the fore.
Basic criteria for a sports watch
To obtain detailed data on the physical condition of the athlete and the loads received, it is desirable to receive the following information:
- The frequency of contraction of the heart muscle. In other words, the pulse.
- Distance traveled.
- Blood pressure.
Based on this information, the athlete can independently make a decision to increase or decrease physical activity.
Pulse
Watches equipped with a heart rate monitor have become widespread. The main difference lies in the sensor, which can be located directly in the watch itself or fixed on the athlete's chest. When the sensor is placed in a watch or bracelet, accurate heart rate data cannot be obtained.
There are various restrictions on the use of such a watch. In particular, they should only be worn on the left hand and should be in constant contact with the skin.
But if you want to get really accurate information, you will have to give preference to a watch that comes with an additional sensor. On the chest, such a sensor is usually attached with an elastic band.
Distance traveled
You can estimate the distance traveled using a pedometer or, in other words, a pedometer. But the problem is that its readings can differ significantly depending on your gait, weight, height, age, location of the sensor and some other indicators.
Pedometer manufacturers do not have a single standard for the correct step. Errors can be partially corrected if your device has a programming function. It is possible to judge the calorie consumption by the pedometer readings very roughly.
People with different constitutions and physical fitness spend different amounts of calories to overcome the same distance. Recently, watches equipped with a GPS system have appeared on the market. Such a watch allows you to measure your path much more accurately.
Blood pressure
There is no reliable way to measure blood pressure with a device located on the wrist. Even automatic blood pressure monitors fixed on the forearm have a serious error.
Age especially affects the accuracy of readings. The thickened vessel walls prevent accurate data from being obtained. Although some watch manufacturers, such as Casio, tried to equip their models with blood pressure monitors, such devices did not gain popularity. You will hardly be able to find a watch equipped with a tonometer on sale now.
How to choose?
If you have a need to purchase a watch with additional functions, you can do this based on the following parameters when choosing:
- Power supply operating time
- Location of sensors
- Signal transmission method
Let's try to consider each parameter separately.
Power supply operating time
A sports watch equipped with a pedometer and heart rate monitor does not have much less battery life than a regular watch. But the power consumption increases significantly if the device is equipped with a GPS system.
In such watches, not a battery is used as a power source, but a battery that requires regular recharging. Depending on the version, the battery capacity can be enough for a period of operation from five to twenty hours. Therefore, without the need for GPS, it is better not to turn on.
Location of sensors
As mentioned above, the sensors located on the wrist provide information with a certain error. For the heart rate monitor, the preferred location is the athlete's chest, and the foot pod sensor is best placed on the belt.
If you believe that such placement of sensors brings you some discomfort, then you will have to put up with the error in the measurement results.
Signal transmission method
It is easier to manufacture a device in which the signals coming from the sensors are not encoded or protected from interference. For this reason, they are much cheaper.
However, the low signal security greatly reduces the quality of measurements and the usability of such a watch. But it's up to you to decide whether to spend your money on a better model.
Additional functions
But these are just the basic parameters. For the convenience of users, manufacturers equip sports watches with various additional functions:
- Automatic calorie counting. As already mentioned, the result of such a calculation is rather arbitrary. But as a reference point can come in handy.
- Memorizing training history. This function is necessary in order for you to evaluate the effectiveness of your sports activities. By comparing the results, you can plan your workouts more intelligently.
- Training zones. In the menus of sports watches, some manufacturers introduce so-called training zones, which allow you to control your heart rate. They can automatically process the received information or be programmed in manual mode. In the event that, based on these indicators, your watch calculates the amount of fat burned, then this is more a marketing ploy than a real help during training. There is no unified system for calculating such indicators. Some modes of these zones are beyond the power of even trained sports masters. But for those with health problems, heart rate tracking is a must.
- Heart rate zone change warning. It can be generated by vibration and / or sound. This function is important, both for those who have health problems, and for the lazy, seeking to load their body to a minimum.
- Cyclicity of measurements. This is the most common option that allows you to take measurements cyclically, in segments or circles. Its convenience is obvious.
- Communication with a computer. This option is especially convenient for those who keep a diary of their sports activities on a computer. Transferring data directly is much more convenient than entering it yourself.
The list goes on and on, since there is no limit to the imagination of marketers. But among the functions offered, it is best to choose the ones that you really need.
Among the manufacturers of smart sports watches, such firms as Garmin, Beurer, Polar, Sigma have proven themselves well. Apple also produces such watches. It is difficult to choose the best among the various models. In addition, the choice of such a device, as well as a watch, strongly depends on personal preferences.
Reviews
But if you focus on the reviews posted on the Internet, you can get a kind of generalized picture. To do this, we will use the reviews left on the irecommend.ru website.
Users: Stasechka, Alegra and DeFender77 left the most positive reviews about the company's products Beurer... Even those who initially did not think about buying such a watch, having become their owners, appreciated the usefulness of this device and the quality of workmanship.
Rating:
"The most comfortable sports watch I've ever seen!" - user writes AleksandrGl sports watch review Garmin Forerunner 920XT. Lightweight and durable, with a rich set of additional functions, this watch is really worthy of attention and is popular even among professional athletes.
Rating:
Users: doc freid, violamorena, AleksandrGl cast their votes for Polar products. But everyone chose different models. Hiding behind a nickname doc freid preferred Polar t31. "Without him, I would not have lost weight." - she claims in her review. “My faithful training companion, a wonderful sports watch with a heart rate monitor!” - this is how the user violamorena rates the model Polar FT4, and AleksandrGl cast his vote Polar V800. “I bought Polar V800, I have been looking for such a gadget for a long time!” - he writes on the site.
Rating:
But when choosing products Sigma there is unanimity. Users Decisive, Ewelamb, Diana Mikhailovna highly appreciated the model Sigma Sport PC 15.11.
- Decisive: «Personal trainer for $ 50 "
- Ewelamb: "Losing 5kg a month with health benefits."
- Diana Mikhailovna: "Just a thing!"
Rating:
These are the different preferences. It is understandable, everyone approaches the choice of a personal device with their own likes and abilities.
Even from the reviews left on the network, you can understand how diverse the world of sports watches and the requirements that buyers place on them. Not least this is determined by the price of the device.
After all, if a simple one Beurer will cost 3-4 thousand rubles, then for the Garmin Forerunner 920XT you will have to pay about fifty thousand. As they say, there is something to strive for. And if a beginner athlete can purchase a model that is simpler and cheaper for testing, then a professional athlete needs a serious assistant for his training.
Of course, everyone must decide for themselves how much they are willing to spend on the purchase of a sports watch, and whether they need them at all. We can only hope that based on the recommendations received, you will make the right choice.
