Running watch

[PlodLife]

Hi

Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheap running watch? I use strava and it's a bit of a faff, especially as I'm starting to do park runs, to start it and get it back in my arm strap while plodding along.

Thanks!

[JaoJao]

Are you saying you don’t want to use your phone to track your activity and only want the watch to do everything? And sync with your phone when you get back home?

[PlodLife Graduate in reply to JaoJao]

I'm not really sure. Don't know how these things work! I want something that links to strava that I don't have to faff with my phone but the app will still record it

[LeeU Graduate]

It really depends on what you call cheap. There are loads of fitness trackers available, problem is the build and component quality, a cheaper one may not have GPS, something you really need unless you only want to record steps.

Heart rate trackers (wrist based ones) aren't really that accurate when exercising, a chest strap based one is more accurate.

The Garmin range are very good but can be pricey, I bought myself a Forerunner 735XT when I graduated in 2017, it has GPS, chest strap, etc and is very good but it was quite expensive at the time. It can record my runs, you can upload a course, set run timers, etc, and then synchs with my phone afterwards, I still need my phone for music though.

It can be a minefield getting one.

[K8nno Graduate]

Forerunner 235. Should be able to pick up a second hand one for around £80 - £90

[MarkyD Graduate]

That’s a good plan. The whole point with a running watch is ease-of-use. It should have built-in GPS and work independently from your phone. Starting a run will be a simple matter of a button press, then the watch shows distance, time, pace, HR zone etc etc on your wrist (not in an arm holder) whilst you are running. To be honest most watches will link into Strava via Bluetooth into your phone. I’d recommend getting a well-known brand. Firstly you’ll get good support and software updates, secondly the cloud storage for the runs will be reliable (the data will go to the running watch cloud server before getting pushed to Strava) and lastly, the well-known brand watch will have a good second-hand value if you want to sell it & buy a new one.

Bottom line: buy a Garmin ForeRunner 35.

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

Would you choose a 35 over a 235?

I am asking because the 235 was way too big for me, but the 35 looks like I could cope with it, however I have recently read a few bad reviews.

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Jell6]

I generally see favourable reviews of 35 on this forum, and a friend with one is extremely satisfied. Personally I have the 235 but it is an older model now and has been heavily discounted. Not 100% sure how long Garmin will release software updates for 235. So I hedged my bets and recommended the more recent model.

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

Thank you 😊