GPS Sports Watch a Good Fit

The Winter Olympics of 2014 have come and gone, but it won’t be long until nations around the world will be gearing up for the Summer Olympics of 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. The thrill of seeing runners cross the finish line, swimmers break a world record, and cyclists race for gold never diminishes. We marvel at the skill and endurance that goes into these athletes. We wonder at the training and expertise that got them to the top. We dream of achieving seemingly impossible goals if we only knew what to do. GPS technology removes some of the mystery, providing everyday runners, swimmers, and cyclists training never before imagined. And though most of us will never make the Olympic team, we can still train like a champion.

The GPS Sports Watch

It used to be that the only real technology used by athletes was a stopwatch. Now, through global positioning system technology, there is so much more to competitive training, and GPS companies everywhere are getting in on the action. From Garmin to Motorola to TomTom, there seems to be no limit to the variety and capabilities of training devices, some that are no bigger than a watch. One in particular combines ease of use with multiplicity of use—the TomTom Multisport HRM GPS watch. Whether you run, swim, bike, or use a treadmill, this watch can help take each training session to a new level with a host of features.

• The first noteworthy feature is its lack of bulk. This lightweight watch weighs in at less than two ounces and will not detract in the least from any activity.


• The watch has a large display screen of almost 1.5 inches that allows the user to read pertinent data with a single glance—in the dark, in the water, anywhere.


• One-button control for access to easy to use menus gets you out of the starting gate and onto the training block in the blink of an eye.


• The watch is also waterproof up to 165 feet, making it ideal for swimming, running or cycling in the rain, or even showering, not to mention the sweat that comes from an intense workout.


• A built-in altimeter allows bikers and runners alike to measure and track elevation in conjunction with pace for the most efficient training session.


• A heart rate monitor keeps athletes in check to protect their health: too low and you are not getting enough out of your workout; too high and you risk injury.


• The watch even comes with a bike mount and a cadence/speed sensor to track every mile, uphill and down, so your hands never have to leave the handlebars.


• A ten-hour battery life guarantees tracking coverage for even the most intense training sessions.

The Power to Train

As with most GPS tracking devices, data from the TomTom Multisport HRM GPS watch can be downloaded and shared. Users can link the information they download from their watch to a host of apps like “Map My Fitness” and share it with friends, coaches, and competitors; with nearly 100 apps to choose from, and more popping up every day, you are sure to find a training partner that works for you. There are even sports specific apps like “Map My Run” for runners, “Swim Tracker” for swimmers, and “Map My Ride” for cyclists, just to name a few. The training data can also be linked to a TomTom GPS mapping unit to track old training routes and create new ones. The ability to analyze distance and time along with heart rate and duration helps athletes gradually increase the volume and the intensity of their workouts in a way that is both healthy and productive, helping them achieve their ultimate goals. All these things working together can be summed up in one word: Motivation. That’s what the watch is: a motivational device.

• Runners can balance all out runs with recovery day runs to maximize performance and prevent injury.


• Cyclists can map routes, incorporating elevations and distance factors, to improve their time and set their pace.


• Swimmers can monitor their swim metrics to go longer and faster, whether it be in the pool or in the open water.


• Treadmill users can go beyond the basic data given on most running machines to create a more strenuous workout.


• Any athlete can pace himself, race himself, and challenge himself to become better and stronger with a GPS sports watch.

At just under $250, the TomTom Multisport HRM GPS watch is a lot of bang for your buck. With a host of features and multiple training modes, the watch is ideal for runners, swimmers, cyclists, and treadmill users alike. It even comes in two colors, a light gray to appeal to the masculine side and a lovely pink for those who want to add a feminine touch. With so much technology at the touch of a button, you may just find yourself reaching for the gold.

GPS Sports Watch a Good Fit