If you’ve finally decided to get a GPS sports watch and train like a real pro, then I have to congratulate you. It means that you finally understood what’s the purpose of running, speed walking or heavy lifting for that matter – you need to reach the proper heart rate so that you get the results and not feel tired for a few days after a training.
But, the fact that you got the sports watch, doesn’t mean that you have to wear it just as an accessory; you should actually feel the benefits of using it, which means you should know how to make the most of it. Here are a few guidelines on using a sports watch.
Install the Software on Your Phone/Laptop
A GPS sports watch comes with a software for tracking your results. Start with installing the software and familiarizing yourself with how it works, what does it measure and similar stuff. Once you do that, inspect the watch itself a little – what is the purpose of the various buttons it has and the overall manner of work. Once you know the basics, you’ll be able to have control over your workouts.
Start Running
Now that you know how your GPS sports watch works, give it a test run. Put on your running shoes and go in the park. Turn it on and start running so you can measure your heart rate. This will be your first and most important measurement since it will show where you stand on the effort and load scale – do you need to push harder, or do you need to slow down a little?
Analyse
Once you get the results, analyse them. It will give you a good picture of how your heart performs under pressure and where you need to improve. The software you installed will comprise all the data into trends and as you continue to train, you’ll be able to track your performance and see if you are getting better or if you need to do more work. It’s important to know how to analyse these information so you know if running is the right type of exercise for you.
Integrate
After just one month of training with it, the sports watch should become a routine for you – before you reach for your running shoes, you should reach for the watch. Put it on your hand, turn it on and start running. After the first month you should be able to plan your trainings with the software, which means you’ll have your target goal defined by your optimal heart rate.
Finally, don’t get the watch just because you think it will make you a fancier athlete, get it because you really want to lose that belly fat, lose those few stubborn kilograms and really run with a purpose instead of just run. Become a lean machine the easy way!
