Keeping on track with your running goals and having a dedicated training plan that is tailored to your needs is simpler when you have the right data to help you. Using data that tracks key performance metrics when running takes the guesswork out of planning your training routine and helps to inform you of areas you need to work on, and where things are going well. Without such data, you might find yourself struggling to reach your goals, or perhaps not improving at a rate you’re happy with.
Whether your goal is to improve your health, beat your best time or reach new distances, a GPS running watch can help you understand where you’re currently at and how you can reach your goals faster. In this blog, we’re going to take you through the best running watches for your fitness journey, from beginner-friendly watches to ones that are perfect for seasoned trail runners, to help you find the perfect match for your running style and skill level.
The benefits of wearing a fitness tracker for running
Fitness trackers can be a great source of motivation for your fitness journey, enabling you to monitor your progress towards specific goals, whether that be distance, speed or pace. A running watch is also a great tool for beginners who may feel a bit lost when it comes to tracking results, as it can help you understand which metrics to track and why. GPS watches can give you a breakdown of data from distance to time and calories burned, and seeing these numbers will give you a visual representation of your progress and help keep you on track.
For example, you may not immediately notice that you’re able to run for that little bit longer, however, a fitness tracker will be able to show you this result immediately to keep you motivated to hit your goals faster than ever.
The best watches for running
There are many different kinds of GPS watches for runners and it’s important you find the best one that meets your individual needs. Whether you’re new to running and want a budget-friendly basic tracker to get you started, or you’re a data enthusiast looking for a high-tech watch that will provide you with an abundance of insights - these are the best GPS watches for different running styles, all available here at Start Fitness.
The best running watches for beginners
If you’re just starting out with running, then a running watch that has all the basic features will suit you well. We recommend the Garmin Forerunner 165, which provides all the features you need as a beginner to enable you to track standard metrics such as distance, time and heart rate.
This Garmin Forerunner watch will help you create a training plan that will ensure you have the right balance of running and rest. It covers everything from sleep to recovery and training to give you healthy insights to lead a more balanced lifestyle, as well as keep you on track to hit your targets with daily suggested workouts tailored to your needs.
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| Forerunner 165 Music HRM With GPS Watch - Pink (£289.90) |
Garmin Forerunner 165 Pros:
- Built-in activity profiles include running, cycling, HIIT, strength and more
- See your health and fitness information, connect and compete with friends, and sign up for challenges to earn badges and more.
- Know how long you need to recover before your next high-impact workout with its recovery features
- Download and listen to your favourite music to stay motivated while you run that extra mile (165 Music Model only)
- Safety and tracking features, including incident detection (during select outdoor activities)
- Lightweight - only 39g
- This watch is great for self-timing when taking part in Parkrun as well, which is a great beginner-friendly running event. If you want to learn more about this regular event and what to expect, then you can read through our guide to Parkrun blog.
Garmin Forerunner 165 Cons:
- Only provides simple base analytics, so would not be useful for those looking for in-depth data on things like stride length or ground/contact time
- No training readiness or training status scores. These can be found in the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965.
- Has a smaller display than some of our other top picks
The best running watches for experienced runners
If you’re a seasoned runner with plenty of experience and you’re looking for a watch that will enable you to deep dive into key workout analytics, then we would recommend the Garmin Forerunner 965. This watch comes with a multitude of smart features and in-depth data to help you reach new heights in your fitness journey. With everything from women's health tracking, including tailored exercises and nutritional advice for menstrual cycles and pregnancy, to stress tracking to help you lead a more balanced lifestyle so you can enjoy a more energised workout.
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| Forerunner 965 HRM With GPS Watch - Black (£599.90) |
Garmin Forerunner 965 Pros:
- Pace predictor to help you predict what your final time could be for 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and marathons
- Full-colour mapping to keep you on track, whether you’re on the streets or off-road on a trail
- Multi-band GPS for superior positioning accuracy, plus GPS-based pace guidance to help you on a specific course or distance.
- Sleep, stress and energy monitoring to help you lead a more balanced and healthy lifestyle both during and around training/running
- In-depth data including stride length, contact time and cadence
- See how much power you’re applying to the trail or road so you can manage effort and fine-tune your training to run longer distances and avoid burning out - perfect for endurance athletes
- Train stress-free with safety and tracking features. If you feel unsafe or if your watch senses that an incident has occurred, your watch will send a message to your emergency contact with your live location
Garmin Forerunner 965 cons:
- Due to the multitude of features it provides, it’s a more expensive option than some of our other top-picks. If you don’t require all features, then you may prefer one of the alternatives.
- This is one of the biggest and heaviest of the Forerunner range, weighing 53g.
The best running watch for trail runners
For trail runners, navigation features such as route planning are key to make sure you stay on track during adventurous runs. We recommend the Enduro 3 DLC Titanium GPS Watch, which has an extensive up to 320-hour battery life in GPS mode to make sure you’re always equipped, and features pre-loaded TopoActive maps to help you plan your route and stick to it. It also has an in-built LED flashlight for improved visibility even in darker conditions. It’s specifically designed for ultra-endurance athletes with its lightweight design to help improve performance, as well as being tailored to outdoor activities like trail running with its titanium bezel, and scratch-resistant screen.
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| Enduro 3 DLC Titanium GPS Watch - Black (£769.90) |
Enduro 3 DLC watch pros:
- Made to withstand the elements with a titanium bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire lens and built-in LED flashlight - perfect for trail running
- It includes a long 90-day battery life and solar charging with an always-on display
- Preloaded TopoActive maps which are specifically optimised for outdoor activities
- Endure and avoid injuries like never before with targeted strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking and sport-specific workouts
- It’s a lighter option for a trail watch at 63g
Enduro 3 DLC watch cons:
- This watch is available in one size, which may not be suited to a smaller wrist
- While the watch offers Music, using this feature will significantly reduce the battery life. Without music, the battery can last up to 60 hours, or 90 hours with solar. When listening to music, this time is reduced to up to 22 hours, which is still a decent run time depending on when you can next access a charging outlet.
The best all-around running watch
If you find yourself still unsure about which running watch will be the best one for you and your running style, maybe you want to find a watch that has a little bit of everything. If you want a watch that can handle both the trails and the roads, and that is suited to all experience levels, we recommend the Coros Pace 3 GPS watch. It has a lightweight and comfortable feel and features advanced tracking technology and data accuracy to support your goals no matter whether they’re distance or time-focused.
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| PACE 3 Premium Silicone Strap GPS Watch - White (£218.90) |
Coros Pace 3 pros:
- Super lightweight to be distraction-free and help enhance performance
- Affordable pricing, great for those getting a GPS watch for the first time
- Designed to provide a maximised battery life that requires fewer charges, great for those with busy schedules
- Sleep tracking so you can adjust your effort levels as needed and feel more energised for your runs
- Route planners and navigation so you can confidently take on any road or trail without worry
- Offers ‘Track mode’ for better accuracy while track running
- Available with both silicone and nylon strap options
Coros Pace 3 cons:
- Has a smaller display size than other GPS watches. Its MIPS display isn’t as bright compared to options with an AMOLED screen
- This is a more all-round GPS running watch, so if you’re looking to meet a specific goal or you require more advanced data such as contact time and stride length, then you might find this watch doesn’t suit your needs
- It doesn’t have live music streaming capability, but you can pre-download music to listen to with this watch
Get a GPS running watch to support your goals at Start Fitness
Whether you’re training for your next marathon or you’re just trying to lead a healthier lifestyle, a GPS running watch can help you achieve your goals. Here at Start Fitness, we have a wide range of GPS smartwatches for runners so that you can find your perfect match and enjoy seeing the results you want faster than ever with data accuracy and technology that supports your journey.