Running
 

I'm getting back into running in December but i want to do it properly, I want to get myself a running watch to measure pulse rate and a GPS record of how far I've run etc. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, as I've read that you can get Apps for running for your phone, the only problem with that is that they don't measure your heart rate.

Can you buy those heart monitor bands and use them with apps? is that a cheaper option to say buying something like the Nike+ Monitor watch?

I saw the gadget show recently and it was mentioning these apps instead of running computers, so i was wondering what other people use?

Re: Running
 

I use the Garmin ForeRunner 110 GPS watch. You can get 3 version, the Unisex, women's version and the one for men.

The first 2 come without a HR strap but the men's watch comes with it. That one costs about £115 ish (sometimes a touch less) and the other 2 are around £90. I bought the unisex one then found the HR straps on ebay for £15 so I bought one and saved myself some cash.

It's a great watch and when I went to the hospital recently for an ECG I put the strap on while they were checking me and it turned out the reading was exactly the same as the hospital equipment so they're completely accurate.

The Nike+ watch looks much better and performs well but is more expensive and the HR monitor for it costs around £40. Not worth the added expense in my opinion as both watches and monitors do the same job.

Don't forget that if you're going to use a phone GPS app to measure distances they're not as accurate as a watch. They do give you a general idea of how you've done of course and can be useful but if you're looking to check if you're times/distances are improving on a week-by-week basis then they won't be any good. A good link going in to detail: http://runneracademy.com/running-app...nning-watches/

But if all you want is to check your HR then it would be fine.

Make sure you're aware of the correct heart rate zone to be in when you run. My resting HR is around 55 BPM but when I'm on the road it averages out at 160BPM - staying in the correct zone will play a big part in whatever goal you're doing the running for (weight loss, improving cardio, endurance etc).

Re: Running
 

You suffer from agoraphobia I believe.Does running help you to cope with the condition?

Re: Running
 

Well the aim is to use running to help me with the agoraphobia, ive been walking a lot more recently but i used to enjoy running. I'm hoping that running will help me, but it's not something i can just jump into.

---------- Post added at 12:35 ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 ----------

Ive read about fore runner, im only really looking for a heart rate monitor, id be happy to use an app for GPS for example. I forgot the Nike+ needs the monitor as well, so i wont get that after what you said.

I will probably end up going with the forerunner like you said. I read that you take your age and knock that off 200, and thats what your heart rate should be when running, but i dont know if thats true or not and i might be completely wrong, i read something somewhere. but with the Nike+ it alerts you if you go over a certain bpm, thats one of the reasons i liked it. but the forerunner does that also.

Re: Running
 

That's generally right but have a look at http://www.brianmac.co.uk/hrm1.htm for more info.

The 110 doesn't alert you if you go over a certain level but it's no big thing - I just keep checking my watch every so often. Once you've been running a while and know your own body you'll be aware of when your heart is under extra strain.