As a triathlete, having the right watch can make all the difference in your training and performance. From tracking your swims, cycles, and runs to providing advanced training features and GPS mapping, a good triathlon watch can help you take your training to the next level. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for you.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best triathlon watches of 2023, to help you find the perfect watch for your multisport journey. From top brands like Garmin, Polar, Suunto, and more, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find the perfect watch to help you achieve your triathlon goals.
Best Triathlon Watches in 2023
1. Garmin Forerunner 965
The Garmin Forerunner 965 – the perfect blend of style, functionality, and features. Boasting an impressive AMOLED display, the 965 has the same GPS chipset, heart rate sensor, processor, and memory as the Forerunner 955.
With a larger display, more pixels, and excellent readability, the 965 is perfect for triathlons and outdoor sports enthusiasts, with battery life up to 23 days in smartwatch mode. The revamped interface includes stunning new watch faces that are some of the best-looking stock watch faces around.
The optional always-on display mode is perfect for workouts or just checking the time, while the gesture remote and dual-band side-light system mode make it easy to use. With accurate GPS tracking, blood oxygen saturation tracking, and plenty of workouts in its arsenal, the 965 is the perfect companion for any fitness enthusiast.
With its user-friendly touch screen, you have the flexibility to switch between using physical buttons or the touch screen, whichever is more convenient for you. The touch screen is especially useful during outdoor activities, such as hiking or trail running, where panning and browsing maps become effortless.
The titanium bezel adds a premium touch to the watch, while the Gorilla Glass 3 display with slightly curved edges provides durability and protection. The 965 has a 47.2mm case diameter, making it just slightly larger than the 955, and is 14.5mm thick with a weight of 36 grams, making it both comfortable and lightweight on your wrist. Plus, the 965’s reduced thickness and QuickFit 22 band compatibility make it easier to wear with sleeves and customize your look.
On top of that, the 965 comes with a range of training and performance feedback features, including tracking your V02 max for running and cycling, and a race predictor to help you achieve your fitness goals.
With advanced running dynamics like vertical oscillation, vertical ratio, and ground contact time, the 965 provides an accurate analysis of your running technique without the need for additional accessories.
The watch also tracks heart rate, SPO2 levels, and sleep stages with HRV. It boasts of comprehensive sport profiles that include cycling, swimming, triathlon, indoor cycling, gym workouts, skiing, snowboarding, tennis, golf, stand-up paddleboarding, and disk golf. It is perfect for all your outdoor activities, with the full-blown topo and landscape maps that look stunning on the AMOLED display. The maps provide excellent contrast and detail that pop with all those pixels, making it easy to navigate through any terrain.
The 965 comes with 32GB of storage, which can be used for maps as well as music. With support for offline music storage and playback, you can listen to your favorite tunes without your phone, thanks to music services like Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music. You can store up to 2,000 songs on the watch itself, ensuring that you never run out of music while on the go.
The GPS side of the watch is powered by the same dual-band satellite chipset as the 955, giving you access to five different satellite systems. What’s even better is the auto-select or sat IQ option, which automatically switches between satellite modes to save battery life. This feature ensures that you always have accurate location information, even when you are on the move.
If you are looking for a watch that provides accurate GPS tracking, the Forerunner 965 is your perfect match. It was tested against other devices with dual-band satellite chipsets and proved to be the most accurate. Its fine detail GPS track is impressive, especially when navigating through curvy paths, making it the most accurate of the bunch. Even on longer routes, the watch performed impressively, keeping track of the entire journey without fail.
In summary, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable, accurate, and feature-packed watch. Its advanced running dynamics, comprehensive sport profiles, accurate GPS tracking, and music storage capabilities make it the perfect companion for all your outdoor activities.
2. Garmin Forerunner 955
Garmin’s Forerunner line has always been well-regarded by triathletes. Their Fenix and Instinct lines offer great features for pool and open-water swimming, triathlon, running, biking, outdoor activities, and other multi-sport modes. However, the Forerunner line offers a slimmer and lighter design that triathletes find appealing, as it comes with the training programs and physiological analysis they need. If you’re looking to take your performance to the next level, the Garmin Forerunner 955 series is an excellent choice.
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is available in two options: a solar version for $600, which is the same price as the previous 945, and a non-solar version for $500. In the description of this video, I will provide links to the best places to buy the watch, as well as any discount codes that I can find for you.
I want to take a moment to reflect on the prices of the Garmin Forerunner 955. Despite inflation, Garmin has managed to create a better version of the 945 with solar and not raise the price, or create a better version without solar for $100 less. I believe these prices are very compelling, especially as someone who often complains about how expensive fitness watches can be. I am glad to see Garmin heading in a different direction with their pricing.
When deciding between the solar version and the non-solar version, it’s important to consider battery life. The solar version can last for 49 hours in GPS mode or about two to three weeks in smartwatch mode, depending on how much time you spend in sunlight conditions. The non-solar version lasts for 42 hours in GPS mode or about two weeks in smartwatch mode. For an extra $100, you can get a 15-25% bump in battery life.
Both versions come in either black or white color options.
Both versions also feature a touch screen on top of a larger 1.3-inch screen. The watch itself is 46.5 millimeters in diameter and 14.5 millimeters in depth, which is slightly larger than the 945 but not noticeable. However, there is no triathlon bundle with this watch and it also does not work with the older triathlon quick release system. The watch weighs 52 grams, which is only 2 grams heavier than the 945, but it’s not noticeable.
Additionally, the 955, like the 945, can host music right on the device, allowing you to leave your smartphone at home while you go out for a run and still play podcasts or music through services like Spotify of Deezer. The Forerunner 955 has 32GB of memory, which is a slight improvement over the previous model.
The watch band is a normal 22 millimeter Garmin silicone band. However, it can be tricky to dismount from the watch. To remove it, you have to wedge something in between the sides of the band and the watch to pry the pin back.
The 955 also has some cool software features, such as the Morning Report.
This feature starts by showing you an animated landscape art piece that reflects the weather. If you click into the report, you will see a training readiness score for that day, suggested workout, sleep metrics from the previous night, HRV data, and a weather report. You can go into detail on any one of these items specifically. This Morning Report is intended to give you a quick overview as you wake up.
Inside the Morning Report, there are a few new Garmin features. The training readiness score is based on a combination of factors such as sleep, recovery time from your previous workout, overall stress, and HRV. HRV, or heart rate variability, is a feature on this watch platform and measures the amount of time between heartbeats. A slow and steady rhythm means that your body is recovering from something stressful, while a higher heart rate variability means that your body is recovering and ready to go.
The 955 also has a HRV widget that you can check at any time. Additionally, Garmin has brought over the real-time stamina feature from their Fenix and Epix series watches. Real-time stamina is divided into two scores: stamina and stamina potential. Stamina measures short-term fatigue, while stamina potential measures long-term fatigue.
The 955 also has a multiband GPS tracking feature for extremely accurate tracking. In the sports-specific settings, you can choose between no GPS, GPS only, all systems, or all systems plus multiband for the most accurate GPS signal. However, keep in mind that different options will have different effects on battery life. The watch also has a GPS ultra track mode, which sacrifices some GPS accuracy for an impressive 80 hours of battery life in my testing.
During my testing, I mostly kept the watch on all systems plus multiband mode. This mode can last for around 20 hours of GPS usage or about 8.5 hours if you’re playing music and using the GPS system.
In terms of GPS tracking data, I would say it’s very good and on par with the best GPS tracking I’ve seen from any watch in my testing.
The same goes for heart rate accuracy. The 955 has what Garmin calls their Elevate 4.0 optical heart rate monitor.
In conclusion, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is a great option for serious triathletes looking for a watch that can accurately track and analyze their swims, cycles, and runs. It offers advanced training features, smartwatch capabilities, and exceptional battery life. While the lack of LTE connectivity and the complexity of the user interface may be a deterrent for some users, the price point and the advanced features make it a great investment for those who are willing to invest in a high-end watch. As a triathlon coach, I would recommend the Forerunner 955 to anyone looking to improve their training and performance.
3. Garmin Fenix 7
The Garmin Fenix 7 Series is a top-of-the-line smartwatch that is packed with features that will appeal to triathletes and fitness enthusiasts. One of the main improvements in this series is the addition of a touchscreen, which makes the watch much more user-friendly and allows for easy navigation of onboard maps. The maps are also now free to download, which is a welcome change.
Another improvement is the battery life, which is said to be “killer” and allows you to use all functions of the watch without worrying about running out of power. The GPS and optical on-wrist heart-rate measurement have also been made more accurate, which is a great feature for anyone who is serious about training and tracking their fitness.
One of the most unique features of this watch is the built-in LED flashlight on some models, specifically the Fenix 7X Solar. This flashlight is incredibly bright and can be useful for training in low-light conditions or for use as a hands-free light during early morning or nighttime activities. It also has different modes that are well-thought-out and can help with being seen.
The watch also has other interesting features like “RealTime Stamina” tracker, which lets you know how much hypothetical fuel is left in the tank in real time as you train/race, and some boosted heart-rate variability tools with the “health snapshot.”
The Fenix has some drawbacks, such as the price, which starts at $700, and the size and weight of the watch which is 96g.
Overall, the Garmin Fenix 7 Series is an excellent smartwatch that is packed with features that will appeal to triathletes and fitness enthusiasts. The touchscreen, improved battery life, accurate GPS and heart rate measurement, and unique features like the built-in LED flashlight make it stand out from other smartwatches on the market. However, the high price and size may be a drawback for some.
4. Garmin Forerunner 255
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a triathlete’s dream watch. It offers a compelling feature set at an affordable price point of $350, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a triathlon watch. The Forerunner 255 is packed with features that are specifically designed to meet the needs of triathletes.
One of the standout features of the Forerunner 255 is its GPS tracking. The watch is equipped with advanced GPS technology that provides accurate and reliable tracking for swimming, biking, and running. This feature is essential for triathletes as it allows them to track their progress and analyze their performance during training and competitions.
The Forerunner 255 also offers a great set of tools for tracking recovery. The watch comes with sleep tracking and heart rate variability (HRV) tracking features, which are essential for monitoring the body’s recovery after intense workouts. These features provide valuable insights into the body’s recovery process, which can be used to optimize training and avoid overtraining.
There is also a music version of the Forerunner 255 available for $50 more, but it is not a feature that is necessary for all triathletes. However, if you’re someone who likes to listen to music while training, this version of the watch might be a great option for you.
The Forerunner 255S is the most compact of its kind yet delivers an array of advanced features more than what a some full-sized triathlon watch can offer. It’s ideal for those with petite wrists trying to find something small and powerful – it isn’t just your ordinary running watch, but also packed with a triathlon mode!
5. Polar Vantage V2
Polar updated the Vantage V with the brand new Vantage V2 that supports new construction, as well as some brand new features.
On the surface, not much has changed with the Vantage V2, being the same familiar design as before with a 5 button configuration, along with a touchscreen. However, the Vantage V2 now uses an aluminum case rather than the stainless steel one that was found on the original, which not only cuts down on the weight, but that construction also is supposed to improve GPS performance.
The Vantage V2 includes the latest and greatest Polar Precision Prime Heart Rate Sensor, which has a different algorithm than the original, which has a different firing pattern, which is supposed to get more accurate results. The Polar Vantage V2 comes with some new software features: a new watch face view, new performance and recovery tests.
The Vantage V2 also includes the power management features that were first introduced on the Polar Grit X, which allows to fine-tune the GPS recording rate, heart rate sensor, as well as screensaver settings to get just that right balance of battery life for the activity. Which brings us to long battery life. The Vantage V2 to get up to 40 hours of GPS battery life.
Other software changes that come with the Vantage V2 are going to be some new watch faces and control all for the music that’s playing on your phone.
For the hardware changes, the Vantage V2 uses an aluminum housing rather than the stainless steel that was found on the original Vantage V, which drops the weight considerably. And it’s actually even lighter than the Vantage V Titan, which used titanium.
Polar used the manufacturing method where they sandwiched the piece of plastic in between two pieces of aluminum, which is apparently the same sort of technology that a lot of cell phone companies use. And this is supposed to boost GPS performance.
The Vantage V2, it’s definitely not a brand new watch by any means, but it is version two of the original Vantage where it updates it with the features that were originally launched with the Grit X, as well as new hardware that makes it much lighter. The highlight of Polar devices is definitely on the data side of things. They have some really great things surrounding your training, like your cardio load status and recovery metrics, the FitSpark training guidance, as well as really good sleep tracking.
If you already own the original Vantage V, the Vantage V2 may not have a big enough list of features to warrant the upgrade. However, it could be good for somebody that is currently using a Vantage M where you can collect more data like running power.
6. Polar Pacer Pro
The Polar Pacer is a great choice for those who are looking for a watch that offers a wide range of features at an affordable price.
This watch offers 150 different sports profiles, which is more than most other watches on the market. It also has sleep tracking and daily suggested training based on your previous training history.
This watch is also great for open water swimming as it has been tested and found to be accurate in these conditions.
However, the Pacer is missing one key feature that the Pace 2 has, which is running power. Although, it still places ahead of the Pace 2 due to the number of additional features it packs in. The Pacer Pro is also a great option, but it comes in at a higher price point of $100 more than the Pacer. The Pacer Pro has a built-in barometer and features like hill climbing, route turn by turn navigation, and running power.
Overall, the Polar Pacer is a great watch for triathletes, providing a wide range of features at an affordable price.
7. Coros Pace 2
The Coros Pace 2 is a new multi-sport watch that is designed to help triathletes meet and exceed their goals, especially with its advanced metrics for swimming, cycling, and running.
The watch features an optical heart rate sensory, 30 hours in GPS mode, running analytics, waterproof up to 50 meters, and supports multisport athletes.
The Coros Pace 2 watch is light weight and has a comfortable silicone band that can fit different wrist sizes so that it’s snug on the wrist without feeling constricted.
The screen size is big enough so that you can glance down and see the metrics quickly.
The information is easy to read as well since it is organized from top to bottom. And, you can customize what you want to see on the screen so you don’t have to scroll through the different screens.
The watch can operate in three different modes (standard, GPS, and UltraMax GPS), which affect the battery life.
Typically, the standard mode can last up to 20 days which is great if you use this watch as an everyday watch as well.
The GPS mode can last up to 30 hours which is adequate but if compared to the Apex falls just 5 hours short.
The UltraMax GPS mode lasts around 60 hours.
Using the watch is fairly simple and can be figured out without reading the entire user’s manual. The watch does let you customize the watch face and pick out data displays on the app. This is much easier and more efficient than doing it on the watch, which can be quite tedious and time-consuming.
The Pace 2 watch lets you choose from indoor and outdoor modes for running, cycling, and swimming. Each is recorded with very high accuracy.
The GPS connects very fast after you start a workout outside and the watch will make a sound when it starts recording your heart rate and position.
The triathlon mode is very useful and easily tracks all three activities without having to mess with the watch during a race.
In addition to the heart rate, the watch can also have an accelerator, barometer, and compass/gyroscope.
The heart rate monitor does work well but does have some glitches which have prompted some to wear a heart rate monitor too.
The accelerator does a bit longer to pick up changes in speed.
The barometer is very accurate and the watch can display current elevation, ascent, and descent during your workouts.
The compass/gyroscope is coupled with the GPS to calculate your stride length so if you lose the GPS signal it can calculate a close estimate.
Anytime there is a firmware update, it can easily be added by plugging your watch into your computer or using Bluetooth.
You can get smartphone notifications through the phone but you can only read a short blurb of it.
The sports watch, unfortunately, does not have navigation information which would give you off-route alerts, elevation profiles, distance to destination that other sports watches have. This is the one spot where the watch falls short.
Triathletes who have bought the watch like it because it is lightweight and easy to use. The screen is big enough to see the metrics while doing a workout but doesn’t look chunky on their wrists. The watch is easy to use and the watch face can be customized on the app which is much easier for some. The watch has excellent GPS capabilities.
I recommend this watch because it can be used as a tracking tool for your workouts and it will accurately record all your data.
8. Wahoo ELEMNT Rival
As a triathlete, the Wahoo ELEMNT Rival is an interesting option for a watch. Developed by Wahoo, it is their first watch and it definitely has triathlon in mind. One of the standout features of this watch is its ability to automatically switch between swimming, biking, and running without the need to press a button. This is particularly useful during triathlon races as it records all of the splits for you.
Over the past year, Wahoo has also been releasing regular updates for this watch, including a track mode, music controls, and planned workouts. However, I have had some issues with the GPS accuracy and battery life of this watch. This has led me to not recommend it as much, unless you are someone who wants to stick to the Wahoo ecosystem.
9. Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 may surprise many people with its good GPS accuracy. It is also one of the best optical wrist-based heart rate monitors that I have tested.
The new software on this watch includes a triathlon mode, similar to the Wahoo Rival watch. It can detect when you are transitioning from swimming to biking to running in a triathlon race.
Additionally, it has a running power feature and a new swim mode that automatically detects kicksets and different strokes. This leads me to believe that Apple is taking fitness activities more seriously.
Although it is one of the smartest watches on the list, the battery life is a complete nightmare, making it suitable only for triathletes doing shorter races.
However, if you are not going for a long race and are firmly entrenched in the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 7 is a decent triathlon watch.
10. Timex Ironman R300 (GPS)
Timex built its Timex Ironman R300 GPS triathlon watch with good battery life, guided workouts, real-time heart rate monitoring, and a large range of metrics for whatever workout you have planned. The watch is waterproof.
The screen is easily read even in the rising sun and has an easy-to-use interface with good Bluetooth or ANT+ connectivity.
The interface is easy to use and although it relies on buttons it does feature a touchscreen. If you want, you can turn off the touch-screen capabilities during the workout.
The factory settings display the date and time, heart rate, and steps taken for the day. Along with the battery life and if it’s connected to your smartphone.
Of course, you can change the factory settings to whatever metrics you want to be displayed.
The buttons on the side work as a “normal” smart watch would. It can display what calls you’ve missed, the weather, and if you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
The middle button is the key to the sports features of the triathlon watch.
The sports part of the watch will let you start a workout, begin a planned workout, review past results from workouts, manage your phone’s music, and look at your daily activities stats.
You can customize what metrics you want to be displayed and tracked on the app, which syncs up to your smartphone. The watch can also track your progress towards whatever goals you have.
You can sync or upload your data to Strava and RunKeeper
In the watch’s sports mode, you can choose from nearly anything from indoor running to “any sport” or race modes.
While you’re doing a workout, you can customize what metrics you want to be displayed. You can choose from 1-3 data displays. This can be done on the watch instead of your phone.
The structured workouts are found under “coached” in the sport’s settings. And, you can choose from running, HIIT, and Triathlon, which would be useful.
The triathlon mode will track each portion of the triathlon, including the transitions.
The odd part about the “coached” workouts is the GPS. The watch turns it on without actually displaying it on the watch.
In “coached” mode, you’ll see the total distance for running and biking but only your heart rate for swimming. So when it’s uploaded to a training app, the triathlon mode will show up as “other” workout.
The race mode isn’t as advanced as you’d think. It’s basically a self-pacer for yourself. And, if you set the race mode to a specific distance, it will just count down how much you have left.
Triathletes who have bought the watch like it because it offers a lot of features for athletes and even has a triathlon and race mode. The GPS and heart rate are very accurate and are on par with watches that cost nearly two or three times as much. The watch interface is very easy to use and can be operated with the buttons or touch screen. The “smart” features work very well.
I recommend this watch to those who are ok with basic capabilities with some nice features. And, has many smart watch capabilities.
How to Choose the Best Triathlon Watch
There are many options available for triathlon watch for every type of athlete. What is important to keep in mind is that whichever watch you buy, it should withstand most of the challenges and the elements you face during your workout including water, sweat, and dirt. Also, the watch should optimally meet all other needs it is required to fulfill.
The choice can be overwhelming even for those who have bought them before. Luckily, the following guide will help you make a decision you won’t regret later. Although you might not need all of the features mentioned below, it is worth considering, as the more a watch has, the more you will get out of it. You will have plenty of time to focus on your workout than messing up with the watch.
What is Triathlon and a Watch for Triathlon?
Triathlon is a multiple-stage competition that involves the completion of three progressive and continuous endurance activities. Most prevalently, the sport involves cycling, swimming, and running at short intervals over many distances. Participants of this sport compete for the fastest course time completion as they transition between swimming, running, and cycling.
A tri watch enables you to track your changes and make an analysis of all the physiological processes triathletes go through. It monitors the heart rate, calories, steps, number of laps you have done among others. The watch also helps you make perfect navigations and follow trails while you are hiking, cycling, or skiing. Some will allow you to connect to the internet and synchronize or save your stats and data online.
Triathlon Watch Brands
To start with, you should go for a brand that you can trust. There are many triathlon watches available in the market, and from different companies (Garmin, Suunto, Polar, etc). Going for the companies that have appropriately branded themselves as a sign of quality gives you the confidence that what you buy is a quality product too. Such companies will back their products with good warranties and guarantees. Therefore, you, the user of the watch, will have no worry when buying the watch. You are assured that the watch will function as indicated, and if anything is not so, you can easily get a replacement by returning the faulty watch.
Cost of the Tri Watch
The cost of the watch is also a consideration. Triathlon watches range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. Depending on how much you wish to spend, you can go for the most appropriate watch in that cost bracket. Simply put, you should go for the watch that you can afford, without compromising so much on the quality.
Features
The features of the triathlon watch that you will need for your training and progress monitoring also come in to play. The watch that you buy should incorporate all those features that you feel you will need for adequate recordings, and effective training. On top of this, it should be shockproof. During exercise, sudden movements and pounding on the ground during race results in significant shock waves. If the watch cannot withstand this, then it may not be well effective. More so, during exercise, the watch can unfasten and fall off. It should be able to withstand such a fall.
Where cost allows, go for a watch with several functions. These functions include a multisport mode, smart notifications, alarms, heart rate monitors and cool displays that allow ease of reading of the watch in all conditions. Triathlon watches will also have speed measurements, including your real time speed, your average speed, and your maximum speed. Some also measure your best, average and current pace, with some having GPS functionality that allows you real time tracking of your location, the distance and time to target. With such features and functionality, the triathlon watch allows you to even predict an estimate finish time, elapsed time, and countdown timing, as well as recalling your previous training sessions.
Water Resistance 
Every tri watches must be waterproof, taking into consideration that one sweats a lot during training and the race itself. You also have a swimming event within the triathlon race, which means that the need for water resistance is important. If not well resistant to water, it may end up malfunctioning when sweat and water drips into it. But is it enough? Some have an ATM rating of a depth of up to 100 meters. The watch should track the distance, show all the swimming metrics apart from showing you the stroke count. All this can happen while the watch is firmly on your wrists. With a little sophistication, the watches monitor the pool laps, and far from counting your strokes, it can show you the particular type of stroke you are using.
If you are unlucky and you don’t have a watch with swim features or water resistance, but you have GPS, you can put the watch under your swimming cap to get better tracking. This keeps the watch above the water to ensure that the GPS signal is not lost. Normally, when the watch is worn and you submerge yourself in under an inch of water, the GPS is lost.
Battery Life
Another important factor to give a priority is the battery life. Nothing is infuriating more than a triathlon GPS watch that dies on you while you are in the middle of your workouts. Get a watch that comes with sufficient battery life that is longer than your daily exercise routine.
Battery life is particularly important during competitions. If the battery comes with an impressive life, it will enable you to engage in several activities without having to give up in the middle to go and recharge the unit. A flawless session allows you to train more effectively and keep a perfect track of how you are faring on.
Connectivity with Workout Accessories
Compatibility with other accessories is one important consideration that you shouldn’t pass up. Some watches have multi-sport features but aren’t compatible with heart rate monitors, speed sensors, or the cadence. These features are some of the most important in triathlon training watches. Some watches, however, have Bluetooth sensors heart rate monitors that are compatible with other smart devices like phones and tablets.
Heart Rate Monitor
A heart rate monitor (HRM) is a very useful feature and is found on a number of triathlon watches.
There are a number of reasons you may wish to monitor your heart rate when training. A HRM allows the wearer to assess or even be alerted by their rising or falling heart rate.
Tracking your heart rate measurements lets you monitor your fitness over time. You can also assess how quickly you recover after a training or exercise session. This is a great feature for any serious athletes as this is a good indication of your bodies fitness level.
Heart rate monitors work by being attached to a band around your body (chest strap HRM) or can be integrated into the watch (optical HRM). Your heart rate can be seen on the watch face. The equipment must first be calibrated to your resting heart rate, which in some watches can be a bit tricky and time consuming.
It’s worth spending a little time setting up your new watch as the ability to track and measure your results over time is worth the effort. You can then set training zone targets and goals which are based on your own levels of training and fitness.
A couple of things to bear in mind if you’re planning to use a heart rate monitor to train for an event or wear one in a race is that your heart rate can be influenced by other factors, such as dehydration, weather and anxiety, which can set in when you see your heart rate rising. They can also be affected when in close proximity to a lot of other similar or electrical devices.
A heart rate monitor is a tool for a serious athlete and should be used in conjunction with your own ability to understand your bodies internal signals. As a famous triathloncoach once said:
“The problem arises when technology begins to own us. Heart rate monitors are a great example. Some runners get locked into heart rate training and will let the monitor dictate their pace.”
A heart rate monitor is a must have for anybody who is concerned about their fitness level when recommencing a regular exercise program and for athletes in training.
Watch Straps
The straps of your triathlon watch should be adjustable. This is because as one engages in exercise, the blood vessels dilate increasing the muscle size and arm diameter quite a bit. You therefore, might need to adjust these straps during the training or racing exercise. Make sure that they are easily adjustable so that you do not loose your speed when adjusting the watch during a race.
Weight
Your triathlon watch should be light enough not to add a drag on you when racing. A heavy watch works to distract a person when racing in a triathlon. It also makes one very uncomfortable and unsettled. Having multiple functions in the watch does not necessarily translate in to a heavy one. Technological improvements have brought about a revolution in the size and weight of electronic circuits, making wonderful functionality easy to incorporate within very light and small circuits. You should therefore, shop around for a watch with most of the features you need, but also one that has an ideal weight for you.
Conclusion
While the options of having the best triathlon GPS watch are almost limitless, none of them are the same. From the above-discussed watches, you can tell that the features are different, but are all tailored towards making your workout a success. One with many features like the Garmin Forerunner 955 is suitable for most activities in comparison with one that has only a few features.
