Feb 14 2009
Mobile Gadgets: Garmin Forerunner 305 tracks my workout with GPS accuracy
Staying fit, even for us dedicated souls is not always easy. Motivation comes in many different forms and is never the same for everybody. Some need a workout partner, some need music and others need electronic feedback. My motivation comes from results.
When weather permits I jog six mornings per week. Depending on a workout partner has always been a detriment because few have been as dedicated as I am. Instead I prefer sticking to my own schedule and keeping my own pace. However, I enjoy my electronic partner – a Garmin Forerunner 305.
In the beginning I wore a Timex workout watch. It tracked my distance and I liked the option to breakdown my workout by laps since most of my jogging was at the local high school track. Now I get even more accurate stats with my Forerunner.
A GPS in a wristwatch is great. It is lightweight and easy to glance at while jogging. I never have to guess at my pace or distance traveled. Before, once I mapped out a workout path I tended to stick to it because I wanted to know the exact distance. Now, I can change my workout path on the fly and I will still know the exact distance. Workout history such as my speed, my pace, elapsed time and path is important. Competing against myself keeps me trying to reach higher goals.
A Heart Rate Monitor is included and helps with tracking my actual fitness. The lower my heart rate during exercise the more fit I am becoming.
Re-charging the Forerunner is easy with the charging cradle.
Workout history is easy with the Forerunner. After working out I upload my workout stats to the Internet. Included software helps me record each workout and I can save all of my results. If I were so inclined to change my workout from jogging to cycling or even cross country skiing my Garmin Forerunner 305 would adjust as well.
