The first step in finding the best GPS watch to help you with your running schedule is deciding which features you need and which you don’t. If you start by looking at all the available models, it’s just too overwhelming to choose. Here is a list of all the various features:

• Monitor heartbeat– When you run, your heart rate increases. Everyone has an ideal heart rate at which they should exercise to achieve certain goals. If you train for a target heart rate, the watch will track your actual result so you can adjust your pace accordingly.
• calorie tracking– Some watches calculate the number of calories burned through your level of effort. If you’re training to lose weight, you’ll want to know this number for each of your workouts. This gives you information that you can record in any weight loss journal so you can monitor your progress and make sure you’re exercising at a pace that will help you reach your goals.
• Pace and distance tracking– Serious runners often keep track of their running pace and the distance of each run. Runners who are members of a track team are constantly focused on increasing their speed. The right GPS watch gives you real-time information about your pace because the satellite tracks you from one coordinate to another and uses the time between those points to help you understand how fast you’re running. Real-time feedback pushes you to do better and helps you improve your performance.
• Grade and elevation– Running for an hour on a flat surface is a very different workout than one that forces you to run up and down hills throughout your running session. Since GPS technology knows where you’re running, it also knows things like the grade and elevation of your route. If you change routes regularly, you may be able to compare the various differences in your route to rank them from easiest to most challenging.
• GPS Coordinates and Route– There are plenty of heart rate monitors you could use, but if you’re interested in a GPS watch, you’re looking for more information than just your heart rate. Different watches display different GPS data during your workout. If you run in dark places, being able to see the route you took and find your exact GPS coordinates can be the difference between finding your way back home (or your car) and wandering lost for hours. Be picky about displaying these kinds of details on any watch you buy and make sure it fits your needs.
• training alerts– Other cool features included with the best GPS watches for runners are the ability to set alerts that can keep a runner in the desired training range. For example, if their pace drops below a preset range, an alarm will sound to tell them to speed it up.
• Manufacturer Tracking Tools – Perhaps one of the biggest benefits a runner can use after purchasing one of these watches is the free use of the manufacturer’s website, which is dedicated to helping them track their training, develop and set goals, map routes, set training schedules and also offers gave them the opportunity to review a post-training analysis on their computer.

Decide which of the above features are necessary for your personal training goals. Make a list of those items and just consider the GPS watches that have all the ones you’ve decided are the most important to you.

You will save a lot of time by being able to eliminate GPS watches that do not fit your needs and you will be much more satisfied with your purchase.