• If you’re reading this blog, then we’ll take it that you’re either serious about your running or looking to get serious.

Finding the best smartwatch for running will help you achieve that PB you’ve been aiming for all season. Or, it will help you get back on your fitness journey if you’ve fallen off the horse in recent months (don’t be worrying, it happens to us all!).

So, whether you’re that seasoned runner chasing those fine margins, or the person who enjoys a leisurely run just to clear the head, we hope this blog will help you and your fitness journey.

As discussed in our previous blog – our guide to finding the best smartwatch for you – Fibit and Garmin smartwatches cater for different people, with the latter being the preferred option for sportspeople.

If you’re wondering why, read on:

• • • Highly accurate GPS monitors
    • Heart rate monitors that even work underwater
    • Water and swim resistant, if you want to cool down after a run
    • Lightweight
    • Long-lasting battery life
    • Access to lots of running data, like VO2 Max

Here’s the kicker:

Garmin smartwatches might not have the aesthetic appeal of their Fitbit counterparts, but that’s not what they’re trying to do. These are all about arming you with the right features, be it pre-run, during your run, or post-run.

We know that running can benefit your health in so many ways, but you might not have know that a smartwatch can benefit your running.

So here’s our picks.

The best smartwatch for running: Garmin Forerunner 45

Simple, elegant and affordable, the Garmin Forerunner can satisfy the beginners, bargain hunters and the more experienced runners.

For less than €200, you get a sleek design with all the frills and spills needed for your running, as well as some neat features to help off the track or trails.

Here’s the lowdown:

• • • Built in GPS with optical heart rate from your wrist
    • Adaptive training plans, VO2 max as well as activity and sleep tracking
    • Body battery energy level monitoring, stress tracking, incident detection and music controls
    • Battery life that last up to seven days
    • Waterproof up to 50 metres and swim proof

In our humble opinion, the Forerunner is the best smartwatch for running, whatever your ability.

Best smartwatch for running (Elite): Garmin Venu

If you’re willing to splash the cash, then the Garmin Venu is for you.

It has a brilliant AMOLED display, impressive battery life and a full suite of fitness features that make it one of the best all-round fitness trackers on the market.

It is definitely venturing more into the smartwatch territory, as opposed to the fitness trackers, but it’s sleek style allows it to float under the radar but still pack a massive bunch in terms of features.

Here’s what it packs:

• • • Stainless steel bezel with Corning Gorilla Glass protecting its AMOLED display
    • Quick release bands
    • Water resistant up to 50m and swim proof
    • Body Battery Energy Monitoring that tracks your energy levels throughout the day and finds the optimum time for your workouts
    • Pulse Ox Sensor gauges your blood oxygen Saturday during and the day and during your sleep
    • Stress, hydration and respiration tracking as well as advanced sleep monitoring
    • Built in sports apps, Garmin Coach, custom workouts, Garmin Pay and much more

Best smartwatch for running (novice): Garmin Vivofit

This everyday wear tracker proves that Garmin doesn’t just cater for serious athletes and offers a more affordable range which gives its users an everyday option instead.

While the Vivofit lacks some of the more high-tech features its more expensive cousins offer, it still has plenty of advantages such as solid activity tracking and an unbeatable battery life. It doesn’t, however, have a built in GPS, heart-rate sensor or touch screen, but it works perfectly with the Garmin Connect app.

It’s also a band-style tracker, meaning the strap isn’t interchangeable. But because it’s small and subtle, it won’t cramp the style of your shiny timepiece that you might also want to wear.

Here’s the story:

• • • Coin cell battery that last up to a year
    • Water proof and swim proof
    • Enough memory to store four weeks of activity data
    • Can track time, date, steps, distance, calories burned, weekly intensity minutes and weather through Garmin Connect
    • Boasts a ‘Find My Phone’ option

Final Word

At Intersport Elverys, we stock a full range of smartwatches, some of which you can check out in the visual below.

While we focused on an athlete’s preference in this blog, there are so many more options available to you, so do you research.

If you’re out for a run this week, make sure to let us know your thoughts on the best smartwatches for running. And don’t forget to enjoy it too!

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.