Garmin and why?

Originally posted by nc452010

Originally posted by FrankMilena What benefits, other than data tracking, does a Garmin watch or another like it offer?

"Other than data tracking"? It tracks HR, distance, pace, elapsed time, time of day, cadence, power (avg. and normalized), etc..., etc..., etc... Pretty much any and everything one needs to train...........IF they buy into the benefits of said data. If you don't (buy into those benefits), they're practically useless

What he said. There are lots of features that you may or may not find useful. 

The dad can be used while  you are working out and later after when you want to analyze your training. 

For example, i know on multiple occasions I've used the Virtual Pacer to help me pace a race - you set a pace target and it tells you how far behind or ahead of it you are. I set a nice 10k pb doing that. I also have programmed interval workouts, set run/walk timers, and my hubby now loves the LiveTrack where i can see where is when he's out biking ... 

But then my running buddy uses little more than the Distance/Pace/Total time for training but she still loves her Garmin. I don't think she's ever really cared that it does much more

A lot of capability and features will depend on what model you have and what you actually care about

One of the biggest benefits of a Garmin type device (as compared to a simple wrist watch with chrono features) is that it can track more data and also provides an easier way to track that data over time.  When I first started running, I just had a Timex Ironman watch and I would get total time I ran and I would use a website tool like mapmyrun to estimate the distance.  From there I could manually calculate my average pace and manually log that information somewhere.  

Once I got a Garmin, I automatically got distance and pace, as well as lap splits (I auto lapped each mile) so I could easily know if I was maintaining the same pace throughout a run, speeding up, or slowing down.  Then the data gets loaded to Garmin Connect (which can now feed automatically to other sites) so that all your historical data is accessible whenever or wherever you want it.

Garmin does also have other new features that allow it to act more like a smart watch, but the main draw is still data collection and data retention for your workouts. 

I use it in run training to make sure I stay on plan with pacing and don't over due it.  Helps with injury prevention in my case.  I used to just use stop watch feature on a digital watch.  I prefer to be able to see what my pace is vs RPE while I run.

Racing biggest benefit for me is not blowing myself up in the first 1-2 k of a run. 

I also try to ditch all the gps stuff for a bike or run once in awhile.