The trend for GPS running watches today is to load them with many features and a whole host of functionality to cater to everyone’s training needs.

And, with the plethora of options, the need to customize and personalize your GPS running watch is important to match your style, needs and interests.

When personalizing your GPS running watch, here are some settings that you may want to configure:

Interface: Most runners track only specific things when it comes to their training. Some care about their pace, their heart rates, their total times or some other variable. However, running watches are able to track more than these figures, which can make a confusing interface and display.

Fortunately, there are running watches, such as the Garmin Forerunner 205, the Garmin Forerunner 305 or the Garmin Forerunner 405 that allow users to easily customize what appears on their running watch’s screens. This makes for a less convoluted interface, and users would only need a quick glance to see the data that they need.

Wrist straps: This is an often overlooked customizable feature when it comes to running watches. A running watch with an ill fitting strap would be unwieldy and uncomfortable for the runner. This may make training a lot more difficult than it needs to be. If the default wrist strap fits your wrist, then good for you, but if it’s not then you must try to change.

It is highly important to change wrist straps to fit the contours of your wrist. That’s why some models of the Garmin Forerunner come with alternative sizes for their wrist straps and even have the screw drivers included with the package.

Optional Accessories: While Garmin Forerunner running watch models are able to provide many kinds of features, it can’t be helped that there are some features that are needed by other forms of training. This is where the optional accessories can play a big part in improving ones training experience.

For example, The Garmin Forerunner 205, can be used with compatible accessories to give additional functionality. There are heart rate monitors for people who want to know how intense their training is, speed/cadence sensors for bikers, and foot POD for runners who want more detailed training when they are indoors and using their GPS enabled running watches.

Computer software: Another way to customize your equipment is through the computer software that it comes with. Having a good computer software to analyze your training would easily enable you to adjust settings, and find out which data you would really need when doing your intense training.

Being able to customize your running watches would truly help in ensuring that you get the easiest, and most efficient training. You would not have to be cumbered with extraneous features, or ill-fitting equipment, if you are available to easily personalize your watches.

Related posts:

1. Features to look for in a Running Watch:
2. Running Watch Favorites
3. Garmin Forerunner 305 Review

Polar RS200sd Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Black)

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $249.95

Amazon Price: $265.04

The Polar RS200sd Heart Rate Monitor Watch is a watch that is made especially for people who take their running seriously.

Powered by its highly accurate inertia controlled accelerometer, this time piece can easily measure data necessary for improving your running regiment. It can accurately capture your speed, pace, distance, and heart rates as you run.

The Polar RS200sd Heart Rate Monitor Watch also has a fitness indicator feature which allows the runner to create a highly personalized workout. It is able to measure your fitness level, and give you workouts that will not over train or under train you.

To further check your training levels, the Polar RS200sd even features uploadable training settings to your running computer. This allows you to send your workout files to the Polar Running Coach Web Service for analysis.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Best polar for the price
I’m an experienced runner (running for more than 5 years) and I just can’t train without a polar on my wrist… First I bought a simple polar F3… At first It was good because all I wanted was my heart rate measured… But after 6 months I realized it wasn’t enough… So I spent a good money on a Polar FT80 Heart but that was too much… You just don’t use all the features of the watch and the screen is too dim at night and when you are running at high level you get have an easy to see screen, one that just at a glance you get all the information you need and want… So, as I’m from Brazil and I moved to US I forgot to bring my Polar FT80 Heart so I purchase the Polar RS200sd (the sd means speed and distance because it comes with a footpod)… This heart rate monitor does all the work… It measures your speed and distance (that’s good for street runner but useless for treadmill runners only if you like the watch to keep registered your speed and distance for that day)… And gives you your heart rate, your percentage, and your ownindex (VO2)…

I’ve learned that the polar ownindex is not accurate but it is useful for doing a training program at the polar weblink software…

This polar comes with a feature called connectivity… You download the polar weblink software, register yourself on their website and transfer your training data from your polar just putting it near your computers microphone… It makes a modem connecting sound and it transfer all the data (it’s easy to do it)… Thus, after transferring the data you can create training programs up to marathon… Moreover, it’s really useful for you to keep your whole data as this polar only keep in file your last 20 sessions (more than enough)…

In a nutshell, I would certainly recommend this polar for experienced runner and beginners… Keeping a track of your heart rate and your training evolution is extremely important and with this polar on your wrist you will be just fine…

Best cost for the features, certainly do not recommend spending more money… This does it all…

5 Stars Solid and Dependable
I am currently training for the Marine Corp Marathon and recording all my runs using this watch. I am tracking against a training program i created on the polar training website. The watch included the optional footpod. I find this to be an invaluable tool as I use it to track pace (min/mile) as well as total distance. Overall i am extremely happy with this purchase. As a long distance runner i am able to keep track of my heart rate and better manage my fitness through training zones. This is not perfect as i find i am typically running at 90% of my maximum heart rate unless i make a concerted effort to slow down.

5 Stars Polar RS200SD Heart Rate Monitor Review
Pros: Price, Weblink, accurate, not big, easy to navigate.

Cons: none

I have had no problems with my Polar RS200SD. It is extremely accurate. and easy to use although more advanced interval monitoring is a little cumbersome. For anyone looking to purchase a heart rate monitor for the first time the RS200SD is a great start and has the weblink feature that lets you use Polar’s software to breakdown and visualize your workout heart rate data. I have not used the foot pod so I can’t comment on it. I’ve had very good luck with mine so far.

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4 Stars Good watch
This is a good entry level watch for a runner that wants to follow their HR during runs. The watch is only moderately complex. The numbers are legible. The basic kit comes with a strap, the sd kit comes with the footpod.

You really need to buy into the HR zones to get the full function of this watch. Otherwise, it may be a bit of overkill. The polar website has some additional instructions that help with this.

5 Stars Just what I was looking for…
I LOVE this Heart Rate Monitor watch!! It is just what I was looking for in a HR Monitor for running. I would highly recommend it…It is easy to use and loaded with great features for runners/walkers.

Buy/More Info

Related posts:

1. Polar RS100 Black Running Series Heart Rate Monitor
2. Polar FS2C Heart Rate Monitors Black
3. Polar RS300X SD Heart Rate Monitor Watch with S1 Foot Pod Black