Choosing a workout watch

Sunset, Feb, 1992 by Jim McCausland

Whatever your sport--walking, jogging, swimming, or aerobics--a workout watch is likely to be part of your gear. Digital technology spurred a revolution in these timepieces, which now now offer far more than mere timekeeping.

There are models that check your pulse rate, count calories, and even memorize your lap times.

And in this Olympic year, watchmakers have introduced even more variations. The lion's share of the choices are under $100, though some cost much more. Many depart from the high-tech unisex look, including a number of introductions sized and styled for women.

The watch's works

As you shop, measure features against the conditions under which you'll use them. And don't forget the watch's basic purpose: some watches are so cluttered with gadgetry that it's hard to tell the time.

Bands and cases must match your sport: synthetic or stainless steel ones, for example, stand up best to sweat and salt water. In the past, synthetic bands weren't replaceable. Now they are, usually for $5 to $30.

Beeps should be easy to hear over background noise (such as passing traffic). Many otherwise excellent watches beep too softly.

Control buttons must be prominent enough to reach easily and instantly.

Display should be bold. Go for large size and clarity.

Illumination is important only if you work out at night. Dial lights are better than glow-in-the-dark marks, which show only hours, minutes, and seconds. Check lights before you buy: some are brighter than others.

Which features?

Calorie counters convert speed and distance into calories burned.

Memory features let a wastch record information such as lap times and miles covered on each of the last 10 to 100 days.

Pulse measurement is important if you exercise for aerobic benefit. The New Aerobics, by Dr. Kenneth Cooper (Bantam Books, New York, 1990; $4.95 paperback), explains it very well.

Some watches record the time your pulse stays within a target range (between, say, 110 and 130 beats per minute). Watches that attach to an accompanying chest band work more accurately than those with a finger monitor.

A mail-order company that specializes in pulse watches is Creative Health Products, 5148 Saddle Ridge Rd., Plymouth, Mich. 48170; (800) 742-4478.

Stopwatch features that count forward and countdown feature that count backward should divide time into useful increments--5ths, 10ths, or 100ths of a second. Even those that measure to 1,000ths of a second are available.

It's helpful to be able to measure lap and total times separately. One of the best models we've seen lets you program a tartet lap time; 16 seconds before your target time, a beeper motivates you to kick in the afterburners for a better overall time.

Water resistance is important even if you don't do water sprots; sweat and rain are unavoidable. Look for a watch that's waterproof under pressure (a depth of 50 meters, for example), and replace the gasket every time you replace the battery.