THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO…Running watches

Want to buy your first running smartwatch? Here is our best advice on how to avoid common pitfalls and get a running watch that’s best for your needs

- Matt Kollat

Running has never been unpopular but it saw a huge surge in interest in the last 12 months, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in many countries. Despite all the negativity that surrounds the virus, the pandemic had a positive impact on how people perceive fitness in general and health preservation in particular, hence why all of a sudden everyone you know seems to be running every day.

Steady-state cardio activities (SSCA) such as running have a range of health benefits but they are best known for improving heart health: ‘cardio’ stands for cardiovascular, as in ‘to do with the heart and blood vessels’. All forms of running are beneficial, including brisk walking, a great activity for overweight and obese people but also the elderly; jogging, a step up from brisk walking and also extremely advantageous for weight loss and keeping the pounds off long term; and full-blown running.

As well as being good for the heart, running can also boost metabolism, which can help get you out of any weight loss rut you find yourself in every now and then. The body uses fat to fuel itself during SSCAs, whether it’s dietary fat or stored fat, which is great news for people who are trying to lose weight. The combination of a healthy diet and regular SSCAs is said to be the most efficient way to maintain long-term weight loss.