Get out and get fit with TomTom’s affordable new fitness tracker that features a heart rate monitor, MP3 player and multisport tracking - suitable for running, cycling and swimming
Fitness tracking gadgets have never been a necessity for me considering I’m more likely to be at home watching shows on Netflix than running through a nature trail. But, I jumped (off my couch) at the opportunity to review the TomTom Runner 3 ($299) fitness tracking watch because I really do need to work on my fitness, and the watch packs in tonnes of exciting features I couldn’t wait to try.
Form and function
But before diving into the tech-ier side of things, it’s worth talking about the watch from a design standpoint. It’s certainly a sporty design with its black rubber case and lime green underside, but what I love the most about it is how discreet it is. In fact, it could very easily pass as a ‘sporty’ fashion watch and is just as wearable at the casual workplace as the gym.
The second thing you’ll notice after the watch’s sleek design is the pixellated monochrome display and black plastic directional pad. The monochrome non-touch-screen display won’t win any awards in the resolution department, but it does a perfectly good job of displaying the time along with any information that you call up on the watch. The directional pad, however, might take some getting used to if you’re more comfortable with touch screen smart watches. While the screen and analogue controls might seem archaic compared to other fitness trackers and smart watches, it offers two significant benefits: an impressive battery life, and easy control of the watch even when your hands are caked in mud and grime.
Sporty features for runners, cyclists, and swimmers
Behind the unassuming monochrome screen, fitness junkies will find a bevy of useful features that track running, cycling, and swimming. The first two activities are tracked via GPS – simply navigate to your chosen activity by clicking the right button from the home screen and wait for the GPS to connect. The watch then tracks your pace, calories burned, and your heart rate. The watch also keeps track of your previous activities, allowing you to make comparisons on the go.
Swimming, however, isn’t GPS-based. To use the ‘Swim’ function, you have to determine the exact size of the pool. Good, if you’re using a regular Olympic-sized pool, but not good if – like me – you’re stuck with an irregular-sized one. I set mine to 25m, but the lap count turned out to be inaccurate. The watch also offers options for tracking indoor running, cycling, and gym activities.
Track incidental fitness data outside the gym
Even if you’re not a frequent gym-goer, the watch’s tracking of incidental fitness data comes in rather handy. At a glance, you can check your heart rate, distance walked, active time, steps walked, and calories burned. All that data is organised and displayed in an easily digested format on the watch’s companion smartphone app and the TomTom Sports website. The website and app offer more in-depth information in the form of weekly averages and graphs. If you wear your watch to bed, you’ll also be able to keep track your sleep.
Wireless music on the go
For many people, music is an absolute must while on a run. Unfortunately, most people are completely dependent on Spotify for their portable music needs, making it necessary to take a smartphone on your run. To solve that issue, the TomTom Runner 3 offers an inbuilt MP3 player with 3 gigabytes of inbuilt storage (that’s up to 500 songs, depending on format). Because nobody likes dealing with tangled headphones, the watch connects to Bluetooth headphones at the push of a button.
A fitness tracker for the gym, home, and more
With its intuitive controls, extensive features, and affordable price point, the TomTom Runner 3 is an excellent entry-point to fitness tracking devices. And even if you aren’t a gym-junkie, the watch’s discreet styling and incidental fitness tracking features make it just as useful outside the gym. More importantly, you’ll find yourself just a little more excited to slip on those runners and go for a brisk jog.
TomTom Runner 3, $299.
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