Choosing the right model can be an arduous task for the fitness runner not familiar with the many features and abilities of today’s running watches. There are a number of elements to consider once one has decided to join the fitness watch crowd.

1. Display – You’ll want a display that’s easy to read day or night (or at least during the times you prefer to run. Some folks prefer to run at night or in the early morning thus, a lighted display is required or a back-lighted display may also be available. Many runner watches offer what’s referred to as an Indiglo display. Whatever watches you investigate, try it out in the dark. Make sure it’s easily readable. Also, don’t forget to check the readability in bright light. If the readout washes out in bright light that can be as frustrating as not being able to read it in the dark.

2. Timer and stopwatch – Timer function will give you readout of elapsed time and the stopwatch function will countdown the time elapsed. Both are basic features that should be available in any running timepiece. These features may be all that are required by recreational fitness runners and joggers.

3. Calories burned – This feature will normally compute your weight, distance and pace to give you an estimate of the calories burned. On most runner watches this is a continuously updated measurement.

4. Heart Rate monitor – This option will compare your heartbeat with an elapsed time to give you a current heart rate. Heart rate monitors are becoming very popular among the running community. Some watches will use a chest strap to determine the heartbeat while other will monitor the pulse in your wrist.

5. GPS enabled – Global positioning will allow the user to know where exactly he is on a given course and let him plot courses accurately.

6. Warranty – Because fitness watches are high tech and will need to absorb a lot of punishment it is important to get one with a good warranty. Most of the better fitness watches will be expensive and come with a limited warranty. Replacement warranties are often available for a small additional cost.

7. Water resistant – Most serious runners will work out no matter what the weather. Rain, shine or snow the timepiece will need to function in wet weather.

8. Computer upload and download capabilities – This ability is useful for logging workouts, recording history or uploading workouts and trails from various websites.

Running watches are an effective tool to help runners get the most from their work out sessions. The timepieces run the gamut from a basic $20 sport watch/chronograph to the NASA approved Timex Ironman. Which is the right one to buy? That’s a decision only you can make for yourself.