GPS stands for global positioning system which is a satellite based navigation system. The system is composed of a network of twenty four satellites put into orbit by the Department of Defense. Since the 1980’s this network has been available for public use. It provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to users anywhere on or near the Earth. Gps has a number of military and civilian uses. Police and fire departments use gps to determine routes that will allow the quickest possible emergency response time. Gps also has mapping and surveying applications and is used for tracking purposes to help locate stolen cars or missing children. Fitness also has benefitted from the uses of gps. The sales of gps running watches have exploded in the past ten years.

In the fitness industry most gps devices are wristwatch based. They allow users to track and customize workouts, set routes, monitor heart rate, calories burned, etc. Gps watches are known as data logging gps devices. They take information from the tracking satellite system and disseminate it here on Earth for the user. A few of the most popular gps watches are the lines made by Garmin, Timex, and Suunto.

The Garmin Forerunner is the among the most popular fitness products today. These gps enabled watches come in a variety of models including the 101, 201, 205, 301, 305, 405, 405cx, 50, 60 and the 310xt. All models are gps enabled and all but the model 101 are able to upload and download information to a computer. Mapping software allows users to view their real time course progression as well as their pace, altitude, heart rate and calorie consumption.

The Ironman Is the Timex venture into the fitness watch industry. Timex Ironman watches are among the largest selling fitness watches in the world. They have a distinctive look and styling and have developed a sort of “cult following” around the world. The Ironman also has been flight certified by NASA and is used by many of the current astronauts in the US Space program.

Suunto manufactures the T4 line of gps enabled fitness watches. Suunto watches claim to have superior technology and reliability. Suunto watches provide a variety of up to the second, accurate information. Suunto claims to do the most extensive testing on their product line and their gps running watch models include the X10, the T3 and T3c, T4 and T4c as well as the T6c. Prices vary from $100 to $400. Suunto gps watches resist scratching, heavy impacts and are water resistant. They come with a two or three year warranty.

If you’re into fitness running and want a way to track your workouts one of these gps running watches will certainly help you to better record, plan and improve your workouts.