Are you a fitness buff who often walks or runs alone - in quiet areas away from the maddening crowd? If so, you might want to consider a sports watch that allows you to enjoy the thrill of competition even though you're going it alone. One that can help your fitness program, and keep others informed of your whereabouts as you gallivant around.

The Garmin Forerunner 405 www.garmin.com is a sleek wristwatch designed for the exercise enthusiast who takes his or her workouts seriously. A tracking system imbedded in the watch sends wireless data to your PC with information about your location and your route. It's a GPS for runners sitting on their wrist. Send the information about your run to your own computer where you can keep a database of all your training. Share where you are with other Forerunner users through the company's online network.

A simple tap, tap of the watches bezel will give you various data readings. As you walk or run you can tap and check your time, distance, calories-burned and pace. You can also check your past session results. You can compete against yourself with this feature as you compare your current performance with your previous one. You can even bring up a virtual running partner and as you run, compete against this cyber entity.

With its fashionable design, the Forerunner comes in black and green and is suitable as an accessory sport watch. Just tap-tap again and you can turn off the personal training functions so the watch just tells time. Its modern design is lightweight so you feel unencumbered as you exercise.

The wireless technology that's part of this GPS watch allows you to transmit to other Forerunner users as well. You can also buy a version of this watch that comes with a heart rate monitor. Its finely tuned GPS receiver is able to keep your position on line, even when you're running in more sheltered areas such as forests.

An added feature of this product is that you can join Garmin Connect. This is a free membership to an online worldwide community of running, cycling, and other outdoor activity buffs. With a purchase of this or other Garmin products, you can set up your own account and share info with those who have the same exercise interest as you. You can compare times, set up virtual races against each other, and share your racecourses too. You can transmit to them in real-time your location and current course progress. They can do the same to you. It's like a virtual buddy system and builds a sense of camaraderie among those in the running community.

Today, there's no need to feel alone when you walk or run solo. You can stay connected, while still enjoying some time to yourself. This watch allows others in your running community to know where you are at all times. Just send the info home to your PC while you continue on your way. From there the info transmits to others in your Forerunner network. This watch helps runners spur each other on to greater training success as they mutually share and motivate one another.

Garmin Forerunner 405

Posted by Mike.