There are WAY too many running watches. Some are cheap and some cost upwards of $1,000. But when you boil it down, they all pretty much do the same thing. BUT WHICH WATCH SHOULD YOU GET?!?!

Buying a running watch is overwhelming and complicated AF. I remember how overwhelmed I felt when I bought my first running watch. I was trying to decide between a Tom Tom and a Garmin to wear during the NYC Marathon which was 3 weeks away. I couldn’t figure out which watch was better. Then, an article on Runner’s World that lead me to the Tom Tom. I ended up losing it two weeks in when it fell out of my bag after running practice in Central Park (It found it’s way back to me the week after the marathon) and decided to get the cheapest Garmin Forerunner to wear during the race to help me pace myself. I couldn’t figure out how to work it and one of our charity coaches literally ran with me during the New York City marathon programming my watch in Brooklyn.

PLOT TWIST. I ended up hating both watches.

It took me YEARS to not only figure out how to use my GPS watch but to figure out what I like in a running watch.

When looking for a running watch, here’s what I recommend:

• Heart rate data

• Wireless sync to an app

• Battery Life

• Screens that display different functionality

• Lapping function (this is what you’ll use during speed work so you can see your heart rate data/pace during hill repeats and speed work)

• Sleep data

• Ability to program workouts (This is important for speedwork if you can’t count reps like me)

• Waterproof

• And a good app.

  If I had to choose one more thing, I wish my watch had music on it. Not necessary because I always have my phone, but I do wish I had the option.

WHAT I WEAR

I asked the Badass Lady Gang to submit their favorite watches so we could give real reviews from real everyday runners with feedback about why they like their running watch. SO ENJOY!