GPS Systems

Training for a triathlon can be a tough task, but you can make it all the more interesting and engaging if you mix up your routes and try out new laps to keep yourself in tune with the process. This could be difficult if you are relying on a paper map and your memory, but with a triathlon GPS watch it is simple to plot your course and then follow it. Of course with most triathlon watches GPS is only the first feature in a grab bag of useful functions. With a GPS watch you can monitor a number of different aspects of your performance, from the calories you are burning to the speed you are travelling and the power you are putting down. GPS features not only allow you to track your lateral position but also your elevation, which is useful when training and racing, giving you an indication of where you are up to and what is to come further down the road.

Companies like Garmin produce GPS watches which combine useful location-based features with extras such as the ability to set yourself goals and workouts and then share these online once you have transferred the data to your PC. Some watches are compatible with additional peripherals which will let you monitor things like heart rate, which is definitely something serious riders will appreciate. Look for long battery life if you have a rigorous routine planned, as some GPS watches can keep going for 18 hours or more.