Smartwatch for C25K app?

[youngsyr]

Hi all, I'm trying to get into running and really like the look of the couch to 5 km programme and the fact that the timings can be completely looked after by an app, such as C25K.

However, on my first run I had to hold my reasonably bulky phone, which kept turning the screen off for power saving, and monitoring the app and times on it. Not ideal.

What I'd really like is to be able to wear a smart watch, either paired to a phone in my pocket or not, and have the timings from the app displayed on it.

I don't want to spend a fortune on the watch just yet though, because I will only be using it for the runs, which I've only just taken up. So budget is max £150, preferably much cheaper than that if possible though whilst I see if I stick to the running. I'm happy to buy second hand via eBay etc at this stage too if that brings the cost down.

Can anyone recommend a suitable smartwatch, please?

[Foliage]

Arm Strap or a belt and a cheap pair of Bluetooth in ear headphones. I use a belt similar to this, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Accessories-Completely-Co...

Phone sits in the small of my back


Personally I did c25k using the NHS pod casts and a cheap £10 mp3 player, £30 asics budget trainers and really bad running clothes, I didn't know if id stick with it so I didn't want to invest to much into it. And frankly I didn't have a clue.

Edited by Foliage on Tuesday 6th June 11:26

[youngsyr]

Thanks, but how do you monitor timings?

I like to know how much running/rest I have left in each phase.

[Foliage]

It tells you when to run and when to rest via headphones. With the NHS podcasts is just a 30minute audio track with music and a lady called laura talks to you and tells you when to run and when to walk. Id assume the app you use did the same sort of thing, they usually do. You shouldn't need to look at your phone, you just listen and concentrate on the running.

[youngsyr]

Foliage said:

It tells you when to run and when to rest via headphones. With the NHS podcasts is just a 30minute audio track with music and a lady called laura talks to you and tells you when to run and when to walk. Id assume the app you use did the same sort of thing, they usually do. You shouldn't need to look at your phone, you just listen and concentrate on the running.

Thanks, but as above, I like to know how long I've got to rest and run, so need to see a screen.

[Foliage]

Garmins are what most people use, https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/forerunner/ Garmin connect on a forerunner can do what you need, have a read

[youngsyr]

Think I've found a cheapish solution - Pebble smartwatch (£39.99 at Amazon) plus the C25K app for Pebble.

It's a very basic watch, with no future support now that Pebble have stopped being in business, but it should do exactly what I need it to do - track timings and show them on a watch without faffing around.

[GazV70R]

I've started exactly the same C25K program and I've bought a very cheap iWatch replica off eBay - about £13 new. I use it as it works as a handsfree/speaker for my iPhone and it does the job perfectly.

Good luck - the running gets easier