Why Sweaty Betty’s Power Leggings are a Must-Have for Night Runs

When it comes to tracking your runs and workouts, a good smartwatch is essential. These high-tech devices do more than just track your pace and distance—they offer customized workouts, music streaming, detailed maps, and advanced health metrics. Whether you’re an elite runner or just getting started, choosing the right smartwatch can be a game-changer. Here are our top picks for the best smartwatches for men, each offering unique features to elevate your training.

Best All-Rounder: Garmin Forerunner 945

For runners seeking a well-rounded smartwatch with almost every feature imaginable, the Garmin Forerunner 945 is the ideal choice. It’s lightweight but packed with features, including heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and storage for up to 1,000 songs. The watch also offers a virtual pay feature, barometric altimeter, and extended battery life (two weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 36 hours in GPS mode). Whether you’re training for a marathon or exploring new routes, this watch has it all.

Best for Long Battery Life: Suunto 9

The Suunto 9 is a favorite among ultrarunners thanks to its incredible battery life. With the “Ultra” battery mode, it can last up to 120 hours of active GPS tracking, making it perfect for long-distance races and multi-day adventures. It also provides essential data like weather forecasts and heart rate monitoring. If you’re looking for a smartwatch that will keep going for as long as you do, the Suunto 9 is a great option.

Best for Maps: Polar Grit X

If you need a smartwatch with robust navigation features, the Polar Grit X delivers. It offers intuitive map displays and the innovative Hill Splitter, which tracks your ascents and descents during runs. The watch has a 40-hour battery life in GPS mode and can be extended to 100 hours with reduced tracking frequency, making it a great companion for outdoor adventures and ultramarathons. While it doesn’t show street names, it’s perfect for runners tackling off-road or mountainous terrain.

Best Power Monitoring: Polar Vantage V

The Polar Vantage V is designed for serious runners who want to track every aspect of their training. It measures running power, an advanced metric that helps assess your effort during runs. In addition to power monitoring, it tracks heart rate, training load, and other key performance metrics. The Vantage V offers an impressive 40 hours of GPS tracking and is built for athletes who want to optimize their training and performance.

Best for Apple Users: Apple Watch Series 5

The Apple Watch Series 5 is a top choice for Apple enthusiasts. While it’s not specifically designed for runners, its GPS accuracy, heart rate monitoring, and ability to stream music or podcasts without needing an iPhone make it an excellent option for everyday fitness tracking. The Series 5 features an always-on display, which means you can glance at your metrics without having to raise your wrist. However, the battery life can be limited when using GPS and Bluetooth simultaneously, so it’s best for shorter runs or casual workouts.

Additional Noteworthy Options

• Coros Apex: With 35 hours of battery life and a clean, simple design, the Coros Apex is perfect for runners who value both performance and style. It includes essential metrics like GPS accuracy, heart rate, and altitude tracking, and its stamina feature estimates how much energy you have left during your run.
• Garmin Forerunner 245: This watch is ideal for runners who love to listen to music during their runs. It syncs with Spotify to play music directly from the watch, and its improved heart rate monitor and mapping features make it a great tool for training. While its battery life is shorter than some other models, it’s still a solid choice for runners who want essential features at a reasonable price.
• Garmin Forerunner 45: A great value for the money, the Forerunner 45 offers GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and smart notifications, all in a lightweight, user-friendly design. While it lacks music streaming and advanced mapping features, it provides all the basics for an affordable price.
• Amazfit Bip S: For runners on a budget, the Amazfit Bip S offers impressive performance, including heart rate and sleep tracking, plus a month-long battery life. While its touchscreen may be a bit tricky, it’s an excellent option for those who want a basic smartwatch with great value.

How We Tested

We put each of these smartwatches to the test by tracking runs of various distances, from short sprints to long-distance marathons. Our team of testers evaluated each watch for accuracy, durability, ease of use, and overall performance. We also took note of battery life, GPS accuracy, and additional features like music streaming and map navigation. Whether we were tackling trails or training on the road, these watches kept up with our needs.

Final Thoughts

The right smartwatch can be a game-changer for your running and overall fitness routine. From the all-around excellence of the Garmin Forerunner 945 to the unbeatable battery life of the Suunto 9, these models offer a wide range of features to suit different runners’ needs. Whether you prioritize advanced metrics, long battery life, or simple functionality, there’s a smartwatch out there for you.

Running with large breasts can be challenging, and sometimes it feels like you’re participating in a full-contact sport. The constant bouncing, weight pulling you forward, and the risk of discomfort or injury can make every run a struggle. Fortunately, with the right knowledge and support, you can alleviate these issues and enjoy a more comfortable running experience.

Dealing with Back Pain

Breasts of any size can add strain on the body, but larger breasts—such as a D-cup—can weigh between 6 and 10 kilos. This added weight can shift your posture forward, causing you to hunch and decrease the efficiency of your stride. Over time, this can lead to back fatigue and increase your risk of injury.

The majority of support for your breasts during a run comes from the straps of your sports bra, which bear a significant amount of weight. Thin straps can lead to shoulder discomfort and even numbness in your fingers, as they press against the brachial plexus nerve group.

While you can’t change the weight of your breasts, you can improve your posture and reduce back strain by strengthening your core and upper back. Exercises like rows, pull-downs, and functional core movements such as planks and side twists can help keep your body upright and more balanced while running. Strengthening the muscles around your spine will support better posture and prevent the fatigue that comes from long runs.

Minimizing the Bounce

Breast movement, or bouncing, is a common concern for large-breasted runners. The extent of this bounce depends largely on your breast size and the elasticity of the skin, which can decrease with age or frequent bouncing. The more your breasts bounce, the more likely they are to continue bouncing over time.

Research shows that, for example, a 38D cup can experience up to five inches of vertical bounce during running, while smaller breasts might only move around three inches. Even though a sports bra can’t eliminate bouncing entirely, a high-support bra can reduce it by about 50%.

The key is to make sure your breasts move in sync with your body rather than independently. Look for bras that offer the right support and minimize breast movement as much as possible during your workout.

Preventing Chafing

Chafing is another common issue for runners with large breasts, especially if your sports bra isn’t the right fit. A well-fitting bra will reduce movement and minimize rubbing. However, because larger breasts can still shift in a bra, you may need additional protection.

Anti-chafing balms or creams can help prevent skin irritation, particularly in sensitive areas like under your arms. If chafing still occurs, you can try applying first-aid tape to the affected areas before running, though it’s best to test this method on shorter runs first to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction.

Wearing sports bras made from moisture-wicking fabrics can also help prevent chafing by reducing sweat buildup. This will not only keep your skin from becoming irritated but will also prevent sweat from pooling underneath your breasts.

Choosing the Right Running Bra

When selecting a sports bra, it’s best to try on different styles in person rather than buying online. Look for bras with high-support features like molded cups, underwires, padded straps, and multiple hooks. While support is important, comfort is also key. A bra should be comfortable enough for walking and stretching before you take it out for a run.

When trying on bras, focus on the following elements:

• The Band: A wide, elastic band will support your breasts without causing back bulges or shifting when you move your arms. Choose a bra that you can fasten on the loosest hook, so you can adjust it as it stretches with use.
• The Shoulder Straps: Ensure the straps are wide and padded to prevent digging into your shoulders.
• The Cups: The cups should fully cover your breasts without any gaps or creases. Keep in mind that your running bra size may differ from your everyday bra size, so don’t worry if the sizing is different.
• The Underwire: The underwire should sit on your ribs without digging into your breasts or underarm tissue.
• The Front Band: The center of the bra should sit comfortably on your breastbone.

For larger breasts, a crop-top compression bra may also be necessary for added support. McGhee recommends layering a high-support bra with structured cups and an underwire, followed by a compression bra to hold everything in place.

Test and Retest

After purchasing a sports bra, take a few different styles for a test run. If you’re concerned about making a mistake and wasting money, ask the retailer if you can return bras after one or two tries for a refund or store credit. After a few runs, you’ll know which styles and brands work best for your shape.

Once you find your perfect fit, write down the style number and silhouette of the bra so you can easily buy it again in the future or find a similar replacement if the brand discontinues it.

With the right sports bra and proper care, you can significantly reduce discomfort, chafing, and bouncing during your runs, allowing you to focus on improving your performance and enjoying the experience.