No matter whether you're a hardened runner or a newbie, the latest running devices and apps can really give your training a boost.
Whether it's accurately tracking your distance and pace with a GPS running watch, or strapping yourself up to train more efficiently using heart rate zones, wearables are the key to great preparation and smashing PBs.
Essential reading: Best fitness trackers
That's why we've assembled this collection of in-depth guides to applying your running tech to get results. From understanding the numbers, to implementing a heart rate training plan, our collection of guides can help turn you into a better runner.
Fancy a bit more motivation? Join un in the Wareable Run Club on Strava.
Buy the best running watch for you
Buying a running watch is more difficult than ever as there are just so many to choose from. A few years back it was simple - Garmin, Polar or a Casio stopwatch but now there are now countless brands and hundreds of products to choose from.
Never fear, we've rounded up and rated the top running watches to help you out. We'll help you pick the perfect running watch, ordering them by price so you can reap the benefits without breaking the bank.
And check out guide for women, too
It goes without saying that our running watch buyer's guide is suited for all runners, regardless of gender. However, we've taken the time to round up the trackers and watches that might appeal more to women looking for smaller sizes, stylish form factors and a little more customisation and flexibility. And crucially, there's no slacking on performance.
Check out our guide to the best running watches and fitness trackers for women.
Understand your running watch
When you get beyond basic distance and pace, running watches can provide a cornucopia of stats and insights. The top models from the likes of Polar and Garmin offer a level of stats previously reserved for top athletes.
Our guide to running watches looks at the jargon and data, and not only explains what it means but helps you to use the data to become a better, faster runner.
Check out our guide to running watches.
Essential running watch tips
So you've got the watch, got to grips with how it all works, now it's about getting the most out of your shiny new run-tracking wearable. Whether it's a Garmin, Suunto or Polar, we've rounded up 11 running watch tips to unleash the true potential of your GPS watch.
How to master heart rate training
The trend for adding heart rate monitors to wearable devices isn't just a fad. Understanding your bpm is the key to working out more efficiently.
Intelligently working out within designated zones will ensure you're not only building the right types of fitness but also recovering properly, too. But you need a wearable to do it. This guide explains it all.
Read our guide to heart rate training.
How to stay injury free when running
Injury is every runner's worst nightmare, and very few people run regularly without picking up a niggle or two. However, the main causes are over-training and bad form, which can be prevented.
Our guide reveals the tech you need to keep yourself on the roads rather than laid up with an ice pack – which science tells us is bad for your training plan.
Check out our guide to how to stay injury free.
How to lower your resting heart rate
When it comes to fitness, the lower your heart rate when you're doing nothing, the fitter you are. Tracking your resting heart rate is a great way to demonstrate how your running regime is impacting your overall health – and your wearables are a great way to do it. Read our guide to find out more.
Find out how to check and lower your resting heart rate
Using the best running apps
There is also a huge range of running apps to consider. Most big-name sports brands all boats their own offerings, and of course there's stiff competition from the likes of Runkeeper, Runtastic and Wareable fave Strava.
With more run-friendly smartwatches on the rise like the Apple Watch Series 3 and the Polar M600, fitness apps are making a comeback.
Here's our pick of the best running apps.
Choose the best heart rate monitors
They used to be placed on the chest and now they're increasingly moving to the wrist: heart rate monitors are getting wearable, and they're transforming the way we train. Don't buy without reading this guide first.
Choose the best heart rate monitor for you.
Start with interval training
A key way to make gains in your training is to start with intervals. Short bursts of high intensity activity can increase speed and stamina when running, as well as improving recovery times. Our guide reveals how to create your own HIIT plans using your running watch.
Read our guide to starting with interval training.
25 fitness tech tips for getting fit
Whatever your fitness level, there are plenty of ways in which your running watch or fitness tracker can help you to get fit. This collection of tips and tricks are designed to give runners of all levels ideas for using their devices better whether it's shedding some pounds or training for a half marathon.
Check out our 25 tips for getting fit with tech.
Best Bluetooth headphones for running
Unless you're mentally imbalanced, running 10 miles without music is too much to bear, which is why we've rounded up the best Bluetooth headphones for running. Other than the freedom from annoying cables, Bluetooth headphones can connect to the growing range of running watches and smartwatches that support music playback. A win/win.
Bag your perfect pair of sport headphones.
Running in the heat with wearables
There are plenty of good reasons to grab your running shoes and head out into the sunshine. Not only can it improve running performance and help your body acclimatise to different conditions, but it also gets you off the treadmill and away from the looping music and news channels. But when you're running in the baking sun, there's ways to make sure you're prepared.
Read our guide for tips and tricks for running in the heat with wearables.
Running in the winter with wearables
What about when the temperature starts to drop? If you're willing to brave the cold to take your training outdoors, wearables can lend a helping hand in keeping you motivated and safe as things get chilly. We've picked out our top tips for running in the winter including the running stats on your watch or fitness tracker you should really be focusing on.
Using your watch to run a marathon
Running a marathon is no joke, especially if you want to try and smash through your personal best. But thankfully, a bevy of running watches are out there to help you take a lot of the guesswork out of a gruelling training process. With features like GPS, an in-built heart rate monitor and a host of metrics to help you stay on track with recovery, you'll be at the starting line in the best shape of your life.
Read all about how to use your running watch to train for a marathon.
Wearables for treadmill training
As we've mentioned above, sometimes you're going to have to deal with running in the outdoors when the elements make things a bit more challenging. But if you're tired of running in the rain or can't handle another session overheating, the trusty treadmill is always on hand to help you rack up the miles no matter what the weather.
And just because you're not outdoors doesn't mean you can't track your progress. We've compiled our list of the best wearables for training on the treadmill, whether that's smartwatches, hearables or other wearables with a dedicated mode for the belt.
How we test
James is the co-founder of Wareable, and he has been a technology journalist for 15 years.
He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014.
James has been at the helm of Wareable since 2014 and has become one of the leading experts in wearable technologies globally. He has reviewed, tested, and covered pretty much every wearable on the market, and is passionate about the evolving industry, and wearables helping people achieve healthier and happier lives.