Product: Timex Bodylink System Price: About $3,400 Pros: Robust; adds fascination to monotonous sports Cons: Without a line of sight, the signal can frop; despite GPS, no navigation
No longer is the sport of running just a case of 'go for it, and get the agony over with'. Participants can try to raise their game by buying energy drinks stuffed with electrolytes, sneakers offering 360-degree dynamic ventilation, and a slew of hi-tech ironman watches.
The last are often just glorified heart-rate monitors. But Timex's latest addition to the breed, the Bodylink System, stands out.
Besides the watch and heart-rate sensor, the system features a GPS receiver that looks like a mouse and straps to your arm. GPS may normally be used as a navigational tool but, since the satellites are equipped with atomic clocks, it can deliver highly accurate speed and distance data.
As a result, you can track how far and how fast you are running - or for that matter biking, rowing or skiing. You can also truly keep on your toes by keeping an eye on your top speed.
Bodylink ensures that the rather linear process of running does not have to be boring.