Activity Trackers with GPS and interval training for Galloway runners?

[hauntedcity]

Last night, I ordered a FitBit Surge without realizing that it doesn't have interval training. Oops. It doesn't look like the Microsoft Band has intervals, either. The Apple Watch won't have its own GPS. Garmin watches don't have activity tracking (steps, etc).

Is there anything out there that has all the following:
- Watch (I like to know what time it is)
- GPS for running
- Interval training (for us Galloway run/walk/runners)
- Activity trackers (steps, stairs)
- Sleep tracking

I thought the Surge was The One, but ... Nope.

Doug

 

[loop]

I also ordered a Surge last night. So excited!

[By the way, in case you haven't already, you can cancel your order anytime before shipping by following the order status link at the bottom of the confirmation email--there's a link at the bottom of the page to cancel.]

Even though I, like you, am disappointed that the Surge does not appear to have built-in interval timing, I'm not canceling my order because, again like you said, this is basically my dream device with the features it does have. I'm hoping Fitbit will add an interval feature in the future (or maybe it has the feature and they haven't advertised it?), but in the meantime I'm thinking of trying to figure out a workaround using push notifications. I'll have to play with the Surge once I get it (I'm also happy to write a review here once if anyone is interested) to see if this will be possible/sufficient, but that's my plan at least.

Otherwise, I also haven't seen any other device that met all my requirements either (for me, heart rate monitoring is also a huge requirement, which narrows the field even further). I've considered using a GPS watch when running in addition to the Fitbit Flex I wear everyday but.... ugh, two devices.

 

[hauntedcity]

Unfortunately, it's already entered the shipping process, so it's too late to cancel. Now, I have to decide if I'm going to keep it, and blindly hope that the feature gets added. (Once I get it, I know I won't want to give it back!)


To anyone interested in the Fitbit Surge, you can vote place a vote for interval training in their Suggestion board:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Requests/Intervals/idi-p/572899

If you have a Fitbit, and you do run/walk or interval training, please consider voting for the request at the link above. Even if you don't currently have a Fitbit, you can sign up for a free guest account and vote.

Thanks!

Doug

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

I know it's not the "all in one" device we all hope for, but have you looked at a Gym Boss? It's solely for intervals...you set what you want your intervals to be, and then it will beep at the end of each one. I am one of the few who doesn't like a lot of data, so when I run I simply have a digital watch with timer and then use the Gym Boss to keep track of intervals.

 

[loop]

If you have a Fitbit, and you do run/walk or interval training, please consider voting for the request at the link above. Even if you don't currently have a Fitbit, you can sign up for a free guest account and vote.

Thanks for sharing the link. I voted too.

 

[hauntedcity]

I know it's not the "all in one" device we all hope for, but have you looked at a Gym Boss? It's solely for intervals...you set what you want your intervals to be, and then it will beep at the end of each one. I am one of the few who doesn't like a lot of data, so when I run I simply have a digital watch with timer and then use the Gym Boss to keep track of intervals.

I usually run with an iPhone in an armband for GPS, and a watch that can handle intervals. The loud beeps from the watch let me know when to run or walk.

I was hoping to replace both with a Surge. I'd love to leave the iPhone at home. I suppose I could wear the Surge AND the watch, but then I'd just feel like a big ol' dork.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

I usually run with an iPhone in an armband for GPS, and a watch that can handle intervals. The loud beeps from the watch let me know when to run or walk.

I was hoping to replace both with a Surge. I'd love to leave the iPhone at home. I suppose I could wear the Surge AND the watch, but then I'd just feel like a big ol' dork.

The GymBoss I have actually has a clip, so I run with the watch and clip the Gym Boss to my shorts. Less dorky feeling

 

[SunDial]

I have the Garmin Forerunner 610 watch and I can program it to beep at what ever run /walk intervals I want to set it to. It will only track running and cycling. It will not track the sleeping patterns but then I do not need a watch to let me know my sleep patterns stink

Annie if you decide to run the Wet and Drenched err Wine and Dine next year let me know. I am definitely going to run it since the TOT 10 miler is not happening. Maybe make it a WITW half.

 

[princesskayla]

How did you order a FitBit surge already? I would love to have one before Dopey. My work is doing a step competition with fitbits that gave out. The only problem is that I have to document it with a fitbit - Mine got "lost" in TSA in Atlanta two days after I got it. I hate to buy another charge or flex when I really just want the Surge for a training watch. But I have to get a pace watch before Dopey to keep track of my pace so I can make sure I don't fall behind with stops for pictures and lose out on the Dopey medal because they check pace/finishing times.

If I could just get my hands on a Surge in the next couple of weeks then all of my problems will be solved!!

Otherwise I will just have to get a Garmin and be done with it.

 

[hauntedcity]

How did you order a FitBit surge already? I would love to have one before Dopey. My work is doing a step competition with fitbits that gave out. The only problem is that I have to document it with a fitbit - Mine got "lost" in TSA in Atlanta two days after I got it. I hate to buy another charge or flex when I really just want the Surge for a training watch. But I have to get a pace watch before Dopey to keep track of my pace so I can make sure I don't fall behind with stops for pictures and lose out on the Dopey medal because they check pace/finishing times. If I could just get my hands on a Surge in the next couple of weeks then all of my problems will be solved!! Otherwise I will just have to get a Garmin and be done with it.

When the Surge was announced, I signed up for their "I'm Interested" mailing list. They are sending out emails to those folks. So, go to the Surge website, sign up, and cross your fingers!

I've been using my Surge for a little over a week now, and I'm really enjoying it. While I was disappointed about the lack of interval training, I now realize that even if it DID have intervals, there would be no audio beep (the watch just vibrates for alerts and alarms). So, I just wear my running watch that BEEEEEPS, so that both my wife and I can hear it.

 

[Chiomaca]

When the Surge was announced, I signed up for their "I'm Interested" mailing list. They are sending out emails to those folks. So, go to the Surge website, sign up, and cross your fingers!

I've been using my Surge for a little over a week now, and I'm really enjoying it. While I was disappointed about the lack of interval training, I now realize that even if it DID have intervals, there would be no audio beep (the watch just vibrates for alerts and alarms). So, I just wear my running watch that BEEEEEPS, so that both my wife and I can hear it.

You could also use an app on your phone to track intervals so that you don't have to wear both watch and Surge. I use one called Interval Trainer and you can set it for a warm-up, fast/slow intervals, and cool down. It can be set for audio or vibrate. I haven't used it for a marathon, but it's worked nicely for 10-12 mile runs for me.

 

[hauntedcity]

You could also use an app on your phone to track intervals so that you don't have to wear both watch and Surge. I use one called Interval Trainer and you can set it for a warm-up, fast/slow intervals, and cool down. It can be set for audio or vibrate. I haven't used it for a marathon, but it's worked nicely for 10-12 mile runs for me.

I had been using RunKeeper on my iPhone in an armband, but I'm really enjoying not having to wear it!

 

[Radiorox]

My Garmin 220 has intervals. The only thing it doesn't have is the sleep tracker.

When I run, I use the Garmin and the GymBoss. I tend to clip the gymboss to the Garmin or, I have a wrist strap for the Gymboss. It depends on how I feel that day.