Training Gadgets

[Galant]

Seeing as the Bleep Test will feature I took a look around and found the CD available online. Very few people here in the USA have heard of the test, so I thought I'd drag a few of my friends in when I get the CD. I plan on incorporating it into my training. Last time I did it at college I remember quite enjoying it!

I might also pick up a GPS unit - the Forerunner 101 by Garmin. That should solve the problem of knowing exactly what distance I'm running and at what pace so I can step it up if need be. Takes the guess work out.

[Worthers Original]

Could have saved yourself some $.

I posted this on one of letsrole's threads. You can download the bleep test here as well as the one for situps if you're going POC.

http://www.defence.gov.au/army/1_19RNSWR/fitness.htm

[GGHT]

I have the Forerunner 201 and it's a big help if you hadn't done much in the way of running before in the sense that it helps you pace yourself judge distance etc.

[Galant]

Thanks for the link, a nice chap already PMed it to me also. I was wondering about discrepancies between the timing of different tests. Is there a standard for all bleep tests?

GGHT - how accurate have you found the Forerunner?

[Worthers Original]

I'd expect the bleep tests to be uniform.

[GGHT]

Pretty much spot on in terms of pacing and distance recording, only downside being that if it loses signal it picks it back up as a straight line from where you lost it. In other words if you're on a curved route and lose signal you may be short of a few metres.
This is a small problem though, when you consider the benefits.

[GGHT]

Pretty much spot on in terms of pacing and distance recording, only downside being that if it loses signal it picks it back up as a straight line from where you lost it. In other words if you're on a curved route and lose signal you may be short of a few metres.
This is a small problem though, when you consider the benefits.

[Galant]

Does it lose signal often? I talked with a guy yesterday about buying one and questions were raised about its use in cloudy conditions. Under what conditions have you used it? Here in Tucson it would be fine, but in England it might be worthless.

I found another option which fits on the shoe and measures the same things but using pressure or movement or something. Not reliant upon weather conditions.

[GGHT]

Well I train in a very mountainous area with lousy weather lol, the main factor for causing signal loss seems to be running close to housing and under very dense tree cover. Hills and clouds I can't say i've really noticed a problem with.
It only becomes a pain if it loses signal for more than 60 seconds which is quite rare.