Garmin may come to mind when you are considering purchasing a GPS running watch but Nike has introduced an alternative earlier this year that runs circles around Garmin in terms of functionality and design.  After all, Garmin develops consumer, aviation, and marine technologies for GPS devices, so it makes sense to look at the running companies that are now offering great GPS running watches because they know exactly what runners want.

Nike has recently teamed up with the GPS company TomTom to offer the Nike+ SportWatch GPS.  From first glance it looks nothing like a GPS watch with its large square screen and sleek design; in fact it looks more like a hip lifestyle watch than a clunky GPS receiver.

The press release announcing the new watch says it all:

“The game-changing new running watch will provide athletes with the most dynamic and motivational running experience in the world thanks to its unique functionality, beautiful design, and direct connection to nikeplus.com.”

The Nike not only looks great but displays nice large numbers, keeps your running history logged, is easy to use, and also works inside buildings with the Nike+ Sensor.  It offers interval training for those using the Galloway Method and connects with the nikeplus.com website.  The website is where you can see Nike’s history with running collide with GPS technology to offer some sweet functionality.  You can set goals for yourself and the watch will help you reach them; enter in a big race that you are training for and the watch will offer a training schedule to help you get ready for the big day.  Best of all the Nike is like having your own running coach to motivate you, reminding you if you miss a few days of running and encouraging if you have a good run.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS retails at $199 and is available at Complete Runner in Flint.  Stop in today to check it out for yourself.

Images courtesy of Nike