Buying guide

Choosing a Watch for Running and Exercise — Which Functions You Really Need

5 min read·Updated 28 June 2026

You don't need an expensive smartwatch to work out. This article covers the functions you really need for running and fitness, and the models that deliver them — see all G-SHOCK.

Functions worth having

Stopwatch + lap timing — see your time per lap or set
100M+ water resistance — sweat and rain are no problem
Backlight — read the time before dawn or at night
Light weight / resin strap — doesn't weigh down your wrist and handles sweat

Digital or analog?

For exercise, digital displays are quicker and easier to read and better for timing. Analog-digital works too if you prefer that look.

Do you need GPS or heart-rate tracking?

If you're serious about long-distance running stats, a GPS smartwatch helps. For general exercise, a good water-resistant stopwatch watch is enough — and far tougher.

Tip: resin straps are easy to clean. A rinse with plain water after exercise stops sweat odour building up.

Recommended models

All-digital G-SHOCK and BABY-G are popular for exercise — tough, shock resistant and water resistant. See G-SHOCK and BABY-G.

FAQ

Will a G-SHOCK break if I run hard in it?

Not easily. G-SHOCK is designed to resist shocks and sweat, so it's well suited to exercise.

How different is a stopwatch watch from a smartwatch?

A smartwatch has GPS, heart-rate tracking and app connectivity, but shorter battery life and is more fragile. A stopwatch watch focuses on toughness, longevity and a long-lasting battery.