ActiveWatches' Sports Watch Glossary
Adjustable Recording Rate: data recorded every 1-, 2-, 5-, 15-, or 60-second interval
Advanced Workouts: allows you to create custom, goal-oriented workouts
Alert: visual and/or sound notifications based on one or more metrics, such as altitude, distance, heart rate, pace, and/or speed
Altimeter: a feature that measures and tracks altitude; informs you how high or low you are relative to sea level
ANT+ Compatible: compatible with devices and equipment, such as treadmills, that use ANT+ technology
Auto Calendar: fully pre-programmed until 2039 to account for leap years, different number of days in each month, and automatically sets the correct day based on inputed date
Auto Lap: automatically starts a new lap
Auto Pause: pauses and resumes time based on speed
Auto Scroll: cycles through data pages during workout
Auto Sync: automatically transfers data to your computer
Automatic Age-Based Heart Rate Zone Setting: automatically establishes your maximum heart rate and heart rate zones based on age
Automatic Display Scroll: enables you to alternate between displays automatically during training without pressing buttons on the watch
Automatic Lap Recording: automatically records lap times based on preset distance
Automatic Start and Stop: automatically starts and stops the time when start or stop moving, respectively
Backup Alarm: five-minute backup alarm "snooze"
Barometer: a feature that measures and tracks air pressure and temperature; informs you of the humidity level and temperature of the air in the immediate vicinity of the watch.
Calorie Alert: visual and/or sound notification after burning a specific amount of calories
Calorie Counter: a feature that measures and tracks the amount of calories burned based on weight, elapsed distance, or heart rate
Chronograph: a feature that tracks the amount of elapsed time, beginning from zero; also referred to as a "stopwatch" or "elapsed time"
Compass: a feature that tracks directional movement relative to the Earth’s magnetic poles; indicates whether you are moving North, South, East, West, or some combination thereof
Countdown Timer: A feature that counts down to zero from a pre-set amount of time. It tracks time in a direction opposite from a stopwatch. For example, if the countdown timer is programmed for 5 minutes, it starts at five minutes and will countdown to zero; an alarm will sound after five minutes.
Courses: compete against previous courses or activities
Distance Alert: visual and/or sound notification after reaching a specific amount of distance
Flash Alert: watch face flashes when alarm is triggered
Flix: activates Indiglo light by flicking your wrist
Footpod: Garmin's speed and distance sensor
GPS: Stands for "Global Positioning System." A feature that measures and tracks distance and speed. GPS watches utilize a GPS receiver, which is either integrated into the watch or exists as a separate device attached to the user. The receiver sends signals to a satellite, which sends signals back to the receiver regarding the receiver’s position. The receiver in turn sends a signal to the watch, which provides distance and speed information. As the user’s position changes, distance and speed is measured and transmitted to the watch. GPS signals can be weakened or blocked by various obstructions such as tall buildings and thick clouds. Thus, GPS watches work most effectively in open areas and clear weather.
Garmin Connect: online community for sharing, analyzing, and categorizing data
Garmin Trainer Center: software for uploading and analyzing data
Graphical Heart Rate Zone Indicator: a line graph that indicates the intensity of a workout based on heart rate and informs you whether you are below, within, or above your target heart rate zone
HRM: Stands for heart rate monitor. A feature that measures and tracks your heart rate. HRM watches generally utilize a HRM belt, which is a separate device attached to the user. The belt measures the heart rate and transmits that data to the watch. In general, the heart rate informs the user how much cardiovascular energy is being exerted
Heart Rate Alert: visual and/or sound notification after reaching a certain heart rate
Heart Rate Zone Alarm: sound notification when your heart rate is outside the target heart rate zone
Heart Rate Zone Indicator: visual indicator that informs you whether your heart rate is outside your target heart rate zone
HeartTouch: allows access of different training information by moving the watch closer to the heart rate transmitter and without pressing any watch buttons
Hydration and Nutrition Alarms: sound notification to remind you when to drink and eat
IPX7: an international standard indicating that the watch can only withstand accidental immersion in one meter or approximately three feet of water for up to 30 minutes
Indiglo Continuation Illumination: option for constant Indiglo illumination of the watch
Indiglo Light with Night Mode: activates Indiglo light by press of a button and, on Timex Tap Screen watches, on the watch face
Interval-Guided Workouts: interval-based workouts based on time, heart rate, speed/pace, or distance
Interval Training: allows you to set-up exercise and rest intervals
Interval Timer: Allows you to set two or more different times within the countdown timer feature to be used successively. For instance, if the watch consists of two maximum intervals, it will allow you to program two separate times in the countdown timer that will be used one after the other for timing purposes. The first time, for instance, could be programmed for five minutes to represent the amount of time you would like to spend for a warm-up and the second time could be programmed for 20 minutes to represent the amount of time you would like to spend for your main workout. Interval timers are commonly used for interval training, in which one interval workout would be performed at a higher intensity than the other(s). The interval timer is a convenient timing function to inform you that an interval is over and the next one is beginning.
KeyLock: locks watch buttons
Locations: stores geographic locations for future reference; on some watches, locations also entail latitude and longitude readings for each location
Moon Reading: a feature that informs you of a moon’s age and phase
Moon Age: a feature that tracks the age of a moon based on a 29.53 Earth-day lunar cycle; for instance, if a single day has elapsed since the beginning of a new lunar cycle, the moon age feature will inform you that the moon is one-day old
Moon Phase: a feature that tracks the phase of the moon, as observed from Earth, relative to the lunar cycle; for instance, the moon phase informs you of whether the moon is at full moon phase or at quarter phase
Multi-Sport: incorporates several activities and transition periods into a single workout and tracks all of them together; change sport mode by simply pressing a button, thereby allowing the use of personal settings specific to a given sport
Odometer: a feature that measures the distance traveled in miles and/or kilometers
Pace Alert: notifies you when you reach a specific pace
Pedometer: a feature that measures and tracks the amount of steps you take using a sensor to measure each step (calibration may be required)
Performance Pacer: test yourself against your saved workouts to track your progress and improvement
Polar EnergyPointer: informs you whether the main effect of your current workout is fat burning or fitness improvement
Polar Fitness Test with OwnIndex: measures VO2 max
Polar HRmax: determines heart rate maximum based on Polar's own proprietary method
Polar OwnCode: coded heart rate data signal transmission, thereby reducing signal interference from other heart rate monitors
Polar OwnOptimizer: determines whether your training program is optimally developing your performance
Polar OwnRelax: measures how relaxed your body is based on heart rate and heart rate variability
Polar OwnZone: determine your personal heart rate zones
Polar Personal Trainer Web Service (polarpersonaltrainer.com): online software for saving and analyzing workout data
Polar Sport Zones: zone-based heart rate readings, consisting of five zones covering your personal heart rate range and based on a percentage of your maximum heart rate
Polar STAR Training Program: training program that gives you weekly targets, including intensity and duration, based on your fitness level, activity level, training goal and personal information (weight, height, age and gender)
Polar Strength Training Guidance: when resting, informs you when your body is ready for the next training activity based on your heart rate
Power Meter Compatible: displays power data from compatible third party ANT+-enabled power meters
Recovery Timer: when using the heart rate monitor, automatically starts and tracks a recovery time period
Relaxation Rate (RR) Variation: measures time variation between successive heart beats
Reminder Alarms: sound notifications during training sessions to remind, for instance, to drink or rest
Routes: establishes graphical route between two locations saved in the watch
Shock-Resistant: withstands breakage under adverse conditions
Simple Workouts: input time, distance, and calorie goals
Speed/Distance Monitor: a feature that measures and tracks your distance and speed; most commonly included in cycling watches and employs a separate device that attaches to your bicycle and sends a signal to your watch indicating the speed
Speed/Pace Alarm: sound notification when your speed or pace is outside the target zone
Speed/Pace Zone Indicator: simple visual indicator that informs you whether your speed or pace is outside the target zone
Stopwatch: a feature that tracks the amount of time that has elapsed, beginning from zero; also referred to as a "chronograph" or "elapsed time"
Sunrise/Sunset Reading: a feature that informs you of approximate sunrise and sunset times based on your geographical location
Tachymeter: A feature on an analog watch that measures average speed, time, and distance based on elapsed time. To calculate average speed, you must first know the distance you are traveling. Assuming you start traveling at the top of the hour (00:00), the average speed is represented by the number upon which the relevant watch hand falls after completing the distance. For instance, assume you will travel one mile. If you start traveling at 00:00 and you complete the mile in seven seconds (00:07), the second hand will be pointing to “500” on the tachymeter. This means that your average speed was 500 miles per hour. To calculate average time, you must first know the average speed. Assume your average speed is 500 miles per hour, “500” on the tachymeter corresponds to seven seconds on the watch face. Thus, the average time is seven seconds per mile. To calculate average distance, you must first know the average time. Assume that your average time is seven second per mile. If you start traveling at 00:00 and you travel for 30 seconds, your average distance is your elapsed time (00:30) divided by your average time (00:07). In this case, the average distance is 4.29 miles (30/7 = 4.29). Note that a tachymeter calculates only averages and approximates of speed, time, and distance.
TapScreen Technology: allows easy activtation of the chronograph, timer, and other functions by tapping the display
Target Time Pacer: distinct audible alerts and onscreen prompts signifying whether you are behind or ahead of target pace
Thermometer: a feature that measures the temperature of the air in the immediate vicinity of the watch
Tide Reading: a feature that tracks the approximate tide level; most commonly used in sailing and fishing watches
Time Alert: visual and sound notification after a specific amount of time has elapsed
Timex DataXchanger USB Stick: enables wireless communication between the watch and your computer
Timex TrainingPeaks Software: online software for saving and analyzing workout data
Training Log: provides best lap, average lap, and total time information
USB ANT Stick: allows wireless data transfer to your computer
Unit-to-Unit Transfer: shares data wirelessly with similar units
User-Configurable Displays: select the data that shows during a workout
Vibration Alert: choose between sound- or vibration-based notifications
Virtual Partner: train against a digital person
ZoneLock: allows you to lock the heart rate zone in which you wish to continue your workout, informing you if you go above or below that zone
ZonePointer: a heart symbol that informs you of the intensity of your workout based on heart rate and informs you which heart rate zone you are in
Zone Readings: zone-based heart rate readings, consisting of five zones covering your personal heart rate range and based on a percentage of your maximum heart rate
