From the Running Track to the Smartwatch: How Wearables are Revolutionising Training - A Field Report by Thomas Wessinghage

Written by Thomas Wessinghage

From the Running Track to the Smartwatch: How Wearables are Revolutionising Training - A Field Report by Thomas Wessinghage

4 min read
Published on 28/11/2025 · 07:30

Written by Thomas Wessinghage

From the Running Track to the Smartwatch: How Wearables are Revolutionising Training - A Field Report by Thomas Wessinghage

From the Running Track to the Smartwatch: How Wearables are Revolutionising Training - A Field Report by Thomas Wessinghage

Wearables have revolutionised training in running in recent years. In my active days as a competitive athlete, we still relied on stopwatches, body awareness and handwritten records. Today, wearables like the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro offer precise monitoring of key health parameters in real time, from heart rate to oxygen saturation.

This technology gives athletes new insights into their physical condition and makes training not only more efficient, but also safer. The detailed data analyses allow progress to be closely monitored and signs of overload to be detected at an early stage. For me as a former professional, it is fascinating to see how much these technological advances have improved training methods.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

About the Author

Thomas Wessinghage

Thomas Wessinghage

Former Top Athlete and European
5000-Meter Champion

Thomas Wessinghage is a former top athlete and European 5000 metre champion. Today, he works as a sports medicine doctor and combines his experience in competitive sport with his medical expertise. For him, a smartwatch is an indispensable tool for training and preventive healthcare.

IN THIS ARTICLE

01. Verdict on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

02. Battery Life

03. What I Like About the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

04. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro Under Bad Weather Conditions

05. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro Outside of Training Activities

06. Advice for Other Athletes

LIST

You Recently Started Using the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro to Train.

THOMAS WESSINGHAGE:

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro is very comfortable to wear and doesn't get in the way of training at all. It is light, not too big and always easy to read. Even when running fast, I was always able to call up and recognise the data easily. This is a big improvement compared to the past, when we mainly relied on stopwatches. Today, I have all the relevant training data directly on my wrist - from heart rate and cadence to running technique - and in real time. This makes training management much easier.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

How Satisfied are You with the Battery Life?

THOMAS WESSINGHAGE:

The battery life is outstanding. With a runtime of up to 14 days, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro is perfect for longer activities where you don't always have a charging option. This is particularly practical for multi-day tours such as crossing the Alps. It's reassuring to know that the watch will last longer than any training day without me having to worry about the battery.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

What Do You Particularly Like About the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro?

THOMAS WESSINGHAGE:

I particularly appreciate the precise GPS tracker, which also gives me confidence when training in unfamiliar terrain - such as in the forest. I like running on new routes and with the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro, I can now explore them with ease. Another highlight is the comprehensive analysis of my running technique. The watch measures my ground contact time, vertical movement and balance, which helps not only beginners but also experienced runners to improve their technique and prevent injuries.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

“The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro is ideal for training control, but also for recognising potential health problems at a very early stage.”

Were you able to test the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro in bad weather conditions?

THOMAS WESSINGHAGE:

Yes, I was able to test the watch in the rain and also on longer bike rides. When it rains, the watch has to be very robust and absolutely water resistant for longer sessions. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro proved to be extremely reliable - it is water resistant to a depth of 50 meters. Even in heavy rain, the display remained easy to read, and functionality was unrestricted.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

Have you also used the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro outside of training activities?

THOMAS WESSINGHAGE:

Yes, absolutely. Many athletes tend to neglect post-workout relaxation, but it's crucial for long-term performance. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro offers several functions to promote relaxation, such as breathing exercises, which I use both after training and before going to bed. I also automatically monitor my stress levels and sleep quality - important factors for full recovery.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

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What Advice Can You Give Other Athletes?

THOMAS WESSINGHAGE:

I tested the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro during various forms of training - running, cycling, strength training - and was satisfied in every respect. With wearables, athletes can not only monitor their training in real time, but also analyse it in detail afterwards. This helps enormously to better assess and optimise your own performance.

I find the ability to recognise health anomalies at an early stage particularly important - such as an increased resting heart rate, which could indicate the onset of an infection. This allows athletes to adjust their training in good time to avoid overloading, which was unthinkable in the pre-smartwatch era.

However, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro is not only suitable for experienced athletes, but also for beginners. It offers an ideal system for monitoring bodily functions and systematically controlling training - regardless of whether you want to improve your fitness or simply stay healthy.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro

The author of this article is Prof. (DHfPG) Dr. Thomas Wessinghage. The views expressed are his own.

The information is to be used as general information only and should not be taken or relied upon as advice regarding any individual situation. A healthcare professional should be consulted when trying to diagnose a condition or determine the best course of action for any health issue.

Users should exercise in a safe and suitable manner which is commensurate to their own exercise capabilities and limits.

The heart rate monitoring is not a medical device, and therefore the monitoring data and results are for reference only and should not be used as a basis for medical diagnosis or treatment.

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