Casio G-SHOCK announced the launch of its first-ever heart rate monitor watch – the GBD-H1000.
In a bid to combine the ruggedness of G-Shock technology with workout functions that support athletes, Casio G-Shock built and launched its first-ever watch featuring a heart rate monitor. To coincide with the launch of the new GBD-H1000 watch, the brand has welcomed American World Champion Runner, Joseph Gray, to Team G-SHOCK as Ambassador.
Gray is the only African American member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team at any level, an 18-Time USA National Champion, as well as the first-ever national champion at the 30k trail distance.
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As G-Shock’s announcement reads:
“Gray embodies the supreme tenacity and toughness the G-SHOCK brand is conventionally known for and is an exciting addition to team G-SHOCK, as the brand places an additional focus on health and fitness.”
G-SHOCK also released a new video featuring Gray training for a 10K mountain race, to showcase the watch’s features like built-in GPS, target heart rate display, Vo2 Max sensor, and long battery life.
The watch includes numerous other features and sensors include bearing, altitude/barometric pressure, and temperature, and an accelerometer for step counting. The watch can receive GPS signals to let the user access location information, that when used in combination with the stopwatch, allows an athlete to keep track of running information like distance, speed, pace, and more.
Heart rate and speed are then used to calculate a VO2 max value – an indicator of cardio-pulmonary capacity.
The watch is also paired with two new phone apps that will help the wearer configure settings more easily and manage their workouts.
They allow the wearer to monitor their current fitness level and training progress and even automatically create a training plan based on targets specified by them. VO2 max calculation and other data analysis capabilities use a library by FIRSTBEAT.
The GBD-H1000 is an incredibly tough watch, boasting shock-resistance that characterizes the G-Shock line, and impressive 20-bar water resistance (200 meters).
The Casio G-SHOCK GBD-H1000 retails for $399 and is available in four colors at select G-SHOCK retailers, G-SHOCK Soho Store, and gshock.com. Those who purchase the watch will receive a limited-edition Rui Hachimura G-SHOCK bandana with purchase!