Description
- Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
- Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates
- Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more
- Tune in to your body with advanced wellness features, such as intensity minutes, fitness age, all-day respiration and more
- Customize your watch with free watch faces, data fields, apps and widgets from the Connect IQ Store (requires Garmin Connect app and Connect IQ app loaded on a compatible smartphone)
- Take the guesswork out of training with suggested workouts of varying intensities based on your training history, fitness level and recovery time
Q –
Thanks to this watch, I was able to drop the 20+ pounds I put on during my post-covid depression. It got me moving again and whereas the original daunting number of 10k steps in a day made me nervous, I now walk around 23k steps daily without even thinking about it. The challenges on the app have helped me move from my former weight loss goals to my present toning ones and suffice it to say, all of this has helped tremendously with my mental health as well.
As for the watch features, I was looking at all sorts of brands and all kinds of models and settled on this one and never looked back. I needed a time teller, a pedometer and a heart rate monitor, in no specific order. I received all of those and more with this wrist decor. Not only does the watch look nice and feel weightless on my skin when adjusted correctly, but it works so well at everything it was made to.
The heart rate monitor is very accurate when compared with other heart rate monitoring devices. It’s simple to clean although I was afraid of damaging something whilst attempting to clear out the ‘gunk’ around the plug-in site. I didn’t purchase the watch for the sleep related feature but it is an interesting bonus. After roughly 9-10 months of continuous 24-hour use, I finally started noticing it act up during my treadmill workouts. My heart rate would drop to 0 and at one point I saw it jump to 248. Since I wasn’t dead or dying during any of these times, I thought I’d start turning it off at night and I haven’t noticed the issue since. It could have just been an error that required an update but like I said, I didn’t buy for the sleep feature anyhow.
The battery life is pretty good I’d say. When I told my husband one day that I should ‘charge my watch tonight because it’s been a couple weeks’ he was really surprised. I keep track on my exercise calendar whenever I feel the need to plug in, which I do during the night so it doesn’t interrupt my steps during the day. I normally charge once it hits somewhere in the 20’s percentile. This takes (me specifically) two weeks to accomplish, with roughly an hour and a half, minimum, of recorded activities at least five days a week and the watch otherwise just being turned on consistently. Of course, there are extra outings that warrant using the start button once in a while and yet I still find my charge schedule to remain the same.
You can choose from a variety of watch faces that come standard but I definitely have enjoyed looking through the Garmin store at other options. The background I’ve used for quite some time now shows the moon in its current state and as a lifetime star gazer, this is a face I was more than happy to throw money at. I spent just a few dollars and received something around 10 different looks, several animated such as plants or flowers that grow or open as you complete your steps for the day- amazing, if you like that sort of thing, turns out I do.
Overall, I love my watch and I hope it lasts me a good, long time but if and when it finally dies from time cancer, I’ll be sure to replace it with another Garmin. I hear there are Star Wars versions out there that I’d love to get my wrist into.
Q –
I have to say I’m not easily impressed but this product is very very good it’s not complicated and it’s very accurate. It tells me the pace, distance, and time spent while running (unlike other watches I’ve had) and I love it. It also sends your results straight to the “Garmin Connect App”, on your phone with detailed data on the different paces you ran for every mile, your steps, heart rate, calories burned, and your VO2 level. I can confidently say that if you’re looking for a running watch to buy the “Garmin Forerunner 55”, is where it’s at.
Jenna Wall –
Ótimo relógio atendeu bem minhas expectativas, treino para corridas e natação em piscina, confesso que fiquei esperando que tivesse natação em aguas abertas, fora isso é um otimo relógio pra corrida outdoor e indoor, natação em piscina, hiit, monitoramento de sono, a bateria é durável, dentre outras qualidades pra quem ta começando no mundo do garmin.
Jess H –
I got this to replace my 5yr old Forerunner 235 and am super happy with it.
Best points:
– Excellent battery life, easily tracks a 50-miler and longer; I rarely charge compared with every few days for my FR235
– It sits closer to the wrist with less bulk
– Strap is more flexible
– customizable watch face is easy to see; press a button for a backlight when it’s dark
– 4 data fields (only had 3 on the FR235)
– Great GPS tracking, fast satellite location
– Buttons are easy to press on the move
Cons (slight)
– scant instructions so I could see this being pretty unintuitive for a first time Garmin user. Luckily the watch itself gives hints on the customization features. I probably fiddled for about 30min to get it all just right.
– when you go to start a run, it tries to suggest your workout which is nice but not necessary. It’ll also tell you it’s locating satellites, when in fact it’s already good to go. Just press start and it’ll start tracking.
I can’t comment on sleep/HR, as I don’t track those; though HR seems on par with every other wrist based monitor I’ve had.
Overall a great running/biking/activity tracking watch for those who don’t want/need smart watch features. There’s a lot of running data to geek out on, packed into a small, lightweight package. I’ll probably rarely/never use it all, but it’s fun if you want to mess with the extensive Garmin Connect app. Would highly recommend – does everything I want as a competitive ultra runner.
José Augusto García Domínguez –
Practico. Facil de usar y establecer tus parametros. Monitorea tu ruta sin problema.
Luzia Aparecida –
Excelente producto cumple con lo necesario..
José Augusto García Domínguez –
Love the battery life . Super light weight. Perfect running watch if you don’t run with music. Data is accurate and watch is water proof . Could not be happier with it .
Rachel R. –
Produto excelente, lindo, e fácil de utilizar, e preciso.
Nicholas Majula –
This watch really has all you need. I was a Polar lover before my switch to Garmin and it’s certainly an upgrade, even at what they’re calling an ‘entry level’ running watch. Here’s what I love about it:
1. 24/7 wrist based heart rate monitoring. Very accurate during inactive and active periods.
2. 1 week battery life with all systems on GO. I haven’t stress tested it with multiple runs but so far I’m reasonably happy with the battery. It’s connected to my phone so I’m receiving notifications often and my heart rate is constantly monitored.
3. Accurate GPS tracking, with 3 options depending on your situation and demands on accuracy.
4. Great sleep tracking. You get a lot of great insights that can be used to make adjustments, improve sleep and optimize recovery.
5. Body battery is an interesting feature that allows you to identify when you’re fully charged and ready to go and when you’re drained and need to rest.
6. VO2 max and race predictor are great features that allow you to see when you are with your fitness and at your current levels of fitness the expected race times you’d likely hit.
7. Fitness age is an eye opening feature that determines your age based on your fitness and body weight. Gave me a harsh reality check!
8. Lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear! You won’t even remember it’s on your wrist.
The watch has more features, but for me all the above is what I depend on and thoroughly enjoy! For it’s price point I say it’s absolute value for me. I’m very happy with my purchase.