The Garmin Forerunner range is one of the most acclaimed sports watch collections around. It may be intended for runners, but don’t let this detail put you off. Forerunners can track other activities too and also incorporate a wealth of additional smart features.
Here’s a quick overview of the Garmin Forerunner watches.
Forerunner 35
The best choice for beginners
Perhaps the simplest Garmin Forerunner, the 35 is an easy-to-use GPS-enabled running watch designed to focus on your performance. It monitors the key metrics of your training, including distance, calories, pace, and more.
Useful features such as Auto Pause and run/walk mode enhance versatility, while the wrist-based heart rate makes it possible to monitor performance without a chest strap.
Pair it with a compatible smartphone to get call and text alerts on your wrist, or make automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, share your progress, join challenges, or receive insights as you meet your goals.
Simple and unpretentious, the Forerunner 35 is an excellent choice for those who want a no-frills running watch at an affordable price.
Forerunner 45
Ideal for teammates
The upgraded version of Forerunner 35, the Forerunner 45, comes with additional features, and it’s a great choice for team training.
It comes in two variants, the Forerunner 45 and the smaller 45 S that is an excellent choice for slender wrists. No matter which size you choose, you’ll get accurate tracking of your pace and distance thanks to the built-in GPS.
The integration of Garmin Coach adaptive training plans makes it excellent for newbies who want to focus on performance. Like the Forerunner 35, it also integrates wrist heart rate monitoring.
Customisable watch faces and a variety of bands enhance its versatility and make it a great choice for users of either sex.
Forerunner 245 Music
A premier sports watch designed for serious runners
With the Forerunner 245 Music, tracking performance has never been easier. It’s a great choice for those who like to listen to music while running and packs loads of features in as well.
The menus might not be the easiest to navigate, but it’s easy to love once you get used to how it works. Designed with the pros in mind, it tracks and evaluates your performance stats, including aerobic and anaerobic training effects, VO2 max, training status, and more.
Advanced tracking includes running dynamics, such as ground contact time and stride length. On-board music storage and integrated GPS are two other awesome features for those who don’t want to carry a smartphone or other device when training.
Forerunner 645 Music
The more stylish and feature-packed version of the Forerunner 245
If you like the 245 Music and don’t mind spending more money, the Forerunner 645 Music could be a great choice. It has everything the 245 has and more.
The device can store up to 500 songs and syncs your playlists from music streaming services such as Spotify or Pandora. Wrist heart rate monitoring and advanced running performance metrics don’t bring noticeable improvements compared to the 245, but it shines in the smart features department.
You’ll get Garmin Pay, so you don’t have to worry about carrying your wallet, as well as other connected features and a bunch of smart notifications on your wrist, including Live Track function.
Customisable watch faces and compatibility with apps such as AccuWeather, Uber, and SmartThings bring further value for money, making this smartwatch one of the best running watches you can find.
Forerunner 735XT
A top-notch triathlon smartwatch
Designed for running and packed with preloaded sports profiles. The 735XT is one of the pro watches in the Forerunner family.
It includes all the features of other models in the range . It tracks distance, pace, and lap time on all supported activities, and you can choose which metrics to view on the display while training.
Multi-sports profiles include swimming – with underwater heart rate monitoring – cycling, cross-country skiing, hiking, and paddle sports, to name just a few.
An array of smart features are the cherries on top of this sumptuous cake and include Strava live segments, phone syncing, smart notifications, and compatibility with music streaming services. While all these features don’t come cheap, this is undoubtedly a very capable multi-sports watch and one that’s particularly suitable for triathlon training.
Forerunner 945
An all-round sports watch for advanced athletic training
The Forerunner 945 is la crème de la crème of the family. It’s an all-round sports watch designed for professional runners, triathlon athletes and serious fitness lovers.
Its slim and sleek profile retains the lines of the other Forerunner watches and fits both men and women. Two band choices and customisable watch faces add versatility, while a variety of features and compatible apps make it a winner.
Bigger storage capacity compared to the 245 and 645 variants let you keep up to 1,000 songs on your wrist and sync your playlists from Spotify and other music streaming services.
An integrated GPS and VO2 max feature track your training and adjust the results based on heat and altitude. At the same time, the watch also monitors your overall training load and recovery time.
Like the 735XT, it comes with multi-sports profiles, while pre-loaded, full-colour maps keep you on track regardless of how familiar you are with the area. Other highlights include safety and tracking features, smart notifications, as well as Garmin Pay function.
Though the Forerunner 945 is the most expensive of the family, it’s cheaper than the Fenix 5 Plus with which it shares most functions. It’s a great choice for all those who need a capable all-rounder.
Summary
Whether you’re an enthusiastic beginner or a professional athlete, finding the right smartwatch for you in the Garmin Forerunner family is easy.
So, what do you say? Which one would you pick? Tell me in a comment below; I’d love to hear from you.
And if you know other runners or athletes looking for the perfect Garmin wearable, don’t forget to share this article with them too.
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Last Updated on January 7, 2020
A degree-qualified professional writer with extensive experience in copy writing. Expert in product description, reviews, editing and proofreading. Also a bilingual expert in Italian and Romanian where she is originally from.
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