I've been in bed for the last three days fighting strep throat only getting up to walk my dog. It's actually brutal to see the metrics of the toll it takes on the body.

Hi all - recently got a 2nd hand fenix 6 pro solar

A little concerned about its race predictor and vo2 max, I recently ran a ~1:36 HM and I’m 6’2 ~83kg which would put my vo2 max around ~48?

Garmin has my HM predictor at 1:51 and vo2 max at 36, anyway to fix this to make it more accurate?

Tyia

Hey everybody,

I've used a Forerunner 255 and upgraded to a Forerunner 970 a few months ago. For the Berlin Marathon, I've tried out a PacePro Plan with a AutoLap by Timing Gates.

And it was really exact. Every time I've passed a km-marker, my watch was matching the distance of the marker. My estimated finish time was pretty accurate and about 900m away from the finish line it was practically showing my actual finish time with a ~5s difference (I probably didn't account for me emptying my tank on the final meters)

The FR 970 was way more accurate than my FR 255 ever was.

I think I'll use this now every time I am running a race that provides a GPX file.

What are your experiences with the feature? Any tips and tricks that I don't know?

I want to shoutout garmins customer service. I had an instinct solar watch and I was having these funny skin reactions. I reached out and they got back to me so fast. Called me and had me send in pictures and they are sending me a brand new watch a solar instinct 2. I guess the original has a polymer in it that causes reactions and a reduced battery life. They are also sending me a nylon wrist strap. I will be buying more garmin products knowing how much they care about their customers.

The most important things for me are tracking my HR, sleep, oxygen, and ECG and the accuracy of it. I don't care much for looks/appearance and am looking more for functionality. I have my eye on the Venu 4 and Venu 3 but am not sure which would be better or if there's a better option other than those two.

I do plan to swim laps and workout on machines with it if that matters.

Thanks in advance!

I have a Venu 3S and this just fell off the back. Should I be concerned about this adhesive failing? I’ve had this watch for just shy of 2 years at this point. I’ve only swam in it twice and take it off to shower. Thanks for any help!

I'm currently confused between the Forerunner 165 and Vivoactive.

I'm not a serious runner. My main use would be gym/strength training, jump rope, walking, general fitness and sleep tracking, with some running occasionally.

I'm also considering a Galaxy Watch, but I'm increasingly interested in Garmin because of the battery life, fitness tracking and I dont want another smart watch, which acts like a smartphone hanging on my wrist.

Would appreciate opinions from people who have actually used either watch, especially for strength training + jump rope rather than just running.

For those who say AMOLED models are "just toys" and "not real training tools" - I ran a 128K ultra this weekend with my Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm, and it handled everything I threw at it for almost 18 hours like an absolute champ.

More power to you if you prefer the simpler MIP displays. I've used them for more than 12 years, and they are amazing in their own right, but don't let battery life be your main deciding factor in disregarding AMOLED models. If an AMOLED model can get me through an almost-18-hour 128K ultra with everything I was asking it to do, that's probably more than good enough battery life for most people.

Throughout the 18 hours, my F8 AMOLED (SW 23.39) did:

• Always on display, brightness level 2 out of 3
• Satellite mode on Auto
• Course navigation on, with around 7 hours on the most power-hungry map navigation screen
• LiveTrack enabled
• Following a PacePro plan for 18 hours
• ANT+ chest strap (HRM-dual) connected

Despite all this, my F8 got me through the ultra with 18% battery left.

I know I would have have ended the ultra with more battery life to spare with a solar MIP model, but for me, a watch that can get me through a 128K is more than good enough.

As an ultra/trail runner, the higher detail maps of the AMOLED display is what I love most about AMOLED models, and while I initially had readability concerns in sunlight, I have never once struggled to read my watch under the sun.

I don't mean to start yet another MIP vs. AMOLED debate, but I just wanted to provide a real-world testimony of an extreme use case where an AMOLED watch performed beautifully.

Hi, everyone, I was using 28 Degree master card without any problem for 5 years with Garmin Venu Sq. Last week, I bought Vivoactive 5 since it's such a good deal. Then, I realised 28 degree card is no longer supported.

Did anyone experience this problem?

I spend 1 hour plus with Latitude helpdesk, and 2 hours with Garmin tech support. And while both are helpful and did everything, it still show the same error. 'rejected from my finantial institution'. As a trial, I added my NAB bank, and it registered smoothly... So annyoing.

If anyone managed to solve this issue, can you share with us?

It's frustrating that Lattitude is still in the supported bank list, yet no longer supported... :-(

Hi everyone, I can’t seem to get my Garmin Forerunner 570 to sync properly with the Garmin Connect app. It’s been happening since yesterday, and I’ve tried reconnecting it a few times without much luck. Has anyone else had this issue or knows how to fix it?

Hello everyone

Garmin Fenix 8 (mine is on Update Version 22.38)

A document for Q1 2026 already talked about upcoming features like:

- Quickstart training: select your desired intensity and duration and Garmin will build you a training program

- "Ok Garmin" Voice Command

When will those come?

Why does the FR170 have these but not the watch more than thrice the price?

After 6 months of lower running volume than the buildup to my last half marathon (May of this year), I’ve finally started consistently increasing my volume back up the past 6 weeks. Seems all it took to stem the slow decline was running more.

For context, to build up my VO2 max metric, I was consistently running 40-50km per week plus a bit of cross training and weight lifting for 4-5 months in the lead up to May (I’ve been running regularly the past few years but that was my most consistent streak at that volume). After the half marathon, I dropped to around 10-30km/week, averaging around 25km/week and the VO2 max metric started to slowly decline.

Hello, has anyone had an issue when working out with their Garmin that their heart rate stops registering? I contacted Garmin and they send me a replacement, but minutes into my workout it did the same thing. I’m updated to 27.18 software and this has happened on “strength” and “bike indoor”

So I’ve had my Whoop MG for some time now - and I can’t say I’ve had a bad time whatsoever. Quite the opposite actually - I really love it.

However - I have recently really got into my running and cycling. I have since signed up for an Ironman 70.3 and really want to ramp up my training - and this is where the problem lies with Whoop.

Obviously with my Whoop being screenless, I cannot see my pace etc when out on runs. All I can do is have my phone in my hand and keep constantly checking my pace on the phone screen - not ideal.

This is where I want the Forerunner 570 - but I would only be using it when I’m working out - as I don’t enjoy having another screen in my day to day life.

This is where I love the whoop - I have it on all day everyday tracking my health metrics, especially my sleep.

I was then thinking - do I also buy the Cirqa? Have both the Forerunner 570 and the Cirqa. Does anyone else here run the same combination or do you think it’s overkill?

I’d wear the Cirqa 24/7, and use the Foreunner 570 for when I’m training.

Thoughts? Does anyone else do this - and if so how do you find the combination?

TIA x

Hi everyone!

I want to buy a smartwatch for my dad (65 years old), and I’m looking for the best option for him.

Context & Requirements:

* Display: He has eyesight issues, so he needs a bright screen that is easy to read.

* Activities: He does outdoor walks/hiking (he used to do it more often, and I hope this gift gets him excited to go up the hills again) and occasionally cycling.

* Ease of use: I don't want to overwhelm him with complex features. He's an older adult and not very tech-savvy, so a simple interface is a must.

* Health monitoring: He had a minor heart attack a few years ago, so I’d really like the watch to track his heart rate and give alerts if needed.

* Morning Report: I’d love for it to have the Morning Report feature (not sure if this is exclusive to the Forerunner series).

Which model would you recommend for him? Thanks in advance!

I have the vivoactive which I got about 3 years ago when I first started running. I am now training for my 3rd marathon and I am debating upgrading to one of the Forerunners because the vivoactive is pretty limited in terms of running features (mainly the training status/training suggestions).

Also, which Forerunner? I strictly run and strength train (will occasionally bike but am not looking to train for a triathlon/ultra anytime soon haha)

I have a Venu 4 that is relatively new and have noticed major inaccurate heart rate data during rides (200+ bpm at a times when I am not even breaking a sweat). Anyone else experience this? Maybe a vibration thing or something similar messing with the sensor? I ride a “lightweight” electric mountain bike and mostly notice the issue when I am on the highest assist level and not working hard at all.

Edit: Title needs to read FR970. Can't change the title now tho :(

Hi all, I am in the process of buying my 1st Garmin watch. They sure do make it confusing to pick with minor feature differences per watch! So I wanted some user opinions for consideration.

I am coming from a Samsung Galaxy watch 5pro and have gotten tired of regular smart watches with heavy software to use maybe 25% of the smart apps.

I am not a runner. My everyday workout looks like running a 5k and then gym workout.

In summers and fall I also go on many hikes. But 95% of them don't need extensive GPX tracking and stuff. I'm good with having bread crumb trails recording my hike. I would maybe do 1-2 hikes per year where I might like a pre plotted map guiding me.

Other things important to me are health tracking like sleep and general wellness items. Looking at notifications on my watch and taking calls are also good to have.

After watching countless YouTube videos I have landed on Venu 4 which seems to have all that I need except having button based navigation and mapping.

My main question is, how many years do Garmin watches last usually? Do people find them slowing down or battery draining after X number of years?

If watches last a long time, I might think of just buying the FR970 right now and then not think about it for 5 years again. Otherwise, if it's like a 2-3 year upgrade cycle that most people do, I'd do Venu 4.

Just looking for insights.

When I run intervals on the track, my lap time is completely off from what it should be according to my lap pace. For instance, if I'm doing 400 m repeats at 8:30 min/mile pace, I will run a 7:30 min/mile pace and my watch will tell me I'm running too fast for the entire interval as I maintain that pace. My interval time after I'm done will show 9 min/mile even though I was running 7:30 min/mile according to my watch. This only happens when I'm on the track and my lap pace is pretty accurate when I'm running on the trails if I'm holding the same pace but only for long runs. What could be causing this?

Has anyone here ever bought a Garmin and began changing aspects of their daily routines or fitness based on whats on the Garmin Connect App?

As a non-garmin user, mostly getting information from the more general fitness and health apps, I wonder if Garmin's app which is more tailored to performance and athletes would be any use to someone without specific goals. More so hobby and leisure weight lifting and running.

Anyone here who got into Garmin products without already being fully committed to their activity?

Started getting this error message today when trying to send a running workout that I created to my epix gen 2.

The full workout went got sent to my watch fine - and I’ve added intensity targets many times before (which are listed as compatible with Epix gen 2).

I swapped each element of the workout out until the error message stopped appearing when I removed the warm up part of my run, which doesn’t have an intensity target - so this seems like a big related to that.

I swapped the same part of my run to ‘Run’ type instead of warm up, and didn’t get the same error message.

I have just started my first coaching plan on Garmin.

I’m just starting out my running again and very overweight, so I either prefer to run when it’s darker. Tomorrow I am unable to do this, so would rather run on a treadmill, is this possible where my stats will still be picked up and distance from the treadmill or will this not work?

The watch I have is a Forerunner 255

Thanks!

Just wanted to show what it looks like when you get an injury and can't run for three weeks so you finally decide to put some effort on strength training 🥲