Gear review: Garmin Forerunner 245

Welcome the new year with a watch that will help you exceed your health goals.

What is it?

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a GPS smartwatch designed to track your workouts, monitor your health and keep you motivated while also being an everyday watch! It is primarily designed for runners but can track many other types of exercise. Whether you are already in a workout routine or just getting started, this is a great first GPS watch at a reasonable price.

What sets it apart?

There are many options out there for GPS watches and smartwatches, but I think the Garmin Forerunner 245 is a really great option for someone wanting the features of both a GPS watch and a smartwatch without too many bells and whistles. It is very simple to set up and use despite how many features it has. Plus, it is clear it was designed by experts in the field who genuinely used it for its purpose.

How do I use it?

I highly recommend checking out the product-specific link listed below when your watch arrives. It has many features and is completely customizable to how you want to use it. You can set up your notifications, your color scheme, your favorite workouts and so much more. It also has the ability to show smart notifications when paired with your cellphone. Combined with its sleek and lightweight design, it is perfect to wear all day, every day. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth to help you track workouts and recovery time and connect or share with friends.

How much?

$299.99

Joanna’s insight:

I have owned this watch for two years and have worn it almost every day during that time. It is as lightweight as Garmin describes it, and even on a small wrist size it doesn’t look bulky or like your typical exercise watch. I am an avid runner and hiker and can attest to the amazing battery life. It lasts seven-plus days in regular watch mode and over 24 hours in GPS mode. In addition, a full recharge takes less than an hour. I love these features because I am that person who is always forgetting to bring a charging cord.

Despite using the watch every day for two years, I am constantly discovering new features, proving how much it has to offer. I love that each workout screen is completely customized to the metrics that you want to focus on during a workout and during recovery. The safety features are also a huge bonus to me, allowing me to feel comfortable adventuring alone. Not only does it have smartwatch notifications to let me know if someone is trying to reach me, but it also has a LiveTrack feature where my family and friends can track my route in real time. Finally, it has an emergency response feature built into the watch. If you do not feel safe or if you experience a fall, which the watch can detect, it immediately sends your location to your emergency contacts. Overall, this watch is a great bang for your buck. It is reasonably priced compared to many other GPS watches and has so many noteworthy features.

More information:

garmin.com