Fitness watches are great options for helping track performance and providing essential analytics to support your fitness journey. Garmin has been creating fitness-enhancing trackers and watches for over three decades, providing runners, gym goers and keen fitness enthusiasts with an easy way to track metrics like speed, time, distance, stride and more.
In this blog, we take you through all of the best Garmin watches, from budget-friendly options to trackers made for marathon training, to help you find the best one for you.
What types of Garmin watches are there?
Garmin creates a wide variety of watches for various sports and fitness disciplines. They cater to many, from beginner-friendly fitness watches to options made for specific niches like diving. Below are just some of the types you can find:
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Running
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Multi-sports
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Golf
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Gym Workouts
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Diving
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Wellness tracking
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Hiking
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Overall fitness
What features to look for when buying a Garmin watch
To find the right Garmin watch, start by asking yourself - what are my goals? Each watch is made with specific needs in mind, so finding the right one depends on what features matter most to you. For example, someone who is only trying to increase their overall physical fitness may not need as much in-depth data as a marathon runner might.
Which Garmin watch is best for beginners?
If you're new to fitness tracking, you may wish to opt for a watch that provides essential data that is easy to understand. A good starting watch will support a range of fitness activities so you can find the one that works best for you.
For beginners, we recommend the Garmin Forerunner 970 as it provides simple, accurate data. Whether you want to track running or walking activity, you can get data on your distance, speed and time. This watch has GPS tracking and a built-in heart rate monitor to support your workouts, and it can guide you with suggested and tailored workouts based on previously logged activities, as well as offering running training plans, making it great for beginners. It also comes with energy monitoring and stress tracking for extra wellness benefits.
Forerunner 970 HRM With GPS Watch - £629.90
Best Garmin watch for general fitness tracking
If your goal is simply to keep your health in good shape, then you might want a good all-around watch. Having a watch that can do all the heavy lifting for you is a great idea if you lead a busy life or want to enjoy fitness without all the planning.
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is an accurate and sophisticated piece of tech that caters to a wide range of workouts. It provides morning reports of your sleep, recovery and training. It will give you a training readiness score based on sleep quality, recovery and training load to let you know when your body is ready for an intense workout and when you need to prioritise recovery-based activities.
Forerunner 570 42mm HRM With GPS Watch - £629.90
Best Garmin watch for marathon & ultra marathon runners
If you’re an experienced runner looking for a piece of technology to help you run that extra mile, then you’re going to want an option with sophisticated data tracking. Having a watch that can give you more than just your time and distance data will help you take your training to the next level and help you prepare for a marathon.
The Garmin Enduro 3 watch is made with lightweight components that won’t slow you down. It’s equipped with advanced features such as map guides and an automatic rest timer, and provides a huge range of performance metrics from endurance to stamina to get you fully ready to take on your next race. It’s also complete with up to 90 days of battery life in smartwatch mode due to its solar charging capabilities, meaning you can spend more time working out and less time charging your kit.
Garmin Enduro 3 DLC Titanium GPS Watch £729.90
Best Budget-friendly Garmin watch
If this is your first time trying a sports watch, then the best option can be the most budget-friendly. It’s a good way to see if Garmin fitness trackers work for you and your goals, with much of the same advanced technology, such as GPS tracking and a built-in heart rate monitor, without the heftier price tag.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a great option, with accurate pace, distance and heart rate tracking, you’ll be able to monitor your progress with ease. The advanced morning reports give you insight into your general well-being, providing information about your sleep and recovery, along with personalised daily workout tips and advice. Topped off with music features and compatibility with a range of apps, this watch is the perfect budget-friendly workout companion.
Garmin Forerunner 165 Music HRM With GPS Watch - £289.90
Best Garmin watch for a wide range of sports
We get it, sometimes picking just one sport is tough, and for those who like the bounce from running to the endurance of gym workouts, you’ll need a watch to keep up with your many hobbies.
The Garmin Fenix 8 offers limitless technology for a wide range of sports. From skiing and swimming to running and hiking, this Garmin watch provides advanced multisport tracking for athletes and adventurers alike. Enjoy up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 47 hours in GPS mode. The performance metrics help you to manage your exertion and build stamina while also tracking recovery time between workouts for optimal performance.
Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire 47mm HRM With GPS Multisport Watch - £949.90
The best Garmin watch for outdoor & heavy-duty activities
If your workouts involve rugged environments or heavy impact, you'll need a durable watch that can handle the challenge and withstand potential bumps and scrapes, so you can focus on your exercise without worrying about protecting your tech.
The Garmin Instinct 2 is a tough piece of kit, which means no need to hold back! With solar charging and an impressive battery life of up to 51 days, it's perfect for outdoor activities. It offers all the premium technology Garmin has to offer, with the added advantage of being built with strong materials for complete peace of mind.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar HRM With GPS Watch - £349
Find the best Garmin running watch for you with Start Fitness
Garmin is renowned for its advanced GPS watches, designed to cater to a variety of fitness needs and lifestyles. With everything from in-depth and accurate data to training plans and recovery tracking, Garmin tech offers a sure-fire way to elevate your training.
Want to see results and progress faster? Start tracking your workouts and explore our full range of Garmin watches here at Start Fitness.