Garmin Forerunner 245 GPS Running Smartwatch Review | Best Running Watch
The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a GPS running smartwatch designed to take your training to the next level. With advanced training features and performance monitoring capabilities, this smartwatch evaluates your current training status and offers personalized insights to help you optimize your workouts. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, the Forerunner 245 provides advanced running dynamics and customizable training plans to help you reach your fitness goals. Stay safe during your runs with incident detection and track your progress with the Garmin Connect online fitness community. This smartwatch is a must-have for any serious runner or fitness enthusiast.
Product Description
The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a GPS running smartwatch that comes packed with advanced training features to help you improve your running performance. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, this smartwatch is designed to elevate your training to the next level.
One of the standout features of the Forerunner 245 is its ability to evaluate your current training status. It can analyze your training load and indicate if you're undertraining or overdoing it, allowing you to make adjustments to optimize your workouts. Additionally, this smartwatch offers performance monitoring features that provide insights into your running dynamics, such as ground contact time balance, stride length, and vertical ratio. To access these advanced running dynamics, you'll need to pair the watch with the Running Dynamics Pod or HRM Run or HRM Tri monitors (sold separately).
For those looking for guidance in their training, the Forerunner 245 offers free adaptive training plans from Garmin Coach. These plans are tailored to your goals and fitness level, providing personalized workouts to help you reach your targets. Alternatively, you can create your own custom workouts using the Garmin Connect online fitness community.
In terms of safety and tracking, the Forerunner 245 includes incident detection during select activities. If an incident is detected, your real-time location will be sent to your emergency contacts through your paired compatible smartphone, providing peace of mind during your workouts.
The Forerunner 245 also allows for customization with free watch faces, apps, and more from the Connect IQ store. You can personalize your smartwatch to match your style and preferences.
With a battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode, the Forerunner 245 ensures that you won't be limited by battery life during your training sessions.
Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is a feature-packed GPS running smartwatch that offers advanced training capabilities, performance monitoring, and safety features. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out, this smartwatch is sure to elevate your running experience.
Pros and Cons
When it comes to fitness tracking and smartwatches, the Garmin Forerunner 245 stands out as a top contender in the market. With its advanced dynamics and impressive features, this GPS running smartwatch offers a range of benefits for both casual and serious athletes. However, like any product, it also has its drawbacks. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of the Garmin Forerunner 245.
Pros:
Feature-rich and reliable: The Garmin Forerunner 245 is packed with features that cater to the needs of runners and fitness enthusiasts. With its advanced dynamics, it provides detailed metrics such as ground contact time balance, stride length, and vertical oscillation. It also tracks your heart rate, sleep patterns, and stress levels, giving you a comprehensive view of your overall fitness.
Impressive battery life: One of the standout features of the Forerunner 245 is its excellent battery life. With up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode, you can rely on this watch to keep up with your active lifestyle without constantly needing to recharge it.
User-friendly interface: Garmin has always been known for its user-friendly interfaces, and the Forerunner 245 is no exception. The watch is easy to navigate, and the data is presented in a clear and concise manner. Whether you're a tech-savvy individual or new to smartwatches, you'll find the Forerunner 245 intuitive and easy to use.
Cons:
Limited music functionality: While the Forerunner 245 does have music playback capabilities, some users have reported that the music component of this watch is not as robust as they had hoped. The controls can be a bit clunky, and the syncing process with music streaming services may not be as seamless as desired.
Lack of built-in storage: Unlike some other smartwatches on the market, the Forerunner 245 does not have built-in storage for music or offline maps. This means that you will need to rely on your smartphone for music streaming or navigation purposes, which may be inconvenient for some users.
Not suitable for swimming: While the Forerunner 245 is water-resistant, it is not designed for swimming. It does not have specific swimming tracking features, such as stroke detection or lap counting. If swimming is a significant part of your fitness routine, you may want to consider a different Garmin model that offers more robust swimming capabilities.
Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is a feature-rich and reliable smartwatch that offers a range of benefits for fitness enthusiasts. Its advanced dynamics, impressive battery life, and user-friendly interface make it a popular choice among runners. However, it does have some limitations, such as limited music functionality, no built-in storage, and a lack of swimming-specific features. Despite these drawbacks, the Forerunner 245 remains a solid choice for those looking to track their fitness progress and improve their overall performance.
Customer Reviews
The Garmin Forerunner 245 has received rave reviews from customers, with an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 9257 ratings. Let's take a closer look at what customers have to say about this GPS running smartwatch.
"UPDATE: Alright, so when I initially wrote this review the music component of this watch was meh for me. I had a love/hate relationship with it but no... (5 stars)"
"This watch is feature rich with solid battery life and 'just works' reliability, and a good value for what you get. It's a great new addition to Garmi... (5 stars)"
"O Garmin realmente vale cada centavo - É absurdo o quanto ele tem de funções, de medidas, e de opções para editar. Eu fiquei muito feliz com a compra, pensei que ele seria muito grande (ten... (5 stars)"
"Wow - Es ideal para empezar a correr. Llegó súper rápido y en perfecto estado (5 stars)"
"Excelente incluso para natacion y ciclismo - Después de casi un año de uso, sigo muy contento con el desempeño y precisión de este reloj. Soy triatleta, y aunque existen otros garmin más específi... (5 stars)"
"Ótimo produto - A entrega foi mais rápida que o estipulado, o relógio superou minhas expectativas (5 stars)"
Customers have praised the Garmin Forerunner 245 for its feature-rich design and solid battery life. Many have highlighted the watch's reliability and value for money. One customer mentioned their initial hesitation towards the music component, but ultimately found it satisfactory.
The Garmin Forerunner 245 has also received positive feedback for its versatility. Customers have mentioned its usefulness for various activities, including running, swimming, and cycling. Triathletes have expressed satisfaction with the watch's performance and accuracy.
Additionally, customers have praised the fast delivery and the watch's ability to surpass their expectations.
Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 245 has garnered a strong following among customers, with its impressive features, reliability, and value for money.
Conclusion
Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 245 GPS Running Smartwatch with Advanced Dynamics is a fantastic choice for both seasoned athletes and casual runners alike. Its advanced training features and accurate GPS tracking make it a valuable tool for improving your performance and achieving your fitness goals. The watch's ability to evaluate your training status and provide personalized training plans through Garmin Coach is a standout feature that sets it apart from other smartwatches on the market.
The safety and tracking features, including incident detection, add an extra layer of security during your workouts, giving you peace of mind while you're on the go. Additionally, the customizable watch faces and apps available through the Connect IQ store allow you to personalize your device to suit your style and preferences.
While the Garmin Forerunner 245 offers an impressive battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode, some users may find the music component to be lacking. However, this is a minor drawback considering the watch's overall performance and features.
In conclusion, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is a reliable and feature-rich smartwatch that delivers on its promises. With its advanced training capabilities, accurate GPS tracking, and safety features, it's an excellent investment for anyone serious about their fitness journey. Whether you're a seasoned athlete looking to fine-tune your training or a beginner seeking guidance and motivation, this smartwatch will undoubtedly enhance your running experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Garmin Forerunner 245 suitable for both men and women?
- Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is designed to be a unisex smartwatch, making it suitable for both men and women.
What is the battery life of the Garmin Forerunner 245?
- The Garmin Forerunner 245 has an impressive battery life that can last up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 245 have a heart rate monitor?
- Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 comes with a built-in heart rate monitor that provides accurate readings during your workouts, allowing you to track and analyze your heart rate data.
Can I use the Garmin Forerunner 245 for swimming and cycling?
- Absolutely! The Garmin Forerunner 245 is not only suitable for running but also for swimming and cycling. It is water-resistant up to 50 meters and offers features specifically designed for swimming and cycling activities.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 245 have GPS?
- Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is equipped with GPS functionality, allowing you to accurately track your outdoor activities such as running, cycling, and hiking. The GPS feature provides real-time distance, pace, and location data.
Can I listen to music on the Garmin Forerunner 245?
- Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 has a music component that allows you to store and play music directly from the watch. You can download and sync your favorite songs or playlists from music streaming services like Spotify and Deezer.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 245 compatible with smartphones?
- Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is compatible with smartphones. You can easily connect the watch to your smartphone using the Garmin Connect app, which allows you to receive notifications, control music playback, and access various other features and settings.
What are the special features of the Garmin Forerunner 245?
- The Garmin Forerunner 245 offers several special features, including advanced dynamics for running, daily workout memory, heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and compatibility with various activities such as swimming and cycling.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 245 easy to use?
- Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is designed to be user-friendly. It has a clear and easy-to-read 1.2-inch screen and intuitive controls that make navigation and accessing features a breeze.
What is included in the box when purchasing the Garmin Forerunner 245?
- When you purchase the Garmin Forerunner 245, the box includes the smartwatch itself, a charging cable, and a user manual to help you get started with your new device.
