I am contemplating a purchase of a runner's watch and have just started researching them online, but I am a little overwhelmed by the wide range available and need to start narrowing it down.
Please can I ask for advice from you guys - Which watches do you recommend and which would you avoid? I'm looking for a good entry level watch with reliable GPS.
DD Garmin forerunner 235 it's that easy to use..... Even I can do it 😄 good battery life, good gps it's gotta be popular!
Thank you. Lots of support for the Garmin forerunner on here. Glad to hear it’s easy to use!
Another thing.... Do you know anything about using Nike Run Club on a Garmin watch?
Nike run club noooooooooo sorry I don't use it, I've just my watch linked to Strava DD
Ok, thanks
I think a lot of people on here have a Garmin. I replaced my fitbit with a Samsung Active which is pretty good. I wanted something that looked 'nice' rather than looking like you've been tagged 🤣
It has Samsung Health on it, and you can put Strava and/or Mapmyrun on it. GPS is pretty good too. And it syncs with my samsung phone immediately 😁
I’ve also got one - you can run Spotify directly on it so no need to carry your phone 🏃🏻♂️
Thanks Steve. As I run out on tracks and trails I always take my phone with my but I notice some of the watches have an emergency contact feature. I can’t quite get my head round the technology!! The more I read the harder it gets!!
Thank you Wenderwoo. I have a very basic Fitbit bought many years ago.
Having looked at the styles I understand your comment about being “ tagged” 😆. I shall look for a colourful strap!!
Love my Garmin... I have a 35, which does the job... 235 is pretty good though, I think I’d have preferred it!
Another vote for Garmin - it’s obviously a very popular choice. Thank you UNM. 😊
I will be interested to see what you go for. I have a Fitbit inspire which is rubbish . It has a mind of its own re GPS and is very fiddly. It takes me five minutes to connect Spotify, synch Fitbit, connect to GPS and then turn on C25K app. This week I think I ran my fastest but no idea as GPS dropped out, then C25K app switched to wK3 for some reason! I think the consensus is Garmin?
Yes, looks like Garmin is very popular. I kept looking at different watches and am baffled by the features! The more I read the more I think “Oh that’s a nice feature....? Shall I have music? Do I really need that?” 🤯 It’s good to get recommendations from the folks on here.
I was going to wait until I'd finished the programme before getting a watch, but I caved in and got a Garmin Forerunner 245, with music. It was expensive, but I'm not spending money on anything at the moment... It offers too many things to measure than I will need, but I wanted the option of leaving my phone at home, and still having music to run with. However, I can't get Laura on it - so I'm going to take my phone until I've finished the programme. I don't want every aspect of my life measured and monitored, so I've turned lots of stuff off and won't wear it in bed. But I used it today and it was interesting looking at things like my cadence and pace - which were both pretty stable across the four runs (I'm in Wk 4/2), and my heart rate (I've got a chest monitor, from cycling). So I'm pleased I got it, but will need to use it a bit more before making a final judgement.
Thank you. I have been looking at the forerunner 235 and 245 and comparing them. Do you know if you need to have the music version to run Nike Run Club or will it work on a watch without music?
Hi - I'm not sure about that - I don't know about Nike Run Club. I compared the 245, the 645 and the 45. It was so complicated that I can't remember what the final decision was based on though! It does work with Strava. The 245 seems as though it's a successor to the 235 - so more up to date, though I don't know in what way
I am hoping to get one in a few months, let us know which one you decide to go for in the end :).
Another vote here for the garmin forerunner 235, i treated myself to one a few weeks into the programme, it looks good and does everything I need and much more, great battery life (I’ve charged it 4 times in 2 months and wear it most of the day) and excellent gps signal too, so many to choose from those it’s mind boggling 🤪
It definitely is mind boggling 🤯!! Do you know if Nike Run Club works on the forerunner 235? I’m into my consolidation runs now and have been considering using it to structure my runs as I move forward.
I’m not sure, I use Strava but a quick google search looks like it will work via garmin connect 👍
Ok thanks, I will look that up. The world of runners app and watches is a new one to me! Is Garmin connect how you download your run info etc?
Yes, straight from the watch via Bluetooth it does it instantly after an activity and you can connect third party apps to it, after I upload to Garmin it instantly uploads to strava too
Great, thanks again!
You won’t be disappointed if you buy the best Garmin watch that you can afford. I’ve lived with a Garmin ForeRunner 235 for 3+ years. Very happy.
Thanks MarkyD. I’m seriously looking at Garmin now after reading the replies to my post. Perhaps the 245 as it’s a little smaller than the 235 and my wrists are small. Do you know anything about running Nike Run Club on a Garmin watch?
A good thing to note is if the model number has an S after it I believe that means it’s the same model but slightly smaller 👍
Sorry, DD I do not. Garmin do allow very limited apps to run on their watches but it isn’t like running an app on your phone. I’m sure that you’ll be able to import the Garmin data into NRC after your run, though.
This is interesting to me too Delly-dot. I may treat myself when I graduate (w9r3 tomorrow all being well - nervous excitement building). Looks like the Garmin winning but like you I'm thinking they look quite large but probably better to see and use. I was looking at new Fitbit charge 4 which has GPS due to be released next week. Noticed not many on here use Fitbit though but supposed to be quite simple which would suit me but people saying Garmin easy to use. Isn't it confusing!?!
I have the Garmin 35, it does most of the things the 235 does, but is quite a bit cheaper. It depends what stats are important to you. Mine does heart rate and cadence, the only thing I wish I had is stride length. It finds the satellite really quickly, and the tracking is very accurate (no running over rooves or on water with this watch!)
If you go to Garmin.com, they have a compare button, I found that really useful.
Thank you Curlygurly for the tip about the comparison option on the garmin site. I'll go take a look. 😊
The garmin forerunner 35 does everything that I need plus more. It’s now been replaced by the 45, so it is much cheaper than when I bought it 2 years ago. First of all decide, how much you want to spend, and which watch you want. Then shop around, because prices vary enormously.
Thanks Dexy5. I have now narrowed it down to Garmin and am trying to focus on the features I do and don't want and the price I'm willing to pay. One minute I think it's between the 35 and 45, then I look at the 245 (big jump in price)..... I'll get there eventually!
I have the 45 which I chose after lots of research but the deciding factor for me was on how much I wanted to spend for something to run with. Really happy with it 
Thank you tiggs1, that is really good to know. My reasoning is very similar to yours, so the 45 is looking top of my list. Did you get the 45s? I've got small wrists so like the idea of the smaller version but I don't want to compromise the screen size too much.
As it happens yes it is the 45s in lilac and to be honest with you the screen is plenty big enough.
Thanks tiggs1, that’s made my mind up! Curry's sell them on their website but are sold out - no surprise as it’s £40 cheaper than anywhere else!! I’ve put an email notification on for new stock. Thanks for answering all my questions, it’s much appreciated 😊🏃♀️
I have a Garmin 30 ( pared down version of 35) but it’s does all I want it to do. It tracks my runs, walks, Pilates and will do swimming apparently 🤢-I hate swimming !! Checks my Heart Rate, and pace too. I connect to Garmin Connect and Strava and that’s all I really want
Thank you limberlou. Garmin watches are the out-right favourite and highly recommended. It is good to read that many people have had their Garmins a long time and are still very happy with them or have replaced them with newer versions of the same.
I’ve had mine for over 2 years now
Watches versus phone apps
Running watches
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