Fitness watch

[LemonZesty]

Can anyone recommend a good fitness watch for running.

LZ

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Garmin forerunners are hard to beat… the 55 is great for beginners with a lot of features for its price point. I have a 245 which is excellent, but I do want the new 255 🤣. If you want to go for multi day ultra marathon events, the Garmin enduro can record in GPS for up to 80 hours… and the Fenix is a wonderful series of multisport watches if you fancy things like triathlons. Both the latter ones are a little on the expensive side!

[LemonZesty in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks so much, there's so many out there it gets difficult to make a decision, I'll have a good look at the Garmin forerunners. LZ x

[RedhillRunner Graduate]

I have just got myself a Garmin Forerunner 245, was knocked down to £139 in the Amazon Prime Day Sale. It is excellent for my needs, really accurate GPS recording, loads of stats etc, then I found a Garmin Running Dynamics Pod on Ebay that connects to the watch and clips to the back of your running shorts, this gives more stats than you will know what to do with was another £29 (Shhh don't tell the Mrs!). I am a happy runner and find that the stats keep me interested and motivated!

[LemonZesty in reply to RedhillRunner]

Thank you, that sounds great and in a reasonable price range for me. Its always good to treat yourself, and something worthwhile by the sounds of it!! I've run a bit ages ago, am back to beginner stage, I will need something to hold my focus and positivity. LZ x

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate]

I've seen Garmin 45 / 45s (s for smaller wrists and sometimes favoured by ladies for that reason) spoken of in glowing terms on here, and has often been on offer around £100 or so. (Googled it and I think there are currently offers on Amazon just above that).

Personally I began with a Garmin 235 in 2019, and was very happy with that, until I upgraded to a Garmin 245 Music last autumn.

[LemonZesty in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

Thank you for the advice, definately looking into the Garmin as it appears to be a favourite. I'm going to have a good look on Amazon, I need something easy to use as am at beginner stage, I've joined a c25K group which starts in September as had a leg and hip injury. LZ x

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate in reply to LemonZesty]

Best wishes, and I hope it goes well! 👍

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to LemonZesty]

The smaller wrists is an important mention. I had to return my Garmin due to the hugeness of it, but I have got small wrists. I'm looking to change watches soon so am keeping an eye on the 45s, 👀👀👀

[LemonZesty in reply to Jell6]

Thank you. Yes I've noticed the reviews on Amazon about the 45 ordering the small size is enough strap for small wrists as I'm the same. LZ x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate in reply to LemonZesty]

My wrists are very small but I wanted a red strap and the 45s doesn't come in red. I bought the 45 and it's absolutely fine. Great watch!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

There are red straps on Amazon that don’t cost a lot, it’s the first thing i do when i buy a garmin is order some straps, I have all sorts, gold for outings and different colours that go with how i feel or different outfits, plain black for work hoping no one will notice

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Ooh SueAppleRun I didn't know that! Very useful to know, thank you.On the other hand as far as my wardrobe goes red is practically a neutral colour so I'm pretty happy with my choice but thanks for letting me know I can get replacements or ring the changes.

I'm still happy with the 45 though, I need the large typeface lol! One of my many pet gripes is how 'ladies' watches are purely decorative and often, for me, unreadable while the boys get all the fancy bells and whistles and functionality.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

I loved my vivoactive 4s and it did what i wanted, I just wanted to upgrade, I’m pretty sure you’d find straps for all models though if you wanted to change or when it wears out

[Tzushka Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Hello, I have a Garmin Vivoactive 4s, it may be too basic, not sure, but it’s definitely small enough for small wrists!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Really depends what stats you want.And how much you want to spend .

I still use my first running watch , a Garmin 45s

It tells me everything I need to know and more !

All I want is distance and pace and to be able to have the run uploaded to Strava.

I'm not really interested in anymore data than that.

You can get a Garmin forerunner 45 for just £103 at the moment on Amazon .

Or if you want more stats you can spend many many hundreds of pounds .

[LemonZesty in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you, I'm not going to need anything complicated as will be a beginner. I thought it would be nice to see/track how I'm doing and any progress I make basically. Thanks for the info, much appreciated. LZx

[nowster Graduate]

The Garmin Forerunner series is most useful to runners, but can track other sports.

If you want really accurate tracks the 255 (also available in small) is amazing. However, it's pricey and the software in it (and the 955 which was released at the same time) has some quirks that haven't yet been ironed out.

The Forerunner 55 has many of the same features. The 45 is the previous model to that and is still good, and will often be heavily discounted.

It all depends on what level your running is at and what your budget is.

If you're doing 24 hour ultramarathons, a 45 or 55 is not going to last the course, but they'll cope just fine if you're doing mostly 5km and 10km runs, with the occasional half marathon and long hike.

[LemonZesty in reply to nowster]

Thank you, will definately be the c25K to start me off, I've got to wait for physio to give me the all clear, I was on crutches for 10 weeks after I fell at work. I had physio again yesterday afternoon, have hip bursitis and muscle damage.

The 45 is in my price range and will be sufficient for my needs to start off with. I'm generally very active, skiing, hiking, climbing/bouldering, swimming, yoga, etc. Can't do anything at the moment due to injury, other than walk.

Got to see physio again in 6 weeks, keeping fingers crossed I'm healed by then. LZx

[Me_time Graduate]

I recently got a Garmin forerunner 55 as a gift. Its my first running watch and gives me plenty of stats, more than I look for. I find it enough for my requirements.

[LemonZesty in reply to Me_time]

Nice, I just need one that gives me the basics for running to start off with, nothing too complicated. LZx

[Antonio_the_Aussie Graduate]

I can tell you what I don't recommend. A fitbit Inspire 2. Will be heading down the Garmin route eventually.

[LemonZesty in reply to Antonio_the_Aussie]

Thanks, yes I think Garmin definately looks the winner as far as running goes. LZx

[sarahrbartlett Graduate]

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08...

This is one i bought on amazon, its cheap and great!!

[LemonZesty in reply to sarahrbartlett]

Thank you for the link, will take a look. LZx

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

I recently purchased the garmin forerunner 45s and I love it. I got it on offer on Amazon and it does everything I need. So it all depends on what you will use on a watch. I haven't looked at all the things it can do, but at the moment it gives me my current pace, distance and average pace, and records straight to Strava. I get my emails, texts, messenger and whatsapp alerts and also it monitors my sleep. Loads of other uses but I haven't got that far yet. Well worth the money. I know you can pay more and get other garmins in their range, all depends on what you want from a watch I guess.

[hamit Graduate]

The thing which sold me on Garmin was the visibility in Bright sunlight, you don't get that with some other makes. The other big seller was the bluetooth giving you pace, heart rate and laps if required.