This morning, Garmin introduced a number of products, headlined by its new Forerunner 935 smartwatch. The latest creation has a focus on serious athletes looking to go beyond the basic step and calorie counter. Bad news is, it’s going to cost you…
Garmin’s latest smartwatch creation includes a number of training-focused features with triathlon athletes in mind. Dubbed a premium GPS running watch, the $500 price tag is bound to scare some shoppers away. But when you compare the features to other similar products on the market, the cost feels justified.
One of the major features is the Forerunner 935’s ability to monitor performance during workouts, ensuring that an athlete is training at peak performance. By measuring heart rate and other data points, users will be alerted if they are overreaching or conversely, not working hard enough to see results.
It also goes above and beyond the typical step counter that we see on nearly every fitness tracker these days. A new feature called Running Dynamics actively uses a clip-on that tracks six different measurable movements of the body, including cadence, ground contact time, and stride length. For hardcore runners, this provides greater insight into the subtle changes that can make a big difference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cSWLO_6psI
As you’d hope on a $500 smartwatch, there is continual 24-hour heart rate monitoring and full GPS connectivity. Both are key features for committed runners looking to track changes throughout the day and go on long runs without a smartphone tethered alongside.
Battery life tops out at up to two-weeks when in UltraTrac save mode, but turning on the GPS functionality limits it to 24-hours. Neither of those numbers are a surprise given that GPS radios are known to quickly drain internal power supplies.
Perhaps most intriguing is Garmin’s partnership with the Training Peaks app that brings customizable (and free) workouts that can be loaded to the watch and used without a smartphone nearby. This is perfect for runners looking to mix up their training sessions but aren’t sure where to start.
By and large, the new Garmin Forerunner 935 is designed for a high-end workout enthusiast. Much of the data provided here is overkill for your regular evening jogger. It is however exciting to see a company push the envelope on new technology and features that we may see on more budget-focused releases in the future. It’s easy to imagine a device that’s designed for first-time runners that tracks stride and cadence, offering feedback on how to improve and cut-down on potential injuries.
The new Garmin Forerunner 935 Smartwatch is available for purchase today starting at $500.
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OLATHE, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the Forerunner 935, a GPS running and triathlon watch with new performance monitoring tools and Elevate™ wrist-based heart rate technology1. In addition to 24/7 heart rate monitoring, the Forerunner 935 includes new training features, allowing users to fine-tune exercise and recovery to be a better athlete. Easily paired with the new Running Dynamics Pod2, Forerunner 935 users will now be able to see all six running dynamics without the need for a chest strap. At only 49 grams, every detail in its lightweight, comfortable design was chosen with the athlete in mind.
The Forerunner 935 is being announced in conjunction with a new print, digital and social campaign featuring 13 professional Garmin-sponsored elite runners and triathletes from across the world. The campaign showcases how the sophisticated dynamics offered by the Forerunner 935 help these athletes fine tune and elevate their training and be more competitive on race day.
“With similar features to the fēnix® 5 – our popular multisport GPS watch built for fitness, adventure and style – the Forerunner 935 is catered more towards athletes focused on performance and results,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “As a top-of-the-line GPS smartwatch, the Forerunner 935 not only provides users with insight into how their body is responding to fitness, but also offers data for every activity, allows them to automatically upload to Garmin Connect™, and is customizable with free apps, data fields and more from the Connect IQ™ store.”
New training features – with technology provided by Firstbeat – make it easier for Forerunner 935 users to monitor performance and better prepare for a race or training cycle. Training status automatically analyzes previous exercise and fitness levels to provide insight into how the athlete’s body is responding – letting them know if they are training productively, peaking or overreaching. Training load gives users an overview of their weekly activity and helps them determine if they are training in the right zone and whether their sessions are too easy or hard. Additionally, the new training effect metric tracks and reviews the aerobic and anaerobic benefit of a training session, letting athletes know how their training is improving their ability to push the limits. With these training features available at their fingertips, athletes can make adjustments and improvements to their training to become better, faster and more efficient come race day.
The Forerunner 935 allows users to go further with their running data. The simple-to-use and unobtrusive new Running Dynamics Pod clips to the waistband allowing athletes to see all six running dynamics – including cadence, ground contact time, stride length and more – on a compatible device3 without the need for a chest strap. The Forerunner 935 also features advanced dynamics to help with cycling and swim training4. While on a bike, it will track dynamics including power zones, time seated and standing, platform center offset and power phase. In the water5, the Forerunner 935 will track distance, stroke, pace, personal records and more.
With Elevate wrist-based heart rate, Forerunner 935 users have around-the-clock heart rate monitoring without the need for an additional strap. With GPS and GLONASS coverage, athletes can better track their activities in challenging environments than with GPS alone. Additionally, the Forerunner 935 includes ABC (altimeter, barometer and compass) sensor capabilities. The built-in altimeter provides real-time elevation information, while the barometer can predict weather changes by showing short-term trends in air pressure. The compass can help users keep their bearings whether they’re moving or not.
Athletes can easily transition between sports with the press of a button utilizing the auto or manual multisport feature. Additional built-in activities include hiking, trail running, skiing, paddle sports, golf and more. The Forerunner 935 is also compatible with the full line of Varia™ cycling awareness accessories, Vector™ pedal-based power meter system and Index™ smart scale.
Available on the Forerunner 935, Strava Live Segments allow users to view real-time results on a run or ride, leaderboard rankings and how their current effort compares to their PR. Starred Strava segments automatically sync with the Forerunner 935 for live feedback during an activity. Purchases of the Forerunner 935 will receive a 60-day trial of Strava Premium, and owners of Connect IQ compatible devices will receive a 30-day trial.
Installed on the Forerunner 935, the new TrainingPeaks app allows users to download free workouts directly to their watch, then view the workout in real time, complete with intensity targets and interval durations. Following a session, athletes can automatically sync their completed workout back to TrainingPeaks for a detailed analysis of their performance and to measure their progress toward their goals. Users can also customize their watch with data fields, watch faces, widgets and additional apps including Uber ETA (by Garmin) and AccuWeather MinuteCast® Minute by Minute Forecast in the Connect IQ store.
When paired with a compatible smartphone6, the Forerunner 935 automatically uploads to Garmin Connect, an online fitness community where users can track workouts, sleep patterns, join online challenges to compete against friends and earn virtual badges. GroupTrack allows users to keep tabs on those they train with, while LiveTrack lets loved ones follow along on runs and rides in real time.
The Forerunner 935 features up to 24 hours of battery life in GPS mode, up to 50 hours in UltraTrac™ battery saver mode and up to two weeks in watch mode. It is available in black for $499.99. A tri-bundle option – which includes a black watch face with force yellow strap, HRM-Tri, HRM-Swim, Quick Release Kit and additional strap in black – is available for $649.99. Compatible with optional Garmin QuickFit™ bands in leather, silicone or metal, the Forerunner 935 lets users go from workplace to workout – no tools required.
The ever-expanding Garmin fitness segment develops technologies to enhance and promote healthy and active lifestyles. Whether users are runners, cyclists, swimmers, multi-sport athletes, or simply looking to stay active throughout the day, there is a product that can help them reach their health and fitness goals.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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