If you own aGarmin, you already know that it’s a very powerful wearable, but I’m willing to bet that you aren’t aware of just how extensive its offerings are. While each Garmin offers slightly different tools and features, almost all of them are packed with sensors that give you a wide range of health and fitness data throughout the day.
Overall, they cantrack your sleep, provide detailedheart rate information, log a wide range of activities, and function as smartwatches just in general. But on top of all the well-known features, there are also somelesser-known capabilitiesthat can be useful – or just plain fun.
Some of theseGarmintricks must be accessed on the watch itself, while others require theGarmin Connect appeither for setup or to use in general. As each Garmin varies in offerings – even if slightly – not all of these features may be available for every watch. However, I’ve tried to highlight tools that are applicable to most users.
The best Garmin watches for tracking your fitness
No matter how you like to get movement in, the best Garmin watches will help you take your fitness to the next level.
1Change the data screens for each activity type
Personalize what’s on display during your workouts
You probably knew you could change your Garmin’s watch face, but did you know that you can also change what’s visible when you’re tracking an activity? For example, if you don’t care about your pace during a run, you can easily replace that with something more meaningful to your progress. I wanted to be able to see the time on my watch without scrolling when out on a walk, so I adjusted the Data Screens for my Walk activity to show the time instead of the pace. You can even change the layout entirely, with multiple options to choose from for each activity. To adjust what you see during an activity:
By joining Garmin’s beta program, you can help shape future features.
2Let loved ones follow your location during workouts
Add a layer of safety to your workouts
If you want more peace of mind during your activities, you’ll want to take advantage of Gamin’s safety features. One such tool is the LiveTrack, which shares a real-time view of your location during an activity with friends and family. You’ll need a compatible device and your phone with you to use this, but if those two conditions are met, your loved ones can keep track of your location in case something happens. To set up LiveTrack:
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3Access guided workouts to help you train
Get a virtual coach via your phone and wrist
Figuring out what to do for workouts can get tricky or just boring if you do the same thing over and over. While you could pay for a coach, Garmin offers some robust training tools to help you out for free. First, if you just want some quick workouts to spice up your fitness routine, you may find a range of options available both in the Garmin Connect app and right on your watch. To access workouts in the Garmin Connect app:
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4Join Challenges to compete with others and yourself
Find motivation and gain accountability
Sometimes, we all need an extra bit of motivation to get up and move. Garmin’s Challenges can be a useful push to keep you accountable. There are challenges for all sorts of activities, including running, walking, cycling, swimming, and strength training. These range from a single weekend activity to monthly or even yearly options. you’re able to even tackle Expeditions, which equates your steps and floors climbed to tackling iconic adventures like the Camino de Santiago or Everest.
you may even create your own challenges and invite connections on Garmin Connect to compete. To join a challenge:
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5Get help with jet lag when traveling
Maximize your travel with the Jet Lag Advisor
Unfortunately,Garmin’s Jet Lag Advisoris currently only available for a small group of Garmin watches, so not everyone has access to it. Right now, the Garmin fenix 7, Garmin epix (Gen 2), Garmin Enduro 2, Garmin tactix 7, Garmin MARQ (Gen 2), and Garmin quatix are the only devices with access to Jet Lag Advisor. That leaves out the popular Forerunner lineup, along with many others. We hope that Garmin will expand this offering to more devices soon, but we will have to wait.
The Jet Lag Advisor provides personalized insight and suggestions before, during, and after your trip to minimize the effects of jet lag and tips once you arrive to help you ease into the different time zone. If you wear your Garmin watch to sleep, it will use your established circadian rhythm information via your sleep history to provide customized suggestions based on your body.
To help you manage jet lag, the Jet Lag Advisor will give you tips on when to seek light versus when to avoid it, how to plan your sleep schedule, and physical activity and exercise suggestions. It’s a great tool to help you feel better when changing time zones so you’re able to get the most out of your trip and bounce back faster when you return home.
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition
If you own a compatible device:
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6Use your watch to find your phone
Track your phone from your wrist
The best part is that Find My Phone works even if your phone is on silent like mine always is.
I live in a pretty tiny apartment, yet I still manage to misplace my phone far more often than I’d like to admit. Luckily, I basically always have my Garmin watch on my wrist, and it has a handy tool to help me find my phone. When activated, the watch will trigger your phone to play an alarm at full volume and vibrate so you can follow the noise to find it. Android users can even flash the camera light if they enable the correct permissions in the Garmin Connect app. Plus, some watches will display the Bluetooth signal strength, so you can tell if you are actually getting closer to your phone. The best part is that Find My Phone works even if your phone is on silent like mine always is.
To use Find My Phone, you need to have your phone’s Bluetooth on, paired with the watch, and in range (which is typically 33 feet). Then, simply follow the steps below.
