A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Garmin in 2021

Why buy a GPS running watch?

If you're new to running but you're hooked and really enjoy it. There may come a point where you want to understand more about your training.

• You may want to log your miles and possibly other metrics accurately.
• You may want to use your heart rate as a tool to train efficiently.
• Or you may be looking for a device that you can use to better pace yourself in races or your local park run.

A GPS running watch can tick off all of the above and depending on your budget, how much of a tech-geek you are - there are plenty of options available that have a whole host of other features and capabilities as well. Like:

• Measuring cadence
• Stride length
• Vertical oscillation
• Play music
• Measure elevation
• Record temperature 
• Estimate your VO2 Max
• Display time spent in different training zones
• Sleep tracking
• Advise on recovery time
• Self evaluation
• Step counting
• Track calories burnt
• Sync to mobile phone apps and receive/send text messages & emails
• Help you find you mobile phone if you misplace it
• Provide weather forecasts
• Predict your race performances

GPS Watch v General Fitness Tracker v Mobile Apps

General fitness trackers will help you track things like: Daily step count, sleep quantity/quality & heart rate. But they can't track things like speed, distance and pace. Which are very important metrics for helping runners improve. 

Mobile Apps (e.g. STRAVA, Nike Run Club)  can track your distance, speed and pace. But as they rely on mobile phone masts and WiFi hotspots for location/positioning data, they're less accurate than GPS. Especially in rural settings, which tend to have patchy mobile coverage.

GPS watches use satellites for location data and are therefore more accurate and function much better in rural areas. So you can track how fast, how far and where you run. All Garmin Forerunner watches also have activity tracking built in, so they will count your steps and monitor your sleep too. Many now have a built in heart rate monitor (HRM) as well. Plus they can be linked to most mobile apps. So they offer much better accuracy, flexibility and all round value for money.

Why chose a Garmin Forerunner?

In my opinion Garmin produce the best GPS running watches available on the market. I've been using Garmin Forerunner watches for quite some time. In fact, I bought my first Garmin GPS running watch over 18 years ago! 

The current forerunner range are all eons ahead of the FR301, with some fantastic features. They also look good and can happily be worn as an everyday watch.

In the two decades since I bought my first Garmin, there have been many iterations of the forerunner range.

Garmin have produced a plethora of GPS watches and there are now more Garmin forerunners available to choose from than you can shake a stick at...

So how do you choose the best Garmin Forerunner for you?

Well, it really just depends on your budget and what features that you need, really want or like the sound of. But, if you choose a Garmin from the forerunner range you can't go far wrong - as they're specifically designed with runners in mind. I've listed my favourite "beginner friendly" options available this year (2021) later in this article.

If running isn't your only sport or fitness activity, there are other options too, so I've included a few of Garmin's general fitness/tracker watches as well. All of these do a good job in tracking and logging running activities. Though that isn't necessarily their main focus or selling point.

My selections and recommendations are also all on the lower end of the price range. Simply because most beginner runners I've worked with tend not to want to splash-the-cash on gadgetry - until they're absolutely sure that they'll get good use out of it.

However, if money is no object for you, and you always like the flashiest, most feature-rich gizmos, then feel free to ignore my budget recommendations and dive straight in and get a FR 945, Enduro, or Fenix.

Older or Second Hand models

If you're strapped for cash, but really in need of a decent GPS running watch. One way to save some money and still get a functional piece of kit is to shop around online for older models. Anything in the Garmin Forerunner range previous/discontinued or current models should provide you everything you need to get started.

These could be brand new or reconditioned from a retailer. Or second hand on sites like eBay or Gumtree. There are even a few FaceBook groups that are dedicated to individuals selling their running gear - you could pick up a bargain or three in these places.

But it's obviously luck of the draw and there's no guarantee you'll get what you want when you want it. Plus it's unlikely to come with a warranty. So if it malfunctions or stops working - you'll have to pay to get it fixed or buy another one.