Garmin now has smaller, less expensive options (no chest strap) like the Venu SQ that are great. You can get one for under $200 and you get all the tracking, heart rate data. Lower models just don’t have all advanced metrics and setting.
Might just depend on the amount you want to spend vs what you are going to get out of it. You could get a less expensive Garmin like a Venu Sq ($100-$150 refurb) that gives you body battery, sleep score, steps, heart rate, etc. The standard run of health metrics that can help with recovery and measuring general activity. I wear a gamin daily and do a lot of weight training. I can confirm that it doesn't do well at measuring anything related to lifting. You'll get a standard heart rate increase, but even intense weightlifting sessions aren't able to trigger the auto activity sensor. I still appreciate the data though. but you don't need a $1,000 Fenix to get helpful data. That is the one thing I wish I would have known before buying a Fenix.
I’ve rowed for years with my Concept 2 and my old Venu Sq. I use a chest strap because the arm isn’t great for activity where the wrist is constantly moving like rowing. RowErg links up with Garmin Connect and adds the activity after it’s synced.
I’ll have a new 955 tomorrow so we’ll see how all the additional training metrics are affected by the rowing and running. Just keep in mind if you want to trend VO2Max data over time you’ll need to run or walk occasionally for Garmin to give you an estimate.
I’ve had[ ](https://matrixmaverick14.github.io/website/garmin-venu-sq.html)[this smartwatch](https://matrixmaverick14.github.io/website/garmin-venu-sq.html) for months. pairs easy, notifications work fine, no real complaints.
I use an old venue SQ. I got it on marketplace for $40 and it's been great for several years now. The latest and greatest is neat, but certainly not mandatory.
I currently have a Venu Sq that I love, but it was uh... run over by a bunch of skiers last winter, has a cracked screen and some dead pixels, but is still truckin along. I posted about it after the incident, and since then, more pixels have died on me. But it has been a good watch! I am not much of a runner, but I play competitive adult softball, enjoy distance biking, hiking, and long walks. I also strength train and feel like Garmin was a huge upgrade from my Fitbit Charge 3 and 4.
I was impatiently waiting for the Venu 4 to come out to purchase a new watch, but I am so disappointed! I like the look of it, but It is WILDLY expensive and doesn't feel like it offers much to support that price point. I am super bummed about this. Not sure where to go from here. The Vivoactive is an option, I guess, or I could order another older Venu Sq or SQ2 (mine was a refurb and is still working well, I get 7 days to a charge). I don't know. I'm just disappointed.
Top Fitness Trackers on Reddit
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Garmin
Forerunner 255 Series
86% positive of 471 users
Long battery; but wrist HR tracking is inconsistent.
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