Gear Review: Garmin Forerunner 245 Music - The Perfect Companion for New Runners
If you're new to running and looking for a reliable and feature-packed running watch, look no further than the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. As an avid runner myself, I recently had the opportunity to test out this sleek and powerful GPS watch, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. Packed with advanced features and tailored specifically for runners, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is the perfect companion to help you track your progress, stay motivated, and reach your running goals. (and listen to music without needing your phone!)
Design and Comfort
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music features a sleek and modern design with a lightweight and comfortable build. The watch face is easy to read, even in bright sunlight, and the intuitive buttons allow for easy navigation while on the move. The silicone band is adjustable and fits securely on the wrist, making it comfortable for long runs without causing any irritation.
GPS Tracking and Running Metrics
One of the standout features of the Forerunner 245 Music is its GPS tracking capabilities. The watch quickly locks onto GPS satellites, providing accurate tracking of your distance, pace, and route. This information is invaluable for new runners as it helps you monitor your progress and set goals for improving your performance.
In addition to GPS tracking, the Forerunner 245 Music also provides a wealth of running metrics, including cadence, stride length, and ground contact time. These metrics can help you analyze your running form and make adjustments to improve your efficiency and reduce the risk of injury.
Music and Wireless Connectivity
As the name suggests, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music also comes with built-in music storage and wireless connectivity. With space for up to 500 songs, you can easily upload your favorite tunes and listen to them without needing to carry your phone. The watch also supports popular music streaming services like Spotify, allowing you to download and listen to playlists directly from your wrist. This feature is a game-changer for runners who love to listen to music during their runs for motivation and entertainment. I personally load podcasts from my Spotify on to it.
Training Plans and Performance Monitoring
The Forerunner 245 Music offers a wide range of training plans tailored to different running goals, such as 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. These plans provide step-by-step guidance for your training, helping you build your fitness and progress towards your target race. The watch also monitors your performance and provides real-time feedback, such as alerts when you're running too fast or too slow, helping you stay on track with your training goals.
Smart Features
The Forerunner 245 Music is not just a running watch, but also a smartwatch with a host of convenient features. It offers smart notifications, allowing you to receive text messages, calls, and other notifications from your smartphone directly on your wrist. You can also customize the watch face with various widgets, such as weather, calendar, and activity tracking, to suit your preferences.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Forerunner 245 Music is impressive, offering up to 7 days of use in smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours of continuous GPS use with music playback. This means you can go on long runs without worrying about the battery dying on you.
Pros
Accurate GPS tracking and advanced running metrics for monitoring progress and improving performance.
Built-in music storage and streaming capabilities for listening to music without a phone.
Training plans and performance monitoring to help you reach your running goals.
Smart notifications and customizable watch face for added convenience.
Comfortable and lightweight design for long runs.
Cons
Reduced battery life in GPS mode with music playback.
Some features may be overwhelming for new runners who are not used to using advanced running watches.
Music playback requires a compatible music service subscription.
Verdict
As a new runner, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a fantastic option for tracking your runs, monitoring your progress, and staying motivated. With its accurate GPS tracking, advanced running metrics, built-in music storage, and training plans, it provides all the essential features you need to improve your running performance. The smart notifications and customizable watch face add convenience, making it a versatile smartwatch as well.
The only downside is the reduced battery life when using GPS and music playback simultaneously, but with proper usage and charging, it shouldn't be a major issue for most runners. Additionally, some of the advanced features may feel overwhelming for beginners, but with time and practice, you can make the most out of them.
Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a reliable and feature-packed running watch that will help you take your running to the next level. Whether you're training for a race or simply trying to improve your fitness, this watch will be your trusted companion on your running journey.
Discussion
Do you recommend any alternatives to the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music?