Garmin Connect‪™‬ 4+

I have 2 main complaints with the app…one is that you have to log into the app and “accept” personal records in order for the watch to recognize a new one later on. Logically it would seem that if that’s my PR then it should automatically recognize it without me having to take the step to accept it. It would make more sense to have the ability to decline the PR after the fact if someone wants to rather than requiring everyone else to “accept” them.

The other issue is that there’s no way to view your 5k/10k time on a longer run unless it’s a personal record (and you’ve accepted all previous PR’s) or you are physically looking at the watch during your run to see the time when it hits 3.11 or 6.22 which is just annoying. For example, if you’re like me and have too much OCD to log a 3.11 mile run and instead choose to run 3.5 miles, you can’t see what your 5k time was after the fact unless it was a personal record. Many others online have the same complaint and the only workaround I’ve seen is downloading a competitor app and synching your watch to that as well. It just seems silly that Garmin doesn’t have 5k/10k times viewable on each run since it’s such a popular analysis point and is obviously an issue for many users.

This app has been with me for the better part of five years now. I’ve been through two devices, the Garmin Tactix Bravo and the Tactix Delta solar, both great watches with a lot of functionality. However without the use of the garmin connect app I wouldn’t be able to really dial in my training the way I do today. One of the coolest features is being able to import your own Gpx file to the app and side load to your device for custom routes that you can build from various running websites. Additionally the ability to utilize the virtual coaches have helped me become a far better runner than I could have been on my own. By using the coaching I’ve now completed multiple 5ks a 10k and I’m working my way through a half Marathon plan now.

Over all this app has a smooth feel. The customizable Home Screen allows me to see all the data that I want and none that I don’t/ or do not care about. I also really like the “social media” part of the app through what’s called “connections”. Me and a few of my buddies are on similar training plans and it’s really motivating to see who’s cranking out the most miles in a week.

This is the first review I’ve ever made on an app and that should be pretty compelling information because I’m one of those people who rides off the backs of other honest reviews. If you’re not using this app in tandem with your garmin device, you’re really missing out.

I recently purchased a Garmin Forerunner 235, and I enjoy everything about it! It is so useful. It is lightweight, tells you your heartbeat, your VO2 max, recovery time, your aerobic training, and more. I didn’t realize all of the features I wanted were on the watch (there is no swimming, but I don’t really care). The app is what makes the watch so cool, and it makes it easy to see your mileage. Also, there are badges that you can get, and it makes the workouts feel like a game sometimes, trying to earn the badges. My mom now really wants one of these watches. I guess the downsides are that the watch dies after around three days, with you recording a workout session in all three days that last for around an hour. I don’t know how accurate the Garmin watch is, but I’m just glad that the features are there, because if I wanted more accuracy I would need to go and make myself uncomfortable for the day (heart rate while sleeping, deep and light sleep tracker, heart rate while running, etc). Sometimes it’s uncomfortable after wearing the watch snug for a couple of days. The “move!” Thing on the watch is a little annoying, but the pros outweigh the cons by far, and you even might be able to disable it.

All in all, this is a great brand, and if you are obsessed with health and working out, I would recommend this brand for a lot of people. I got my watch on Black Friday for $150, and I don’t regret it at all.