Garmin Forerunner 55 review: The best running watch for beginners
Our Verdict
At showtime glance, the Precursor 55 looks no dissimilar than its predecessor. But with the addition of advanced training tools typically saved for the more expensive options in the Forerunner family, the Forerunner 55 is an excellent smartwatch for the new or intermediate runner.
For
- PacePro, suggested workouts, and recovery time additions
- Vivid screen
- Like shooting fish in a barrel to read stats
- Bombardment life
Against
- No onboard music storage
- No interchangeable bands
- Only available in one case size
Tom's Guide Verdict
At first glance, the Forerunner 55 looks no different than its predecessor. But with the addition of avant-garde preparation tools typically saved for the more than expensive options in the Forerunner family, the Forerunner 55 is an excellent smartwatch for the new or intermediate runner.
Pros
- +
PacePro, suggested workouts, and recovery time additions
- +
Brilliant screen
- +
Easy to read stats
- +
Bombardment life
Cons
- -
No onboard music storage
- -
No interchangeable bands
- -
Only bachelor one time size
Garmin Forerunner 55: Specs
Size: 42 x 42 10 11.half-dozen mm
Weight: 37 grams
Display size: 1.08 inches
Display resolution: 208 x 208
Bombardment life: Smartwatch Fashion: Up to 2 weeks/ GPS manner: Up to 20 hours
Water resistance: five ATM
Like its predecessors, the entry-level Garmin Forerunner 55 is a solid choice for those who want a fitness tracker with basic smartwatch capabilities, minus all the frills that tend to drive upwards the toll.
It'southward true that yous won't find a lot of sophisticated features on the Forerunner 55 - there'south no onboard music storage, contactless payments, or fancy sensors that discover your blood oxygen levels. Still with updated fitness features that were previously reserved for higher-end Forerunner models, the Forerunner 55 is a smartwatch that can not only help you lot begin a new running routine, merely tin train yous to exist a meliorate runner overall. That's why it's one of the best running watches around.
- Best Garmin watches
- Best fitness trackers
Garmin Forerunner 55: Price and availability
The recently launched Forerunner 55 retails for $199. Its silicone band comes in 3 dissimilar colors: black, white, or aqua. It's bachelor now in the U.S. and Canada, and will be available in other parts of the world later this summer.
Garmin Forerunner 55: Blueprint
The Forerunner 55 looks basically identical to the previous Precursor model, and that's not a bad affair; the sleek, round face up of the Forerunner 45 was a huge blueprint upgrade in the Forerunner line, so it makes sense that Garmin wouldn't want to change too much.
However, unlike the Precursor 45 which was offered in either a 39mm or 42mm instance size, you can only get the Forerunner 55 in i size (42mm). Despite having a relatively small wrist, I felt like the 55's size was advisable — it didn't look overly bulky or conspicuous. In fact, the 42mm face served me quite well on runs, where I could very hands come across my pace and distance information without having to contort my arm excessively. Withal, it should be noted that I'd ofttimes striking the navigation buttons on the side of the watch's confront while doing push ups, something that rarely happens with my 40mm Apple Spotter Series five.
Speaking of the navigation buttons, there are v of them on the Precursor 55. In dissimilarity to popular smartwatches similar the Fitbit Versa 3 or the Galaxy Watch 3, the Forerunner doesn't have a touchscreen display and instead relies on these buttons to perform various watch functions. I'll admit, at offset I thought this was going to be a feature I strongly disliked - I'm used to my Apple Watch, where all it takes is a quick swipe or tap to consummate an action. But the more than I used the Forerunner 55, the more I appreciated existence able to start and end a workout by pressing a button equally opposed to swiping a screen and then borer a small square. Information technology was a lot easier and more efficient to marker the cease of a long run this manner, especially considering that long runs can go out me exasperated and prone to making mistakes (I've tapped the wrong icon on my Apple Sentinel far likewise many times to count).
Like the Precursor 45, the Forerunner 55 doesn't accept interchangeable bands. While the black bezel and silicone band of the 55 I tested transitioned well enough from leggings and sports bras to jeans and blouses, I wouldn't necessarily experience like I could wear it to a wedding or formal event. If y'all're looking for a Garmin smartwatch that will pair better with a bridesmaid'southward dress or tux while withal tracking your steps and middle rate, bank check out their Venu line.
Garmin Forerunner 55: Display
Even on the sunniest days, I could see the Precursor 55'south transflective MIP display without an issue. A "calorie-free" push would illuminate the sentinel face up if I needed a bit more brightness, only I very rarely needed it outside of checking the time in the middle of the night.
Garmin Forerunner 55: GPS
The Forerunner 55 has built-in GPS that can provide step, distance, and time information for runs and other outdoor altitude workouts.
I never had to await more than than five seconds for the Forerunner 55 to lock on to a GPS point. This is a vast improvement when compared to our examination of the Forerunner 45, which took anywhere between 15-thirty seconds to practise the aforementioned. Testing the GPS capabilities in different areas (Brooklyn, Manhattan, and western Long Island) resulted in similar times.
The newest Precursor continues to offer innovative GPS condom features similar incident detection, which lets users ship a message to selected contacts in example of a fall or other emergency. In order to apply this feature though, y'all'll demand to continue your connected smartphone on y'all during your runs. If you'd similar to run phone-free, the Forerunner 945 LTE is a ameliorate choice.
Garmin too offers "LiveTrack" on the Forerunner 55, which allows friends and family unit to see your real-time location during your athletic pursuits (a fun and useful pick for your adjacent Turkey Trot).
Garmin Forerunner 55: Run tracking
While the Forerunner 55 is a decent introductory smartwatch for anyone who's active, it really shines every bit an option for the beginner or intermediate runner.
Certain, it provides all the standard data that any smartwatch with GPS will — your pace, split times, elapsed time, and mileage. But the Forerunner 55 goes a step farther with 3 aspects geared towards improving your workout, which until recently were only found on the more than expensive Forerunner models: PacePro downloads, suggested recovery times, and suggested workouts.
For the outset time in recent history, I didn't feel like I'd been hitting by a minivan at the cease of a longer run.
Every bit someone who isn't new to running only definitely has a lot to learn, I discover ane of my biggest hurdles is losing steam later on the first few miles of a longer run. In this regard, the PacePro characteristic was a full game changer. Within the Garmin Connect smartphone app (available for iPhone or Android), users have the choice of either selecting a course and entering information technology manually, or selecting a race distance. Afterwards inputting a goal fourth dimension and goal pace, you tin create a pacing strategy. Send this plan to your Forerunner 55, and your lookout man will give you speed and cadence alerts (a gentle but noticeable buzz) if yous're running exterior of your predetermined rates. Choosing a negative split strategy immune me to take more than time at the beginning of my route and speed up towards the stop. For the first fourth dimension in recent history, I didn't feel like I'd been hit by a minivan at the end of a longer run.
Recovery can likewise exist a challenge. Perhaps information technology's because I have a hard time accepting that I'thou not in my early (who are we kidding, mid) 30s anymore, just trying to get three runs in a calendar week that yielded the same speed and perceived effort was starting to get frustratingly incommunicable. After each run with the Forerunner 55, users are given suggested recovery times. If y'all try to embark on a run before your recovery fourth dimension is complete, the Forerunner will suggest you proceed to rest instead (y'all can dismiss this suggestion, if you lot prefer).
Once you've rested, the Forerunner 55 will give you suggested workouts tailored to your training history, fitness level (measured as Vo2 max), and recovery. Following the recommended rest period and suggested workouts immune me to feel a lot more than refreshed and energized in my long runs, even if I had to skip a training twenty-four hour period and go a chip slower than usual. Quality over quantity, as the proverb goes.
The Forerunner 55'southward standard run tracking display shows 3 important figures, distance, elapsed time, and step, although you lot can customize the display if you'd like to see different metrics. Using the "down" button to navigate through various displays volition give you lap times, lap pace, lap distance, and your current heart rate. After each mile, the Forerunner 55 will fizz and requite your overall run time and your last mile'south footstep.
Other smartwatches like the Apple Sentinel will requite yous a few more metrics on its main screen, but I constitute that I preferred seeing just the pace, elapsed time, and altitude. Withal, if y'all're an advanced runner who needs more than information at your immediate disposal, you may find the Forerunner 55 lacking.
Garmin Forerunner 55: Activity tracking
The Forerunner 55 expands its action profiles with the addition of pool swimming, HIIT, Pilates, and breathwork. Selections similar Yoga that used to require an app to add at present come standard, along with elliptical, stair stepper, treadmill, biking, and of course running.
While action profiles on the Forerunner 55 are adequate if non expansive, there is one mutual workout that is sorely missed (and necessary for overall health): strength training. This is unfortunate, given that the Connect app offers several well-rounded strength-based workout routines. Yous can always select the "Other" activity contour option if you want to rails your time pumping fe, but for defended forcefulness training tracking, take a wait at Garmin Forerunner 945.
Garmin Forerunner 55: Slumber tracking
The Forerunner 55's sleep tracking is relatively basic, but information technology's useful if getting more than sleep is one of your health goals. Like the Versa 3 and the Apple Watch SE, the Forerunner 55 records your fourth dimension spent in light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep, and awake, and so displays everything on an easy-to-read graph in the Connect App.
While seeing this data was interesting, I wasn't sure exactly how to interpret it - is 2 hours of REM sleep enough? Too much? That'due south where an overall summary (similar the Fitbit Versa 3'south "Sleep Score") would prove helpful, especially since recovery is a big focus with the Forerunner 55.
The accuracy of Forerunner 55's slumber tracking was a fleck off during testing. On ane night, the sentinel detected that I went to bed at 8pm and woke at half dozen:30am. While I often dream of getting 10 hours of sleep, I oasis't had that pleasure since my high school days. However, the app does let you lot to edit your sleep and wake times if the watch records them incorrectly.
Garmin Forerunner 55: Health tracking
In improver to tracking your activity and sleep, the Precursor 55 besides monitors your steps (and buzzes when you've reached your recommended daily pace goal), respiration rate, stress levels, calories burned, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy symptoms.
A feature exclusive to Garmin watches is the Body Battery, a score numbered from 0-100 that takes into account your Heart Rate Variability (HRV), stress, and activity to gauge a user's energy reserves throughout the day. Moments of balance or sleep will "charge" your bombardment, while moments of stress and activity will "drain" your bombardment. This is a helpful insight when planning heavy conditioning days, or when trying to decide if you should binge 1 more episode or become to sleep early.
Garmin Precursor 55: Garmin connect app
All the data your Precursor 55 gathers is compiled nicely in the Garmin Connect smartphone app. In addition to your daily stats, you can see personal achievements and milestones, bring together or create challenges, and connect with friends on social media. If you've fix your sights on a 5k, 10k, or half-marathon, the Connect app offers several thorough (and gratis) grooming plans geared towards your desired altitude and completion goals.
The Connect app likewise offers a fairly comprehensive library of workouts for all levels, from forcefulness and endurance to flexibility and mobility. In that location are several programs available that utilize only bodyweight, only almost require diverse pieces of equipment. In addition, y'all tin can too utilise the Garmin Connect IQ app to download whatsoever number of additional watchfaces.
The Precursor 55 tin also brandish notifications, agenda alerts, and atmospheric condition — and even control the music playing on your telephone — but its smartwatch functions cease there. For instance, it lacks mobile payments, and you tin't download music to the lookout man itself.
Garmin Precursor 55: Battery
According to Garmin, a fully charged Forerunner 55 can last up to ii weeks in Smartwatch way and xx hours in GPS style, which is a significant increment from its predecessor's battery life expectations. Those stats are even more impressive when pitted against competitors like the Versa 3 (six days, or 12 hours with continuous GPS) or the Samsung Milky way Watch3 (2 days).
A week'south worth of 24 hour-a-day tracking sapped about one-half of the Forerunner 55's available power. A lengthy run or conditioning would only deplete the battery by near ii%, fifty-fifty in GPS style. This was a welcome change from my Apple tree Watch Series 5, which I usually have to charge every 12 hours to ensure it won't die on me in the middle of a workout.
Garmin Forerunner 55: Verdict
Y'all may not notice many differences between the new Forerunner 55 and its most firsthand predecessor, just the updates that Garmin has fabricated volition make a earth of difference for the newly initiated runner. This is a sentinel that'south focused on helping the novice larn how to train and rest accordingly, without much attention to the bells and whistles that you'd find with an Apple Sentinel SE or a Galaxy Picket iii.
The Precursor 55 isn't the nigh versatile smartwatch on the marketplace, but information technology offers the basics. If yous're an advanced athlete, you may find a higher-end Precursor model, like the Precursor 245 Music, which lets you download tunes to the watch itself. Just if you've recently laced upwardly a pair of running shoes for the offset time, and are staring down the road with a 10-minute mile goal, yous'd be difficult pressed to find a better and more economic choice than the Precursor 55.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/garmin-forerunner-55
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