If you’re still struggling to decide which running watch to buy, you now have some better options to consider adding to your collection. The renowned American GPS brand Garmin will soon release three new models: the Forerunner 230, Forerunner 235, and Forerunner 630. These new products are tailored for different user groups, featuring smart notifications and sleep tracking functions to support daily life, as well as “Second Generation Running Dynamics” advanced training features. Not only can they record your performance, but they also act like personal coaches by analyzing a series of professional data to improve your running efficiency. With a more scientific approach to running, you’ll witness continuous improvement in your performance.
Last year, Garmin launched its first optical heart rate running watch, the Forerunner 225, which quickly became a favorite among “heart rate strap haters,” freeing runners from having to wear a chest strap during races. Building on this promising start, Garmin continued to innovate in the optical heart rate watch category, resulting in the upgraded Forerunner 235.
Compared to its predecessor, the Forerunner 235 has a display area that’s nearly 44% larger, offers up to 12 hours of battery life in GPS mode, and includes the advanced metric of VO2 max. This elevates the watch to a whole new level. By connecting to a smartphone, it can receive text messages, incoming calls, and notifications from apps like Weibo and WeChat in real time, making the Forerunner 235 much more integrated into the daily lives of runners—not just a device for running.
When connected to a smartphone, Forerunner 235 users can also receive voice prompts for relevant data during exercise, helping them stay informed about their performance at all times. Through the Connect IQ app platform, the Forerunner 235 becomes even more engaging—runners can download various apps and watch faces to customize their device according to their preferences, creating a truly personalized running watch.
If you’re a serious runner—or striving to become one—training alone isn’t always enough to boost your performance. You need a coach who can analyze your data, correct your weaknesses, and maximize your strengths. If hiring a personal coach isn’t feasible, then the Forerunner 630 can take on that role for you.
With up to 44 data metrics across 8 categories, the Forerunner 630 is a highly professional running watch. It also introduces the “Second Generation Running Dynamics” feature, displaying metrics such as the distance between the first and second foot strikes, ground contact time for left and right feet, and vertical oscillation ratio. These detailed insights help runners adjust their form, improve efficiency, and avoid unnecessary energy loss. The new physiological metrics function provides indicators like “Performance Condition” and “Lactate Threshold,” which show how increasing fatigue may limit an athlete's ability to maintain a consistent pace. These parameters offer guidance for training, helping athletes adopt more effective running strategies to enhance their performance.
In addition to running, the Forerunner 630 also shines in cycling. When used with speed and cadence sensors, along with the new HRM-Run 4 heart rate strap—which is lighter and more compact—it can fully monitor professional data from both activities. Furthermore, the Forerunner 630 includes smart notifications, sleep tracking, and Connect IQ functionality, creating a personalized and stylish watch that serves as a smartphone extension to support your everyday life.
