Garmin Forerunner 745
Garmin has recently launched the Forerunner 745, an advanced GPS smartwatch. Garmin say the “Forerunner 745 is built for runners and triathletes looking for detailed training data, on-device workouts, smartwatch features and more”. We should be getting one to review, but in the meantime here are some of its features.
The Forerunner 745 monitors stats and analyses data to help you reach your goals. It’s filled with dozens of built-in activity profiles, including triathlon, pool swimming, track running and more. And you can seamlessly switch between activities with the press of a button during a race or brick workout.
“For years, athletes have relied on the Forerunner 735XT as they toe the line and we’re excited to bring new features and updates to the Forerunner 745,” said Garmin’s Dan Bartel, vice president of worldwide sales. “Tracking every sweaty run, bumpy bike ride and long swim, the Forerunner 745 combines the performance monitoring tools our athletes have come to depend on with new daily suggested workouts, as well as an improved recovery time advisor and wellness tracking features, to help runners and triathletes beat their personal best.”
the Forerunner 745 can give you running and cycling daily workout suggestions
To help athletes better prepare for a race or training cycle, the Forerunner 745 includes key performance monitoring tools. These include Firstbeat Analytics like VO2 max, training load, training status and aerobic and anaerobic training effects. Using this data the Forerunner 745 can give you running and cycling daily workout suggestions based on how your body is feeling. And all this will appear on-screen.
Add a Running Dynamics Pod or compatible heart rate strap like the new HRM-Pro, and you can see all six running metrics – including cadence, stride length and more – right on the watch. In the water, the Forerunner 745 will track distance, stroke, pace, personal records and more.
The Forerunner 745 also features some interesting bike features. While on a ride, it will track data such as left/right balance, time seated and standing, platform centre offset and power phase. These are metrics I’ve not seen before and will be interested to see what they show about my riding.
Information is gathered using a wrist based Pulse Ox sensor
Once you’ve recorded a workout, the improved recovery time feature will let you know how long to rest before attempting another hard training session. This information is gathered using a wrist based Pulse Ox sensor and will take into account sleep quality/quantity and other daily stresses. The 745 also has a ‘Body Battery’ that can help you find the best times for training and resting; does this mean no more excuses?
Another interesting feature of the watch is its ability to track a menstrual cycle. This will help women adjust their training to maximize improvement potential and plan for upcoming races based on where they are in their cycle.
The Foreunner 745 also lets users sync indoor and outdoor workouts automatically from Garmin Connect™ or other training apps – including TrainingPeaks® and TrainerRoad – right to the watch. It’s also compatible with Garmin Coach, which has free training plans that adapt based on a runner’s goals and performance. If you are a runner, you can access plans from running coaches Jeff Galloway, Greg McMillan and Amy Parkerson-Mitchell.
Download routes from Garmin Connect, Strava and Komoot
You can also download routes from Garmin Connect, Strava and Komoot to the watch. Probably more useful for runs and hikes rather than on the bike. While out and about you could also listen to up to 500 songs, all stored on the watch; no need to take your phone. And if you need to stop for a coffee, you can pay with your watch using Garmin Pay
The Forerunner 745 also allows you to stay in touch while you’re out training. You can receive texts, emails and social media updates, straight to the watch. And if you were to get in trouble while out on your own, the 745 has incident detection, assistance and LiveTrack built in. Once you’re back from your ride the Forerunner 745 automatically uploads all you data to Garmin Connect.
Garmin claims up to one week of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to sixteen hours in GPS mode and up to six hours in GPS mode with music. It is available now in black, neo tropic, magma red or whitestone and has a suggested retail price of £449.99.
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