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Garmin Forerunner 245 Review: A GPS Running Watch for All Levels

A budget friendly GPS watch that sees to all your needs.
Our rating:
9/10

We’re independent reviewers. We ruthlessly test and research every product to give you the most honest review.   

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is one of the most popular GPS watches on the market today. It’s a great option for runners of all skill levels, but it really shines when used by more experienced athletes. The device has tons of features that are easy to use and understand — even for someone who’s never owned a running watch before.

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Introduction

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a budget-friendly GPS running watch that has all the core features you need to track your runs. It comes with many activity profiles such as running, multisport (which allows you to switch between swimming and cycling), strength training and indoor cycling. The GPS track feature lets you know where you have been during your run. The heart rate monitor keeps tabs on your pulse when working out at any intensity level—from rest to high intensity workouts.

The Forerunner 245 also includes a barometric altimeter that measures elevation changes so it can determine if you are climbing or descending hills. This feature can help motivate runners who want an accurate measure of their total ascent/descent throughout their workout sessions over time.

Who it’s for

This Garmin Forerunner 245 review will help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

If you’re not sure what type of GPS watch to get, or which features are most important, keep reading. The Garmin Forerunner 245 is an excellent choice for runners who want a simple and straightforward device that tracks their running stats accurately and provides feedback on how they can improve their performance.

The Forerunner 245 also makes life easier with its built-in music player, heart rate monitoring capabilities, long battery life (40 hours), water resistance up to 50 meters/164 feet underwater (yes—this means it can be used for swimming) and other standard features like a backlit display and vibrating alerts when a text message comes in while you’re out on a run.

What we like and don’t like

We love the Garmin Connect app, which is used to view your workout history and data. The interface is well laid out, and it’s easy to use. We do wish that the app had more features, like smart notifications or the ability to track other fitness activities besides running.

We also love how long you can wear this watch: up to 7 days! That’s because it has a lithium-polymer battery that lasts for seven days on one charge (and up to five hours in GPS mode). However, we were disappointed that there isn’t a heart rate monitor included with this model — many runners prefer having their heart rate monitored while they run so they can improve their performance over time.

Additionally, we think it would be nice if there was some sort of touchscreen capability on this device so you could swipe through menus or select an option without having to press buttons on its side or faceplate instead of just looking down at where your finger should be located and pressing/swiping until something happens (which may take some getting used to).

What it doesn’t do

The watch does not have a built-in music player, but it allows you to connect any Bluetooth headphones or earbuds so that you can listen while on your run. It also has an internal speaker so that others can hear what is coming through it if they are near enough (within 100 feet)

Bottom line

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is an excellent running watch, and a great choice for anyone looking to track their distance, pace and heart rate while working towards their goals. It’s a solid choice for both beginners and seasoned runners alike, with plenty of features to keep you engaged in your workouts. If you’re just starting out, the Auto Pause feature will help you save battery life by pausing when you stop running, or if you want to focus on speed or heart rate alone then there are modes available for that too.

It does have some shortcomings compared with some GPS watches on the market today – such as lack of built-in music storage/playback – but at its current price point it still offers excellent value for money compared with other options out there currently.

This GPS watch doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some other ones out there, but it’s great for runners of all skill levels.

If you’re looking for a GPS running watch that’s simple, easy to use and won’t break the bank, then the Garmin Forerunner 245 is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for runners of all skill levels, especially beginners who are just getting into working out with a GPS watch. This model has a great battery life, so you don’t have to worry about it dying mid-run. Plus it has all the features that matter most: waterproofing, good heart rate monitor accuracy and lightweight design (so it won’t weigh down your arm).

The one downside is that this model doesn’t come with many bells and whistles compared to some other watches on the market—it does not have GPS or GLONASS satellite tracking; nor does it track cadence or foot strike monitoring like some models do. But if none of those features are important to you (or if they’re not available on another model), then this is a great choice!

How do I get my heart rate on my Garmin 245?

To get your heart rate on your Garmin Forerunner 245, you will need to wear a heart rate monitor. The Forerunner 245 is compatible with a variety of heart rate monitors, including the Garmin HRM-Run, HRM-Tri, and HRM-Swim.

To pair your heart rate monitor with the Forerunner 245, follow these steps:

  1. Press the start/stop button to turn on the watch.
  2. Go to the settings menu by pressing the up button.
  3. Scroll down to “Sensors & Accessories” and press the enter button.
  4. Scroll down to “Add New” and press the enter button.
  5. Scroll down to “HRM” and press the enter button.
  6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the pairing process.

Once you have paired your heart rate monitor with the Forerunner 245, your heart rate will be displayed on the watch face during your workouts. You can also view your heart rate data in the Garmin Connect app.

Can I swim with my Garmin Forerunner 245?

Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is water-resistant and can be worn while swimming. It has a water rating of 5 ATM, which means it can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters (164 feet). The watch is also compatible with the Garmin HRM-Swim heart rate monitor, which allows you to track your heart rate while swimming.

Read: Garmin HRM-Tri In-Depth Review

Conclusion

This watch is perfect for the runner who wants to see their progress and improve their performance. It has all the basic features you’d expect from a GPS watch, but without all the extra bells and whistles that some other models have. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something lightweight and simple to use while running outdoors or jogging indoors on a treadmill.

5/5 - (2 votes)

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