Garmin has released its all-new Forerunner 745 smartwatch and HRM-pro heart rate monitor chest strap.
The new Garmin Forerunner 745 smartwatch replaces the Forerunner 735XT as the brand’s second-tier multisport watch, sitting below the Forerunner 945.
The new HRM-Pro combines the features of Garmin’s other heart rate monitor chest straps into one feature-rich device that’s able to record certain metrics without being connected to a smartwatch or bike computer.
Garmin Forerunner 745 smartwatch
The Garmin Foreunner 745 is a GPS-equipped smartwatch that provides activity tracking alongside training analytics on metrics including VO2 max, training load, training status, and aerobic and anaerobic training effects.
No spec details were provided in the press pack but it’s probably safe to assume that the Forerunner 745 will use the same optical heart rate monitor technology as seen on the top-tier 945.
Like Garmin’s newly (ish) released Edge 1030 Plus bike computer, the Forerunner 745 will also provide daily workout suggestions based on training load and VO2 max.
If connected to a compatible power meter, the watch can record advanced metrics, including left/right balance, platform centre offset and power phase.
Garmin notes that, for runners, with the addition of a ‘running dynamics pod’ or a compatible heart rate monitor strap (such as the new Garmin HRM-Pro below), advanced running metrics including cadence, stride length and more can be accessed.
Since Garmin opened up its Connect API, workouts from the likes of TrainingPeaks can now be synced directly to all compatible devices. Routes will also sync directly from the best cycling apps, such as Komoot, Strava and RideWithGPS.
The Forerunner 745 can store up to 500 songs and also includes contactless Garmin Pay.
Garmin explicitly states that the watch is designed to be “worn all day, every day” to give the clearest possible picture of your “well-being”. Doing so can give insight into sleep patterns, altitude acclimation, energy levels and menstrual cycles.
The watch also supports push notifications from the most popular social media apps, as well as emails and texts.
Battery life is claimed to be one week in smartwatch mode, 16 hours in GPS mode and up to six hours in GPS mode while playing music.
Available in four different colours, the watch will set you back £449.99 / €499.99 / $499.99 / AU$849
New Garmin HRM-Pro chest strap heart rate monitor
The Garmin HRM-Pro is the brand’s latest top-end heart rate monitor, packing in features that wouldn’t have been out of place on a smartwatch a few short years ago.
As expected, the heart rate monitor can communicate over both ANT+ and Bluetooth.
For those of you that like to indulge in the odd run, the new strap will record a number of interesting metrics, including cadence, stride length and ground contact time.
For swimmers, it is also waterproof down to 5 atmospheres (roughly 50 metres).
Though not specifically useful to cyclists, if you want to record metrics without a watch on (competing in martial arts is the scenario Garmin suggests, incidentally) the strap can also record steps, calories burned and intensity minutes independently of a bike computer or smartwatch.
Once complete, it can then sync that data with your devices via Garmin Connect.
The strap is powered by a user-replaceable battery, with the life of the battery claimed to be up to one year.
The strap comes in at £120 / €129.99 / $129.99 / $159.
