In spring 2019, Garmin presented its Garmin Forerunner 245 as a new fitness watch for all runners and sports enthusiasts in general. The model is either offered with the Music add-on and then holds an internal memory for up to 500 songs. Alternatively, the wearable is also available without this extra at a lower price.
The watch, which is equipped with GPS and an optical heart rate monitor, helps to better understand the user’s performance data and to improve. If necessary, it provides the Garmin Running Coach, which helps with an individual plan to achieve goals from 5-kilometer distances to a marathon. With accident notification, the wearable detects falls and sends an emergency call to saved contacts.
In this article
The technical details of the Garmin Forerunner 245
| Screen size | 1.20 Inches |
| Wrist material | Silicon / Rubber, Synthetic Materials |
| Size watch case | 42,3 x 42,3 x 12,2 mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Ant+ |
| GPS | Yes |
| Battery life | up to 7 days |
| Supported systems | Android, iOS |
| Water resistance | up to 5 Meters |
| Display | MIP |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, GPS, Pulse monitor, Pulse monitor without chest strap, Sleep monitoring, Ambient light sensor |
| Microphone included | No |
| Speaker included | No |
Five colors and a fresh coat of paint compared to its predecessor
Compared to the previously released generation, the exterior of the Garmin Forerunner 245 has changed noticeably. The look of the fitness watch is based on the Forerunner 645 and less on its direct predecessor. The dimensions are 47 x 47 x 13.7 millimeters.
It accommodates a 1.2-inch screen, which accordingly has a diagonal of 30.4 millimeters. The resolution is 240 x 240 pixels. It is not a touchscreen, because it is operated via a total of five buttons that are distributed around the case. Three of them are positioned on the left, the remaining two on the right.
Modern MIP display ensures pleasant use
Thanks to the transflective MIP display, information can be read perfectly at all times, which is an important requirement for an outdoor watch. In total, Garmin offers the Forerunner 245 in five color variants. Two of them appear without internal music storage and a trio has it on board.
The two models without a playback function feature either a wine-red or a slate-gray wristband. The accompanying case – and this applies to all versions – is black. The buttons stand out from this in silver.
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music comes in either plain black, white or a slightly more striking turquoise. The weight of the fitness watch is a low 38.5 grams – this rules out the possibility of it being a nuisance in everyday life or during sports activities. The device is also waterproof up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming without any problems.
Best possible running training. Optimize your performance and technique.
The manufacturer of this fitness watch promises an unprecedented, effective workout. This can be achieved, among other things, through the detailed analysis that the Forerunner 245 is capable of. It measures the VO2 max value, which is the maximum oxygen uptake. The personal assistant on the wrist also estimates the load of a workout and provides insights into the anaerobic and aerobic effects of the workout.
This model also registers the influence of heat and altitude on personal performance. Based on the various performance indicators, the running watch recognizes whether the personal performance is improving, the peak has been reached or even a regression has to be stated. Helpful is the indication of how long the athlete should recover until he completes his next unit.
More than just a fitness watch for runners
Although this model seems to be aimed primarily at runners, that’s not all. There are far more possibilities in the fitness watch. Typically for Garmin wearables, it also supports other activities, which include training on the cross trainer, in the gym or swimming. The Forerunner 245 records these disciplines with the relevant data for each.
The optical heart rate monitor remains permanently active – during workouts as well as in everyday life. As a result, the amount of calories burned is also more precise. The smart companion records routes in the open air via the GPS module.
In order to get the necessary portion of motivation for all these activity options, the Forerunner 245 Music has a memory for the wearer’s favorite songs. Whether he wants to store them manually by connecting to a PC or prefers to create an offline playlist with a streaming provider like Deezer or Spotify – it’s up to him.
In any case, there is room for up to 500 tracks. Finally, the songs are played back via paired Bluetooth headphones.
Garmin Forerunner 245: Supported security for users
On top of that, the fitness watch is dedicated to the safety of its user. It has a fall detection feature. If it is connected to the cell phone, it uses this path to notify stored contacts in case of an accident. The current location is also sent. However, before this notification is sent, the wearer can cancel the process in time if he or she is unharmed.
Calls or messages received on the smartphone also arrive on the Forerunner model. Since Garmin’s wearables are always compatible with Android and iOS to an identical extent, this feature is ensured with the iPhone as well as other cell phones. The fitness watch’s battery life strongly depends on the usage intensity.
If it is used like a conventional smartwatch, it manages around seven days. With permanently active GPS, it reaches a maximum of 24 hours. Users who also want to play music in addition to GPS tracking can expect six hours of continuous use. It is a great watch for men and for women.
