Garmin unveils GPS smartwatch Forerunner 745 for runners
Garmin International announced the Forerunner 745, a GPS smartwatch built for runners and triathletes looking for detailed training data, on-device workouts, smartwatch features, and more.
Whether heading out for a run, ride, or swim, the Forerunner 745 will monitor stats and analyze data to help athletes reach their goals. Featuring dozens of built-in activity profiles, including triathlon, pool swimming, track running, and more, athletes can round out their training routine and 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 Dan Bartel, Garmin 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.”
To help athletes better prepare for a race or training cycle, the Forerunner 745 includes key performance monitoring tools from Firstbeat Analytics like VO2 max, training load, training status, and aerobic and anaerobic training effects. Athletes will even receive on-device running and cycling workout suggestions based on their current training load and VO2 max. With the addition of a Running Dynamics Pod or compatible heart rate strap like the new HRM-Pro, runners can go even further with their data, seeing all six running metrics—including cadence, stride length, and more—right on the watch. The Forerunner 745 also features advanced dynamics to help with cycling and swim training. While on a bike, it will track data such as left/right balance, time seated and standing, platform center offset, and power phase.1 In the water, the Forerunner 745 will track distance, stroke, pace, personal records, and more. Based on the difficulty of a workout, the improved recovery time feature will let athletes know how long to rest before a hard training session. It also accounts for other factors that impact recovery, including all-day stress, sleep, and daily activities, and will adjust the recovery time on the watch, making it easier than ever for athletes to get the most out of their workouts.
Runners and triathletes can take their training to the next level with the Forerunner 745. The watch lets users sync indoor and outdoor workouts automatically from Garmin ConnectTM or other training apps, including TrainingPeaks® and TrainerRoad, right to the watch. What’s more, the Forerunner 745 is compatible with Garmin Coach, free training plans that adapt based on a runner’s goals and performance. Garmin users can train for a 5K, 10K or half-marathon with the help of three running coaches – Jeff Galloway, Greg McMillan and Amy Parkerson-Mitchell—to guide and motivate them.
Before heading out for a run or ride, athletes can plan and download routes using the course creator in Garmin Connect, which uses Trendline™ popularity routing to provide the best road, trail, or mountain routes that are aggregated from those most traveled by fellow runners and cyclists. Athletes using platforms like Strava2 and Komoot, they can create courses that will seamlessly sync to the Forerunner 745.
The Forerunner 745 gives athletes the freedom to enjoy their favorite tunes on a run or during a workout without having to take a phone along. The watch stores up to 500 songs and lets users sync playlists from select preloaded music streaming services3 such as Spotify®, Amazon Music, and Deezer, or transfer music from a computer. What’s more, while out for a run or ride, athletes can stop for a bite to eat and quickly pay right from the wrist with Garmin Pay’s contactless payment solution.4
Designed to be worn all day, every day, the Forerunner 745 features tools to track an athlete’s well-being. A wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor5 will help provide a clearer picture of how athletes are sleeping and adjusting to altitude acclimation while the Body Battery™ energy monitor lets athletes track their energy levels to find the best times for activity and rest. Additionally, the menstrual cycle tracking feature helps women adjust their training to maximize their improvement potential and plan for upcoming races based on where they are in their cycle.
Even while on the move, the Forerunner 745 lets athletes stay in touch. Directly from the wrist, users can receive text messages and view social media updates, emails, and more. Whether working out alone or with friends, built-in safety and tracking features include incident detection, assistance, and LiveTrack to let loved ones follow along on a run or ride.6 Following a workout, the Forerunner 745 will automatically upload activities to Garmin Connect.
The Forerunner 745 features up to 1 week of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to 16 hours in GPS mode, and up to 6 hours in GPS mode with music. It is available now in black, neotropical, magma red, or whitestone and has a suggested retail price of $499.99.
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for runners, cyclists, swimmers, and athletes of all levels and abilities. Committed to developing technology that helps people stay active and elevate performance, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Other Garmin fitness brands include Tacx and Firstbeat Analytics.
