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The Garmin Forerunner 945 headlines the new Forerunner series

On April 30th, Garmin announced their new Forerunner lineup that brings integrated music capabilities, full-colour mapping, and advanced training features to its popular GPS multisport and running watches.

“We are excited to refresh our Forerunner line and bring sought-after advancements to some of our most popular GPS running smartwatches,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Each new Forerunner takes what its predecessor has done very well, and enhances it with even more features, making it easier for you to simply focus on your workout while your watch does the thinking.”

Engineered for not only runners, each new Forerunner features lightweight materials and an intuitive 5-button design that is easy to operate with or without gloves, and in any weather condition. The watches include an always-on, sunlight-readable display with GPS, all-day activity tracking, smart notifications, wrist-based heart rate, and new safety and tracking features that allow users to share their real-time location with chosen contacts in case they need help. The new Forerunner line is compatible with Garmin Coach. This platform provides free training plans and advice for 5K, 10K and half-marathon events.

With features specific to each model, the new Forerunner smartwatches deliver key performance metrics and insight into every kind of endurance athlete.  

Forerunner 945 – $829.99; 945 bundle (blue and black bands, HRM-Tri, HRM-Swim and quick release kit) – $1029.99

Made for triathletes, the Forerunner 945 includes key performance monitoring tools to help athletes become better, faster and more efficient come race day. A new feature in the 945 is training load focus. This feature will sort an athlete’s recent training history into different categories based on activity structure and intensity, helping review previous sessions and plan for upcoming races.

Related: Garmin Forerunner 935 reviewed

Forerunner 945

This premium multisport smartwatch that holds up to 1,000 songs and lets users sync playlists from select preloaded streaming services, including Spotify and Deezer, or transfer music from a computer.

Intended to be worn all day, the Forerunner 945 will provide athletes with additional insights to their body’s performance, and with Pulse Ox4, they can see how well their body is absorbing oxygen. The Forerunner 945 features up to 2 weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to 36 hours in GPS mode and up to 10 hours in GPS mode with music.

Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music – $419.99; Music – $479.99

Building upon one of Garmin’s most popular GPS running smartwatches, the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music include even more data and advanced features to help runners improve. The Forerunner 245 Music holds up to 500 songs, and like the 945, it lets users sync playlists from select preloaded music streaming services.

Offering personalized training and recovery insight, both the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music include performance monitoring tools like VO2 max, training status, recovery time and aerobic and anaerobic training effects.

The Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music feature up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to 24 hours in GPS mode and up to 6 hours in GPS mode with music.

Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 45S – $279.99

Designed for those who are training for their very first race or starting a new exercise plan, the easy-to-use Forerunner 45 series is the perfect companion for everyday use, monitoring heart rate at the wrist and featuring built-in GPS to keep track of pace, distance, intervals and more.

Forerunner 45S

With a dozen activity profiles available, the Forerunner 45 series will track more than just a run – it will record efforts during a cycling workout, on the elliptical, while doing cardio, yoga and more.

The Forerunner 45 series is designed to be worn 24/7, and will monitor daily steps, distance, calories burned and sleep. This watch offers a battery life of 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 13 hours in GPS mode.