3 Best Garmin Watches For Interval Training (Guide)

Garmin 010-01746-00 Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)
Editor's Choice
Garmin fēnix 5, Premium and Rugged Multisport GPS...
Budget Choice
Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel...
Garmin 010-01746-00 Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)
Garmin fēnix 5, Premium and Rugged Multisport GPS...
Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel...
$119.99
$379.99
$189.95
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8,596 Reviews
530 Reviews
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Garmin 010-01746-00 Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)
Garmin 010-01746-00 Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)
$119.99
-
-
-
Editor's Choice
Garmin fēnix 5, Premium and Rugged Multisport GPS...
Garmin fēnix 5, Premium and Rugged Multisport GPS...
$379.99
-
8,596 Reviews
Budget Choice
Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel...
Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel...
$189.95
530 Reviews

Last update on 2024-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Interval training lets you alternate between high-intensity moves and relief periods to prevent exceeding your aerobic capacity. But it’s not easy to proceed to your planned interval sessions without a timer. On the other hand, dealing with your phone or timer can be a hassle during workouts.

That’s why you’re looking for a smartwatch with a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) timer to do the trick for you.

Here’s the good news: we’ve done the research and provided you with the three best Garmin Watches for interval training in this article. Read on to learn their features, plus how you can use them for interval training.

Can You Do Interval Training on Garmin Watch?

You can do interval training on most Garmin watches, including the Vivoactive, Forerunner, and Fenix series. Just choose the required workout program and set an interval value based on time, distance, heart rate, or calories. The app saves the intervals for your following exercises.

How Do You Do Intervals on Garmin?

You can do intervals on Garmin by manually entering intervals and saving them. While exercising, then, the watch uses an alert sound or vibration to notify you it’s time for a break. You can manage these setups both through the Connect App and the watch face itself.

How to set intervals on the Garmin Watch:

  1. Hit the “Start” or “Menu” icon on your watch’s interface to select the intended workout plan (Note: If you can’t find the desired activity in the list, first you have to set it up using the Garmin application).
  2. Click “Intervals” and then “Edit.”
  3. Choose the interval type (Duration, Distance, Open, etc.) and enter your preferred interval value.
  4. Choose “Back” and this time, go to the “Rest” option.
  5. Again, choose an interval type and set a value.
  6. Go back and select “Repeat” to set how many times you want to repeat this interval.

How to set intervals on the Garmin App:

  1. Launch the Garmin Connect App and click “More” to open its main menu.
  2. Go to Activities> Training> Workouts.
  3. Click a preset workout plan or hit “Create a Workout” to set a new one.
  4. Click on Run, choose an interval type, and input an interval.
  5. Tap on “Add a Repeat” and choose a number.
  6. Click “Save” in the top-right corner to save your changes.

Note: Some Garmin versions feature Run/Walk settings which you can use instead of workout intervals. Once set, it notifies you to switch to the Walk mode, which translates into “Rest” mode for your case.

Best Garmin Watches for Interval Training

Garmin Forerunner 935

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Garmin 010-01746-00 Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)
  • Premium GPS running/triathlon watch with wrist based heart rate; Strap material: Silicone; Smartphone compatibility: iPhone, Android, Windows.Control...
  • Offers advanced running and multisport Features in a comfortable watch you can wear all day, and it only weighs 49 grams
  • Provides elevation changes with a built in barometer; altimeter and electronic compass help you keep your bearings

Last update on 2024-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Garmin Forerunner 935 has a round, 1.2 Inches screen with physical buttons around the case. The Up button takes you to the training configurations, where you can create an interval for your workouts.

It comes with several utilities such as maps, a music player, and Garmin Pay. The GPS chip and electronic compass are convenient for outdoor training. Coupled with a built-in altimeter, this makes a great smartwatch for hikers, mountaineers, and sailors.

The watch specializes in tracking your cycling, walking, and swimming. It also adds in your steps or stairs climbed, training load, pace, distance, and other activity stats.

The health reports include an oxygen and HR sensor that even work underwater. 

Bluetooth and Wifi facilities let you connect the watch to both iOS and Android phones.

But although it saves several hours of your workout data, it doesn’t come with storage for music.

Pros

  • Waterproof.
  • iOS compatibility.
  • Built-in barometer, altimeter, and compass.
  • Simple and lightweight design.
  • On-screen notifications from your phone and the Connect App.
  • Affordable. 

Cons

  • No internal music storage.

What Do the Reviews Say?

This wearable receives an outstanding rate for durability, battery life, and accuracy. Besides, many users love its metal-free, lightweight design that allows them to take it everywhere.

However, be careful not to buy the Asian version of the watch since the firmware updates will lag several months behind the western edition. And the manufacturer may not commit to the warranty repair.

Fenix 5

Garmin fēnix 5, Premium and Rugged Multisport GPS...
8,596 Reviews
Garmin fēnix 5, Premium and Rugged Multisport GPS...
  • Premium Multisport GPS watch with Elevate wrist heart rate technology. Physical size 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.6 inches. Cockpit watch band compatible included (22 mm)
  • Fit for adventure with a rugged design that features stainless steel bezel, buttons and rear case. Display type: sunlight visible, transflective memory in pixel...
  • Put key stats at your fingertips with the performance widget that shows the effects and progress of your workouts. Case material : Fiber reinforced polymer with...

Last update on 2024-02-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Fenix 5 is a feature-packed, high-end smartwatch that’s got every athlete’s back. It includes multiple pre-planned activities, from golf and yoga to skiing, cardio, strength, and triathlon training. And for each activity, you can set intervals right from the watch face.

Its non-stop color screen is a transflective LCD that becomes brighter in sunlight. And although heavier than the Forerunner series, the stainless steel bezel, rear cover, and buttons make it feel pretty sturdy.

With a GPS, HR sensor, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and thermometer, it tracks your navigation, health, steps, sleep time, and quality, as well as basic activity dynamics.

The battery lasts up to a full day of normal-length activity, with all features on. But if you disable GPS and HR monitor, you can extend its endurance up to two weeks.

The watch views smart notifications both internally and from your phone and pairs even with iPhones. You can use the Connect IQ store to install widgets and apps on it for music, more fitness insights, etc.

Its biggest advantage over other Garmin models is that it comes with a built-in 64G storage.

Pros

  • Excellent battery endurance.
  • A myriad of sensors and trackers.
  • Compatible with all mobile phones.
  • Dedicated app store.
  • Integrated storage.
  • Goal setting and scheduling capacities.

Cons

  • A bit hefty for some users.
  • A bit expensive.

What Do the Reviews Say?

Customers love the Fenix 5’s screen readability under sunlight, waterproof capabilities, and rugged design. A few, though, complain about intermittent freezes on the software or mobile syncing issues. 

As for accuracy, they believe it’s not as concise as a chest or pod strap but works with minor errors.

Garmin Vivoactive 4

Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel...
530 Reviews
Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel...
  • TRACK YOUR OVERALL HEALTH AND FITNESS WITH ADVANCED HEALTH MONITORING FEATURES: Garmin vivoactive 4 tracks your energy levels, Pulse Ox, respiration, menstrual...
  • LISTEN TO MUSIC ON THE GO: Easily download songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer (may require a premium subscription),...
  • TRACK YOUR WORKOUTS WITH PRELOADED SPORTS APPS: Garmin vivoactive 4 comes with more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga, running,...

Last update on 2024-02-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Garmin Vivoactive 4 incorporates over 20 preloaded sports plans, but chief among them are running, cycling, swimming, rowing, yoga, and Pilates. The watch acts as an educator for each sport, offering visual guidance on how to perform every move.

It monitors your oxygen, heart rate, respiration, body fluids, sleep, stress, and body battery. It also displays your phone’s textual notifications and activity indicators such as time, distance, and speed.

The Corning Gorilla Glass, fiber-reinforced polymer case, and metal bezel and sits make it far from flimsy. And the touchscreen makes it stylish, easy to use, and techy.

Once paired with the dedicated Connect app, you can install payment and music utilities on the watch. You can even access graphs and analysis about your fitness progress.

The battery lives up to a week with features and only six hours in GPS and music mode.

Pros

  • Waterproof.
  • Workout animations.
  • Built-in music app.
  • Works with third-party apps.
  • Health tracking.
  • Multi-sport tracker.
  • Touchscreen.
  • Sturdy build.

Cons

  • Responding to your mobile messages isn’t an option.

What ِDo the Reviews Say?

Garmin Vivoactive 4 earns a high rating for mileage reading, step counter, and other tracking functions. But it’s not as adept at measuring sleep dynamics according to customer feedback. The screen is a bit hard to see at night or dim indoors due to its transflective surface. Some buyers also said their battery life has dropped over time. Other than that, it’s a great watch for its price.

Final Thoughts and Best Pick

Some Garmin watches let you set interval sessions in advance and practice accordingly. In this review, Fenix 5 is the best Garmin watch for interval training with monitors for your health and activity metrics. It also houses internal storage, connectivity technologies, and many apps in its sturdy case.

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