Garmin Launches Forerunner 970 and 570 Watches with Advanced Running Metrics

Garmin has unveiled its latest additions to the Forerunner lineup, introducing two new running watches—the Forerunner 970 and Forerunner 570—designed to elevate the experience of runners and triathletes. These models bring fresh aesthetics with bold, translucent bands and a suite of advanced features aimed at improving training insights and overall performance.

Both watches include built-in speakers and microphones enabling on-the-go calls, OLED displays for vivid visuals, and skin temperature sensors to monitor physiological changes. A new evening report feature summarizes sleep needs, upcoming workouts, events, and weather forecasts, helping athletes prepare for the next day. Garmin also enhanced the software with triathlon training support in the free Garmin Coach program and the ability to create custom multisport workouts.

The Forerunner 570 is positioned as a mid-range option available in 42mm and 47mm sizes with an aluminum bezel, offering up to 11 days of battery life. The flagship Forerunner 970, available only in 47mm with a titanium bezel and sapphire lens, extends battery life up to 15 days and includes offline maps and a built-in LED flashlight. It also supports Garmin’s EKG app for atrial fibrillation detection, catering to health-conscious athletes.

Exclusive to the Forerunner 970 are three innovative running metrics designed to optimize training and prevent injury: running tolerance, running economy, and step speed loss. Running tolerance provides weekly maximum mileage recommendations to help runners balance training load. Running economy measures energy efficiency over multiple runs, while step speed loss tracks deceleration after each foot strike. These last two metrics require the new HRM 600 chest strap, which also supports activity tracking for team sports and non-traditional workouts.

Garmin’s approach ensures these advanced features remain accessible without locking them behind subscription paywalls, fostering inclusivity within the running community. The watches also introduce race-specific tools such as projected race time prediction, automatic lap logging based on course points, and data trimming for post-race cleanup.

Available for order starting May 21st, the Forerunner 970 is priced at $749.99, while the Forerunner 570 starts at $549.99. The HRM 600 chest strap is sold separately for $169.99. These products represent Garmin’s commitment to blending robust hardware, insightful software, and user-friendly accessibility to support athletes at all levels.

Broader Significance and Industry Impact

Garmin’s latest Forerunner watches underscore the growing importance of wearable technology in health and fitness. By integrating advanced biometric sensors and delivering actionable metrics without subscription barriers, Garmin empowers users to make data-driven decisions that enhance performance and reduce injury risk. This democratization of sophisticated health insights reflects a broader trend in IoT devices becoming more user-centric and accessible.

For developers and businesses, these innovations open avenues to create complementary applications and services that leverage precise biometric data. For example, fitness platforms can integrate running economy and tolerance metrics to personalize training plans, while health providers might use EKG capabilities for remote monitoring. Garmin’s approach sets a benchmark for future wearable devices that blend hardware durability, sensor accuracy, and user-friendly software.