Garmin Connect+ Paid Subscription: Actually Worth It? (Hands-On!)

Summary

Garmin has introduced a subscription service for Garmin Connect, offering premium features like performance dashboards, live activity tracking, and AI-driven insights for $6.99/month or $69/year. While Garmin Connect’s core data remains free, the subscription provides additional customization and advanced tools, aimed at athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Some features, like the live activity feature and performance dashboard, provide detailed workout metrics, while others, like the social features and active intelligence, focus on motivation. However, the subscription raises questions about whether these additions are worth the cost, especially for casual users who may find many of the features unnecessary.

Takeaways

• 😀 Garmin has introduced a subscription service for Garmin Connect, offering new features while keeping user data free and accessible.
• 😀 The subscription costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year, which is slightly cheaper than Strava Premium, but may not offer enough value to justify the cost.
• 😀 Active Intelligence is the headline feature, offering daily insights, but early feedback suggests it provides trivial or unhelpful information.
• 😀 The performance dashboard, available on the website, offers extensive data tracking for various sports, though it is not yet available on the mobile app.
• 😀 Live Activity allows you to track and view real-time workout data on your phone, a feature that Garmin had introduced in the past but is now more refined.
• 😀 The live activity feature includes interactive elements like animations for workouts (e.g., burpees), making it easier to follow complex movements during indoor sessions.
• 😀 Garmin’s training guidance plans offer extra content for run and cycle coaching, although this feature isn’t yet fully functional or intuitive for users.
• 😀 Enhanced Live Track allows you to create custom URLs to share your live activity with others, though it lacks privacy zone options to protect sensitive locations.
• 😀 Social features in the new service include profile customization, such as adding a star to your picture or changing the frame color, and new badges and challenges for users.
• 😀 Garmin has been offering subscription services for other features like InReach and Outdoor Maps for years, but the subscription for Garmin Connect is a significant shift in their approach.
• 😀 While some features in the subscription service are valuable, others may feel like they should be free, considering the high cost of Garmin's premium devices.

Q & A

What is the price of the Garmin Connect Plus subscription?

The Garmin Connect Plus subscription costs $6.99 per month or $69 per year.

Does the Garmin Connect Plus subscription affect the availability of free data?

No, all your data remains free and accessible, but the subscription adds additional features and insights on top of that.

What are the first steps to sign up for Garmin Connect Plus?

To sign up, you need to enter your payment details (credit card or PayPal) in the settings tab of the Garmin Connect app, where you’ll be offered a 30-day free trial before being charged.

What is the 'Active Intelligence' feature in Garmin Connect Plus?

Active Intelligence is a personalized AI feature that offers insights about your activity levels, similar to Strava’s Premium feature, but the early insights provided are often not very useful.

How does the Performance Dashboard feature work?

The Performance Dashboard is available on the Garmin Connect website, providing an extensive data display with customizable panels. It is especially detailed for cycling, with over 100 panels, but it's currently not available in the mobile app.

What is the Live Activity feature and how is it useful?

The Live Activity feature allows you to see your workout data live on your phone while performing activities. It offers better visibility of metrics and animations for indoor workouts, making it easier to follow along compared to watching on a small watch screen.

How does Garmin’s Training Guidance differ from other fitness platforms?

Garmin’s Training Guidance provides additional videos and content for users following a coach-led plan, like for marathons. This feature is still being developed, and not all users have received new content yet.

What enhancements have been made to LiveTrack for Garmin Connect Plus subscribers?

Enhanced LiveTrack provides a custom URL for tracking your activities and allows automatic text message notifications to your contacts when you start an activity, making it easier for friends and family to track your progress.

What new social features are available with the Garmin Connect Plus subscription?

New social features include profile badges, challenges, and the ability to customize your profile picture frame, along with a special star on your profile to signify you as a premium user.

Is Garmin Connect Plus worth the subscription cost?

While the subscription offers additional features like detailed performance insights and live activity tracking, some of these features could have been included for free. Whether it’s worth it depends on how much value you place on the new insights and tools offered.