Apple Watch vs Garmin (Don't Make This Mistake)

Summary

This video compares the Garmin and Apple Watch from the perspective of a dedicated athlete. It dives into key aspects such as heart rate tracking, workout customization, ease of use during different exercises, and post-workout data insights. Garmin shines for accuracy, data-rich features, and ease of use for serious training, while the Apple Watch offers a more streamlined user experience with versatile smartwatch capabilities. The review highlights the importance of choosing the right device based on specific training needs, ultimately leading the user to prefer Garmin for its focused athletic features.

Takeaways

• 😀 Heart rate tracking accuracy varies based on factors like skin color, weather, and tattoos, but both Garmin and Apple Watch are generally close in performance.
• 😀 Running is the most difficult workout for checking data on a watch, while cycling and swimming offer more stability for reviewing stats.
• 😀 Garmin's visual pacing with color-coded zones is more effective for quick data absorption during running, compared to the Apple Watch's smaller heart rate zones.
• 😀 Pressing buttons on the Garmin is more convenient during a workout than scrolling the Apple Watch's digital crown, especially when on the move.
• 😀 Both Garmin and Apple Watch offer customizable data screens, but Garmin's button interface is easier to navigate without looking at the screen.
• 😀 Both devices have bright, colorful screens, with the latest Garmin models offering similar visibility to the Apple Watch, even in outdoor settings.
• 😀 The Apple Watch is more responsive to touch compared to Garmin's slightly lagging touchscreen, but the Garmin's automatic screen lock is a useful feature for workouts.
• 😀 The Apple Watch's water lock feature is crucial for preventing accidental screen touches due to sweat or long sleeves during exercise.
• 😀 Garmin provides more detailed recovery and training insights, such as Body Battery and morning reports, while the Apple Watch is simpler with only basic sleep tracking.
• 😀 Both watches integrate with Strava, but Garmin's direct sync to Strava is more reliable than the Apple Watch's connection through Apple Health, which can sometimes be inconsistent.
• 😀 The speaker prefers the Garmin for serious training due to its more reliable workout tracking, hardware integration, and better customization, especially for specific training goals.

Q & A

What are the key differences in heart rate monitoring between the Garmin and Apple Watch?

Both watches perform similarly, but Garmin's heart rate monitoring is often more accurate, especially with external sensors like a chest strap. The accuracy can be influenced by factors like skin color, weather, and tattoos. Garmin also allows for more flexibility by connecting external devices for heart rate tracking, while the Apple Watch uses its internal sensors.

Which watch offers better glanceability during a workout?

The Garmin excels in glanceability, with visual indicators like colored bars for pace and heart rate zones. This makes it easier to quickly check your stats without needing to read detailed data. The Apple Watch has smaller heart rate zone blocks and its pacing feature is less intuitive when running.

How does the user experience differ between the Garmin and Apple Watch during a run?

While running, the Garmin's physical buttons make it easier to change screens without looking, which is beneficial during intense workouts. In contrast, the Apple Watch relies on the digital crown, which can be frustrating to scroll while running. Both watches offer customizable data screens, but the Garmin is better for quick, hands-free navigation.

What is the main advantage of the Garmin's display over the Apple Watch?

The Garmin, especially models like the 965, has a brighter, more colorful display compared to older Garmin models. While both devices are generally bright enough for outdoor workouts, the newer Garmin models have improved screen brightness and visibility, especially when compared to the Apple Watch's displays.

How do the Garmin and Apple Watch handle accidental touches during workouts?

The Apple Watch requires the user to enable the water lock feature to avoid accidental touches from sweat or moisture. Once activated, the digital crown and physical buttons remain usable. The Garmin, on the other hand, automatically locks the screen during workouts, preventing accidental interactions.

What challenges does the Apple Watch face when tracking workouts, particularly during a race?

A key issue with the Apple Watch is its tendency to accidentally stop workouts due to sweat or clothing interference. The user shares an example of a half marathon where the workout was paused without them realizing it, leading to incomplete data. To prevent this, they wear two watches for redundancy.

How do both watches perform in terms of recovery and sleep tracking?

Garmin provides more comprehensive recovery metrics like Body Battery, HRV, and training readiness, offering insights into overall training status. The Apple Watch provides basic sleep tracking and does not offer the same detailed recovery metrics as Garmin.

Which watch is more convenient for uploading workout data to Strava?

Garmin has more seamless Strava integration, automatically syncing data from the watch to Strava. The Apple Watch requires synchronization through Apple Health and can sometimes encounter issues with syncing, especially when paired with multiple apps.

Why did the user ultimately choose the Garmin as their primary running device?

The user switched to Garmin as their primary running device due to Garmin's superior performance in terms of workout accuracy, easy setup with external sensors (heart rate strap, foot pod), and reliable workout tracking. While both devices are great, Garmin met their specific training needs better.

What considerations should someone make when choosing between the Garmin and Apple Watch for serious training?

For serious training, Garmin is the preferred choice due to its robust workout features, superior heart rate monitoring, and ease of use during intense physical activities. Apple Watch is great for general fitness and casual training, but may not meet the detailed tracking needs of athletes who require precise metrics and a more reliable setup.