Apple Watch vs Garmin (Don't Waste Your Money)

Summary

In this video, a professional triathlete shares insights on using the Apple Watch and Garmin for fitness tracking. They discuss ease of workout tracking, data visibility, and daily use, highlighting the physical buttons and intuitive interface of Garmin, and the versatility and app connectivity of Apple Watch. The video also covers battery life, heart rate monitoring, and syncing with training platforms, ultimately advising serious athletes to opt for Garmin and recreational athletes to consider the Apple Watch for its smart features.

Takeaways

• 🏃‍♂️ The speaker has been using both Apple Watch and Garmin for training and activity tracking, highlighting the pros and cons of each.
• 🕰️ Starting a workout is easier on the Garmin due to its immediate GPS search and clear start signal, while the Apple Watch requires a countdown which can be imprecise.
• 📱 The Apple Watch has a more versatile design, suitable for both sporty and casual wear, unlike the Garmin which is more specialized for athletes.
• 🔘 The speaker prefers the physical buttons on the Garmin, but likes the square, edge-to-edge screen of the Apple Watch.
• 🛠 Both watches offer customization during workouts, but the Apple Watch's use of 'segments' instead of 'laps' is a point of contention.
• 🔄 Garmin and Apple Watches can sync with training platforms like TrainingPeaks, but the Apple Watch offers more third-party app integrations.
• 💪 The Apple Watch is better for strength training due to its ability to connect with external apps for real-time tracking.
• 🔋 Garmin watches generally have better battery life, suitable for long training sessions and not requiring daily charging.
• ❤️ The speaker feels that Garmin watches give off a 'special vibe' associated with serious athletes, which the Apple Watch lacks.
• 📊 Both watches provide in-depth analysis of training status, sleep, and recovery, but the Apple Watch allows for more specific app usage.
• 💓 Heart rate monitoring is not considered accurate on either watch by the speaker, who prefers to use an external heart rate monitor.

Q & A

What are the main criteria the speaker considers when evaluating the Apple Watch and Garmin for running and training?

The speaker prioritizes ease of starting a workout, lapping the workout, viewing necessary data during a workout, reviewing data post-workout, and daily usability.

How does the speaker describe the process of starting a workout on the Garmin watch?

The speaker presses the start button, selects the desired workout from favorites, and waits for the GPS to find a signal before starting the workout, accompanied by a sound and vibration.

What is the speaker's main complaint about starting a workout on the Apple Watch?

The speaker dislikes the countdown feature on the Apple Watch, which prevents precise timing and can affect the accuracy of intervals during workouts.

How does the speaker feel about the physical buttons on the Garmin watch compared to the Apple Watch?

The speaker prefers the physical buttons on the Garmin watch, stating that they feel better to use.

What customization options are available during workouts on both the Apple Watch and Garmin?

Both watches offer the ability to set up custom screens with multiple data points and are highly customizable once the workout has started.

What is the speaker's opinion on the Apple Watch's term for 'laps' during workouts?

The speaker dislikes the term 'segments' used by the Apple Watch for what they believe should be called 'lap times'.

How does the speaker utilize external apps on the Apple Watch for strength training?

The speaker uses an app called 'Strong' to sync strength training data from the watch to the phone in real time without needing to carry the phone.

What is the speaker's preference regarding the review of workout data after a session on both watches?

The speaker prefers reviewing data directly on the Garmin watch due to its ease and immediate accessibility, rather than through the Apple Watch or phone.

How does the speaker compare the battery life of the Garmin watch to the Apple Watch Series 9?

The speaker finds the Garmin watch to have a significantly longer battery life, lasting about a week with daily use and training, compared to the Apple Watch Series 9, which lasts about 24 hours.

What does the speaker suggest for heart rate monitoring when using these watches?

The speaker suggests using an external heart rate monitor, such as the Polar OH1, for more accurate readings, as they find neither watch to be accurate on the wrist.

What final recommendation does the speaker give regarding the choice between the Garmin and Apple Watch for athletes?

The speaker recommends the Garmin for serious athletes focused on fitness goals due to its intuitive design and data presentation. For recreational athletes who want an extension of their phone with workout capabilities, the speaker suggests the Apple Watch.