In conjunction with the 20th anniversary, Garmin is releasing the most progressive watches featuring AMOLED touchscreens, the Forerunner 965 and 265 – designed by runners, for runners.
Garmin is celebrating two decades of the Forerunner, the world’s original GPS smartwatch that was created to assist runners in obtaining precise and advanced data to train safely, set personal records, and push themselves to new heights.
Garmin initially entered the aviation sector in 1989, offering state-of-the-art GPS navigation devices. They later expanded their product line to include automotive, marine, outdoor equipment, and eventually fitness wearables in 2003 with the introduction of the Forerunner 201, the first-ever smartwatch for runners.
Every Run Starts Here – Forerunner for Runners
Over the last two decades, the Forerunner range has furnished runners with accurate data analysis. The smartwatch tracks the runner’s precise location and analyzes data such as distance, pace, elevation gain, heart rate, blood oxygen, and more.
In 2022, more than 320,000 new users in Asia purchased the Forerunner. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, running activities recorded by Garmin users in Asia increased by 24% between 2020 and 2022, with Vietnam, Indonesia, and India leading the way in growth. This demonstrates the unwavering passion for running in Asia.
Mr. Scoppen Lin, Assistant General Manager of Garmin Asia, stated, “Since the first time a Garmin engineer awkwardly strapped a GPS device to a wrist, the Forerunner series has grown into a dependable companion for runners worldwide. We are committed to pushing users to achieve their personal bests by delivering groundbreaking technological advancements.”
Comparing runners to planets tracing their individual orbits while revolving around their shared passion for running, every runner seeks to achieve their unique fitness objectives and take on greater challenges.
Empowering Runners with Running Science
Garmin has been dedicated to expanding its expertise in GPS navigation technology by integrating it with cutting-edge smart technology. For over a decade, the company has employed Firstbeat Analytics and recently acquired one of the world’s leading physiological analytics firms.
Garmin’s advancements include the use of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) sensor data, which provides sophisticated analyses and metrics in the areas of stress, sleep, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 Max), training status/load, training efficiency, and respiration rate. These developments have enabled Garmin to provide users with the most advanced and precise health and performance data, enabling them to make more informed and data-driven decisions during training and recovery.
To mark this significant milestone, Garmin has unveiled its most powerful Forerunner smartwatches to date – the Forerunner 265 and 965.
Forerunner 965 Series
The Forerunner 965 boasts a titanium bezel, a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, and an impressive battery life of up to 23 days in smartwatch mode. It holds the world record for the longest battery life of a running watch with an AMOLED display.
The Forerunner 965 has unique features such as Stamina and Acute Chronic Workload Ratio to monitor and manage physical exertion during a run, preventing early exhaustion and determining overall training load metrics for appropriate training scheduling.
This smartwatch is designed for marathon and triathlon enthusiasts, who can benefit from features such as Wrist-Based Running Dynamics, where users can access detailed metrics, including stride length and vertical oscillation, in real-time directly from the watch.
The Forerunner 965 series will be available in the Philippines beginning in April 2023.
Forerunner 265 Series
The Forerunner 265 features a Ground Gorilla Glass 4 lens and is available in two options – a 1.3-inch AMOLED display with a battery life of up to 13 days, or a 1.1-inch AMOLED display (on the Forerunner 265S) with a battery life of up to 15 days.
The Forerunner 265 is equipped with performance monitoring tools from Garmin Firstbeat Analytics, such as VO2 max, performance condition, training effect, and other features.
Rigorous and Comprehensive Testing Procedures for Quality Assurance
The Forerunner 965 and Forerunner 265 series are designed by runners, for runners, with a focus on form and function to help athletes plan, prepare, perform, and connect.
Garmin puts its products through rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand the demands of athletes’ training regimens. These tests simulate real-life usage scenarios, including low and high temperature tests, 10-bar stress tests, acceleration detection tests, altimeter tests, repeated drop tests, and watch band wear cycle tests. These tests ensure that customers experience superior product quality and durability.
Getting Runners from Zero to Hero
Garmin recognizes the value of building a community for runners and has been active in creating run clubs in key Asian cities through Garmin Run Club activities, bringing together like-minded individuals who share a love for running.
Garmin Run Club’s Manila leg Season 3 started in February and will run until May 2023. Everyone is welcome to join the run club every Monday and Thursday at 7 pm at Toby’s Sports Bonifacio Global City.
The program is led by three Garmin-accredited coaches: Precious Que, Jules Aquino, and Jasper Tanhueco. Meet new friends, experience a well-planned running program, and run with the Garmin running community!
Run with Garmin and take advantage of their powerful smartwatches. The Forerunner 965 is priced at Php 37,660.00, while the Forerunner 265 is priced at Php 28,250.00. For more information about Garmin Philippines, visit their website or Facebook page.
