At Garmin, we know cyclists. We know how much you love getting the miles in on your bike. That’s because we love it too. All our cycling products — including Edge® bike computers, Rally power meter pedals, bike radars and lights, and more — are purpose-built to help you make the most out of your rides.

We also know how much you love the data you get when you ride with Garmin. That’s why we looked at data from Garmin cyclists riding with an Edge bike computer all over the world to find the latest trends.

Here are a few highlights:

• On average, cyclists tended to spend the equivalent of a full-length feature film on their rides.
• Garmin cyclists in Italy rode the farthest per ride on average, followed by those in Belgium and Spain.
• This age group climbed nearly the elevation of the Empire State Building on average per ride — and it might not be one you’d expect.
• The more miles ridden, the higher a cyclist’s average VO2 max and functional threshold power (FTP) tended to be.

How far did Garmin cyclists ride?

The sweet spot lies at an average of 28.59 miles per ride.

Age also played a role in how many miles users were able to squeeze in. Those ages 20–29 and 60–69 both rode just over 30 miles per ride, while those ages 30–39 and 40–49 rode just over 27 miles per ride on average.

These three locales went the distance and clocked the highest average miles per ride:

• Italy: 34.73 average miles per ride
• Belgium: 33.05 average miles per ride
• Spain: 32.80 average miles per ride

No matter how many miles you’re putting in — and whether you’re wanting to enjoy the ride or you’re looking for premium features — an Edge cycling computer can improve your time on the bike. If you need help choosing, not to worry: We can help.

Which locales are riding more?

When you ride with Garmin, you want to get out there more. We understand.

These were the top locales with the largest increases in number of cycling activities in 2025 compared to 2024:

• Belgium: 3.5%
• Luxembourg: 2%
• Taiwan: 1.7%

For cyclists getting out on the road more, awareness and visibility are critical. That’s where our Varia rearview radars and smart lights come in. The Varia Vue headlight camera, for example, records video in 4K (requires memory card; not included¹) and saves footage automatically if it detects an incident², while a headlight with up to 600 lumens lights your way. And Varia RearVue 820 features a powerful and precise radar that provides reliable alerts, a tail light with up to 1.24 miles of visibility and advanced vehicle tracking.

How long did cyclists spend on each ride — and when did they go?

Garmin cyclists spent about 115 minutes on average on each ride. Older cyclists tended to ride longer than younger cyclists. While those ages 20–29 spent about 111.6 minutes per ride and those over age 70 spend about 134.2 minutes on average.

Cyclists in the below locales spent quite a bit more time than others on their bikes:

• Italy: 142.7 average minutes per ride
• Spain: 134.4 average minutes per ride
• Colombia: 130.3 average minutes per ride

As for the time of day, Garmin cyclists tended to kick off their rides in the early to mid-morning and late afternoon.

Garmin Edge cyclists also recorded most of their rides on Sundays. And the most popular month of the year for all rides was August.

No matter when you choose to go, when you’re putting in that much time on each ride, the last thing you want to worry about is battery life. Edge 1050, for example, delivers up to 20 hours of battery life per day even in the most demanding use cases on a bright and vivid display, while Edge 1040 Solar offers up to 35 hours in demanding use cases and solar charging to extend that time even more — so you can ride longer and explore further.

How fast were cyclists riding?

Garmin cyclists rode an average speed of 14.89 mph.

When looking at age, we found younger cyclists typically rode at a faster pace than older cyclists.

These three locales recorded the fastest speeds globally:

• United Arab Emirates: 17.75 mph
• Thailand: 16.81 mph
• Malaysia: 16.73 mph

What was the elevation of these rides?

Garmin cyclists recorded a global average elevation gain per ride of 1,158 feet per ride.

And while those ages 20–29 may have been riding the fastest, they weren’t climbing the most. That honor falls to those ages 60–69, with an average elevation gain of 1,201 feet per ride — nearly the equivalent height of the Empire State Building in New York City.

These three locales recorded the highest average elevation per ride:

• Spain: 1,704 average feet
• Colombia: 1,678 average feet
• Portugal: 1,617 average feet

What is functional threshold power (FTP)? And how did Garmin cyclists perform?

What is FTP in cycling? It measures how much power in watts you can sustain without rapidly fatiguing — typically for about an hour — and is the gold standard in cycling. It helps you guide your training, optimize intensity and track changes in your performance over time. Powered by the Garmin Human Performance Lab, compatible Garmin devices estimate your FTP when you ride with a power meter (and a heart rate monitor for the most accurate results).

We found that the average max FTP for men was 224 and 188 for women. FTP was also typically the highest on average among younger cyclists, decreasing with age.

These three locales had the best average max FTP globally:

• Norway: 234 average max FTP
• Slovakia: 231 average max FTP
• Czech Republic: 228 average max FTP

The average max FTP steadily increased as users rode more miles; the chart below shows what the weighted average max FTP was by the average weekly miles ridden.

We also looked at the top 1% of Garmin cyclists, defined as those who cycled 140 miles or more per week, for a recent snapshot of just how well they performed. The max FTP for elite cyclists on average was 243. For all other users, it was 220. (Hint: If you’re wanting to improve your FTP, try boosting your tolerance for high-intensity performance.)

If you’re looking for a power meter to help you get an FTP estimate, consider our versatile Rally 110 and 210 power meters. These deliver responsive and accurate performance data, durable designs, rechargeable batteries and so much more.

How does age and mileage affect your VO2 max?

Now, let’s get into VO2 max³. This is a number — the higher, the better — that defines your cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic performance capacity. The Garmin Human Performance Lab engine in your Garmin cycling computer or watch estimates your VO2 max by identifying, analyzing and interpreting meaningful performance data during your ride based on your power and heart rate data.

The average VO2 max for all Garmin cyclists was 51. Similar to FTP, the average VO2 max was the highest among younger age groups and steadily decreased with age.

Here’s the average VO2 max by the number of average weekly miles ridden: The more miles recorded each week, the higher the VO2 max.

To find the VO2 max of elite cyclists, we looked at those users with an average weekly mileage of 160 miles or more. The top cyclists recorded an average VO2 max of 62, while everyone else averaged 51.

If you’re looking for a way to get in your best cycling shape, consider the free and personalized Garmin Coach training plans in Garmin Connect. With Garmin Cycling Coach, for example, and a compatible heart rate monitor and power meter, you’ll get a program that adapts based on your performance and recovery — using your VO2 max and FTP as the foundation.

Why should you ride with Garmin?

With an Edge bike computer (otherwise known as your bike’s best friend), you get valuable performance data, detailed mapping features and dedicated training data — all the essentials for a quality ride experience. When you also wear a Garmin smartwatch, you get important off-the-bike training and recovery data so you can take your cycling fitness and health monitoring to a new level. Add on a Rally power meter to help track your performance, and don’t forget about our rearview radars and smart lights that help give you peace of mind.

These devices work together to help you reach your goals, whether that’s training for a race or improving your overall fitness.

Learn more about choosing which Garmin bike computer is right for you and how you’ll benefit from insights for cyclists on Garmin smartwatches. Browse all of our cycling products to start improving your rides today.

¹_{See Garmin.com/variavuememorycard}

²_{Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit use of this camera device. It is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use this device.}

_{³See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

The post The beat on bikes: The latest global trends from Garmin cyclists appeared first on Garmin Blog.

If you run with a Garmin smartwatch, you probably spend a few minutes (OK, more than just a few) looking at your performance data when you get home from a run. How far did you run? What was your pace? And if you’ve been running for a while, you’re probably peeking at that VO2 max number too. You get all that and so much more when you run with Garmin.

But where does your data fit in with users across the globe? We can help you figure that out. We looked at Garmin Connect app data from runners — all over the world — to find trends.

Here are a few highlights:

• The average run distance for all users was about 4.8 miles, but the age group logging the longest average run might surprise you.
• European locales clocked the fastest average pace, with Ireland leading the way at a 9:09 minutes per mile pace.
• Garmin runners are all committed to beating yesterday. Runners under 40 saw the biggest upticks in running activities, and athletes over 60 made big strides as well.
• Strength training is gaining traction: We found a nearly 25% increase in users who recorded a run and a strength activity in the same week.
• The average VO2 max for all Garmin runners was 50.
• Garmin runners tended to record a better sleep score compared to non-runners. Plus, the average resting heart rate¹ of Garmin runners decreased as they ran farther.

How many miles do Garmin users run?

The average distance on a run for all users was 4.82 miles. Those ages 50–59 ran slightly more per activity on average at 5.1 miles. Those ages 20–29 tended to run slightly less at 4.6 miles per run.

No matter how many miles you’re putting in, it’s important to pay attention to how your body restores itself. That’s where your recovery time, powered by the Garmin Human Performance Lab, comes in. This feature provides scientifically personalized insight into how long it will be before you are fully recovered so you know when you’ll be ready to gain the maximum benefit from your next hard workout.

What month and day of the week were the most popular?

August was the month of the year with the most miles run. Garmin users recorded the most miles on Saturdays — we love a Saturday long run too.

If you’re venturing out on a long run, you don’t have to worry about battery life when you run with Garmin. Our long battery life — and we mean long — means you should get up to 1 week of battery life in smartwatch mode at a minimum on most outdoor and fitness watches, or even up to 90 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging² on the Enduro 3 GPS endurance smartwatch.

How many miles did users run each week?

Now, how much did Garmin users run in a week? The sweet spot is between 6–10 miles per week on average with nearly 40% of runners falling in that category, while 28% of runners hit their stride between 11–20 miles per week. Only 7% of users ran between 21–30 miles a week and just 3% ran more than 31 miles each week.

Compatible Garmin smartwatches can help you manage the impact of running on your body with the running tolerance feature. Powered by the Garmin Human Performance Lab, this feature offers the insight you need to manage that impact while you build and maintain mileage.

How long does it take to run a mile?

The average pace per mile was 9:21 for men and 10:11 for women. As you might expect, the younger age groups ran a bit faster than the older ones, with an average speed of 9:16 per mile for those 20-29 compared to 10:57 per mile for those over 70.

These locales ran the fastest on average:

• Ireland (9:09 minutes per mile)
• Portugal (9:12 minutes per mile)
• Italy (9:13 minutes per mile)

If you’re wondering just how efficient you are while clocking those miles, check the running economy feature on a compatible Garmin smartwatch, such as Forerunner® 970. This uses your long-term running volume, stride length and step speed loss to measure your overall energy efficiency — when paired with the HRM 600 monitor.

How much time do Garmin users spend running?

On average, Garmin users spent 46.3 minutes on a run.  When broken down by age, those ages 60–69 ran 50.8 minutes, 50–59 ran 50.7 minutes, over 70+ ran 49.9 minutes, 40–49 ran 48.5 minutes, 30–39 ran 45.9 minutes and 20–29 ran 42.6 minutes.

To power your long training sessions, select Garmin smartwatches are packed with features for the elite runner. Determine how hard you can push yourself on a run by looking at your real-time stamina that tracks and manages your exertion, while your endurance score helps track your progress after workouts as you strive to become a better endurance athlete. Plus, with dynamic round-trip routing, you can tell your watch how far you want to go and it will suggest return routes.

How much more are Garmin users running?

The number of running activities increased across the board for Garmin users on a per- capita basis. Indoor running activities increased 12.6% per capita in 2025 compared to 2024, while outdoor running activities went up 3.2%. The 30–39 age group recorded the largest year-over-year increase of average activities per user, followed by those ages 20–29, 60–69, over 70+ and 40–49.

When it comes to specific types of runs, South Korean users recorded the most activities per user for running, track running and treadmill running. Users in France recorded more trail running activities per user than those in other locales.

Whether you’re running on city streets or densely covered trails, the built-in maps on compatible Garmin smartwatches provide full-color maps and turn-by-turn navigation to keep you on track.

If you wake up wanting to go for a run but don’t know how hard you should push yourself, consider the daily suggested workouts feature on select Garmin smartwatches. You’ll get run recommendations each day based on your training history, fitness level and recovery time.

How well did runners sleep?

Sleep is essential to your recovery — and runners tended to sleep better than those who didn’t run. The average sleep score of all Garmin runners — 73 if they ran between 0-10 miles, or 74 if they ran between 11-30 or more — was higher than non-runners who had an average sleep score of 70.

How did running affect resting heart rate?

Getting that cardio in can be good for you. There’s no surprise there. We know that Garmin users who spend more time being active — whether they love running, biking or swimming — tend to have lower resting heart rates. The resting heart rate of non-runners sat around 62 bpm. The more miles a user committed to running, the lower that number dropped. A user who ran 0-5 miles per week had a resting heart rate of 59 bpm, while a user who ran more than 31 miles a week had a resting heart rate of 55 bpm.

What is VO2 max? And what was the average best VO2 max for Garmin runners?

Your VO2 max is a number that defines your cardiovascular endurance; the Garmin Human Performance Lab embedded in compatible Garmin smartwatches estimates your VO2 max by analyzing and interpreting performance data while you run.

A higher VO2 max, which means your body is better at taking oxygen from the air and using it in your muscles, is better than a lower one. The average VO2 max for all Garmin runners was 50. If you’re having trouble increasing your VO2max, focusing on high-intensity efforts and increasing variety in those efforts — among other factors — could help. But VO2 max varies significantly when it comes to gender and age. The below VO2 max chart shows how VO2 max differs between men and women and gradually decreases with age.

How are Garmin runners using strength training?

In our 2025 Garmin Connect data report, we found that all users have been loving their strength training regimen, but we wanted to look at runners in particular. When comparing 2024 to 2025, we found a 23% increase of runners recording a run and strength training activity in the same week.

That makes sense. After all, research shows that strength training can be beneficial for runners. And when you train with a Garmin smartwatch that supports Garmin Run Coach, you’ll also have the option of adding supplemental strength workouts into your plan — making it even easier to build the strength you need to keep your runs going, well, strong.

How did runners use Garmin Coach?

The most popular distance that runners trained for using Garmin Coach was a half marathon. And if you need help on race day, don’t forget about these free race day features on your Garmin running smartwatch.

If you’re a runner looking for structure, Garmin Coach provides dynamic training plans from the pros and adaptive training plans with Garmin Run Coach, so you’ve got great options for how to train. Whether you’re ready to train for a 5K or a marathon, Garmin Coach has your back.

Feeling inspired to pull on your running shoes? Just grab a Garmin smartwatch to get started. Whether you’re just starting to run around your neighborhood or you’re passionate about ultras, Garmin has the right running smartwatch for you.

And don’t forget to record your run on Global Running Day. You’ll earn a limited-time Garmin Connect badge. Plus, try out the transparent data and map overlays available in the Garmin Connect app to post and share your run.

¹_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

²_{Assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions}

The post Trends in running: New data shows how Garmin runners hit their stride appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Do you want a trail with waterfalls? Or one that’s dog friendly? No matter what type of hike you’re looking for, Garmin Trails can help you find the right one.

What is Garmin Trails?

Garmin Trails, a curated collection of trails accessible in the Garmin Connect and the Garmin Explore apps, helps you find and view routes for your next hike, backpacking trip or trail run. Coverage is available in select areas.

Choose from thousands of trails based on difficulty, distance and more. Before you head out, view trail ratings and reviews. After your hike, leave your own rating and review.

How do you use Garmin Trails?

In Garmin Connect, you’ll open the training and planning section to find Garmin Trails. The trails will then appear on the map. When you swipe across the map to see where the trails are, you’ll see a list at the bottom of the screen. Open that window to see more information on each of the trails in the area.

In the Garmin Explore app, select Map Details to access Garmin Trails. While the trails still appear on the map, you can also search for nearby trails or by name. Nearby trails can also appear in a list.

In both Garmin Connect and Garmin Explore, you’ll be able to filter by the length, ascent, rating, difficulty (easy, moderate and hard) and trail type (loop, out and back, or point to point).

Filter your search by specific features, including the following:

• Dog friendly
• Waterfalls
• Lakes
• Mountaineering
• Steep sections
• Flowers
• Kid friendly
• Permit required

Select a trail to see the full trail details, including difficulty, distance, total ascent, total descent, estimated time to complete, and community reviews with photos and descriptions.

What extra features can you access with a Garmin Connect+ or Outdoor Maps+ plan?

With an active Garmin Connect+ or Outdoor Maps+ plan, you can send a trail to your compatible device to navigate offline. You can even create a copy and save it to your courses to add points of interest or edit the path. Plus, in Garmin Connect with a Garmin Connect+ plan, access 3D topographic maps to see activity routes, courses and trails.

Garmin Trails makes it easier than ever to explore the outdoors, whatever type of journey you want to take.

The post How to use Garmin Trails to find the best hiking trails near you appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Q: Is the device supposed to warn me about having an active subscription every time I turn it on?

A: Yes. Each time you turn your device on, you will encounter the following notification:

“WARNING: MESSAGING, TRACKING, AND SOS REQUIRE AN ACTIVE SUBSCRIPTION. ALWAYS TEST YOUR DEVICE BEFORE YOU GO.”

This message is for your awareness, so you know your inReach device is fully operational before you may need it for communication or during an emergency. It does not indicate that the inReach device does not have service.

Learn more about this notification and testing your inReach device.

Q: Where does the weather forecast come from?

A: Forecasts are powered by meteoblue, a leading provider of weather data around the globe. The forecasts are based on a multi-model approach, which combines various weather models with current measurements and observations as available, specifically for the location and elevation requested. The meteoblue website provides extensive additional weather information.

Learn more about weather for inReach devices.

Q: How do I send a Check-in message?

A: Check-in messages are a convenient way to send short, predefined messages to preselected recipients from your inReach device while you are out and about. 

There are three predetermined Check-in messages that cannot be edited. They are:

• I’m checking in, everything is okay.
• I’m starting my trip.
• I’m ending my trip.

Before you leave for your adventure, you must determine your Check-in message recipients. This is done from the Garmin Explore website or in the Garmin Messenger app, under “Edit Check-in Contacts” (depending upon your device). Note: Check-in messages cannot be sent via the Earthmate^® app.

Directions on sending a Check-in message from your inReach vary depending on which device you own, but for the most part, instructions are:

1. From the inReach device home screen, press OK to open the homepage actions.
2. Select Check-In.
3. Press < or > to scroll through the three check-in message options.
4. Press OK to select a message.
5. Press OK to send the message.

For directions and more device-specific information, visit the Garmin Support Center, enter your device name into the search bar and search for Check-in messages.

Q: What are Waypoints, and how do I use them?

A: Waypoints are location points you record and store in your inReach device. Waypoints can mark where you are, where you are going or where you have been. Creating a Waypoint within the Earthmate app, Garmin Explore app or Garmin Explore website – depending on which device you use – can be shared if the Waypoint is saved within a Collection that is shown in MapShare.

Learn more about Waypoints here. For detailed information on how to set Waypoints on your specific inReach device, visit the Garmin Support Center, enter your device name in the search bar, and search for Waypoints.

Q: Which Garmin apps are compatible with my inReach device?

A: Each device connects to a Garmin app (Garmin Messenger, Garmin Explore, Earthmate) that you can download from the App Store^® or Google Play to your smartphone. Once an app is downloaded, paired and synced to your inReach device, you may enjoy expanded features for your off-grid adventures and outdoor pursuits.

See below for clarification of the apps, what they do and the devices they connect with:

Garmin Messenger App – Communication and Location Sharing: inReach Mini 3/Mini 3 Plus, fēnix® 8 Pro, quatix® 8 Pro, inReach Messenger/Messenger Plus, inReach Mini 2, GPSMAP^® H1i Plus, GPSMAP 66i/67i, GPSMAP 86i/86sci, Montana^® 700i/750i/760i, Alpha^® 200i/300i devices

Garmin Explore App – Mapping and Navigation: inReach Mini 3/Mini 3 Plus, fēnix® 8 Pro, quatix® 8 Pro, inReach Mini 2, inReach Messenger Plus, GPSMAP H1i Plus, GPSMAP 66i/67i, GPSMAP 86i/86sci, Montana 700i/750i/760i, Alpha 200i/300i devices

Earthmate® App – Communication, Mapping and Navigation: inReach Mini, inReach Explorer+, inReach SE+, DeLorme inReach devices

Q: While overnight on an adventure, should I leave my inReach on or turn it off?

A: Because most inReach devices have enough battery life for most adventures, we recommend you leave the device powered on.

If you are on a long trip and need to save battery, know this: An SOS can be initiated even if the device is not powered on. Holding down the SOS button for around 5 seconds will force the unit to power on and initiate an SOS request if you have satellite connection.

Q: I am going out of the country on vacation and want to bring my inReach satellite communicator. How do I know if my device will be supported?

A: It is your responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the satellite communication device is intended to be used. Some countries require prior permission or a government-issued registration code to activate or use satellite communication devices. Other countries completely prohibit the use or possession of satellite communicators. In addition, U.S. embargoes prohibit providing satellite communication products and services in some countries.

See a list of restricted countries here.

Q: How can a contact see my location while I’m using my inReach device?

A: Use the tracking feature on your inReach device to record track points and transmit them over the satellite network at a specified send interval. You can choose from two features that allow your contacts to view your location during an activity and follow along: LiveTrack and MapShare.

LiveTrack for inReach provides a streamlined experience for loved ones to follow your location and see data such as distance, time and elevation. You can save and review your tracked sessions on your LiveTrack profile. Here is how to set up and share your LiveTrack profile through the Garmin app or website that you use. 

MapShare for inReach is an alternative location tracking feature that gives friends and family the means to follow along, ping your location and send you messages, plus additional mapping features through the Garmin Explore website. Visit the Garmin Support Center and search by device for set up and use instructions. 

If you are currently set up for MapShare but prefer to switch to LiveTrack, click here for instructions to switch. 

For a real-life example of how inReach location and tracking features work, read about how they came in handy during a routine hunting trip.

Q: How does my partner send a message to my inReach device while I am adventuring?

A: inReach satellite communicators do not have phone numbers assigned to them, so they can only send SMS (text), email or inReach messages. inReach users must do at least one of the following for others to reach them:

• Initiate a conversation with a recipient by sending them a message so they can reply to it.
• Give access to their MapShare page so others can message them from there.
• Provide their inReach address so other inReach users can message them.
• Pair a compatible inReach device with the Garmin Messenger app on their phone.

There are five ways to send a message to an inReach device:

1. Email messaging
2. SMS (text) messaging
3. Garmin Messenger app
4. MapShare messaging
5. inReach to inReach messaging

For detailed instructions on each method, review this Garmin Support article.

Q: If I have two devices on one account, do I have to pay for service for each of them?

A: Yes, each device requires its own subscription. Individual users may have more than one inReach device with an active subscription on their account. This allows users to have and use multiple inReach-enabled devices at a time.

Learn more about adding additional inReach service to an existing account.

Q: Where is the best place to carry my inReach device with a backpack?

A: The best place to carry your inReach device is clipped to the outside, upper part of your backpack, with the antenna facing upwards and having a clear view of the sky. This ensures optimal satellite signal reception while keeping the device accessible.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

Apple and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

The post You asked, we answered: Your inReach® device questions appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Garmin LiveScope has changed the fishing game. Not only are anglers able to be more efficient on the water, but locating cover where fish might be has never been easier. Plus, seeing them move below you is pretty remarkable. Using forward, down or perspective mode, see exactly what’s happening under the water in real time, from the point your lure drops to the moment the fish decides it’s curious enough to take a bite.

That said, LiveScope doesn’t operate on its own. The chartplotter you pair it with is where you’ll get that real-time picture — and how you’ll cash in on that crystal clarity that live sonar can provide. Wondering exactly which Garmin chartplotter you need to get the most out of your Garmin LiveScope? Consider resolution, screen size, sonar support and installation when finding your preferred chartplotter.

1. Resolution

Resolution is a big component. A higher-resolution unit gives a better picture. Which is, of course, the point of using LiveScope technology in the first place. The better you can see the sonar returns, the better chance you have of success. For the highest resolution, consider the GPSMAP® 9000 series or GPSMAP 9000xsv series. At 3840 x 2160 pixels, the 4K resolution is top-notch. Need a more cost-effective option that still delivers excellent LiveScope performance? The GPSMAP x3 series offers full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) with outstanding sonar capability and premium networking features.

With up to 1920 x 1080 pixels, the ECHOMAP Ultra 2 series is also a contender that plays well with LiveScope — and those looking for a still-impressive resolution at a lower price point might consider the ECHOMAP UHD2 9” with 1024 x 600 pixels.

2. Screen size

Hand-in-hand with a high resolution is, of course, a screen big enough to see it. Screen sizes can be a matter of personal preference, as well as a matter of practicality, when taking into consideration your budget and the size of your boat. A general rule of thumb is that bigger is better to see below the surface in maximum clarity and detail using LiveScope sonar returns. Garmin chartplotter screen sizes range from 6” (the ECHOMAP UHD2 6”) up to 27” (the GPSMAP 9227), so there’s sure to be the perfect screen size for everyone.

3. Sonar support

When it comes to upping your angling game, you need sonar that gives you a broader scope of your surroundings before homing in with live sonar. In addition to LiveScope support, select Garmin chartplotters also offer high-definition scanning sonar. When bundled with a transducer or built-in sonar, GPSMAP 9000xsv, ECHOMAP Ultra 2 and ECHOMAP UHD2 series chartplotters include CHIRP and scanning sonar.

A staple of CHIRP sonar, see iconic fish arches in greater target separation. Before locking in on fish, use scanning sonar (such as ClearVü, SideVü and OneVü) to get the lay of the land — or water in this case. Find brush piles and other structure where fish might be hiding. Add a GT360UHD transducer and Spy Pole to get a 360-view of the water beneath you with OneVü.  

4. Installation and wiring

If you want to get the most out of your LiveScope unit, proper installation is key and we recommend two things: good, marine-grade wire and good wire size.

For quality, high-resolution LiveScope imagery, it’s recommended you have a 10-gauge wire running from the bow to the back of the boat. Another pro tip, you’ll need more wiring than you think. For example, if you measure 15’ between where your LiveScope is mounted and the battery source, it’s really a 30’ run. Because the current runs from the battery back to the LiveScope unit, you’ll need 30’ of wiring.

If you’re looking for the perfect chartplotter to pair with your LiveScope, look for a combination of good resolution and a screen size that fits both your budget and your boat — and make sure you’ve got the additional sonar support, wiring and battery to go with it.

The post Which Garmin chartplotter should I pair with my LiveScope? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Millions of users rely on Garmin Connect as the tool for tracking, analyzing, and sharing health and fitness activities from their Garmin device every day. But Garmin Connect is so much more than just an app. If you dive a little deeper, you’ll find dozens of useful features, whether you want to track your wellness statistics, start training for a running or cycling race, or anything in between.  

Wonder how to use Garmin Connect? Here are just a handful of the useful and surprising features you’ll find. Take a few taps around the app or click around the website, and chances are you’ll find even more ways that Garmin Connect can help you achieve your health and fitness goals

Your homepage  

If you’re a regular Garmin device user, then you are no doubt familiar with Home, the Garmin Connect app’s homepage. This hub of your health and performance stats presents all of today’s (and the past seven days’) information in easily digestible cards. These cards may include activities tracked by your Garmin device, daily step count, heart rate, stress level¹ and much more depending on your device’s capabilities. Even better? You can customize the In Focus and At a Glance sections that are displayed on your Home screen, allowing you to focus on the data you care about most. With a Garmin Connect+ plan, receive personalized insights and suggestions to improve your health and activity data with Active Intelligence, an AI-powered feature.

If you want more information about a specific metric, simply tap the card to access daily details. Or by tapping into each stat, you can view charts and analysis of your stats over longer periods to monitor your progress.

View your activity details 

One of the main reasons people turn to Garmin Connect is for a closer look at their activity details. Once you save an activity on your Garmin device and sync with Garmin Connect, you get an in-depth view of your activity that includes relevant performance metrics like time, distance, laps, elevation, pace/speed, heart rate and more. GPS-tracked activities include a map with a themed polyline that details the metric of your choice along your route. The mobile app and website also provide historical activity reports so you can track your personal records, training history, overall mileage and more. 

To see charts and graphs of your fitness and health data over time, take a look at the performance dashboard with Garmin Connect+.

Monitor sleep and recovery  

Research in recent years has shown just how important sleep is to our overall health and well-being. Garmin is at the forefront of sleep technology with advanced metrics that show you the duration and quality of your sleep over time as well as sleep stages, including REM¹. Beyond tracking your total duration and sleep stages, Garmin Connect gives you a nightly sleep score (with compatible devices) that ranks the overall quality of your sleep and provides guidance. For extra sleep recommendations, Garmin sleep coach gives you sleep insights based on your age, activity levels, sleep history, naps and HRV. Garmin’s exclusive Body Battery feature also shows how sleep impacts your overall energy levels each day, and sleep is factored into several advanced Garmin training metrics as well. Enable features like Pulse Ox² on your compatible device to track your blood oxygen while you sleep. By tracking blood oxygen, your device will measure your breathing variations for enhanced awareness of your sleep environment and wellness. Plus, see your HRV status to check in on your recovery status.

Proper recovery includes staying on top of your nutrition. Easily track burned¹ and consumed calories and progress, log foods, set goals and receive Active Intelligence insights on how nutrition is impacting your health and training all in one place.

Track women’s health 

Both Garmin smartwatches and Garmin Connect have several women’s health tracking features. Menstrual cycle tracking lets you log your period dates, receive future period predictions, track symptoms and more. During each phase of your cycle, you can learn something new about how hormone changes can affect your workouts and nutrition. You can also track pregnancies in Garmin Connect and receive insights, record baby movements and log blood sugar, among other useful features. On compatible devices, enable skin temperature tracking to receive period predictions for potential start dates and past ovulation estimates². You’ll find women’s health tracking in “Health Stats,” which is located in the left-side menu of the website and the “More” menu in the app.

Train hard  

One area where Garmin Connect stands above the competition is as a training tool. Whatever your goal, Garmin Connect likely has a workout, training plan, pacing strategy or performance stat to help you achieve it. Just tap on “Training” in the left-side menu of the website or the “More” menu in the app to get started.  

The list of training tools hosted within Garmin Connect is lengthy, but one of the highlights is Garmin Coach training plans. When it’s time to train for an event, achieve a milestone or improve your fitness, Garmin offers training plans for runners, cyclists, strength trainers, triathletes and fitness enthusiasts. If you’re a runner, for example, choose your plan, select your race distance or other training goal, and start packing on the miles. With Garmin Connect+, get coaching guidance and videos for Garmin Run, Cycling and Triathlon Coach. Plus, check out PacePro for pacing strategies when running and advanced training metrics such as Training Status, Training Effect, Lactate Threshold and Functional Threshold Power (FTP) that help you track your training progress.

Follow friends 

Maybe you want to compete in a step count challenge with your family members, or you want to follow and compare stats with your favorite athlete. If you do, keep up with the stats of your friends, family, and athletes and influencers on Garmin Connect. When you follow other accounts, choose to share logged activities, earned badges or steps. Plus, if you’re going toe to toe with one of your friends in the app, favorite their account to see frequent updates of their stats. 

Earn badges  

Nothing feels better than being rewarded for your accomplishments, and Garmin’s wide variety of badges do exactly that. For everything from recording your first activity to achieving a 30-day step goal streak to running a marathon, Garmin Connect will award you a badge and give you points for earning that badge. Plus, earn additional badges and points by joining badge challenges with your followers. Compare your badge achievements with your followers and climb the badge level leaderboard as you earn more points. Get exclusive badges and badge challenges, with a Garmin Connect+ plan.  

And so much more

Whether using the app or the web, Garmin Connect also lets you create mapped-out activity courses to download to compatible devices, build custom workouts, manage your device’s music and a whole lot more. This may sound like a lot, but it’s really just scratching the surface of what you can do with your Garmin device paired with Garmin Connect. No matter what your health, fitness or training goals may be, Garmin Connect has you covered.   

¹_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

²_{The menstrual cycle tracking feature should not be used in support of conception, contraception or birth control. This is not a medical device and is not intended for diagnosing or monitoring any medical condition.}

³_{This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox not available in all countries.}

The post How to use Garmin Connect to track your health and wellness appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Lasse Nymand Petersen has spent more than 15 years as a mountain rescue professional and 15 years as a firefighter. For the past 5 years, Petersen has worked as a hoist operator and medic on H225 helicopters for Air Greenland, the country’s national airline that also staffs search and rescue operations. An H225 crew is on duty at all hours, year-round, along with mechanics who maintain the helicopters. Some of their rescues have been featured on episodes of the Danish TV program The Arctic Rescuers.

From his experience as a professional rescuer, Petersen has become an advocate for the use of inReach technology.

Petersen said that when recreators in need of rescue are equipped with inReach devices, the technology plays a key role in the helicopter evacuations, “making the emergency work fast and precise” due to the two-way satellite communication and precise location updates.

He referenced a rescue they conducted in which a group of researchers became trapped on the Greenland Ice Cap in sudden whiteout conditions. Limited visibility on the Ice Cap can be very dangerous due to the risk of falling in hidden crevasses, and the team was trapped between two large crevasses with a dangerous storm impending.

Petersen said the group used their inReach device to summon help and provide real-time weather updates to the four-person helicopter rescue crew.

“This allowed us to locate them quickly and land safely without incident,” he said. “Without it, we would have to fly around, searching a huge area to see if we could find them. And that’s only if we were certain the weather was flyable.”

He believes failing to plan is simply a plan to fail and recommends for all those who spend time outdoors — especially in dangerous terrains or harsh conditions — to always have an emergency contact that has all the information to provide about the expedition.

Additionally, he has a few other insights about what to be prepared with in case of needing rescue. 

A signal mirror, flares or a headlamp with advanced signal capabilities can help the helicopter team locate individuals, he said. And having an inReach device is key for the SOS and two-way satellite messaging functions.

“Emergency locator beacon — like the inReach device,” he said. “And communication equipment — like the inReach device. That’s already two-in-one.”

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

The post inReach insights from a rescue helicopter professional appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Ever wanted to know how your runs affect your Garmin sleep score¹? Or how your training load correlates with your resting heart rate? Now you can.

With a Garmin Connect+ plan, you’ll get access to premium features, including a performance dashboard that provides a comprehensive view of your training data, and helps you compare your fitness and health data in customizable graphs and charts. While you can already easily view metrics such as steps, intensity minutes, stress and much more in the Garmin Connect app, the performance dashboard takes analyzing your data to a new level.

If you’re looking for an in-depth way to understand your personal metrics — whether you want to improve your overall wellness or you’re an ultra-endurance athlete — this robust dashboard is made for you. Here’s what you should know.

What are the benefits of the performance dashboard?

The performance dashboard can help an athlete at any level examine the impact of their training through overlaying health and wellness metrics with sports and performance data. This enables you to see how your body is reacting to your activity. And that means you’ll be able to tell if one or more aspects of your workout routine are working great or if you need to adjust.

Even if you aren’t an athlete, you can benefit from the dashboard. If, for example, you struggle with a chronic health condition, you could look for a pattern in your health metrics tracked by your compatible smartwatch.

And with the Index S2 Smart Scale tracking your weight, body mass index, body fat percentage and more, you’ll have even more data available to track trends with.

How does the performance dashboard work?

Want to know how your heart rate variability relates to your running? Wondering if you’re less stressed on the days you work out? Curious how your training status correlates with how far you’re running? The performance dashboard can help with all of that and so much more.

If you want to see if changes you’ve made to your training are improving your fitness, you can compare training blocks by creating multiple charts with different time periods but the same data inputs.

With more than 140 premade charts, Garmin Connect+ lets you juxtapose dozens of health and performance metrics from any timeframe and create your own hub of customized insights. Incorporate strength training stats such as reps, weight, sets, volume and even muscle groups into your charts. Plus, add nutrition data such as daily average protein, carb, fat and calorie intake.

Simply open the Garmin Connect desktop site, select the performance dashboard and begin creating a new dashboard. Choose between strength training, running, cycling, multisport or a fully custom dashboard. Once set up, you can also use the Garmin Connect app (under the “more” tab) to open your dashboard on your phone’s browser.

What else do you get with Garmin Connect+?

These are a few of the premium features you can take advantage of when you sign up for Garmin Connect+:

• Active Intelligence: Powered by AI, this feature provides personalized insights and suggestions. As the app gets to know you, the insights will adjust based on your activities and performance metrics.
• Nutrition tracking: If you have nutrition goals, track your calories and macros in the Garmin Connect app for a well-rounded view of your health and fitness. Track progress, log foods (on select smartwatches), create personalized goals and receive Active Intelligence insights on nutritional impacts when you have a Garmin Connect+ plan.
• Live activity: When you pair your smartphone to your compatible smartwatch, you can see real-time heart rate¹, pace data and videos for your indoor workouts such as Pilates, strength training and more. Plus, you can edit reps, update your weight, and stop and start workouts – all from your phone.
• Exclusive coaching guidance: You’ll get expert guidance from Garmin Coaches as you progress through your Garmin Run Coach, Garmin Triathlon Coach or Garmin Cycling Coach training plan. Plus, get exclusive educational content and videos when you upgrade to a Garmin Connect+ plan.
• Garmin Trails²: Find routes in select countries based on difficulty, distance and more for your next hike, backpacking trip or trail run with Garmin Trails. Then, send the trail to your compatible device with an active Outdoor Maps+ or Garmin Connect+ plan for offline access.
• Enhanced LiveTrack³: Your contacts will get a text when you start an activity on a compatible device. Plus, you can create a personalized LiveTrack profile page to share with followers.
• Social features: You can access exclusive badges, badge challenges and personalization for your Garmin Connect app profile.

Already have a Garmin smartwatch? Activate your Garmin Connect+ plan today. If you’re a first-time user, get familiar with Garmin Connect+ using your 30-day free trial. Still deciding which watch is right for you? Browse our collection of smartwatches to start learning more about your health and performance metrics.

_{¹See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

_{²Trails available in select areas. Learn more.}

_{³When paired with your smartphone; LiveTrack feature has requirements and limitations}

The post What is the Garmin Connect+ performance dashboard? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

We’ll help you understand what FTP is, how it differs from VO2 max, the science behind it, how you can find yours and how you can improve your FTP.

What is functional threshold power?

FTP is the highest power output, measured in watts, that you can sustain without rapidly fatiguing. This definition comes from Andrew Coggan, Ph.D., an early advocate of power-based training.

Well-trained cyclists can typically maintain FTP-level output for around an hour, though this varies by the individual. Fatigue can accumulate rapidly when your power output exceeds your FTP. Reduce your power output even slightly below your FTP and you may be able to keep going for longer.

It’s worth noting that FTP can be expressed in both absolute and relative terms. In absolute terms, your FTP is the total wattage of your power output. Relative expressions of FTP frame this insight as a power-to-weight ratio (watts per kilo of body weight). The ability to sustain higher power at lower body weights is an important predictor of success in races that involve major climbs.

What’s the difference between FTP and VO2 max?

What about VO2 max? VO2 max and FTP share an important relationship in the pantheon of performance metrics. VO2 max is the number that describes your maximum capacity for aerobic energy production. FTP, on the other hand, captures your ability to sustain higher intensities relative to your maximum aerobic capacity.

For two cyclists with similar VO2 max scores, the rider with the higher FTP may generally have an advantage in competitive settings. And just like VO2 max, FTP can be improved with targeted training methods. 

Physiology and the science behind FTP

The scientific basis for FTP offering useful insight is metabolic in nature. It connects what you do on your bike to what is happening inside your body.

A power meter quantifies performance by measuring energy transfer over time in terms of watts — one joule per second to be precise. Rally power meters can determine the force you’re producing right at the pedals, allowing you to compare the force generated between different bikes — regardless of variations in cadence, power and cranks between bikes.

But where does the energy that powers your muscle contractions come from? It’s the result of breaking down adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules, a biological resource often called the fuel of life. 

Your body maintains a limited supply of ATP that’s consumed quickly during physical activity. To keep going, your ATP production rate needs to match the energy demand of your performance.

The ATP you use when cycling is mostly produced aerobically, meaning oxygen was available and used in the process. Aerobic creation of ATP is efficient but limited by the ability of your heart, lungs and circulatory system to import oxygen from the atmosphere and transport it to your muscles.

When you need more energy than can be produced with the available oxygen, the ATP needed to make up the difference comes from anaerobic energy pathways — and this can lead to fatigue.

When glucose molecules are broken down for fuel, anaerobic metabolism produces a byproduct called lactate (small amounts of which are always present in your blood supply). The concentration of lactate rises when you exercise and increase the intensity of your performance. Some lactate molecules become fuel for aerobic energy production, while your circulatory system clears other lactate molecules from your working muscles to be remade as glucose in your liver.

Continue to increase the intensity of your performance and eventually the rate of lactate production will eclipse your ability to clear it away, so it accumulates. This can result in reaching your lactate threshold, where you may notice fatigue setting in faster.

How to find your FTP

FTP tests can help estimate the point at which the energy demand results in more lactate production than your circulatory system can clear away. A traditional approach may require taking blood samples during exercise and analyzing them in a laboratory.

Experienced cyclists typically reach the lactate threshold at a higher percentage of VO2 max compared to untrained cyclists. This difference is generally the result of improved aerobic energy production achieved through training.

With Garmin’s auto FTP feature, you don’t have to worry about a 60-minute time trial, 20-minute test or a ramp with increasing intensity. Select Garmin cycling computers and multisport watches can estimate your FTP during any cycling activity you record that includes enough time spent at different intensities, above and below your FTP. This method uses a combination of heart rate, heart rate variability and power data, so you need to have a heart rate monitor and a Rally 110/210 power meter paired with your Garmin head unit or compatible smartwatch. Plus, this improves your recommendations from Garmin Cycling Coach and daily suggested workouts.

How can I improve my FTP?

Increasing your FTP means boosting your tolerance for high-intensity performance. After establishing your FTP, Garmin Cycling Coach will use it to fine-tune your workout intensity and target specific training outcomes.

To get the full benefit of more targeted specialty workouts, you’ll need to build a strong, well-balanced foundation. Long, low-intensity aerobic training sessions set the stage for FTP-focused workouts by building muscular and cardiorespiratory endurance. Anaerobic and sprint training sessions enhance neuromuscular coordination and grow absolute maximum power output capacity — both of which improve overall cycling efficiency.

How you challenge yourself determines your results. This is known as the specificity principle of training. Tackling a hard challenge tells your body that it’s time to adapt to make similar challenges easier in the future. These adaptations happen in the recovery period after a challenge. Then, rinse and repeat: Repeating this cycle of loading and recovery helps you improve performance over time.

To improve your ability to tolerate high-intensity efforts, you need to strain your body with high-intensity efforts. Interval workouts are widely used to target both VO2 max and FTP development. That’s because punctuating higher intensity segments with periods of lower intensity activity allows you to perform more high-intensity work than you would in a workout built around a single continuous exertion.

VO2 max level intensity can typically only be sustained for several minutes. As a result, VO2 max targeting interval workouts typically feature shorter, higher intensity intervals. Because VO2 max-focused workouts involve pushing yourself above and beyond FTP intensities, these rides can have a positive impact on your ability to tolerate high-intensity performance.

Workouts designed to target FTP improvement often involve pushing yourself at FTP-level intensity for longer intervals. The extended duration of these intervals means you’ll also need longer recovery periods, and you will perform fewer of them during a ride.

Training to improve your FTP is both mentally challenging and physically exhausting, so avoid scheduling high-intensity workouts on consecutive days and give yourself plenty of time to recover.

How Garmin can help you train

If you’re not sure what type of workout would be best for you today, you can always check the daily workout suggestion on your Garmin device for an ideal training session based on your current fitness level, recent training activities and recovery levels. Even daily stress levels and sleep quality are considered in your workout suggestion when using select Garmin devices with 24/7 lifestyle tracking capabilities.

If you train with Rally 110 and 210, you get a versatile power meter that easily transfers between bikes and pedal bodies and accurately tracks performance metrics to help you fine-tune your training on every bike and ride. Our single-sensing power meter pedals, Rally 110, and our dual-sensing power meter pedals, Rally 210, provide essential data such as power and cadence within 1% accuracy. With Rally 210, you can also access advanced cycling dynamics including seated/standing position, power phase, platform center offset (PCO), and right/left balance.

When paired with a compatible Garmin cycling computer or smartwatch, Rally 110 and 210 also feature force data measurements for greater insights on the relationship between your power and cadence,.

Start optimizing your rides today with a Garmin power meter.

The post Do I need a power meter? The case for functional threshold power appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Garmin marine electronics can help increase peace of mind while on the water, and there’s no time like the present for advanced and beginner mariners to freshen up on boating best practices.

Here are six tips for captains and passengers to promote smooth sailing this boating season.

1. Prepare your vessel and passengers.

Increase your peace of mind on the water by outfitting your boat with Garmin marine electronics such as man overboard (MOB) tags, AIS devices and chartplotters.

Protecting the crew is of utmost importance. With the Garmin OnBoard System, tag up to 8 passengers. Both captain and passenger tags mark waypoints on your chartplotter and sound an alarm from the MFD and hub when triggered. Captain tags will trigger engine cutoff, stopping the vessel from moving.

To help avoid potential collisions while on the water, equip your boat with a Garmin AIS device. When you have a Garmin VHF marine radio, you can see ID, position, course and speed information from other AIS-equipped vessels. To receive and transmit additional data, including alerts, dragging anchors and man overboard, equip your boat with the Garmin Cortex® V1 hub. Coupled with a compatible chartplotter, see real-time alerts and information directly on your display.

If you’re looking to add more Garmin marine electronics to your situational awareness toolkit, check out our GPS satellite communicators and accessories (such as our adjustable mount and spine mount adapter), autopilots, radars, camera systems, satellite compasses, marine smartwatches and more.

2. Know your waters. 

Being prepared is essential in executing any plan. It’s no different when navigating your route on the water. With the #1 marine mapping¹, get daily chart updates, suggested routes with Auto Guidance+ technology² and downloadable charts for your chartplotter. Get additional map features such as high-resolution relief shading, satellite imagery and more with Navionics Vision+.

Plus, with the free all-in-one ActiveCaptain® app, download and manage all your favorite charts and maps on your mobile device. When you join the ActiveCaptain Community, read user reviews, comments and ratings about marinas, boat ramps and other points of interest. Track, control and monitor your boat with the Garmin OnDeck system directly from your phone.

3. Buckle up. (Your life jacket, that is.) 

According to a 2024 recreational boating report by the U.S. Coast Guard, 87% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Whether you’re navigating remote coastal waters or calm inland waves, you must have the proper life jackets on board. Having various sizes of jackets ensures that both adults and children are snuggly buckled up. If you’re curious what type of jacket you should have on board, check out the Coast Guard Foundations boating safety guide.

4. Have a safety plan. 

In the event of bad weather or high-risk boating practices from nearby vessels, it’s important to have a plan in place to protect your boat and those on board. Ensure life jackets are accessible, and your crew is knowledgeable on how to protect themselves in case of an emergency. For best safety practices during a crisis, check out tips from the Coast Guard Foundation. Plus, don’t forget to share a rough itinerary of your trip with someone on land.

In case of bad weather, always check the local forecast for the day. See water and developing weather conditions on your compatible chartplotter when you have a Garmin radar.

Once you have the desired electronics and safety supplies, it’s important to verify your boat is in line with state and federal safety regulations. To ensure your boat is compliant, have a volunteer Vessel Safety Check examiner inspect the vessel. 

5. Boat sober. 

Alcohol is the leading contributing factor to recreational boating fatalities, according to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Operating a water vessel while under the influence is illegal in many jurisdiction because it can weaken boater awareness and reaction time.

6. Take a boating safety course. 

According to NSBC, most boat operators have never taken a boating safety course. To educate yourself before heading onto the water, take free on-the-water and online training courses offered by NSBC. The free videos and quizzes give insight into basic navigational rules of boating.

Being prepared on the water ensures a smooth trip for both boat operators and passengers. Enjoy the water this boating season when you complete these simple best practices. For more resources and education opportunities, visit the NSBC’s National Safe Boating Week website.

_{¹Based on 2025 sales}

_{²Auto Guidance is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations}

The post 6 tips for peace of mind on the water appeared first on Garmin Blog.

When you golf with Garmin, you get a lot of data. Like, a lot of data. You get helpful health insights from your Garmin golf smartwatch, precise distance measurements from your rangefinder so you know what’s ahead, and robust ball and club metrics from a launch monitor to improve your game.

But you might wonder how your stats fit in with Garmin golfers across the globe. This is our latest deep dive into data logged in the Garmin Golf app, an interactive tool used by golf lovers worldwide to track, analyze and share their activities on the links. As you gather your gear for the upcoming golf season, let’s look at how golfers completed their rounds in 2025 compared to 2024.

Here are a few of the 2025 highlights:

• The number of Garmin golfers under age 20 increased markedly in 2025 from 2024.
• Golfers who used a Garmin launch monitor for at least six months saw a meaningful decrease in their average score.
• Garmin golfers hit the fairway more than a third of the time (and how that compares to the pros).
• Of the locales with the best median handicaps, we have a list of the most popular courses for Garmin golfers around the world — from California in the U.S. to North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.
• Strength training and yoga were two ways Garmin golfers stayed active beyond golf — and they did those activities significantly more than in 2024.

How many more golfers hit the course — and how often?

There’s something special about setting up the tee, perfecting your swing and walking across the green. And more people — especially young golfers — are seeing the appeal. When breaking down the increase in golfers who used a Garmin device by age, young people led the growth in 2025 compared to 2024. In 2025, we saw 76% growth in golfers under age 20. Golfers 20–29 grew 53% while golfers 30–39 grew 18%. Golfers 40–49 grew 15% and those 50–59 grew 12%.

If you have a junior golfer in your life, might we recommend Approach® J1? It’s the first GPS golf watch specifically designed for youth golfers, built to help them learn the game and track their performance.

The median number of golf rounds rose by 13%, with golfers on average squeezing in one more round in 2025 compared to 2024. The number of female and male golfers using Garmin devices each increased about 16%.

The number of real-life rounds increased 17% while the number of virtual rounds increased 58%. (We like to think the premium all-in-one experience you get on the Approach R50 launch monitor and simulator has something to do with that.)

When it comes to virtual rounds, it’s hard to beat the Home Tee Hero app¹. You get more than 43,000 courses to choose from, more realistic graphics and an added on-course practice mode, making it easier than ever to focus on improving your game.

How well were Garmin golfers swinging?

OK, so Garmin golfers were spending more time on the links. How well were they actually performing?

We found that golfers who used a Garmin launch monitor for at least 6 months had average scores that were 4.4 strokes lower after use. Golfers must have played at least 20 rounds before and 20 rounds after getting the launch monitor, using it at least 5 times. Practice makes perfect, after all.

Garmin golfers hit the fairway 37% of the time. (That’s including only those who played a full round of golf in person and those whose rounds were added to either the Garmin Golf app or their Garmin golf device.) Keep in mind, though, that the average for PGA TOUR pros was 59% through the 2025 season — so maybe that 37% isn’t too shabby.

If you struggle to choose which golf club to use or have a hard time avoiding different hazards, a Garmin golf smartwatch such as Approach S70 could help. This Garmin GPS golf watch offers a virtual caddie feature to help you choose your club. This feature also provides a shot dispersion chart to help you determine which club choice gives you the best chance to hit the fairway and avoid hazards.

The median handicap for Garmin golfers was 14 in 2025. If you’re wondering how your handicap stacks up to other locales, we’ve got that answer too. Here’s a sample of 10 median handicaps across the globe.

How close was your handicap to the median? If you’ve got some work to do, we’re here to help. With a Garmin golf launch monitor¹, you can get precise ball and club metrics that analyze your swing. Plus, you can use the golf simulator on Approach R50 (for the ultimate simulator experience) or Approach R10 with a paired smartphone or tablet to spend more time practicing, whether you’re home or on the course¹.

How have Garmin golfers improved?

Ever wondered how your performance measures across different areas of the game, including drives, approach, chip, putt or even bunker shots? That’s where strokes gained comes in. This feature, available in the Garmin Golf app, measures how well you’re trending in those areas over time. It also tells you how well each shot was relative to how a PGA player would have performed from that distance and lie on average. In 2025, Garmin golfers improved the most in the layup, tee, recovery and overall categories. The closer to zero in the chart below, the better.

What are users doing to improve their overall fitness — and swing?

In addition to all that swing practice, golfers are spending plenty of time on activities outside of golf. Users with an Approach smartwatch, including Approach S70 or S50, logged 29% more walking activities in 2025 compared to 2024. They were also dedicated to building muscle and flexibility: Strength training activities increased 45% and yoga activities increased 49% compared to 2024. And for good reason too, considering the benefits of increased flexibility and strength for your golf performance.

The other top activities were all cardio focused, including running, cycling, swimming and using the elliptical.

Where were the most popular golf courses in the top 10 locales?

Remember those locales with the best median handicaps across the world? These were the most popular golf courses in each of them — good luck getting a tee time at one of these courses.

1. Sea ‘n’ Air Golf Course (U.S.)
2. Club de Golf Longchamp (Canada)
3. Wembley Golf Course: Old (Australia)
4. Golf Club Toulouse-Seilh: Jaune (France)
5. Riksten Golfklubb (Sweden)
6. Pyrford Golf Club (United Kingdom)
7. Wakasu Golf Links (Japan)
8. Landgoed Bergvliet Golf Course (Netherlands)
9. Club de Campo Villa de Madrid: Recorrido Negro (Spain)
10. Kölner Golfclub: Championship (Germany)

What’s the best time of day to hit the links?

When you tee off depends on your personal preference and your location; however, golfers tended to tee off most in the early afternoon, followed by the early morning.

What you need to hit the course in 2026 with Garmin

When you golf with Garmin, you can do it all — from the driving range to the final putt.

Garmin offers a variety of golf watches so you can find the one that’s right for you, whether you’re looking to cover the basics or for premium features to improve your game. With a Garmin rangefinder, you’ll know where the hazards are with a quick glance (yes, it’s possible to avoid that bunker). And with a Garmin launch monitor and simulator, you’ll get advanced ball and club metrics as well as the ability to play virtual rounds on more than 43,000 courses to help improve your swing all year long¹.

Take your golf game to the next level with our golf products.

¹_{Active subscription required}

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My earliest memories revolve around riding horses for ranch work and pleasure — mainly backcountry fishing and hunting trips.

In 2005, during a hunting trip in the Shoshone wilderness in northwest Wyoming, I was on an early morning elk hunt when the young horse I was riding reared over backward on me while crossing a stream. I had a hunting partner who got the horse off me, but I was severely injured and unable to move. He had to ride 6 miles to get to a landline to call for help.

I laid there for almost 10 hours, not knowing if he made it out or if help was coming. Just as dark was setting in, I cannot describe the relief I felt as I heard a helicopter circling overhead. I thought to myself, “Never again will I be in the backcountry without communication.”

I have owned an inReach device for several years now and have used it for checking in with family, checking weather forecasts and messaging hunting partners who are inReach users.

One August, 3 of my old high school buddies and I took off on a backcountry fishing trip we had been planning for years (we turned 65 that year). About 3 miles into the trip, one of my buddy’s horses fell coming out of a creek crossing that had washed out. The horse fell over backward and landed on top of the rider — eerily similar to my accident years before in the same area.

After untangling the rider from the horse, it was apparent we needed help. I pulled out my inReach and hit the SOS button, and within minutes was texting with the Garmin Response℠ team, giving them all the details of the injured rider and relaying to my buddy that help was on the way (much to his relief).  

I then contacted my wife, who had already been contacted by Garmin Response to let her know what was going on, and my son (who was a paramedic and in charge of a backcountry rescue team), who put a team in action that was on scene within 2 hours.

A helicopter was dispatched but could not land due to rough terrain. The backcountry rescue team ended up carting out the injured rider to a waiting ambulance at the trailhead.

Needless to say, I am a big fan of inReach and was thankful that day to have it. I never leave home without it.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

The post inReach SOS: Two horseback riding accidents, 18 years apart appeared first on Garmin Blog.