The Garmin Forerunner 55 is an ideal entry-level GPS running watch for new and casual runners, offering essential tracking features like time, distance, pace, and speed with built-in GPS, alongside impressive battery life. While excellent for fundamental run metrics and daily activity tracking, advanced multisport athletes may find it lacks some of the more specialized data and features present in higher-end models.
Built-in GPS: Accurately tracks your time, distance, pace, and speed during runs, walks, and other outdoor activities, eliminating the need to carry a phone.
Long Battery Life: Enjoy up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, ensuring your watch lasts through long training weeks or extended runs.
Wrist-based Heart Rate Monitoring: Continuously monitors your heart rate directly from your wrist, providing insights into your fitness levels and effort during workouts without an additional chest strap.
Daily Suggested Workouts: Receive personalized run recommendations based on your training history, fitness level, and recovery status, helping you improve efficiently.
Recovery Advisor: Provides guidance on how long to recover before your next effort, preventing overtraining and optimizing your performance.
Cadence Alerts: Get prompts to maintain your target cadence, helping you improve your running form and efficiency.
Garmin Connect App Integration: Seamlessly sync your activity data to the free Garmin Connect app, where you can analyze your stats, track progress, set goals, and connect with a global community.
Smart Notifications: Stay connected on the go by receiving alerts for incoming calls, texts, and app notifications directly on your watch when paired with your smartphone.
Accurate GPS Tracking: Reliable and consistent GPS data for distance, pace, and route mapping.
Excellent Battery Performance: Long-lasting battery life significantly reduces the frequency of charging.
Lightweight and Comfortable Design: Designed for all-day wear, making it barely noticeable on the wrist.
User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive navigation and straightforward controls make it easy for beginners to use.
Valuable Training Insights: Offers daily suggested workouts and recovery advice to guide your training.
Affordable Entry Point: Provides essential running features at a competitive price for new runners.
Monochrome Display: Lacks the vibrant color screen found on more expensive smartwatches, which can impact readability in some conditions.
Limited Advanced Metrics: While great for basic running, it may not satisfy users looking for highly advanced running dynamics or multi-sport features.
No Music Storage: Does not offer on-device music storage, requiring a paired phone for audio playback during runs.
Basic Smartwatch Features: Offers smart notifications but lacks more extensive smartwatch capabilities like mobile payments or app ecosystem support.
Accurate GPS Tracking: Reliable and consistent GPS data for distance, pace, and route mapping.
Excellent Battery Performance: Long-lasting battery life significantly reduces the frequency of charging.
Lightweight and Comfortable Design: Designed for all-day wear, making it barely noticeable on the wrist.
User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive navigation and straightforward controls make it easy for beginners to use.
Valuable Training Insights: Offers daily suggested workouts and recovery advice to guide your training.
Affordable Entry Point: Provides essential running features at a competitive price for new runners.
Monochrome Display: Lacks the vibrant color screen found on more expensive smartwatches, which can impact readability in some conditions.
Limited Advanced Metrics: While great for basic running, it may not satisfy users looking for highly advanced running dynamics or multi-sport features.
No Music Storage: Does not offer on-device music storage, requiring a paired phone for audio playback during runs.
Basic Smartwatch Features: Offers smart notifications but lacks more extensive smartwatch capabilities like mobile payments or app ecosystem support.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 excels as a reliable companion for daily runs, walks, and general fitness tracking. Its built-in GPS acquires satellite signals quickly, providing accurate data for distance, pace, and speed, whether you're tackling a new trail or sticking to your neighborhood loop. Users can trust the recorded metrics for consistent training analysis.
For example, during a 5k run, the watch precisely logs your route and splits, allowing you to review your performance in detail via the Garmin Connect app. The wrist-based heart rate monitor provides a continuous stream of data, helping you stay within target zones or assess your overall effort.
Beyond basic tracking, features like Daily Suggested Workouts are incredibly useful. If you're unsure what to do, the watch can propose a run based on your recent activity and recovery status. This makes it a great tool for building fitness progressively. The Recovery Advisor feature takes the guesswork out of rest days, recommending appropriate downtime before your next hard effort.
It's also an excellent daily activity tracker, monitoring steps, calories burned, and sleep. While primarily a running watch, it supports other activities like cycling (using GPS for speed/distance) and treadmill running (using accelerometers for indoor metrics). The durable, lightweight design ensures it's comfortable for both intense workouts and everyday wear. Its long battery life means you can go for multiple runs or even a full week of training without needing to recharge.
Charge Your Watch: Before first use, connect your Forerunner 55 to a power source using the provided charging cable until fully charged. This ensures optimal battery calibration.
Power On: Press and hold the LIGHT button (top left) to turn on the device.
Initial Configuration: Follow the on-screen prompts to select your language, units of measurement, and personal profile settings (e.g., age, weight, height).
Pair with Smartphone: Download the Garmin Connect app from your smartphone's app store (available for iOS and Android). Open the app, create an account or sign in, and follow the instructions to add your Forerunner 55. This will sync your watch data and enable smart notifications.
Update Firmware: Once paired, the app will likely prompt you to update the watch's software. Ensure your watch is sufficiently charged and connected to Wi-Fi (if applicable, or via phone) for this process to ensure you have the latest features and bug fixes.
Smartphones: Compatible with both iOS (Apple iPhones) and Android smartphones running recent operating system versions. Requires Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with the Garmin Connect app.
Garmin Connect App: Essential for data syncing, detailed activity analysis, software updates, and customizing watch settings.
Cleaning: Regularly wipe your watch with a soft, damp cloth. For sweat or dirt buildup, rinse the watch under lukewarm water and dry thoroughly. Avoid harsh chemicals, solvents, or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the watch's components and finish.
Strap Care: If your strap is silicone, clean it with soap and water periodically. Allow it to air dry. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures to prevent material degradation.
Charging Port: Keep the charging contacts on the back of the watch clean and dry to prevent corrosion and ensure proper charging. Use a dry cotton swab to gently clean them if necessary.
Storage: When not in use for extended periods, store the watch in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Water Resistance: The Forerunner 55 has a 5 ATM water rating, meaning it can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters. It's suitable for swimming and showering, but not for deep-sea diving or high-pressure water activities.