The Forerunner 735XT is Garmin’s new $699 lightweight multisport GPS triathlon watch, with 24/7 heart rate monitoring and built-in activities including running, cycling, swimming, multisport, hiking, XC skiing, strength training, paddle sports and cardio.
The design is sleek, the band is made from comfortable silicone, the display is big enough view stats at a glance during a workout and I’m thinking this might actually motivate me to work out.
The Forerunner 735XT is Connect IQ compatible, and is the first device to come with the Strava Live Suffer Score app pre-installed so you can track how hard they have been working based on heart rate data — you’ll also get a 60-day trial of Strava Premium.
“The Forerunner 735XT is the ultimate GPS smartwatch for athletes who want dialed-in data for training and race day,” said Adam Howarth, General Manager Garmin Australasia. “It offers comprehensive data for all of their activities, keeps them connected with smart features including notifications and automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, and lets them customise their device to fit their needs with Connect IQ’s free apps, data fields and more.”
In addition to the wrist-based heart rate monitoring, you can add a chest strap during training and receive data including stride length, ground contact time balance, vertical ratio and more.
The Forerunner 735XT is also compatible with the Vector pedal-based power metre system and the full line of Varia cycling awareness accessories. It’s water rated 5 ATM (50 metres), and its swim features will guide you through you workout. Switching sports can be done maunally, or be auto-detected.
You can download additional apps, as well as widgets, watch faces and data fields for free in the Connect IQ store to customise you watch to fit your style and fitness preferences.
Throughout the day the Forerunner 735XT automatically syncs with Garmin Connect, a free online fitness community where you can track workouts, sleep patterns and trends, join online challenges to compete against friends and earn virtual badges.
You can also view Garmin Connect Insights, smart wellness insights personalised to help you reach goals, shout-outs when milestones have been met and relevant healthy tips from experts. Insights also show users how they are doing in comparison to people like you for extra motivation.
The Forerunner 735XT also keeps you fully connected with live tracking, audio prompts, music control and social media sharing. Additionally, you can receive any notification from your compatible smartphone including incoming calls, texts, emails, app, calendar and social media alerts.
In terms of battery life, you’re looking at up to 14 hours in training mode and 11 days in watch mode.
You can pick one up soon (release date to be announced) in black and gray or midnight blue and frost blue for $699.00. More bands in lava red, charge yellow, midnight blue or frost blue will also be available for $49.00.