Forerunner 970 Watch
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Warning: California Proposition 65
Train smarter and race harder with the Garmin Forerunner 970 smartwatch
What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:
"I've used the Forerunner 970 for marathon training and triathlons, and it's easily one of the most complete GPS watches out there. The multiband GPS is ridiculously accurate, and I love the AMOLED screen. The daily training suggestions and advanced metrics like running power and step speed loss have helped me fine-tune my workouts and recover smarter."
We push for peak performance, and the Garmin Forerunner 970 helps us get there. With Garmin’s brightest AMOLED touch screen yet, a titanium bezel, and a durable sapphire lens, it’s a sleek, powerful tool for serious runners and triathletes. We love heading out with full-color maps, multiband GPS precision, and the confidence of wrist-based metrics like cadence, stride length, and running power—all without extra gear.
When we're going hard, training features adapt to our performance and recovery to keep us moving efficiently. From morning readiness reports to suggested workouts and evening recaps, the Forerunner 970 keeps us locked into a smarter routine. Automatic multisport transitions make race day seamless, while the built-in flashlight, phone call support, and music storage keep our focus on the finish line. It's more than a watch—it's a coach, navigator, and training partner on our wrist.
Details
- Recommended for performance-driven runners and multisport athletes
- Includes 30+ built-in activity profiles including triathlon, track, swim, and cycling
- Bright AMOLED touchscreen display with sapphire lens and titanium bezel
- Multiband GPS provides pinpoint accuracy even in tough environments
- Wrist-based running power, cadence, stride length, and ground contact metrics
- Smart training tools include running economy, step speed loss, and training readiness
- Daily suggested workouts and adaptive Garmin Coach plans guide your progress
- Built-in flashlight, speaker, and microphone for safety and smartphone functions
- Item #GRMF08I
- Pedometer
- Digital 3-axis Accelerometer
- Altimeter
- Pressure-based
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Wrist-based
- Submersible
- 50 meters
- Technical Features
- Road / Topo preloaded maps
- Backlight
- Luminous Face
- Battery Type
- Lithium Ion
- Battery Life
- Smartwatch mode: up to 15 days; GPS-Only GNSS mode: up to 26 hrs.; GPS-only GNSS mode with music: up to 14 hrs.
- Face Size
- 47mm (1.4 inches)
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited 1 year
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 113 ratings
Review Summary
Customer Images
Here's what customers have to say
The fitness watch offers a bright and clear display, useful flashlight function, and comprehensive health and performance tracking capabilities. Users find it to be a significant upgrade from previous models, with improved accuracy, customization options, and user-friendly design. However, some drawbacks include shorter battery life, occasional software glitches, and potential issues with heart rate monitoring accuracy. Overall, the watch is a feature-packed and high-quality option that provides valuable insights and motivation for active users.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews.
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageOctober 3, 2025
ABSOLUTELY LOVEEEE
I will never be getting another watch again I was a longtime Apple Watch user (8 years) and I’m never switching back
Originally reviewed on Garmin
October 2, 2025
Great overall watch and very light
I was very nervous to upgrade my watch since I had the Garmin forerunner 35 for over 6 years; however I am very glad that I did! I love how light the watch is and I feel like it has all the features plus the battery life is sufficient for races under 100 miles. I definitely recommend, it is also very intuitive to use!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
September 29, 2025
I am coming from the 965 and all of the reviews said that it was an incremental update and not worth buying from the 965. However, I will say that what they updated makes this watch so much better than my 965. The screen in more responsive, the flashlight is a true game changer and the microphone and speaker are fun to have. I do not love the speaker tone, which sounds a little like Mario getting a coin, but I assume you'll be able to customize the sound to whatever you want to hear when it laps. All in all it's a typical high quality Garmin watch that tracks workout gloriously. This watch even knows when you're on a track and gives you more precise data than GPS alone. I would say that if you run in lane 6 that it still tracks like you're in lane 1 which can be a little annoying, but I still need to do more research about this. Best Garmin watch I have owned to date and there have been a bunch before this! Highly recommend.
Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
September 27, 2025
Great Watch!
I feel like I have missing out on maximizing my workouts and monitoring my lifestyle all these years! Great features and battery life is tremendous! Best technology I've purchased in years!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
September 26, 2025
Great Features
This watch has everything that I was lookiing for as an elderly male who needs to keep better track of my exercise(number of steps), miles and time walked, and heart rate(I have atrial fibrillation and this watch can do my EKG)! My disappointments are that when all of these features are turned on, my "16 day battery" lasts about 2 days, forcing me to either turn some of these functions off or remember to connect to a charger every night. My other disappointment is that although this watch will connect to an Apple iPhone, it will not play my Apple Music, as Apple Music reserves those contracts for the Apple Watch. You can download some songs to your watch, but then have to change these whenever you want to listen to something else. Overall impressive watch features with a few drawbacks.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
September 26, 2025
Has every feature and more!!
This watch is amazing. Great for everyday use all the way up to advanced trail running navigation and metrics. Battery life is longer than expected. Very solid watch!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
September 26, 2025
Worth it!
I initially bought the 165, then the 265, (returned both) then finally got the 970. I’m a casual runner picking up more miles throughout the week (10-15) but hoping to increase more. There are features about this watch I didn’t think were important til I had them, such as the flashlight! Came in handy on a run club this week now that it’s getting darker earlier. Such a beautiful watch too and the face is the perfect size.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
September 26, 2025
Worth every penny
This watch covers all basis, all sports multi sports features are covered, and Golf, with preloaded course. The Navigation is top notch and the phone features and graphics are exceptional. I'm still exploring it and thus far, I can't think of anything not meticulously covered
Originally reviewed on Garmin
September 24, 2025
Great watch
Even it’s a great watch and has great features, the watch has an operational issue, once I started to sweat the screen goes blurry for about 2min or more then goes back to normal.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
September 23, 2025
From Fenix 6S Pro-40 female, professional
Replaces my Fenix 6S Pro which served me well for years until it didn’t (gps got wonky) and was out of warranty and settings tinkering didn’t fix the jumpy recordings (location and pace). This beast of a watch works like a charm. It has all the bells and whistles, all of which are FABULOUS. The most underrated feature is the light. I thought it was totally lame, and use it several times per week. I got the white watch with yellow peakaboo band. I was thought it might look funky, which I was ok with. It looks GREAT for daily wear to work- I like to keep my looks professional and manicured. It doesn’t really show its funky vibe to anyone other than me. I am ROUGH on my gear- I wear my watch 24/7 except charging. I wear it running, throwing around the kids soccer gear, through home projects, trail running. It looks gorgeous. The white still is white and not grimy.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
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