Garmin Fitness Devices: FR60 & Forerunner 110, 405CX, and 310XT

All Four Help You Get the Most Out of Your Exercise. Determine Which One is Right for You!

Matt Schirano
When you hear the name Garmin you probably think of GPS systems. They are one of the top brands when it comes to helping you figure out where you want to go and how to get there. However, Garmin also makes fitness devices which can help you record your physical activity and measure the progress. In this article I will talk about 4 Garmin fitness devices: the FR60, Forerunner 110, Forerunner, 405CX, and Forerunner 310XT. All of these devices look like sports watches, but have strikingly more advanced features than your average sundial.

Let's start with the FR60 and Forerunner 110 because they are very similar in function. These two fitness devices are designed to be simple to use, small in size, and low in cost. Therefore, there are a limited number of data options to make sure you don't get confused or can't find the information you're looking for. They can be worn all the time, and are button operated. These devices can be paired with a heart rate (HR) monitor which measures the calories burned during your workout. The FR60 comes with a HR monitor and accelerometer. The Forerunner 110 is compatible with these accessories, but does not include them. Both of these devices come with access to free online training software which allows you to track your activity and progress. The Forerunner 110 and FR60 are meant for people who want a simple device without the advanced frills they won't ever use. If you're just starting working out, or just don't need to know a ton of statistics about your progress, then these Garmin fitness devices are for you.

Next we'll talk about the Forerunner 405CX. This fitness device takes the basics of the FR60 or Forerunner 110 and adds on some extra technology to give you a more accurate picture of what your body is doing during and after workouts. The Forerunner 405CX is GPS enabled. No accessories are needed to determine your distance and pace. The display is fully customizable so you can choose which information is most important to you, and place it in a way that makes sense. It is operated through the use of touch bezel inputs. The HR monitor is included with this fitness device, and allows for the tracking and recording of data using online tracking software. Even better, this data can be transferred wirelessly so there's no need for annoying wires and tenuous hookups. The device looks like a sports watch and can be worn all the time. It comes with 1 small and 1 large wristband, so you can customize the device to maximize fit and comfort.

The last device to talk about is the one for the passionate runner, cycler, or swimmer. The Forerunner 310XT is swim-proof. It has a multi-sport mode that allows for seamless transitions between cycling, swimming, and running modes. These different modes record pace differently, and alter equations to determine how many calories are being burned. Similar to the Forerunner 405CX it is GPS enabled, has wireless data transfer, and has a fully customizable display. A HR monitor is included. I think that the niftiest feature is the vibrating alert, which helps make users aware of timers or transitions when they are listening to music. The Forerunner 310XT also has the leg up on the competition when it comes to batter life. A lithium-ion battery provides consistent power for upwards of 20 hours.

Published by Matt Schirano

Matt Schirano is a freelance writer living in Glendale, Arizona. He has a Bachelor's in Journalism and a Masters in Library Science.  View profile

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