I did 12,000 steps a day with the Garmin Forerunner 170 - here's why it's my new favourite watch for beginners

If you're new to running, navigating the waters of finding a suitable watch to record your progress can be difficult. One of the best Garmin watches is often the go-to, but until very recently, there were few beginner-friendly options. The Garmin Forerunner 170, released last month, has changed this.

I've been running regularly for six years now and have tested pretty much every fitness tracker brand under the sun. The Forerunner range consistently comes up as a favourite, so I was very excited for this one.

Complete with new training features, a bright and easy-to-use interface, and exciting colourways, it impressed me before I even opened the box. To find out if it's worth the spend, I took it out for two weeks, seven runs, and three gym sessions.

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Garmin Forerunner 170 review

Specifications

• Size: One size - 42.6 x 42.6 x 11.9 mm
• Weight: 41 g
• Display: AMOLED
• Material: Silicone, glass, fibre-reinforced polymer
• Battery life: Up to 10 days
• Waterproof: 5ATM

What is the Garmin Forerunner 170 like to wear?

Previous Garmin watches, such as the Venu 4 (another woman&home favourite), have come in two sizes. This one is just the one size, but it fit snugly within the margins of my wrist, and the typeface on the screen was large enough to see clearly on the move.

The AMOLED screen makes for a premium experience when running and in daily life, with notifications displaying clearly whatever the light, and it's also touchscreen. I typically turn off the touchscreen on my running watches, as I have a habit of nudging them, but this screen isn't overly sensitive, so I didn't have that issue this time. There are also five buttons on the device. You can use these as well as, or instead of, the touchscreen.

I did turn off the notifications and buzzing, however. I don't know whether these are louder on this watch compared to others, but it felt overly reactive for starting a run, pausing a session, and at every kilometre logged.

In the sea of black and white fitness trackers, the colourways of the Garmin Forerunner 170 Music are a refreshing change. While these neutrals are still an option, and even more so in the regular 170, the fun pop of pink and yellow, blue and green, and yellow in the black option of the 170 Music remind me of retro kids' watches in the best possible way. I loved the colourways of the Forerunner 265, and these are even bolder.

What is the Garmin Forerunner 170 like to run with?

I took the Garmin Forerunner 170 for a spin over two weeks, wearing it through my regular long, speed, and easy runs. Along with the regular on-screen data, such as distance, pace, training zone, and live heart rate, you'll get race time predictions, race pace tools, and VO2 estimates.

All your workout data and daily movement is recorded in the Garmin app, which has stayed the same and remains free and easy to use.

What makes this watch different from cheaper options, like the Forerunner 165, is the premium training insights. Having worn a Garmin for a few years, I have found these to be some of the most useful features for improving my overall lifestyle, with the view to being a better runner.

Training Status reveals how your body is adapting to the workouts you're doing. While I have found it disheartening to see 'Detraining' as my Status, the feature does tell you what you need to do to get back to improving again. For me, this time around, the suggestion was to do more anaerobic exercise, so I incorporated more sprints into my routine and watched my Status improve.

Training Readiness estimates how 'ready' your body is for exercise, balancing recovery metrics with workout data. As all your progress actually takes place when you're resting, this is a worthwhile feature for anyone looking to graduate from a beginner running level.

I was also impressed by the inclusion of new Garmin Coach models - Cycling Coach, Strength Coach, and Fitness Coach. While Running Coach has been a feature on other devices, offering training plans for various goals, extending them to these activities makes the Garmin Forerunner 170 a brilliant all-rounder as well as a specialist running watch.

You'll also find over a hundred workout profiles, with options from Boxing and Rowing to Padel and Paddleboarding.

How does it to compare?

Overall, it's absolutely packed out with features - and I haven't even mentioned the sleep tracking, which is the same as on every other Garmin. You'll get insights into your duration and sleep quality, with suggestions to improve.

You'll struggle to find another watch with the same features for this price. The next best option is another new release, the Garmin Forerunner 70, which comes in at £219. It has the same Training Readiness and Status features but lacks the barometric altimeter, which you'll need if you're a hiker, trail runner, or stair climber; music capabilities; the Garmin Pay option, and skin temperature sensors. The latter is needed if you track your menstrual cycle with your fitness tracker.

Outside of Garmin, the only other I can think of is the Coros Pace 4. It's my favourite running watch overall, but lacks a lot of the support for non-running activities.

Is the Garmin Forerunner 170 worth buying?

I knew the Garmin Forerunner 170 Music was going to be a favourite straight out of the box - but I couldn't judge the watch by its appearance. After testing it for two weeks, though, I stand by my first impression.

Many beginner-friendly watches lack longevity. While they may be cheap and cheerful, perfect for getting you started as a new runner, they won't be able to offer enough a few years (or even months) down the line if you decide you want to do more than just track your workouts.

The Garmin Forerunner 170 Music doesn't fit into this box. This watch would help improve your running speed, form, and recovery in a meaningful and productive way, and help you extend your distance to a marathon and beyond. Its advanced sensors, insights, and plethora of features easily make it worth the investment.

Most other beginner watches sit around the £150 mark, including the Forerunner 55, which is dated now but will do all the essentials and comes in at under £120 in the sale. There are also cheaper Garmin options for your budget and goals.