Fitness Watches Get Tech And Style Upgrades For 2017

This year’s gadgets include specialized offerings for triathletes, fashionistas, hikers and those on a quest for the latest in wrist-based command stations.

Writer: Carly Terwilliger

From stripped down to loaded with features, from sleek and technical to showy and blinged out, we checked out this year’s high-tech wrist candy from Garmin, Fitbit, Suunto, Huawei and TomTom.

In March 2017, Garmin unveiled the Forerunner 935, a GPS running and triathlon watch with new performance monitoring tools and Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology. In addition to 24/7 heart rate monitoring, the Forerunner 935 includes new training features, allowing users to fine-tune exercise and recovery to be a better athlete. Paired with the new Running Dynamics Pod2, Forerunner 935 users will now be able to see all six running dynamics without the need for a chest strap. At only 49 grams, every detail in its lightweight, comfortable design was selected with the athlete in mind.

“With similar features to the Fēnix 5 – our popular multisport GPS watch built for fitness, adventure and style – the Forerunner 935 is catered more towards athletes focused on performance and results,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “As a top-of-the-line GPS smartwatch, the Forerunner 935 not only provides users with insight into how their body is responding to fitness, but also offers data for every activity, allows them to automatically upload to Garmin Connect, and is customizable with free apps, data fields and more from the Connect IQ store.”