Garmin International Inc. unveiled the Forerunner 225, the first Garmin GPS running watch that measures heart rate at the wrist.

The Forerunner 225 shows runners their zone and beats per minute and a built-in accelerometer provides distance and pace
data for indoor running with no need for a separate foot pod.

The Forerunner 225 will integrate optical heart rate technology developed by Mio, a Vancouver, British Columbia based company that sells its own competing line of non-GPS enabled wearables.

“After more than 10 years of developing GPS running watches we are very excited to team up with Mio to introduce our first device featuring wrist-based heart rate,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Getting and understanding your heart rate is more comfortable and easier than ever with the Forerunner 225’s real time results on a colorful gauge – allowing runners to evaluate and adjust effort quickly so they can focus on their run.”

Garmin has equipped the Forerunner 225 with a built-in accelerometer that enables runners to capture accurate distance and pace data indoors in a deliberate move to penetrate gym's and other indoor training venues.

“We are proud of our partnership with Garmin. When the leading brand in GPS teams up with a leading brand in wrist-based heart rate monitoring technology, it’s a win for athletes at all levels,” says Liz Dickinson, CEO of Mio Global. “More and more, athletes are recognizing the role that heart rate plays in their training intensity and efficacy, and it has become evident that heart rate is a must-have feature in wearable technology.”

The Forerunner 225 will be available in black/red and will begin shipping in Q2. It will have a suggested retail price of $299.99. Mio's two smart watches sell for $169 and $199, but are not equipped with GPS technology.