I feel truly honored to have the chance to test the new Garmin Forerunner 570 – a watch that feels like it was made just for me.
Until recently, I was training with the Garmin Forerunner 165, which reliably supported me throughout my preparation for the Paris Marathon in April.
But with more athletic goals on the horizon – two half marathons and the big Cologne Marathon in October – I knew one thing for sure: I wanted to take my training to the next level, with more targeted and smarter planning. And that’s exactly where the Forerunner 570 comes in. It offers all the features I had been missing – and it has elevated my training experience to an entirely new level. Since I’ve been using the watch, it’s become clear: for healthy, structured, and performance-oriented endurance training, a precise, versatile, and reliable GPS sports watch has become indispensable to me.
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My Daily Training – Varied, Structured, Endurance-Focused
I’m a passionate endurance athlete and stay active every single day. My training is varied and includes several running sessions per week – from long runs and intense intervals to steady base runs. I also enjoy regular gravel bike tours and occasionally add some trail action with my mountain bike. Strength training at the gym is another key part of my routine, often combined with mobility exercises to support stability and recovery. Hiking, often over longer distances, rounds off my training schedule. I wear my Garmin watch around the clock – even at night – to track my recovery phases without gaps. All my training data is archived in the Garmin Connect app. Syncing with the watch is seamless: one press of a button, and I’m ready to go.
What Sets the Forerunner 570 Apart – A Real Step Forward
Compared to the Forerunner 165, the 570 clearly stands out – especially with its wealth of precise analytics and expanded features that are essential for ambitious training. Here’s what impressed me the most:
The training readiness feature and daily evening report provide reliable insights into my physical stress and recovery quality. These indicators help me plan sessions more purposefully – or consciously take rest when needed.
The built-in phone functionality with speaker and microphone quickly proved incredibly convenient during long rides and relaxed runs. I can answer calls directly on the watch – it’s not only comfortable but also safe.
The sleep tracking is detailed, delivering not just data on sleep duration, but also on recovery efficiency. Combined with the recovery time feature, I can clearly see when my body is ready for the next workout.
With Body Battery, heart rate variability (HRV), and stress tracking, the watch paints a holistic picture of my energy levels. That helps me make better decisions – not just in training, but throughout the day.
The Garmin Coach feature provides personalized training plans tailored to my current fitness level – a huge advantage, especially during marathon prep.
It’s also suitable for triathletes – I don’t personally use the swim tracking, but I appreciate how flexible and well-designed the multisport functionality is.
The bright and responsive AMOLED display is easy to read even in direct sunlight. The user interface is intuitive and smooth to operate.
The Forerunner 570 reliably detects all common sports – from running and cycling to strength training and hiking. The data is consistently accurate and easy to interpret.
Despite the wide range of features, battery life remains impressive. Even with constant tracking, I easily get through several days.
All the features from the Forerunner 165 are included – the 570 builds on Garmin’s familiar operating system, but delivers more depth and precision in nearly every area. As you’d expect from Garmin, navigation and training analysis are precise and dependable. I especially value the map view and the ability to create targeted routes while staying flexible on the go.
One Small Suggestion for Improvement
Accessing completed workouts could be a bit more direct in the menu. Right now, it takes a few clicks, which can be a bit cumbersome in the middle of a busy day or out on the go. That said, it’s a minor point and doesn’t take away from the overall experience.
My Verdict on the Garmin Forerunner 570
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is so much more than just a sports watch. It’s a training partner, a health coach, and a data analyst all in one – and it’s guiding me through a demanding year of training with total reliability. If you train regularly, follow structured plans, and value precise performance data, the Forerunner 570 is a powerful and thoughtfully designed GPS sports watch. Compared to the Forerunner 165, it’s a clear upgrade – not just in terms of features, but especially in the relevance of the data it delivers to support my daily training decisions.
