Garmin 235 Running Watch Review

After using the MI Band 1s for quite a while, it was time to upgrade my running gear again—and yes, it cost me some money, as always. Since I’m serious about running, I had to consider getting a watch that could track everything related to my runs for analysis and self-improvement.

I spent a long time debating whether to buy a running watch because I always thought it wasn’t necessary—I could just use my phone. But one day, while running with my phone, sweat seeped into the device because I sweat a lot. That incident convinced me it was time to invest in a proper running watch.

Deciding on the Garmin Forerunner 235

After a lengthy decision-making process, comparing prices and brands across several models, I finally settled on the Garmin Forerunner 235. After using it for four or five days, it’s time to review and see how it performs.

Is a Running Watch Necessary?

If you ask me, the answer is “yes.” Since I take running and training seriously, I analyze my runs almost every time I finish, looking at things like time, distance, speed, heart rate, and even elevation changes. All this data is crucial for my training and self-improvement. In other words, it’s like having a personal coach on my wrist.

Even if you’re running for health, a running watch can still be beneficial—it depends on your goals. If you’re running for fun, you might not need one. But if you want to track steps or calories, there are other models, or you could try the MI Band I reviewed earlier, which should be sufficient.

Design

The design of the 235 doesn’t exactly wow me, but it’s not bad either. It looked like it would fit perfectly in the pictures, but when I tried it on, the watch face seemed a bit large (this depends on wrist size). The color options didn’t impress me either—yellow, red, gray, and blue. I chose red because it looked the best, with a red and black band that I wasn’t too fond of, but it looks much better with the black and red replacement band that came with it.

The side buttons on the watch feel a bit flimsy compared to higher-end models, almost like a toy. The materials used are plastic, which feels delicate and makes me worry about dropping it or accidentally hitting it against a table edge. The screen feels like thin plastic, and I’m concerned it might scratch easily.

The watch is extremely lightweight at 1.5 oz (42 g), so light that it feels like a toy, but this is actually a plus for a running watch, as it needs to be lightweight for exercise purposes. So, I can accept that.

Display

The 1.23” (31.1 mm) display is a good size—not too small, not too big. The color screen has a resolution of 215 x 180 pixels, which is decent for a sports watch. The screen is very clear in sunlight, which I appreciate, though at night, you’ll need to turn on the backlight to see it.

Other Features

The watch has a lithium-ion battery that can last around 11 hours with GPS enabled for running, or about 9 days in regular mode, according to the manufacturer.

Charging the battery is done via a clip that attaches to the watch. If you’re running for several hours, you can connect it to a power bank while running. For more detailed specs, you can check out the Garmin Forerunner 235.

Running and Heart Rate Accuracy

The Garmin Forerunner 235 comes with wrist-based heart rate monitoring, which uses light sensors to measure your heart rate. This is great for those who, like me, don’t like wearing a chest strap. Wearing a chest strap feels uncomfortable for me, so I prefer the wrist-based method.

However, in terms of heart rate accuracy, I’d say it’s almost a fail. There was one time when my heart rate didn’t go above 120 bpm, which was clearly wrong. Several factors can affect accuracy, such as a loose strap or sweat on the sensor. But this issue only happened once, and after that, it worked normally.

When compared to chest strap measurements, the differences aren’t too drastic, considering the wrist-based sensors have more variables. Overall, it works well enough for me, with only that one incident. So, I’ll give it a pass on this aspect.

Activity Tracking

This is an interesting feature, especially since I used the MI Band 1s before, which tracked various aspects of my daily life. Switching to Garmin has increased the amount of data tracked, including:

• Steps: The watch tracks your daily steps, though I noticed a slight delay compared to the MI Band, but nothing too serious. It shows real-time data when you lift your wrist, displaying the number of steps taken, the distance to your goal (which you can set), calories burned, and total distance.
• Sleep: The watch monitors your sleep based on movement and heart rate, tracking when you fall asleep, deep sleep, light sleep, and even when you wake up to use the bathroom. It’s surprisingly accurate and even shows a graph of your restless periods.
• Heart Rate: The watch periodically measures your heart rate and displays a graph of the last four hours, along with real-time heart rate data.

Besides these features, the watch can also alert you if you’ve been inactive for too long. You can set the duration after which you want to be reminded to move.

Running Features

Now, let’s get to the main feature—running! I have to say, I love this part. Just press the button twice, and you’re ready to run. The watch takes care of everything, tracking all the data until you finish your run. Once done, sync with Garmin Connect for an incredibly detailed summary (depending on your watch model). It’s the perfect tool for serious runners.

When you press the running icon, the watch takes a moment to acquire a GPS signal. Once it’s locked on, the watch alerts you, and you can start running. The first screen displays various statistics while running, which you can customize in the settings. The data tracked includes:

• Distance (real-time accuracy is excellent)
• Time elapsed
• Pace (steps per minute)
• Heart rate
• Heart rate zone

There are many more details available in Garmin Connect after your run. You can set various alerts, such as:

• Alert every 1km or another distance of your choice
• Hydration reminder
• Nutrition reminder
• Turn-back alert at a preset distance
• Heart rate alert
• Calorie alert
• Return home reminder

There are many more features, making this watch incredibly comprehensive and worth every penny.

Running Plan/Workout

In addition to regular running, the watch has options for serious training enthusiasts like myself, allowing you to schedule and plan your workouts. This includes options like Tempo runs, Interval training, and Lap running. This is one of the features I really appreciate. I’ll review only the features I’ve used:

• Interval Run: This is where you can set up custom interval training, whether based on distance or time. For example, I set mine to run 1000m x 5 with a pace of 4:00, with a 3-minute rest in between. You can also set up warm-up and cool-down times. It’s like having a coach on your wrist. To use it, go to My Workout and press Start!

Other Features

Beyond what I’ve already mentioned, this watch has many other features, which I’ll list briefly here:

• Call alerts and answer calls when connected to your phone via Bluetooth
• SMS and email notifications
• Weather updates
• Calendar and to-do list
• Swim tracking
• Cycling tracking
• Customizable watch faces
• Alarm clock
• VO2 MAX measurement
• Music control

It’s packed with so many features that I encourage you to check it out yourself at Garmin’s website. If you’re convinced, go ahead and buy it—it’s worth every penny.

Application

This watch works best when paired with Garmin’s app, Garmin Connect, which is available on Android, iOS, and the web. I’ll wrap up this blog post here, but in the next one, I’ll dive into the Garmin Connect app. See you then!