I tried Garmin's new subscription, it's not essential, but it has its advantages.
How effective is Garmin's new subscription? My first impressions are that it is good, although not essential.
For years, I've preferred Garmin devices over Fitbit ones. Although Garmin products tend to be more expensive, I always considered that the additional subscription cost was worth it to avoid surprises in the future. A fitness device can last a long time without needing an update, and Fitbit's $13 monthly fee can add up quickly. However, Garmin made an unexpected decision by introducing a subscription fee that limits access to certain features. This caused me some frustration.
Despite my initial discontent, having the opportunity to try out the features of the Garmin Vivoactive 6 allowed me to rediscover the device. I found that some functionalities I initially considered irrelevant turned out to be quite helpful. However, despite this, I don't think it is an essential purchase.
One aspect that had annoyed me was Garmin's new "Active Intelligence" system. This system promises to offer exercise recommendations based on my health and activity data. My experience so far has been disappointing, as it has given me quite basic suggestions, like the need to sleep more after only getting six hours of sleep over two nights. While I understand the intention behind this feature, it hasn’t had a significant impact on my routine.
Interestingly, it was other functionalities that I initially underestimated that pleasantly surprised me. The ability to make adjustments to a workout in real time turns out to be quite practical, especially during weightlifting sessions where it’s tricky to correct data on a small screen. The ease of doing this from the phone, which also displays live stats, adds significant value for those who frequently go to the gym.
As for the other innovations, while they are nice, they do not justify an additional payment. The new competitions and medals are interesting, but not enough to subscribe. Moreover, I am not excited about the idea of Garmin coaches evaluating my training plans. I prefer to keep my process private, away from external judgments.
Another recent feature is the improvement in LiveTrack, which now automatically notifies selected contacts when a run is started. While I appreciate this addition, I find it uncomfortable that a safety feature has an associated cost.
It’s encouraging that all these new features are just that: improvements. None of the existing features have been removed, and everything I enjoyed about Garmin Connect is still accessible for free. This approach of introducing a subscription fee without taking away benefits is undoubtedly a positive strategy.
In conclusion, while there are some standout features that justify the subscription, such as real-time stats for weightlifting, it remains difficult to justify them for those who are not serious athletes. For casual users, it’s best to view these improvements as fun options rather than necessities. This pleases me, as it means Garmin has managed to keep everything that made Connect great without losing anything in the process.
