Garmin Vivosmart 5 : Running Features Are Available and What to Expect
Ever since the Vivosmart 5 was released in April 2022, there were some general interest about this new fitness tracker. As per my previous articles, the Vivosmart predecessor was released back in 2019. And back then, it wasn’t a bad fitness tracker. This article is specifically about the Vivosmart 5 running features that are available to you. To be honest there isn’t much on offer, but then again it’s what you can expect for a slim tracker. The Vivosmart 5 does have a few basic running features that might come in handy for you.
The Vivosmart 5 Has Limited Running Features
It goes without saying that the New Vivosmart 5 is more targeted towards a user who wants a basic fitness tracker. Because of this I would say that Garmin has hit the mark. The Vivosmart 5 isn’t stacked with features like the new Fenix, Forerunner, Quatix and Instinct watch series that Garmin has to offer. And I would have to say that slim trackers are very popular these days, so the Vivosmart hits another trend. The Vivosmart series has always been a very popular tracker and I think the new one will have no issue flying off store shelves.
The running features that are available on the Vivosmart 5 are:
- Available Profiles : Running
- Cadence : Provides real time number of steps per minute
- Indoor Profile : Treadmill
- Move IQ : Automatically tracks your running, when the watch senses your movement over a period of time.
As you can see, there aren’t a lot of running features available on the Vivosmart. I think this is because Garmin is trying to keep the price point down on this model. And to be honest, if you are looking for a tracker with all the bells and whistles, you are going to have to spend a bit more money and get something from the Forerunner, Fenix or Instinct series. But if you are looking for a very slim, sleek design and want to track your steps, distance and calories burned then the Vivosmart 5 is a great choice.
What to Expect Using The Available Profile : Running
The running profile on the Vivosmart 5 does everything yo need from a basic tracking standpoint: distance, pace, calories, and time. While it’s not the most comprehensive running watch on the market, it’s a great option for those who are just getting into running or are looking for a more affordable option.
The biggest selling point of the Vivosmart 5 is its ability to track heart rate 24/seven. This is a great feature for those who want to monitor their heart health or make sure they’re staying within their target heart rate zone during workouts.
One other downside is that it does not have a built in GPS sensor. You will need to connect to the Garmin app and allow your watch to have permission to use your phones GPS in order for it to track your route and distance. This can be a bit of a pain, but luckily the app is pretty user friendly and easy to use.
Overall, the Vivosmart 5 is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable fitness tracker with some basic running features.
What to Expect With Cadence on The Vivosmart 5
From a more simplistic stand point, cadence provides real time number of steps per minute. This is important to those who want to improve their running form by taking more steps per minute. The average person takes around 90 steps per minute, but by increasing your cadence, you can improve your running economy. The cadence feedback that you get Vivosmart 5 can be a great motivator to help you increase your steps per minute and ultimately improve your running.
What to Expect With Indoor Training Profile : Treadmill
Just like the running profile mentioned earlier, the treadmill profile offers the same metrics as running. Such as heart rate, calories burned and distance travelled. For most of the Garmin watch’s when a indoor profile is activated the GPS sensor is then automatically switched off. However in this case, the Vivosmart 5 does not have a GPS built in anyway.
So how does the Vivosmart 5 track your activity? Well the watch has a built in accelerometer which tracks your arm movement. This is how the Vivosmart has been able to track your activity all this time. In fact it’s a common practice on all smart watch or fitness trackers that offer indoor work out profiles. The accelerometer provides reasonable accuracy for distance and steps taken. For what it’s worth this isn’t too bad for a basic fitness tracker.
What to Expect With Move IQ
Move IQ is a feature that’s unique to Garmin and it’s something that they’ve been working on for a while now. It’s designed to automatically detect and record activities like walking, running, biking, swimming, and elliptical training. This is all done through the use of sensors that are built into the device.
Having a feature that can auto detect your running can be very useful if you forget to start the timer or if you’re just starting out and not sure how to use all the features. I’ve found that it’s been fairly accurate in my testing and it’s a great feature to have.
You do have to set a minimum time threshold in the auto activity settings. That way the Vivosmart 5 can begin tracking your running immediately.
Can The Vivosmart 5 Pair With Garmin’s Bluetooth Sensors?
If you are wondering if the Vivosmart 5 can pair with Garmin’s sensors like running pod etc. The answer is no. The Vivosmart is not able to connect with any of the company’s external sensors. However, it can still track your progress and give you data on your run without any additional hardware.
One of the most important things for a runner is to be able to see their pace. The Vivosmart does have a built-in accelerometer that can track your pace, distance, and steps taken.
It’s important to note that the Vivosmart doesn’t have GPS tracking so it won’t be able to give you as accurate readings as something like the Forerunner series. However, if you are just starting out or only running for leisure, the Vivosmart 5 will be able to give you a general idea of your progress.
Final Conclusion
The Vivosmart 5 is a great fitness tracker for those who are looking to get started on their fitness journey. It has all the features you need to get started, and then some. If you’re looking for a more advanced running watch, however, you’ll want to look elsewhere. The Garmin Forerunner series offers more comprehensive tracking for serious runners. But if you’re just starting out, or are looking for an all-around fitness tracker, the Vivosmart 5 is a great option.
A fitness tracker with basic features does have a place in the market. I would say Garmin have hit the mark on this one.
A recap of the running features that are available to you when using the Vivosmart 5
The running features that are available on the Vivosmart 5 are:
- Available Profiles : Running
- Cadence : Provides real time number of steps per minute
- Indoor Profile : Treadmill
- Move IQ : Automatically tracks your running, when the watch senses your movement over a period of time.
- Cannot be paired with a Garmin Bluetooth sensor
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you found this article useful.
