Garmin Join Plus isn’t actually well worth the value simply but, in the event you ask me

There isn’t a Garmin health tracker assessment that goes by that I don’t discuss how a lot I respect Garmin’s strong companion app. In truth, I often discuss it as a comparability level when reviewing different manufacturers as effectively. Garmin Join Plus introduces a broad vary of recent options to the already glorious app, in addition to a subscription charge, and whereas I’m not thrilled in regards to the latter, I do just like the suped-up app expertise.

Garmin Join Plus takes the model’s health monitoring up a notch with customized insights, customizable dashboards, added security options, and extra. Nevertheless, these upgrades come at a further $6.99 monthly (or $69.99 yearly). Luckily, not one of the present options are locked behind the brand new paywall. If the brand new instruments don’t catch your eye, you’ll be able to proceed utilizing the whole lot you like about Garmin Join without cost.

It’s also possible to check out Join Plus earlier than committing, due to a 30-day free trial. Simply entry the service by way of the common Garmin Join app, and subscribe to unlock all of the premium options. As at all times, Garmin’s ecosystem is out there to each Android and iOS customers.

Whereas Garmin has supplied paid companies earlier than, that is the primary time they’ve added a subscription charge to their core options. Whereas I’m glad the fundamentals stay free, I do want they’d provide an extended trial interval for the premium instruments. A month isn’t sufficient to totally choose whether or not these upgrades are price the additional value, particularly contemplating the value of Garmin trackers and smartwatches. Even Apple presents a three-month trial of Health Plus earlier than asking customers to fork over money.

I used to be cautiously enthusiastic about Garmin Join Plus from the second it launched and have since given the brand new contains a strive. Although not all of the options really feel fully refined, I’m completely satisfied general with the added worth every brings to my coaching expertise.

• Energetic Intelligence powered by AI 
  AI is all the fashion in wearables, and for good motive; these instruments have a ton of potential. Garmin’s mannequin, dubbed Energetic Intelligence (as a result of AI by AI isn’t redundant…) makes use of your well being and exercise knowledge to supply solutions, and over time, learns out of your knowledge to get higher at tailoring tricks to your objectives. Nevertheless, it nonetheless feels a bit primary and isn’t at all times tremendous related. AI remains to be in beta, so I’m hoping it’ll enhance with extra time, however proper now, it’s not as highly effective because it may very well be.

• Efficiency Dashboard
  An internet-based-only characteristic (so not accessible in your smartphone), Efficiency Dashboard is Garmin’s new extremely customizable knowledge presentation display. The dashboard permits customers to fully tailor exercise reviews, with greater than 100 parts to mess around with, so you’ll be able to construct an information display that matches your priorities. The instrument additionally produces new charts and graphs leveraging the identical correct knowledge right into a extra digestible kind. I respect how the dashboard highlights comparisons and makes it simpler for me to trace my progress long run.
• Stay Exercise
  Garmin’s new Stay Exercise characteristic is a cool addition, letting you ship real-time exercise stats out of your watch to your telephone. It really works indoors throughout structured, non-GPS exercises, and it’s particularly helpful for fitness center, energy, or core exercises the place checking your watch mid-set is usually a trouble. I actually prefer it for rowing as a result of I can set my telephone up on a stand in entrance of me. For some structured exercises, you’ll get animations and rep counts and might management the exercise out of your telephone (aka skip burpees). It’s helpful for positive, but when I’m sincere, doesn’t really feel prefer it needs to be a paid characteristic.

• Social options
  Garmin Join Plus additionally introduces new badges and challenges, including a socially motivating layer to the premium service if that’s what will get you going. Although I desperately needed to be a Boy Scout as a baby, I’ve by no means been one for app badges, so this doesn’t essentially really feel like a deal-breaking addition for me.
• Extra Garmin Coach steering
  I’m a giant fan of Garmin’s teaching applications and have lengthy applauded that the service is a free one. In accordance with the corporate, Garmin Join Plus enhances Garmin Coach with unique content material and steering, however I haven’t but encountered a distinction in my expertise. My guess is that you might want to begin a brand new program and use it lengthy sufficient for the brand new options to kick on.

• LiveTrack
  Garmin’s up to date LiveTrack characteristic is one other strong improve for sharing your actions. Now, once you begin a exercise, followers get notified by way of textual content as an alternative of electronic mail, which feels extra rapid. You additionally get a devoted LiveTrack profile web page that robotically updates along with your actions, plus the flexibility to customise your privateness settings and URL. Whereas it’s a helpful characteristic, I at all times really feel bizarre about security options being commodified. I’d have preferred to see Garmin make these enhancements free for all.

Total, Garmin Join Plus presents strong upgrades, however whether or not it’s well worth the $6.99 monthly depends upon how a lot you worth the additional options. The improved evaluation, customizable dashboards, and added security instruments are nice for critical athletes, however some options might use refinement. For instance, the customized insights are a pleasant contact however not as helpful as I anticipated. That mentioned, the potential is there, and Garmin constantly delivers distinctive coaching instruments.

It’s laborious to disregard the development of extra apps transferring towards subscriptions, which is a bit disappointing. Earlier than committing, I’d suggest testing it out with a free trial. When you’re at it, keep in mind that different premium apps, like Strava, provide strong instrument kits for athletes as effectively, so it’s price evaluating what’s accessible. Personally, I’m already invested within the Garmin ecosystem. Garmin Join Plus simply seems like a logical subsequent step for me. Should you’d desire to maintain your pockets closed, the free model nonetheless presents loads of worth.