Five Useful Tips Every Garmin Forerunner 70 User Should Know.
The Forerunner 70 was released this summer alongside the 170 as the successor to the long-running and extremely popular Forerunner 55. Along with the 570 and 970, Garmin offers a full lineup of modern devices with AMOLED displays and an impressive array of software features, from lifestyle tracking to a calculator .
The Forerunner 70 is now Garmin’s official budget option, and while it may not be the best watch in this price range, it still packs a ton of advanced software features typically found only on more expensive devices. If you’re expecting it to be a repackaged version of the Forerunner 55, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how different it is. Whether you’re upgrading from the 55 or just want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, here are my five favorite Forerunner 70 hacks.
Use keyboard shortcuts to mimic the hotkey support found on higher-end Forerunner models.
Your Forerunner 70 watch can be remapped to shortcuts, even without full hotkey support. While it may not have customizable shortcut keys like more expensive Forerunner models, you can still reassign actions when you hold down certain buttons. To do this, hold down the Up button , select Watch Settings > System > Shortcuts , and then assign new functions to various buttons (or button combinations) from the existing list.
My top recommendation is to assign “Do Not Disturb” (or “Silent Mode”) to the Down button. For me, the standard method (holding the Light button, opening “Controls,” and tapping the icon) is too complicated when I’m already getting annoyed by a notification I receive while running.
When setting up your watch, it’s also a good idea to simplify the data display on the screens. I show you how to do this in the Garmin Connect app here .
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Let your Forerunner 70’s “Quick Workouts” do the work for you.
Instead of creating a workout from scratch, you choose a time and intensity, and the watch generates a session based on your current fitness data. The workout takes into account your current fitness level, so your “45 minutes, moderate intensity” could look different two days in a row depending on how recovered you are. This is a quick way to get a workout that matches your actual body condition that day, not what you thought it would be. (I especially like the run/walk formats in this watch, which are designed for beginners or those returning to exercise after a break.)
Once you’ve selected Running as your activity type, follow these steps to create a quick workout:
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Scroll down and select “Training”.
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Select “Quick Workout”.
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Select the difficulty level (easy, moderate, hard, very hard).
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Select the duration of your workout (30, 45 or 60 minutes).
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Click the button in the upper right corner to select a workout option.
Run like an ultramarathoner with rest timers and checkpoint tracking tools.
You may know that the Forerunner 70 model allows you to upload your own routes, something the Forerunner 55 lacked. But what you probably haven’t realized is that Garmin has added a number of features typically reserved for ultrarunners, such as timed checkpoints. Another feature is “Ahead,” which shows nearby aid stations or various waypoints along your route. The 70 model doesn’t display detailed maps, but it tracks waypoints along the loaded route and displays the actual distance remaining to the next point.
While you may not need all these checkpoint-related tools, I recommend at least exploring the rest timer. You don’t have to be a trail racer to want to track your rest times. This is especially useful for those training for the first time and want to practice how long they’ll linger at aid stations or water stations. Personally, I’ll be using it as a motivational and discipline tool to ensure I’m sticking to my hydration strategy during my long runs this summer.
To access these tools, you’ll need to add Ultrarunning to your workout list (I never thought I’d need this feature on my watch). Press the START button on the Ultra Run watch, then select Ultrarunning Settings. Scroll down to the Lap Keywords section and select the desired setting:
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Lap : Records a lap and displays detailed lap information when you press the Lap key.
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Rest Only Mode: Pressing the Lap key starts the rest timer. Pressing the Lap key again ends the rest period.
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Lap + Rest : Pressing the Lap key records a lap, displays lap details, and starts the rest timer. Press the Lap key again to end the rest period and record another lap.
Use Record Only mode on your Forerunner 70 as a guide on unfamiliar routes.
The 70 model doesn’t have full-color built-in maps like more expensive Garmin watches, but the “Record Only” mode creates breadcrumbs to show you where you’ve been without the battery drain of turn-by-turn navigation. If you get lost, you can use these breadcrumbs to get back on track.
While it’s not a hack, here’s another navigation setting worth keeping in mind: I recommend turning on “Find My Phone” before heading out on an unfamiliar route. It’s a very handy feature, but it’s oddly hidden in the control menu—you have to hold down the LIGHT button, scroll to the phone icon with a question mark, make sure your phone is connected, and your watch will alert you to a connected phone with a sound and vibration (even if it’s on silent). I find this gives me extra confidence that I’ll be able to find my phone if it slips from my waistband while running on rough terrain.
Don’t let light workouts drain your Garmin’s battery.
On the other hand, if you’re driving a familiar route, it might be worth disabling always-on GPS. This is my method for extending battery life. In general, I recommend treating your watch’s battery with the same care you give your muscles during a workout. Full charge cycles accelerate battery wear, so during normal weeks, limit charging to 80% rather than charging to 100% every time.