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Unlock Your Garmin Forerunner 35’s Full Potential: How to Add Activities Easily

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • The Garmin Forerunner 35 is a fantastic fitness tracker, but its true potential lies in its ability to track a wide range of activities beyond just running.
  • This guide will walk you through the simple steps to customize your Forerunner 35 and track your progress in all your favorite activities.
  • While the Garmin Connect app is the primary method for adding activities, you can also do it directly on your Forerunner 35.

The Garmin Forerunner 35 is a fantastic fitness tracker, but its true potential lies in its ability to track a wide range of activities beyond just running. Knowing how to add activities to Garmin Forerunner 35 unlocks a whole new world of fitness tracking and motivation. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to customize your Forerunner 35 and track your progress in all your favorite activities.

Understanding Your Garmin Forerunner 35

The Garmin Forerunner 35 is a GPS-enabled smartwatch designed for runners but offers versatility for other activities. It comes pre-loaded with several activity profiles, including running, cycling, and walking. However, you can expand its functionality by adding more activities to track your workouts more comprehensively.

Adding Activities Through the Garmin Connect App

The Garmin Connect app is your central hub for managing your Forerunner 35. It’s where you can add new activities, customize your watch’s settings, and analyze your workout data. Here’s how to add activities:
1. Open the Garmin Connect App: Launch the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone and ensure your Forerunner 35 is connected.
2. Navigate to Device Settings: Tap on your Forerunner 35’s profile icon, then select “Device Settings.”
3. Choose “Activity Profiles“: Scroll down to the “Activity Profiles” section and tap on it.
4. Add New Activity: You’ll see a list of pre-loaded activities. To add a new one, tap the “+” icon at the top right corner.
5. Select Your Activity: Choose the activity you want to add from the extensive list. You can find options like swimming, hiking, cross-training, and more.
6. Customize Settings (Optional): Some activities allow you to customize settings like auto-lap distance or data fields displayed during your workout.

Adding Activities Directly on Your Forerunner 35

While the Garmin Connect app is the primary method for adding activities, you can also do it directly on your Forerunner 35:
1. Access the Activity Menu: Press the “Up” button on your Forerunner 35 to access the main menu.
2. Select “Activities”: Scroll down and choose “Activities.”
3. Add New Activity: You’ll see a list of pre-loaded activities. Tap the “+” icon to add a new one.
4. Choose Your Activity: Browse through the list and select the activity you want to add.
5. Confirm the Addition: Confirm the addition of the new activity on your watch.

Customizing Your Activity Profiles

Once you’ve added new activities, you can tailor them to your specific needs and preferences:
Data Fields: Choose the data you want to see during your workouts. You can customize the display to show metrics like heart rate, pace, distance, and more.
Auto-Lap: Set the distance interval for automatic lap recording. This helps you track your progress and analyze your performance over specific segments.
Alerts: Configure alerts for specific metrics, such as pace or heart rate zones. This keeps you informed and helps you stay on track during your workouts.

Connecting Your Forerunner 35 to a Heart Rate Monitor

For accurate heart rate tracking during various activities, you can pair your Forerunner 35 with a compatible heart rate monitor. Here’s how:
1. Turn on Your Heart Rate Monitor: Ensure your heart rate monitor is turned on and ready to pair.
2. Access Pairing Settings: On your Forerunner 35, navigate to the “Settings” menu.
3. Choose “Sensors & Accessories”: Select “Sensors & Accessories” from the settings menu.
4. Start Pairing: Choose “Add Device” and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your heart rate monitor.

Syncing Your Data for Comprehensive Analysis

After your workout, sync your Forerunner 35 with the Garmin Connect app to upload your data. This allows you to analyze your performance, track your progress, and gain valuable insights into your fitness journey.

Beyond the Basics: Exploring Advanced Features

The Garmin Forerunner 35 offers several advanced features that can enhance your fitness experience:
LiveTrack: Share your workout location and progress with friends and family in real-time.
Virtual Pacer: Compete against your previous performance or a virtual pace set by the app.
Auto Pause: Automatically pause your workout when you stop moving, ensuring accurate timing and distance tracking.
Music Control: Control music playback on your smartphone directly from your Forerunner 35.

The Power of Data: Utilizing Your Activity Data

Your Forerunner 35 doesn’t just track your activities; it provides valuable data to help you improve. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Workout Summaries: Analyze detailed summaries of your workouts, including distance, duration, pace, heart rate, and calories burned.
Trends and Insights: Track your progress over time and identify areas where you can improve.
Personalized Recommendations: Garmin Connect provides personalized recommendations based on your activity data, helping you set goals and achieve your fitness objectives.

Embracing a More Active Lifestyle

Knowing how to add activities to Garmin Forerunner 35 empowers you to embrace a more active lifestyle. Track your runs, cycling adventures, hikes, swims, and more, all while gaining valuable insights into your fitness journey. The possibilities are endless, and your Forerunner 35 is ready to be your trusted companion as you reach your fitness goals.

Basics You Wanted To Know

Q1: Can I add activities that aren’t already listed on the Garmin Connect app?
A1: While the Garmin Connect app offers a wide range of activities, it may not include every niche activity. You can create custom activities using the Garmin Connect website, but these may not offer the same level of data tracking as pre-loaded activities.
Q2: How do I delete an activity from my Forerunner 35?
A2: You can delete activities from your Forerunner 35 through the Garmin Connect app. Go to “Device Settings,” then “Activity Profiles,” and select the activity you want to delete. Tap the trash can icon to remove it.
Q3: Can I use my Forerunner 35 for indoor workouts?
A3: Yes, the Forerunner 35 can be used for indoor workouts. While it lacks built-in sensors for indoor activities like rowing or elliptical training, you can use it for activities like walking or running on a treadmill.
Q4: How often should I sync my Forerunner 35 with the Garmin Connect app?
A4: It’s best to sync your Forerunner 35 with the Garmin Connect app regularly, preferably after each workout. This ensures that your data is uploaded and available for analysis.
Q5: What are the battery life limitations of the Forerunner 35?
A5: The Garmin Forerunner 35 offers a battery life of up to 9 hours in GPS mode and up to 7 days in smartwatch mode. Battery life may vary depending on usage and settings.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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