Garmin has introduced a new paid subscription service called Connect+ within its existing Garmin Connect app, marking a notable shift in the company's approach to fitness tracking and analytics.
The new premium tier, priced at $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually, introduces several enhanced features while maintaining all existing free functionality in the base app. Users can test the new services through a 30-day free trial.
At the heart of Connect+ is Active Intelligence, a beta AI-driven system designed to analyze training and recovery patterns. The system aims to provide personalized insights, such as identifying training trends and explaining performance variations.
The upgrade includes a redesigned Performance Dashboard offering enhanced data visualization and comparison tools. Another addition is Live Activity, which displays real-time workout metrics from Garmin watches on phone screens during indoor training sessions.
Connect+ expands the Run Coach and Cycling Coach programs with video tutorials and expanded guidance materials. The subscription also introduces exclusive badge challenges focused on specific achievements like vertical climbing goals and cycling power zones.
The LiveTrack feature receives an update, allowing users to create public profile pages and set automatic activity notifications for friends and family.
While these new features add depth to the Garmin ecosystem, the company emphasizes that all current Garmin Connect functionalities will remain free. This includes activity tracking, sleep monitoring, VO2 max estimates, and historical data analysis.
The move represents a departure from Garmin's traditional all-inclusive model, joining other fitness technology companies in offering premium subscription services. The success of Connect+ may largely depend on the effectiveness of its AI-powered insights, which are still in early development stages.
Garmin's decision to introduce a paid tier has sparked discussion within the fitness community, particularly considering the premium pricing of Garmin devices themselves. The strategy raises questions about whether such features should be included in the base experience for users who have invested in high-end Garmin hardware.