Garmin Venu 4: A Worthy Successor
It’s been two years since the Garmin Venu 3 took the fitness world by storm, and the anticipation surrounding its successor, the Venu 4, has been palpable. This new model doesn’t just come with a fresh look; it introduces an array of exciting features while keeping the tested Elevate sensor largely the same. This decision, interestingly enough, isn’t a disadvantage, as evidenced by the impressive accuracy of the sensor in the recent Venu X1.
First Impressions: Design and Usability
Upon unboxing the Garmin Venu 4, the first thing that stands out is its refined design. The watch feels more polished and responsive than its predecessor, with a seamless interface that makes navigation a breeze. The display is vibrant, ensuring visibility even in bright sunlight, which is a welcome touch for outdoor athletes.
Fitness Features That Shine
Unlike Garmin’s Forerunner series, which is predominantly tailored for runners, the Venu 4 aims for versatility. This all-rounder smartwatch is laden with fitness features that cater to a range of activities. From running and cycling to yoga and weightlifting, it’s designed for anyone who wants to elevate their fitness regime.
Training Readiness: Know When to Push
One of the standout aspects of the Venu 4 is its Training Readiness feature. By analyzing factors like sleep quality, recovery time, and workout load, the watch provides insights into how hard you should push yourself during your next workout. This thoughtful feature aims to prevent overexertion—an often overlooked aspect of fitness that can critically affect performance.
Enhanced Coaching Capabilities
For those who thrive on structured workouts, the Venu 4 offers expanded coaching features that adapt to your specific fitness goals. Whether you’re a fitness novice or a seasoned weightlifter, the watch provides tailored exercise recommendations. Surprisingly accurate rep and set counting enhances workout tracking, which can further refine your exercise data and muscle categorization.
Recovery Metrics: What to Expect
After each workout, the Venu 4 summarises your exercise with key metrics, including a training load score and suggested recovery time. These insights are designed to guide your future activity, underlining the watch’s focus on overall health rather than just raw fitness metrics.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Reliability and Accuracy
Garmin’s Elevate V5 heart rate monitor has established a solid reputation in previous models, and the Venu 4 continues this trend with a few caveats. During testing, most heart rate readings were generally reliable, but there were moments of lag—particularly during more intense workouts. Although some fluctuations were observed, the watch adeptly corrected itself, typically aligning closely with expectations.
Step Counting: Accuracy in Motion
Taking the Venu 4 on two walking tests, I compared its step counting capabilities with those of the Pixel Watch 3, Venu 3, and Oura Ring 4. The results were impressive: the Venu 4 almost perfectly captured the expected 2,000 steps, even surpassing the Venu 3 slightly in one of the tests. This performance cements its position as a reliable companion for daily activities.
GPS Performance: The New Dual-Frequency Feature
While I haven’t fully tested the dual-frequency GPS yet, initial indicators during walk tests suggest that the Venu 4 boasts a more stable GPS performance than the Venu 3. This could be a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts relying on precise location tracking during their activities.
Closing Thoughts on the Venu 4
In the landscape of fitness wearables, the Garmin Venu 4 stands out as a well-rounded companion. It elegantly balances familiar features with innovative insights designed to enhance the user experience. While the unchanged Elevate sensor may seem like a missed opportunity for improvement, the overall performance and new training capabilities make it a noteworthy successor to the Venu 3.
Whether you’re just stepping into the world of fitness or are a seasoned athlete, the Venu 4 effortlessly adapts to ensure that your fitness journey is as rewarding as possible.