Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the Forerunner® 15 — an affordable GPS running watch with daily activity tracking for all fitness levels. Garmin Forerunner 15 keeps runners motivated by tracking distance, pace, calories, personal records, and heart rate1. To make sure runners remain active between workouts, Forerunner 15 also incorporates daily activity tracking, counting steps and calories burned all day. It even alerts users when they’ve been sitting too long. Ideal for indoor and outdoor training, the optional foot pod2 accurately tracks treadmill runs.

“As Garmin’s lowest priced GPS-enabled running watch with heart rate monitor and foot pod capabilities, as well as daily activity tracking, Forerunner 15 is an affordable asset to enhance users’ workouts, as well as their daily wellness,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales.

Stay on top of fitness goals between workouts by monitoring steps, calories burned and distance with Forerunner 15’s activity tracking features. Research shows prolonged periods of inactivity, such as sitting at a desk, can increase the risk for health problems, regardless of regular exercise. Taking frequent, short walk breaks throughout the day can reverse this. Garmin Forerunner 15 not only helps users achieve their running goals but can also help establish healthy habits and remain active between workouts. It even features a reminder to move after one hour of inactivity, which is reset after a few minutes of continual walking. With up to five weeks battery life in watch/activity tracking mode, or up to eight hours in GPS mode, Forerunner 15 can be worn all day.

The Forerunner 15 inspires runners to lace-up and go, enjoying an easy to use four button user input, preset timer loop pages, stored personal records, and customizable data fields to fit their needs. Water resistant up to 50 meters, runners can easily view their current pace, with the option of selecting lap pace and average pace, come rain or shine. Forerunner 15’s auto lap function will motivate every mile by automatically alerting runners with a friendly beep and flash of the backlit screen when each mile is completed. Track distance and pace indoors by pairing the Forerunner 15 with an optional foot pod making training indoors easier and more precise than ever.

When connected to a Mac® or PC, users can upload their activities to Garmin Connect™, a free online fitness community, to analyze training progress, set and track goals, and share activities with other Garmin Connect users or on social media sites. Relive a run, check in on progress to a daily step goal, evaluate heart rate, earn virtual badges and join online challenges for extra motivation to continue moving throughout the day.

Forerunner 15 will be available Spring 2014 in black/green, teal/white, and violet/white in a small face and band width; and black/blue, and red/black in a large face and band width. It has a suggested retail price of $169.99 and $199.99 for the Heart Rate Bundle, which comes with a chest-worn heart rate monitor. Forerunner 15 is the latest from Garmin’s expanding fitness segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ lives and promotes healthy and active lifestyles. Whether it’s running, cycling, or other athletic pursuits, Garmin fitness devices are becoming essential tools for athletes both amateur and elite. For more about features, pricing and availability, as well as information about Garmin’s other fitness products and services, go to www.garmin.com/intosports, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin.

1 A chest-worn heart rate monitor is included with some models, sold separately on others.
2 Sold separately

Image courtesy Garmin