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Some users want to track their health and fitness metrics without adding extra screens that might distract them. Screenless fitness trackers are designed specifically for them, and today Garmin unveiled its own device of this type – the CIRQA Smart Band.
The CIRQA will clearly compete with Whoop and Google’s Fitbit Air. It offers up to 10 days of battery life thanks to its screenless, minimalist design, and can be worn on either the wrist or the shoulder. Unlike many competitors, the band features a single button on the side that lets you switch between selected activity types for tracking. To view data and change settings, it relies entirely on the Garmin Connect mobile app.
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The device is compact and lightweight; together with the strap, it weighs just over 20 g. The case is made of fiber-reinforced polymer, and its dimensions are 27×47×9 mm. Garmin uses 14-mm-wide quick-release fabric straps that are comfortable to wear day and night.
Inside, it features a standard set of components typical of most modern fitness trackers. The device is equipped with a continuous heart rate sensor, a Pulse Ox sensor to measure blood oxygen levels, and an accelerometer. The wristband tracks heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate, skin temperature, and stress levels; records sleep stages and daytime naps; and monitors the menstrual cycle and estimates ovulation dates. Its data can be synced with the Natural Cycles app, but a separate subscription is required to use it.
During workouts, CIRQA automatically recognizes basic activity types, including walking and running. You can view and edit your activity logs in the Garmin Connect app, and the changes you make will help the device classify your activities more accurately in the future. If you want to manually start one of the 80 supported workout types, you can set a favorite activity and start it by pressing a single physical button on the wristband.
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The wristband does not have built-in GPS, but it does feature Connected GPS, so you’ll need to have an iOS or Android smartphone connected to record your route and track your location during outdoor workouts. The device supports standard Garmin metrics, including VO2 Max, Training Readiness, and Recovery Time, and also features a mode for wheelchair users that tracks wheel rotations instead of steps.
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Most of the core health and fitness tracking features are available without a monthly subscription. Data syncs with the free Garmin Connect app via Bluetooth or ANT+. However, certain features – including guided breathing exercises, real-time activity metrics, and Garmin Coach training plans – are only available with a Garmin Connect+ subscription.
The CIRQA will be available in sizes S-M and L-XL and in several colors, including Black, Captain Blue, French Gray, and Mauve. The fitness tracker will cost $199.99, and sales will begin on July 24.