3 Hidden Top Garmin Features to Make Your Running & Training More Exciting

If you’ve been running or training for a while, it’s easy to fall into the same routines, the same routes, same distances, and same pace. Fortunately, Garmin watches come packed with features that can reignite your motivation and push your performance further.

Here are three powerful Garmin tools every athlete should explore:

Round-Trip Courses

Virtual Partner

Triathlon Tracking

1. Round-Trip Courses – Discover New Running Routes

If you’re tired of running the same roads, the Round-Trip Courses feature is a game changer. It automatically generates new routes based on your chosen distance and direction, so you can explore fresh paths without planning manually.

How to use Round-Trip Courses on your Garmin watch:

Press the Workout button on your Garmin.
Press the Up button to open the menu.
Scroll to Navigate → Round-Trip Courses.
Pick your distance and direction.
Your watch will generate three alternative routes - simply pick one and start running.

This feature works with most Garmin watches that support navigation, giving you new challenges and helping you break the monotony of your usual runs.

2. Virtual Partner – Stay Consistent and Race Your Pace

Garmin’s Virtual Partner lets you “race” a digital pacing buddy, helping you stay consistent and improve pacing over time.

How to set up Virtual Partner:

Press the Up button on your watch.
Scroll to Activities & Apps → Run.
Go to Run Settings → Data Screens.
Scroll to the bottom and select Add New → Virtual Partner.
Set your target pace.
Choose where the data screen appears during your run.

During your run, your Virtual Partner will show if you’re ahead or behind your pace, making it a simple way to push yourself or stay consistent in training.

3. Triathlon Tracking – One Watch, Three Sports

For triathletes, Garmin’s Triathlon Mode records all three disciplines - swim, bike, and run - in one continuous session.

Setting up Triathlon Tracking:

Open Garmin Connect on your phone.
Go to Activities & Apps → Add Triathlon → Favourites.
Customise your settings:

Turn Auto Pause off.

Keep Auto Lap, Transitions, and Alerts on
Sync your watch.

On race day, go to Workouts → Triathlon and hit Start. Your watch will track each leg, including transitions, nutrition, and hydration alerts.

Please Note: Not all Garmin models support Triathlon Mode. For example, some Venus series watches do not include triathlon tracking. Check your watch specifications before relying on this feature for race day.

Upgrade Your Garmin Experience

Comfort is key during long or intense sessions. A secure, sweat-resistant strap ensures your Garmin stays in place. Explore The Time Club’s Garmin strap collection:

Each strap is tested for comfort and durability, ideal for long-distance runs, triathlons, and high-intensity workouts.

Unsure on your Garmin Watch Size? Use our Garmin Watch Size Guide.

Garmin Training FAQs

1. Do all Garmin watches have Round-Trip Courses?
Most navigation-enabled watches support this, but some entry-level Forerunner and basic models may not. Check your watch specifications.

2. Can I use Virtual Partner on a treadmill?
Yes, Virtual Partner works both outdoors and indoors. Simply set your target pace, and the watch will simulate your pacing buddy on the treadmill.

3. Is Triathlon Mode available on all Garmin models?
No. Triathlon Mode is included on watches like Fenix, Forerunner 935/945, and Epix, but not on some Venus or lower-tier Forerunner models. Always confirm before race day.

4. Can I combine Virtual Partner with Round-Trip Courses?
Yes, you can run a new route while pacing against your Virtual Partner for consistent speed throughout the course.

5. Will Garmin alerts (nutrition, hydration) carry over between sports?
Yes. If set up in Triathlon Mode, nutrition and hydration alerts for swim, bike, or run will transfer automatically across all disciplines.

Final Thoughts

Garmin watches offer more than simple step tracking. By mastering Round-Trip Courses, Virtual Partner, and Triathlon Tracking, you can:

Find new running routes and beat boredom.
Maintain consistent pacing.
Track multi-sport events with precision.

Combine these features with a high-quality strap from The Time Club, and your Garmin becomes the ultimate training companion - ready for every run, ride, and race.