Garmin Forerunner 570 Training Features

The Forerunner 570 is the 2025 evolution of Garmin's most popular running watch. It keeps everything that made the 265 the default recommendation and upgrades the parts that matter most for data accuracy: the optical heart rate sensor and GPS chipset. For runners buying their first serious watch in 2025, the 570 is the obvious choice over a discounted 265.

The upgraded Elevate v6 heart rate sensor is the most meaningful improvement. Wrist-based heart rate accuracy directly affects every training intelligence metric: Training Readiness depends on accurate overnight HRV readings, Training Load needs correct heart rate zones during workouts, and Recovery Time calculations use HR data from your last session. Better sensor hardware means better data across the board, and the v6 shows the biggest improvements during high-intensity intervals and cold weather running where previous sensors struggled.

Garmin's Training Readiness algorithm has also been refined. Three years of user data from the 265, 955, 965, and Fenix models allowed Garmin to tune the model, and the 570 benefits from those improvements. The score feels more responsive to actual fatigue patterns and less prone to the false-high readings that sometimes occurred on the 265 after easy recovery runs.

The question most runners ask is whether the 570 justifies upgrading from a 265. If your 265 is working well and the heart rate data looks accurate against a chest strap, the improvements are incremental. But if you have noticed HR inaccuracies during intervals or your Training Readiness scores seem disconnected from how you feel, the sensor upgrade alone may be worth it. For new buyers, there is no reason to choose the 265 at the same price point.