Personalized running training plans for Garmin watches
Use your Garmin watch with Runna to get the most out of your runs
Sync Runna with Garmin to get the most out of your training plan.
Connecting your Garmin watch to Runna enables you to:
- Get live coaching as you run and know when to slow down, speed up, rest, or start running
- Automatically sync your Runna workouts to your watch so that you don’t have to track laps, distances, paces, or rest periods
- View all your fitness data after each run to assess your performance and keep track of your stats
- Sync your completed Garmin workouts back to Runna to stay on top of your training plan
- Automatically update workouts if you change plans
… And most importantly, become a better runner!
Want to use a structured workout routine to boost your running performance and run faster and stronger? Runna’s personalized training plans will enable you to do just that.
Whether you’re just starting out or want to set a new personal best, or are preparing for your next multi-stage ultramarathon, we’ve got the right running plan for every athlete, goal, and distance.
All our plans sync seamlessly with Garmin to give you the best running experience and help you make the most of each workout. So, if you’re looking for Garmin training plans for runners, you’ve come to the right place!
Prepare for your next race without risking an injury – or simply build a solid running routine to get in better shape.
Check out our personalized training plans for Garmin:
Beginner Garmin training plans: New to running, 5k, 10k, half marathon, and more
Want to start running but don’t know where to start? We’ll help you set yourself up for success.
Our beginner training plans will guide you through the initial phases of your running journey to help you make the leap to running and build a solid weekly running routine.
As you progress, you’ll get different types of runs to make your training more efficient – and also more fun! All plans sync with Garmin, so you’ll receive live coaching while you run, enabling you to focus purely on your running game.
You can add a customized strength training program to the mix, even if you have no equipment at all (we have plenty of bodyweight exercises for runners).
With Runna, you’ll see your performance improve, week after week, without risking an injury – and you can even start preparing for your first race!
Intermediate Garmin training plans: 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, and more
If you already have some experience as a runner but your routine lacks structure, this will inevitably limit your performance, too.
Our intermediate training plans will help you stay accountable and consistent, improve your fitness, and level up your running game – while also making your workouts more fun.
They sync seamlessly with Garmin to give you the best running experience during each workout. You won’t have to remember paces, distances, and rest stops; instead, you can simply focus on your run. You’ll get a variety of running workouts, including interval and tempo runs.
Train for any race and any distance, ranging from 5k to a marathon and beyond, or simply pick a maintenance plan to build a steady running routine and stay in shape.
Advanced Garmin training plans for any goal, from a faster 5k to an ultramarathon
If you’re running a few times a week and have already done a few races but feel that there’s still plenty of room for improvement, our advanced training plans for Garmin are the perfect fit.
Our advanced training plans feature a variety of runs to help your body adapt to different speeds, paces, and workout structures. This will improve your running efficiency and make you better prepared for longer and more challenging races – especially if you add strength training to the mix.
Sync your plan with Garmin to get real-time coaching from Runna during each workout. You won’t have to remember distances, paces, and rest periods – the app will let you know exactly what you need to do, enabling you to focus exclusively on your running.
Train for any goal and any distance, from 5k to 250k+ to improve your speed and endurance week after week – and get ready to set some new personal records!
Elite Garmin training plans for experienced athletes & all distances
If you have plenty of races under your belt and are looking to shave a few seconds or minutes off your personal best, our elite training plans will help you do just that.
Train for any distance and goal, from 5ks to multi-stage ultramarathons, with a personalized training plan that adapts to your current performance and schedule.
Get faster and stronger with the perfect balance of complex threshold workouts, recovery runs, and endurance sessions. Add our optional strength and conditioning training program to the mix to progress faster and keep injuries at bay. (Even if you have no equipment, we’ve got dozens of bodyweight exercises for runners.)
Sync Runna with your Garmin watch to get the most out of every workout. The app will tell you exactly what you need to do and when, so that you can simply concentrate on the run.
Smash your goals on your next race – and don’t forget to let us know how it went!
Elite Plus Garmin training plans for top athletes
Looking for the most intensive and challenging running plans out there for Garmin? Runna’s Elite Plus training plans are exactly what you need.
Runna’s Elite Plus plans add extra weekly mileage and feature a mix of complex workouts, threshold runs, deload weeks, and optional strength training sessions to support your running goals – even if you have hundreds of races behind your back.
Sync Runna with Garmin to have the app coach you through each training session, enabling you to focus exclusively on your performance.
Train for any race of any distance and reach your full running potential.
Sync Runna with Garmin to get the most out of your training plan. Connecting your Garmin watch to Runna enables you to:
- Get live coaching as you run so that you don’t have to remember and track distances, paces and rest periods
- Focus on your running game: Get audio prompts whenever you need to slow down, speed up, or start running after a rest period
- Know exactly where you stand in terms of current and target pace, lap length, and how much further you have to run
- Assess your performance by comparing your actual workout against the one that Runna built for you
- View all your fitness data after each workout, such as paces, heart rate, and progression
- Sync your completed Garmin workouts back to Runna to stay on top of your training plan
- Automatically update your next workouts in Garmin whenever you change plans
… And most importantly, level up your running game.
Here’s how to pair your Garmin watch with your Runna plan:
- Open Runna and click Profile > Connected Apps & Watches on the 'Train' tab
- Turn on the Garmin connection
- You’ll now see a login prompt; simply log in with your Garmin Connect credentials
Your Runna workouts will be synced automatically to your Connect App.
If you switch plans or edit your current plan, we’ll automatically update all workouts for you. And when you mark a workout as complete, we’ll remove it from your profile.
NB: Your Garmin workout will appear in the same unit of measurement as your Runna plan, so make sure your Garmin account is configured with the same unit.
How to sync your Runna workouts with your Garmin watch manually
Your Garmin workouts will automatically sync from your Garmin Connect app to your watch based on the calendar schedule that they follow.
To manually sync your workouts from the Garmin Connect app to your watch, open your app and navigate to ‘Workouts’. (This is usually under More > Training > Workouts).
Here, you’ll find all workouts from your plan and you can click on each for more details. To send a workout to your watch, click on the workout and press this button to send it to your watch:
You’ll then need to sync your watch to make sure the workout is on it.
How to start a Garmin workout with Runna
The exact steps for starting a workout will depend on the model. For most Garmin watches, here’s what you need to do:
- From the watch face, press START
- Select ‘running’ by pressing START
- Press UP/DOWN and START to navigate to Workouts/Training > My Workouts
- Select your workout and select Do Workout
- Press START to start the workout
Best Garmin watches for runners
Garmin watches range from beginner ones with basic features to advanced watches for pro triathletes.
Find out more details on how to choose the right Garmin watch for you.
All watches that support Garmin Coach will support your Runna plan. Please check Garmin’s website for the latest list of compatible watches.
Best for basic tracking
For an entry level offering, we’d recommend either the Forerunner 45/45S or 55.
Best for tracking and music
If you’d like to also use Spotify to download music to your watch, we'd suggest the Forerunner 245/255/265.
Best for everyday wearing
If you use your watch daily and want extra features such as Spotify support and Garmin Pay, you can get the vivoactive 4/4S/5 (S is the smaller version for thinner wrists).
Best for triathletes
For a more advanced watch with triathlon and navigation features, we’d suggest the Forerunner 945/955/965.
Best full-feature watch
If you're looking for a beautiful watch that has all the bells-and-whistles, you can get the Fenix 7 (or Epix for the brighter screen). They come with Spotify support, Garmin Pay, Navigation and more.
What are the best Garmin training plans?
Runna offers personalized training plans for any goal and any runner, from beginners to elite athletes. You can seamlessly upload any of our plans to your Garmin watch and get live coaching as you run.
Whether you’re just starting out or are preparing for your next multi-stage ultramarathon, we have the right training plan for you.
Which Garmin training plan should I pick?
With Runna, you have plenty of choice: Pick a plan that fits your goals, schedule, and experience level – and then simply upload your workouts to your Garmin watch.
We have Garmin running plans for all distances, from 5k to 250k+ ultra marathons; alternatively, you can select any of our New-to-running, Maintenance, Post-injury, or Post-natal training plans to build and maintain your running fitness at all stages of your running journey.
How do I start using Garmin with Runna?
For this, you need to pair your Garmin watch with your Runna plan:
- Open Runna and click Profile > Connected Apps & Watches on the 'Train' tab
- Turn on the Garmin connection
- You’ll now see a login prompt; simply log in with your Garmin Connect credentials
Your Runna workouts will be synced automatically to your Connect App.
Is my Garmin watch compatible with Runna?
All watches that support Garmin Coach will support your Runna plan and you’ll be able to sync the two. Check the full list of supported Garmin watches.
How do I start a Garmin workout with Runna?
For most Garmin watches, here’s how to start a workout:
- From the watch face, press START
- Select ‘running’ by pressing START
- Press UP/DOWN and START to navigate to Workouts/Training > My Workouts
- Select your workout and select Do Workout
- Press START to start the workout
The exact steps might depend on the model.
Can I sync workouts manually?
Your Garmin workouts will automatically sync from your Garmin Connect app to your watch based on the calendar schedule that they follow.
To manually sync your workouts from the Garmin Connect app to your watch, open your app and navigate to ‘Workouts’. (This is usually under More > Training > Workouts).
Here, you’ll find all workouts from your plan and you can click on each for more details. To send a workout to your watch, click on the workout and press this button to send it to your watch:
You’ll then need to sync your watch to make sure the workout is on it.
My Garmin won’t sync. What should I do?
For detailed instructions on how to troubleshoot sync problems, please see our support article I'm having issues syncing my Garmin, what should I do?.
How can I make the most out of my Garmin workout?
With Runna’s personalized training plans, you’ll get live coaching during each workout. This helps you focus on your performance and make the most of each session, helping you improve your running fitness week after week.