- Tailor your Garmin watch setup to your running needs by focusing on key metrics that support your training without overwhelming you, starting simple and adding features as you go.
- Customize data screens for different types of runs—such as easy runs, workouts, and race day—so you get the right information at the right time to stay focused and improve performance.
- Use race-specific settings to minimize distractions, like disabling notifications and touch screen, to create a streamlined, distraction-free experience that helps maintain your focus and battery life during crucial runs.
Garmin watches are some of the most powerful tools a runner can wear on their wrist. But when you first unbox one, the sheer number of customizable settings can feel overwhelming. What data should you see while running? Should you keep notifications on? Do you need to worry about music storage?
By using input from our team of experienced athletes who train and race at all distances, from 5Ks to ultramarathons, we want to help you navigate your GPS. Collectively, we’ve spent thousands of miles testing, tweaking, and living with Garmin watches. We understand that the “best” Garmin setup isn’t one-size-fits-all; instead, it’s about tailoring your Garmin to support your training, racing, and everyday life.
The Basics: Your Home Screen
The first decision you’ll make when setting up your Garmin (apart from charging the beast) is how the watch looks when you’re not running—the main watch face or home screen.This is primarily available on Forerunner models, but also works with Venu and Fenix models.
Some runners prefer to keep it simple. As News Editor Theo Kahler puts it: “I just use the default home screen, but I slightly customize the in-run screens.” For him, the everyday look doesn’t matter as much as what he sees while moving.
Others like the home screen to reflect their personality. Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer explains: “I personalize my watchface with ConnectIQ. I like to see the time—but not as an actual clock because I'm still oddly illiterate with watch hands.” A shared sentiment among many of us. She adds that she has “the date and day of week, battery percentage, steps, and heart rate,” appear on her watch. And a very important note, her “youngest black cat sitting on the couch with her tongue sticking out is the background.” Say what you will about small personalizations, but it can help.
The point is, you can make the watch feel like yours. Some runners only want the essential metrics. Others among us treat the face more like an expression of daily life, complete with fun backgrounds.
If you want to personalize your Garmin’s watch face, you’ll need to dive into the Garmin Connect app—aka the least fun part of owning a Garmin (once again, I am begging Garmin to work on this). The good news is that once you navigate the maze of menus, you can make your watch feel uniquely yours.
Open the app, tap over to “More,” then “Garmin Devices,” and select your watch. From there, you can browse and install different watch faces from the Connect IQ Store, or tweak an existing one to show extra metrics like steps, battery percentage, or heart rate. You can even upload your own background image (like Furrer and I do). The process isn’t the smoothest—Garmin’s UX feels about 10 years behind your average smartphone app—but once it’s set up, your watch face will bring a little extra joy every time you glance down at your wrist.
Customizing Data Screens for Running
Where Garmin really shines is in customizable data screens—those fields you see during a run. Most runners find that setting up multiple screens, each designed for a different type of workout, is the most effective strategy.
Jeff Dengate, Direct of Product Testing, sets his watch to reflect the specific needs of his training runs:
“On a Garmin, my main screen for easy runs has overall time, overall distance, lap pace, and heart rate. I set it up to auto-lap every mile, and I prefer to see lap pace so it doesn't fluctuate too frequently, but it's a little more accurate to what I'm running at that moment.”
For workouts, he switches to a different setup, saying that “I have a Connect IQ field that shows me lap distance in KM! I set that last one up because I can't do math to keep straight things like 1K intervals with 400m recovery.” Same, Dengate, same.
Kahler offers a similar approach. “The first page has overall time, overall distance, current pace, and heart rate. The second page has lap time, lap distance, and lap pace. And the third page is the time of day.”
“On a Garmin, my main screen for easy runs has overall time, overall distance, lap pace, and heart rate. I set it up to auto-lap every mile, and I prefer to see lap pace so it doesn't fluctuate too frequently, but it's a little more accurate to what I'm running at that moment.”
Customizing a data screen on your Garmin watch is where things start to feel personal. It's half the fun of getting dialed in as a runner. To get started, press the menu button (often labeled "MENU" or "UP"), then hop into "Activities" or "Activities & Apps" and select the activity you want to tweak.
From there, go to activity settings and pick "Data Screens." Now you're in the driver’s seat: you can add new screens, choose how many fields you want (from single metrics up to grids packed with stats), and edit each field to display the specific data you care about such as lap pace, heart rate, distance, or anything else that tickles your fancy. You can even reorder your screens so the info you need most pops up first on a swipe or button press.
It’s easy to swap layouts for different workouts, too; set up a simple screen for easy days, then dig in with all the metrics when you’re crushing intervals. There’s something satisfying about running your own show, one personalized data field at a time.
The key lesson here is that customizing based on run type helps you focus. Easy day? You may only care about duration and average pace. Interval workout? You’ll want more granular lap data. Race day? Streamlined setup prevents overload.
Race-Specific Settings
Races are unique: the adrenaline, the crowds, the unpredictability of pace. That’s why some runners maintain a dedicated “race mode” on their Garmin. Video producer Pat Heine-Holmberg lays it out clearly: “I do this with every watch I use: Turn off the touch screen immediately. Set a timer for 30 minutes in all modes. Set up a ‘race’ running mode that focuses on distance, time elapsed, current altitude, avg pace (not current pace). No phone notifications. No music.”
This is where I tell you that Heine-Holmberg, like myself, runs ultras. It’s not as uncommon as you think for ultra runners to dial into the silence. I do this on trail runs for focus and because I am terrified a bear is going to pop out and eat me. It hasn’t happened, yet.
This lean race setup prioritizes focus and accuracy. Turning off the touch screen prevents sweat or rain from accidentally changing screens midrace. Using average pace instead of current pace reduces the stress of fluctuating numbers so that you know how you’re performing over the course, not whether you surged for 10 seconds.
Disabling notifications also avoids unnecessary distractions. After all, the last thing you want during a half marathon is a vibrating wrist because someone reacted to your Strava post or your husband texts you to grab soy milk on the way home.
Setting up a race mode screen on your Garmin watch is all about simplifying and focusing your key data to help you perform your best on race day. Start by going into your watch’s “Activities & Apps” menu, then find and select the running activity you want to customize.
From there, enter “Activity Settings,” then “Data Screens.” Here, you can create or edit a dedicated race screen that typically shows essential metrics like total distance, elapsed time, average pace, and maybe current altitude if you're running hills. It's essentially the same as setting a regular data screen, but with specs that are race-specific.
It’s a good idea to turn off unnecessary features like the touch screen and auto lap, to avoid distractions and accidental taps during the race. To do that, press and hold the "START/STOP" or "Menu" button, and toggle on the "Do Not Disturb" mode, and silence all other notifications. (And seeing as how Garmin seems to send every notification ever, you may just want to keep it in do not disturb.)
As Heine-Holmberg advises, disabling phone notifications and music can also keep your focus sharp and battery life optimized. Once your race screen is set, save the changes and consider naming it “Race” so you can easily select it before your event. With this streamlined setup, your Garmin becomes a slick, distraction-free powerhouse built to keep you on pace and in the zone from start to finish.
Music and Media: To Load or Not to Load?
Garmins can store and play music directly, but not everyone uses the feature. For some, it’s a game-changer. For others, it’s unnecessary—especially if they use a different device for entertainment.
Proving that we learn new things all the time, Kahler had a recent teachable moment: “I only discovered that I could download music on my Forerunner 955 a few months ago! Previously, I would only listen to music if I was wearing tights that had a phone pocket. Now, I listen a little more liberally. I've found that media downloads much quicker than on an Apple Watch SE, which takes forever.”
This contrast illustrates Garmin’s flexibility. If you’re motivated by music and don’t want to run with your phone, loading songs onto the watch makes it an all-in-one device. On the other hand, if you prefer tether-free streaming or just don’t run with music, Garmin’s storage features may not matter at all.
To download music onto your Garmin watch, you generally start by installing a music app from the Garmin Connect IQ store—Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer are some popular options if you have subscriptions. Once installed, you'll open the music app on your watch, connect it to your streaming account through the Garmin Connect app on your phone, and then pick playlists, albums, or podcasts to download over Wi-Fi directly to your watch.
This way, you can listen offline with Bluetooth headphones without needing your phone on runs. Alternatively, if you prefer your own personal music files, you can use the Garmin Express desktop app to transfer MP3s or other supported audio files from your computer to your watch by connecting it via USB. This setup opens up a world of music or audio content on your wrist, perfect for phone-free training sessions or races. (None of us have gone the MP3 route, though, so we cannot speak to its ease.)
Beyond Running: Everyday Functions
It’s easy to forget that Garmins are more than running watches—they can track sleep, steps, stress, and heart rate variability. Some use these daily metrics heavily; others ignore them.
Furrer’s setup reflects a personal, lifestyle-driven approach. Her watch isn’t just about pace and splits—it’s a hybrid of training tool and daily accessory. By customizing the watch face with steps, battery life, and even her cat’s picture, she integrates the device into her everyday life.
On the flip side, Heine-Holmberg strips everything down for focus. By disabling most notifications and forgoing music altogether, his Garmin is closer to a pure training instrument than a smartwatch.
Both approaches are valid—it comes down to how much you want your watch to integrate into daily rhythms beyond training miles.
One thing both Furrer and I love is Garmin Pay. It’s like Apple Pay or Google Pay, and it can mean the difference between ending your run with ice cream or not getting ice cream, and we all know which is better.
Setting up Garmin Pay on your watch isn’t complicated. To get started, open the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone, tap “More,” then select “Garmin Pay” and hit “Get Started.” You’ll be prompted to create a secure four-digit passcode that you’ll use on the watch to authorize payments.
Next, enter your credit or debit card details and follow the instructions to verify your card with your bank—this often involves a quick text or call verification. Once set up, you can access the Garmin Pay wallet on your watch by pressing and holding the designated button (often the Light button), entering your passcode, and then holding the watch close to the contactless payment terminal.
Garmin Pay is fast, secure, and perfect for runners who want the freedom to pay for essentials on the go without carrying cash or cards. Furrer does note that the lock screen prevents you from paying when you pause your run because you can’t dial your passcode, so there will be no mid-run stops unless you’re ok with splitting your stats.
Practical Setup Tips for Every Runner
Through all our trials and mistakes, a few universal setup lessons emerge:
- Start Simple, Add Later – Your first few runs shouldn’t involve 15 data screens. Begin with time, pace, and distance. Expand as you understand your preferences.
- Use Auto-Lap Wisely – Setting laps by distance (like every mile) helps average out GPS fluctuations and gives consistent splits, which is especially useful during workouts.
- Turn Off Non-Essentials for Long Runs & Races – Disable touch screen, notifications, and unnecessary sensors to extend battery life and reduce distractions.
- Consider Your Workouts – If you do intervals, adding lap time, distance, or structured workouts built in Garmin Connect will save mental math and keep your sessions cleaner.
- Remember Battery Management – GPS mode, music, and constant notifications can shorten battery life. If you have an ultra or marathon ahead, trial your settings so your watch lasts the whole race.
Why Customization Matters for Your Garmin
Garmin watches are popular with runners due to their flexibility, allowing both beginners and ultrarunners to customize screens for their specific needs. The goal is to find a setup that enhances confidence and focus, preventing information overload while still providing valuable feedback. Even non-running screens can add enjoyment and personality.
Ultimately, setting up your Garmin is about tailoring it to you. Some runners prefer detailed data, while others strip it back to the essentials. As highlighted by experts like Jeff Dengate and Amanda Furrer, your Garmin should serve you, not overwhelm you. Experiment with different settings, watch faces, and features like music storage to discover your perfect setup—one that guides your training without distraction. Remember, the watch is a training partner, but the miles are yours.
Our Favorite Garmins
Garmin Forerunner 265
Garmin Forerunner 970
Garmin Venu X1
Cat Bowen has been covering parenting and home for over a decade. At Best Products, she has tested hundreds of products for parents and for the home, often spending dozens of hours per product to ensure her reviews are accurate and informative. Prior to joining the team, she was at Romper where she covered everything from breastfeeding to child sleep habits to abortion rights access. You can find her work on Bustle, Romper, and more. Cat is a bit of an intellectual magpie and perpetual student, most recently receiving a graduate degree in gender studies where she examined a topic that vexes so many — pockets in women’s clothing.
