Less Is More
Garmin’s Venu Sq is testimony that technology is at its best when it improves the human experience
FITNESS TRACKERS have come a long way since their inception. What first began as wrist-worn pedometers have gradually evolved to include other functions like sleep and pulse monitoring. Now, these wearables have taken on features more commonly associated with smartwatches and phones. With the current generation of fitness wearables being veritable Swiss army knives, is there room for a more pared-down iteration of this tech mainstay?
Garmin’s newest Venu Sq takes a slightly more spartan approach than its contemporaries in terms of functionality. The first thing that gets noticed is the Venu Sq’s new rectangular case, as opposed to the circular format of Garmin’s preceding (and more expensive) Venu. You still get the staples like an integrated pulsometer, 24/7 health tracking and smartphone support, along with bonuses like pre-loaded sports apps and contactless payment (Garmin Pay). Beyond that, however, the Venu Sq becomes decidedly more spartan.
Gone are the metal bezels and animated displays, along with the barometric altimeters and gyro sensors. But while Garmin has decided to scale back on the Venu Sq, it doesn’t imply inferiority in the least. Barometric altimeters and gyro sensors are rarely (if note ever) used in daily fitness activities anyway, so it makes sense for Garmin to dispense with such features for the more day-to-day focused Venu Sq.
Like many other examples in life, stepping back often allows one to focus on the bigger picture. For Garmin, it’s all about what makes a better activity tracker. By doing away with unnecessary features, the Venu Sq earns its appeal by allowing wearers to navigate its functions with more fluidity. Swiping up on the main menu allows for an instant review of the day’s statistics like heart rate, stress level and respiration. Similarly, accessing and customising one’s Favourites menu is easily achieved thanks to the Venu Sq’s intelligent two-button and touch screen operation.
Combined with the Garmin Connect app, the Venu Sq transforms into a pure fitness wearable that thrives on data and metrics. Forgoing the pre-loaded workouts, designing personalised training templates and loading them into the Venu Sq is an absolute cinch thanks to its extensive database of exercises. Whether it’s running, swimming or strength training, the Venu Sq logs your activities efficiently and syncs them with your app’s account for easy review.
Technology is at its best when it improves the human experience, and fitness is all about efficiency and concise execution. By taking a small step back, Garmin has succeeded in delivering a more focused product. There are no fancy-schmancy animations or an excessive array of customisation options with the Venu Sq. Instead, you get a no-frills fitness wearable that has its sights set squarely on getting the job done. AM