Garmin Forerunner 255/255S: The Complete Tutorial (How-To/User Interface Guide)

[@clubmate12]

Honestly, Garmin should just replace the 200-pages booklet that comes in the watch box with a QR code to this video.

[@AKsprintz]

😂😂😂

[@Fumega-cr9cr]

Better than it

[@johngardner1898]

Ray - Garmin should be paying you (perhaps they are). They launched and continue to support this FABULOUS running watch with a relative snore! This video is very well done. Sold. I agree with you - the FR255 is a great (the best?) value in the extensive Garmin lineup.

[@hornsteinhof7592]

Indeed. I got the watch rather cheap yesterday and am super excited to see its potential. Upgrading from a vivosmart

[@_Paul_N]

I’ve been using the 255 for 3 days so far and I’m in love with this watch. I switched from the Apple Watch 6 and I don’t miss it and it’s fancy touchscreen at all. My watch battery without power save mode and GPS turned on has me at 76% battery life which is insane! The watch is super light, but doesn’t feel plastic and cheap and the GPS connection before starting your runs are almost instant. I have the non-music version because I use Apple Music instead of Spotify, so no need to spend the extra $50 lol.

[@renerenettoki]

I’m planning to buy 255s to replace my apple watch 6. Do you download songs on your apple music? thank you

[@xyuso]

I’m also switching from the AW6 to this one! Can’t wait to receive it

[@iang4817]

where?

[@clubmate12]

@@renerenettoki Songs downloaded to your phone/laptop from Apple Music are protected by DRM and cannot be imported to your Garmin

[@soniabains1975]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TUTORIAL!!! Waiting my Garmin 255 46MM arriving tomorrow via Amazon. I have the Garmin Vivoactive and the stupid strap keeps breaking so it was time for a huge upgrade. Doing 2 half marathons and TRI in the next 10 months so super excited to have this watch help me with all my training!!!

[@origmarm]

I'm not sure which countries it's active in but Curve is a very good solution for Garmin Pay especially in the UK. It will basically take all VISA and MasterCard etc... behind the Curve MasterCard. My UK bank did not support Garmin Pay but using Curve I use the bank card without issues. Also good as an 'additional layer' for internet purchases

[@clubmate12]

Revolut works with Garmin Pay as well

[@BrendanMacWade]

Thanks for this video! I sold my Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and bought this and I am sold on Garmin watches now. The 255 is the best sports watch I've ever owned. It has too many features for me, which is only a good thing. I don't miss touchscreens at all. In fact, I prefer the 5 buttons. The battery life is impressive.

[@xiaoyu88]

Coming from a 235, I love this watch. But, I noticed that all the buttons other than the "Start/Stop" button have some creep till I press them. Is it like that for you as well?

[@sandwichlegend2348]

​@xiaoyu88 what do you mean by they have creep?

[@devjon123]

Great video and super useful. One quirk is that I'd loaded a 10k race into my calendar and synced it to the watch, and was following the suggested workouts. The race was cancelled so I cancelled the race from my Garmin calendar but the race was still showing on my watch.

[@lissawohltmann1585]

Thank you for this; you are FAST! I had to rewind about 50 times, but finally got the info :)

[@dizi17]

So basically replacing the 745? Will the 745 still receive updates?

[@Manfredidu13]

37:39 nice fart

[@pavelzin]

Thank you! Just upgraded from 235 and it was a really helpfull video.

[@flohthiele8742]

Extremely professional, user-focused tutorial. Comprehensive and well-structured. Super-well done! Thank YOU

[@daddac]

how's the button? I got FR955, it has 2 mushy/sticky buttons, really annoying. I feel like 955's QC is not good.

[@driventomadness117]

Same here with the mushy buttons. Started one week in of owning the watch. Huge bummer. Oh and the battery seems to discharge extremely quickly..

[@Dcrainmaker]

No button issues here. I do see occasional reports every time a new Garmin comes out with mushy buttons. I'm not sure why.

[@parhansson]

Does it have voice instructions for structured workouts?

[@avidwriter2882]

I'm getting a 255, it's in shipping. I'm glad to know I can do all of this on my phone. I have a Vivoacitve 4 and losing the touchscreen isn't a major loss except for making those option changes.

[@grzegorzkrajewski1095]

You haven't mentioned about one BIG DRAWBACK of this watch. It lacks Navigation data fields (they were in FR 245). When you navigate gpx file you don't know how far is to the end of track.

[@KJ-su4ph]

Is it possible to customize the watch on the smartphone or the computer? I have the forerunner 255s and it is a very small display and very customizing is very fiddly tbh.

[@sams6l87]

A question: When I create a run workout, multiple options are available: Warm up, Run, Cool down, etc... but while running and on the summary when the training is over all date is taken into account to show me the average pace, heart rate, distance, etc... i cannot believe garmin does not have the option to show me only the running data, and not the resting minutes, this way is imposible to know how my training pace goals are being achieved, any solution? Thanks for the video!

[@voidreflection5935]

For a single workout it’s easy. Load your workout in Garmin Connect and switch to the lap view. Here you see by default your lap statistics for the whole workout. But you can also filter the laps with buttons for warmup, running and cool-down. The thing is that you can’t automatically cut out warmup and cool-down workout data before exporting to other platforms like strava. (At least you can do that manually via Edit-function in Garmin Connect.) That’s why I’m usually not record warmup and cool-down.

[@florianbusch94]

Most people i know record three independent sessions - one for warmup, one for the actual training and one for cooldown

[@KeepCalmAndTravelOn]

Not that I'll ever use it that way....but now do you play music directly through the watch speaker? My 255 music always asks for headphones when I click play.

[@paveln1453]

Extremely helpful and very informative. Many thanks.

[@matildemilani4467]

Hi! Can you please tell me if 255S has the TracBack option? I found online the 255 operator manual and it shows that 255 has that feature but I don't know if 255S has it too. Thank you, loved your review!

[@wilczylas]

How long can I go without connecting to my phone and still retain all the data collected by the watch?

[@AlwayzPr0]

just got my 255m on Saturday and the screen was cracked Monday. sucks that my suunto Spartan lasted over 2 years without a scratch.

[@zAbdullahKhan]

Hi. I just received Forerunner 255 and started watching your video to see how it works. I pressed the down button and reached to the end of all features, but I cannot find "Health Snapshot" there. Where can I find it, please? And some other functions like body battery are also missing.

[@smidgelette]

Same here on the FR255S. Did you manage to find it?

[@kyriacoschristofi6978]

Hi Ray! Any idea whether the data fields/layout that can be displayed on 255S are less than 255 ?

[@Hikebike365]

Really wish Garmin would give us a way to backup all our settings and adjustments and a restore feature. Too much time spent setting up my watch to not have a backup!

[@AshishAmatya]

i am new to garmin. Does the steps stats shown is including the steps that occurs during any activity activity like, running, hiking, golfing, swimming etc ? or the steps count is all total steps excluding any activities I start ?

[@gabesalvador]

Yes it includes the ones in the activity

[@kay_jay_em]

Hope Garmin fixed the Bluetooth issues that have plagued the 245 music…

[@jeffreycristobal4765]

You have sold me Mate, i am definitely purchasing this on Thursday (upgrading from fitbit sense and ecosystem). Thanks man! I cant wait to train intensely for life!

[@PietroBlu]

I own FR255 by about a year, and I'm pretty satisfied. I find the daily suggestions trainings very useful, because even if you don't have a training plan active, you can still improve training status following it. But I'm wondering if there's a way to change the 'Base' time pace training e.g. from 6 min/km to 5:30 min/km?

[@fundiendo5239]

Great video, thanks...one question: lets say i went to the mountain and recorded my activity...i can see it and see the map and all of that, now, i dont know where that activity was and i want to go back again and do the same trail....How do i do that??? thanks

[@runnerup9786]

@dcrainmaker hi Ray, this watch has Barometer, Altimeter, Compass and Thermometer...does each of these have a data screen as per the Fenix? I.e. can you check your altitude or check the barometric pressure for example?

[@abelimages]

Thanks for all the info. Dose the 255M play podcasts from Amazon music? Deal breaker if not. Thanks for your help.

[@AnandMallaya]

It may be due to latest software update or something, running dynamics and running power is supported now without needing any external sensors!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup! Added back this past winter. Woot!

[@amirbotak3268]

Watching this even i dont have one😂

[@Ordinary-Hendrik]

Thanks Ray, it seems that the display color of my 255 is not as sharp as my Fenix 7. It is my 255 or in general it is this way. Thanks!

[@zhozhforever4047]

You can definitely add races, but not remove them. Unfortunately deleting a race in garmin connect calendar does not remove it from watch. Thus they are all there and affect training suggestions/plans. Could not find the way to clear this. Hope they might fix it in later firmware upgrades.

[@Dcrainmaker]

It will remove them, though, I've found it seems to take a few syncs for it to happen. Not sure why.

[@zhozhforever4047]

@@Dcrainmaker Unfortunately no, it will not remove them. Waited for 1.5 months and got some firmware updates, but this bug is still there. Also in my native language watch crashes and reboots if i scroll to race widget, so i had to switch to English. HR optic perfomance in cold weather is mediocre comparing to hot summer days.

[@Dcrainmaker]

@@zhozhforever4047 Yeah, not sure why the removal isn't working for you. But I add/remove races quite frequently usually for test purposes (including right before making this video). 😕

[@JustBrowsing777]

Great review but needs to be played at 0.75 speed to keep up 😅

[@varvarapikoulaspsaros7157]

Love your content DCR! I live in Arlington VA btw and love your expat story. I started running this year. ran a half in May and my goal is Authentic Athens Marathon in Greece in Nov. I have a fitbit charge 5 now but need to improve my form/posture and need something that calculates cadence ideally with metronome feature, and want something to provide elevation information since Athens marathon has some a major incline that I need to train for. QUESTION: for these features does Forerunner 55 have them all or do I need to move to Forerunner 255? Thanks much for all you do and value you provide us.

[@kevinlynch6721]

FR55 will support both those things. Some basic strength & mobility training to complement your running will be more important in improving form than a new watch, especially if you are new to running.

[@auraarbulu6197]

Thanks. I also listened to it with 0.75, and it worked great. Super helpful.

[@duanbarros]

How do you get the display contrast look so crisp? Or is it the color correction of video footage? In reality, the black levels and saturation of display looks very washed. Is there an option to tweak that? I can only find settings for brightness. Thank you.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Odd. No color correction at all (none of my videos ever have any…that’s too complex for me 🤣).

[@nathenieldanta9731]

Whats the upcoming garmin is going to release end of 2022?

[@bradenlang1257]

I’m deciding between the 255 and the Instinct 2. I don’t do runs or many structured workouts but do lots In the mountains (hiking and skiing) where I would like GPS accuracy and battery life. I know the 255 has the multi-band which is more accurate but the Instinct 2 has the solar option which would extend battery life. With all the extra features the 255 has that I most likely would never use I’m leaning toward the Instinct 2, anyone have any suggestions using both?

[@Julko88]

Same here... I don't do runs, only some bicycling and hiking in mountains. Difficult to make final decision :p

[@MatteoBurroni]

Same here, but I run a lot even if not structured. As I'm not getting the solar, I'm more on Instinct 2 now, because here is 70-90€ cheaper than the 255 right now.

[@jaypandyajp]

@@MatteoBurroni I was in the same boat. I chose Instinct 2 and it got delivered just today. However, I feel it is not as cool as casio and the screen is tiny. Forerunner 255 has a screen which seems capable to me. Thinking of returning I2 and go with f255

[@amyroshak6377]

I love this watch! My one complaint is that I wish I knew it wasn’t compatible with Apple Music before spending extra on the Music version.

[@KwstakhsZ13]

I would like to ask if the watch is 'laggy' during workouts! And by saying laggy, I mean if the information displayed on the screen during workouts,such as split pace or Heart rate bpm are accurate. I'm preparing for my first marathon and I want to move from my Huawei GT 2 to either a 255 or a 945. I only care about the running features (namely,a very accurate GPS and a great heart rate monitor,as great a mid-budget watch can be) but a friend of mine told me that the 2XX series is something I should avoid due to the reasons I mentioned above,and go for a 9XX or a fenix,so that the UI (while running) will rather assist me,than giving me troubles Thanks in advance!

[@peterdavies7872]

Thanks @Dc Rainmaker . Did you notice during your testing any intermittent HRV recording at night? I've posted on this issue in the Garmin forerunner 255 forums but I appear unable to post the URL here. It appears also an issue suffered by 955 users.

[@pjbcoetzer]

Hey Ray... Just a quick one.. Could you add the Steady Rack info to the KZbin video description...? Not sure if you have a dedicated link that helps your channel. As always, Thx for the great content!!

[@pjbcoetzer]

Nice, thx for adding the link... Will be supporting the crew for some handy storage racks!

[@Meshtastic2024]

34:33 "...which is secret - obviously..." That was funny dude 😎 Great review as always Ray, am seriously considering one of these after watching a ton of your reviews on various models. Subbed to your channel.

[@dotmars]

21:32 When I click on Start at this screen, I don’t get the “Today’s Suggestion” screen with the ability to view more info. It goes straight into timing my run

[@kaiiemsawat2415]

Wonder where can I get that Stormtropper riding bike T-shirt?

[@jokesNgiggles]

do these watches have issues with data vanishing from the app? I tried another cheaper watch (not a garmin) and one day all 4 months of data on the app was gone with no way of getting it back because they dont store it anywhere.

[@carrygun_]

I have been using Instinct 2 for the last month. Now I can swap to FR 255 for like 15 USD more. Is it worth it? I am not a runner, I only ride a bicycle. I love the sturdiness of I2 but Garmin Pay makes a difference in FR 255 :(

[@webMASTAHpl]

Next time please clean your watch before make video. Can't watch with such dirty glass. ;(

[@mrJuank018]

Help me please. Recently I bought FR255 but I can't get Spotify. When I try download with Garmin IQ, the app say me that I need last version in fr255 (with Garmin express) but I have the last version!! Please help and sorry for me English!!

[@joevaldez3651]

Does the 255 offer timed Run/Walk alerts? Similar to the FR55 and older FR220 models?

[@Alvaro-ep2de]

yes

[@chloelouise2104]

This video has helped me so much. I’ve always used Apple Watches and now I’ve got my first garmin watch and had no idea what to do 😂 so thank you for helping me, I’ve learned a lot

[@alejandrolealsalazar5916]

Do you recommend this Garmin for different activities like gym,padel,some running, etc? mostly gym and padel?

[@zsoca31]

Can someone please help? Does it have turn by turn navigation? I see it in the manual online as turn by turn prompts but nobody mentions it in these reviews. Is it a different turn by turn navigation than the 955 's?

[@pinetree7296]

I ordered the 255M my first runners /smartwatch seems like it has way more stuff on it then i actually need, i just wanted to track distance,calories burned and have music on the watch so i don't need my phone with me. What beginner features /useful information should i look into using this device?

[@josemosan5573]

Great video! One question, can you program a workout (for example a fartlek) directly in the watch without using your mobile or pc?

[@marcuscazzolato]

IIRC yes you can directly on the watch

[@bhimfb]

I was eagerly waiting for this video..... Thanks a lot...

[@4lifesponge]

Can you upload maps to the 255?

[@rouxawesome8861]

Me and my sister share a spotify premium account. If im listening to music on the watch can she still listen to music on her phone or does she have to wait until im not listening to music. Thanks

[@claudiutamas79]

34:33 "Enter your passcode" - On 255 we don't have a touch screen; is this (using buttons) fast enough to not annoy the seller? Is this operation safe for others not to see my code?

[@SpecXify]

HI there, is it possible to start a workout, for example RUN and than go back and go to the stopwatch and run that completely seperate from the workout aswell? On Venu 2 plus its simple to do this but Im sceptical of this manouver on here. It should be possible but none of my friends have this watch so I cant test it.

[@SpecXify]

FYI, just got the watch and it is possible.

[@SpecXify]

@Boki Borovic I have Forerunner 255 music now for almost a year. The watch is damn great if you dont want some fancy smartphone gadgets. Its a solid sports watch and also the multi-band GPS is very good.

[@SpecXify]

@Boki Borovic Samo da ti je dobra ;)

[@thumbnek]

I like this watch

[@buksi771]

Can I see the elevation profile while using navigation in a running activity to see how much i still have to climb? I know it doesn't have climb pro but foe example, on instinct series i see the elevation profile to have an idea what is coming up. Thanks!

[@rhodes-shoplogistirio6031]

I have activated the compass but I don't understand where I see it, can someone help me ??? Thanks!!!

[@deanginev4226]

Hello, thank you very much for this great video it help me starting with the Garmin watch. I have issue syncing data from my watch to the Nike Run Club app, which I have been using from 3 years, it shows that both accounts are connected, but it does not transfer the data to the NRC app. I have tried to disconnect the two accounts and then connect again, but it didn’t help. Do you have any suggestions how to fix this. NCR is a partner with Garmin so it shouldn’t have a problem. Thank you!

[@LoLzinator14]

Hey, I've got a question which I couldn't find through googling. When I put my finger over the HR sensor like you did at 1:40, both of the green lights flash as well, but then after I remove the finger, the upper part of top sensor is constantly blinking green light, it doesn't stay turned off like in your video. Do you or anyone else know why is that so?

[@christoph_wattever]

Hmm... Really seems like upgrade from 245 not really worth it? Unless one is really into HRV I guess

[@cynan85]

Forrunner 745 or this though?? Any advice please?? Thanks Dan

[@dorideg1]

Anyone know if you can add indoor climbing as an activity? Or is it only on the top spec watches?

[@Lasombra08]

You can't.

[@markrocks692]

Waiting on the 255 and 955 to be released I upgraded my 645 to a preloved 745. Now they have been released do I make the jump to the 255/955 or sit where I am for the moment and use the cash I might spend on race entries/trips..

[@jasper7257]

I don't see a reason to upgrade to this from the 745, the new functions are more gimmicks you don't really need. I still have the 745 as well, if I upgrade it will be to 965 for the maps

[@markrocks692]

@@jasper7257 Now the 965 has been released I'm very tempted. Like you I want maps. Might pick one up in the next few months..

[@jasper7257]

@@markrocks692Same here, purely for the maps. For everything else I'm still very happy with my 745 though, but especially on the bike the breadcrumb navigation is a bit tricky sometimes..

[@philipchong6273]

Is this the replacement for Forerunner 745?

[@Dcrainmaker]

More or less, yes.

[@JL-wf2wp]

Have you got your hands on the new insta 360 rs cam? There are a few reviews already but i only trust your reviews 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@mastermitsch88]

Guys, how do I change from Fahrenheit to Celsius? Thank you!

[@scottwells4705]

Great video! I can currently get the 255 for £225 or the 955 for £360 here in the UK, which one would you go for!?

[@HulkSmashedU]

Is there such a thing you can do in the watch or app to tell it to begin the week on a sun or monday ??

[@kratorz1]

Question. I went for an 8K run and once I was done I clicked on "saved". I then clicked on "back" twice to bring me to the main menu. I forgot that after you "saved" you're suppose to press on the "start" button again to be able to press on "done". So now, the 8k run is in my last 7 days activity folder but it does not show on the top of my watch nor on my garmin app. What am I suppose to do?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Huh, that's super odd. Once saved, you don't have to press done to get back (the watch will automatically get there after a timeout period). Not sure what's going on there. :(

[@solitude8375]

Bro, can GARMIN 255 add in Cadence Sensor? Opps I saw it at the end of your video / speed and cadensce sensor etc.

[@profound369]

Hey man how do you get your resting heart rate down? Mine is constantly 100

[@lucydibenedetto9378]

Thanks for the excellent video. How can I program the watch to sound every say 20 seconds? I would appreciate any feedback.

[@FreakShowScitchy]

Kinda regret buying a 745 a few months ago...

[@areyen7849]

Rip 745 😂

[@jeffreybushmen4037]

Almost bought the 745😅 but after seeing the vid...

[@OthmanAlikhan]

Thanks for the video =)

[@PatrickFass]

Thanks for the detailed video. How do you get the display contrast to look so crisp? Or is it the color correction of the video footage? In reality the black levels and saturation of the display looks very washed. Is there an option to tweak that? I can only find settings for the brightness. Cheers!

[@speedstarspeedstar]

Try setting in watch face > customize > accent colour..

[@hitbodedut26]

Is there a way to lock the screen or buttons? Can I turn off functions like step counter or heart rate? Can I add language like Hebrew?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, you can lock the screen by holding the upper left button and selecting the lock icon. You can also turn off step alerts, as well as the heart rate sensor. I don't have a unit on me at the moment, but I'm about 95% certain Hebrew is one of the supported languages.

[@FalasDallas]

Does the 255s music have an own music player installed? I would like to play music without amazon, deezer or spotify 🙂 thx for help!

[@chadproton]

You can download music files from your computer without a streaming service involved

[@athulsebastian6863]

Any idea on what all features of fr255 would be available on instinct 2 in the future??

[@armandkOG]

Does daily suggested workout works for cycling event?

[@awaken77]

Thanks for this excellent tutorial. PDF manual is very long and not intuitive

[@todortodorov9268]

Hi, can you tell me if it is good for strength training, like fitness and power lifting? And also is the Venu 2 plus any better? Thanks!

[@sujanrijal7027]

My forerunner 255 m's screen looks very washed out compared to the video. Is it the camera and editing or is mine just broken?

[@zokisvasta]

Did you ever figure it out? I came here with the same question.

[@luc7976]

It's probably because of the light conditions here which are pretty bright. In other videos you can see difference indoors / shade where it loses contrast and visibility. But often front light is then used to compensate.

[@zokisvasta]

There's no condition in which my watch looks like in the video. Indoors, outdoors, with or without backlight, bright or dim, whichever background color you choose.

[@luc7976]

@@zokisvasta have you compared to other videos like kzbin.info/www/bejne/qV6ZZ2Wjq7esfK8 There are perhaps production screen display differences. You could try to exchange it maybe.

[@zokisvasta]

@@luc7976 All of those look significantly better than irl. But you know what, I just filmed my watch through the phone camera and the colors look way more vibrant than looking at the watch directly. So I guess it's just that. I'll check the watches in person once I pass by the stores.

[@caldwellmanners5697]

Can the 255S be charged during an activity? Do you have any recommendations for charing cables/craddles that would work well?

[@szymonjarzabek8128]

Hi, fr255 not music has wifi connection?

[@peterdavies7872]

No, it doesn't.

[@00SilverWolf]

Do you think training readiness wil come to FR255?

[@a.r3601]

Impossible to find the find my phone feature 😅

[@hongziyang]

Oh… I wanna make Pizza with Ray.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Deal!!

[@hongziyang]

@@Dcrainmaker next time you are in Utah…

[@TommyHunter-f8h]

Smart watches should include an onboard tutorial

[@CherylSpearman]

Please slow down....so much info to absorb.