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What you need to know
Strava released its Year in Sport 2024 report on Wednesday, highlighting fitness trends among its extensive global user base of 135 million. Among notable findings, the report illustrates a significant uptick in group activities. The report identified the “Apple Watch Series” and “Apple Watch SE” as the leading devices for tracking running activities, followed by the Garmin Forerunner 245. In biking, the Garmin Edge 530 and Edge 830 were at the forefront, showcasing the popularity of Garmin’s cycling technology.
Strava stands out as a leading social fitness platform, with its annual trends revealing intriguing insights about the habits of millions of athletes. This year’s report indicates a seismic shift, with Apple’s devices surpassing Garmin’s once-dominant position in the running watch category.
The 2024 report highlighted that the Apple Watch Series and SE took the top spots for runners, pushing the Garmin Forerunner 245 to third. Notably, last year, the Garmin Forerunner 235, which has been on the market for eight years, was the most popular running watch globally, while the Forerunner 245 led in the United States.
This year’s report focused on global statistics, and given the strong presence of Apple Watches in the U.S., their top ranking appears well-founded. Nonetheless, Garmin retains its stronghold in the cycling category, especially with the popularity of its Edge 530 and 830 models, while the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V1 ranked third in the U.S. biking landscape.
Additionally, the report revealed a significant surge in running clubs and group runs, particularly among women, with participation up by 89% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Examining runners’ performance metrics, the report found a median activity pace of 10:15 per mile, slightly slower than previous years, with the possibility of demographic shifts influencing these results. Cyclists recorded a median speed of 12.1 mph, walkers maintained a 19:40 min/mile pace, and hikers averaged 22:06 min/mile. These figures provide a benchmark for participants aiming to improve their performance.
Interestingly, Strava noted that 72% of user-uploaded activities originate from mobile applications. While wearable technology remains favored among marathon and half-marathon participants, approximately 25% of 5K runners utilize mobile devices, often relying on external heart rate monitors for data collection.
Why Apple suddenly beat Garmin for runners worldwide
Insights into the reasons behind Apple’s unexpected dominance in the Strava gear category for runners reveal several critical factors.
One influential aspect is the sheer volume of sales: Apple accounts for around 20% of global wearable device sales, as indicated by IDC. On Strava, all iterations of the Apple Watch, including models like the Series 9 or Series X, are aggregated under the title “Apple Watch,” which may consolidate their standings across multiple generations.
In contrast, Garmin devices are logged as distinct units, leading to a fragmented representation on the platform. Recent years have seen Garmin introduce several new Forerunner models, tempting many long-time users to upgrade from older models like the Forerunner 235 and 245 to newer options, such as the Forerunner 165, 255, and 965.
This shift does not necessarily indicate a decline in Garmin’s user base on Strava; rather, it reflects users diversifying into newer models that carry distinct features catering to various needs, which has now segmented the overall user demographics on Strava.
Nevertheless, Apple’s burgeoning success in the running category cannot be discounted. The company has made significant strides in enhancing its running-focused software, particularly with updates introduced with watchOS 9 in 2022. This version allowed users to track vital metrics such as heart rate zones, running power, and cadence, and it introduced advanced tracking capabilities using a comprehensive map database. While Garmin has traditionally offered robust features, Apple’s advancements have significantly narrowed the gap.
With the latest release of watchOS 11, Apple included features like graphical training load insights over various time frames, helping users monitor their fitness levels effectively without overwhelming them with detailed statistics. This streamlining of data appeals to new runners and those less seasoned in fitness analytics.
While serious runners may still gravitate towards Garmin for its superior battery life and specialized features, Apple’s approach is resonating with a broader audience, especially those seeking to transition from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active routine. Notably, Strava’s data indicate that casual runners are increasingly opting for Apple devices, while Garmin remains a favorite among those competing in longer races.
This shift could also extend to other wearable tech brands focused on fitness, highlighting an encouraging trend where more individuals are finding motivation to engage in running and fitness culture.
Strava-ready
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is positioned as an excellent entry-level fitness watch design for individuals aiming to enhance their running experience, featuring daily workout suggestions, precise satellite tracking, and an impressive battery life of 11 days.
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