Garmin Launches the Screenless Cirqa Smart Band

Design and Colors

Additionally, bands are available in the colors "Zitronengrau", "Dark Olive", and "French Blue", as well as for the upper arm in black—each in two sizes (S–M: 120 to 200 mm; L–XL: 145 to 240 mm). This allows the band to be adjusted to different wrists or alternatively worn on the upper arm.

In terms of features, the Cirqa collects fitness, health, and sleep data, which is read out via the Garmin Connect app. The Cirqa band records, among other things, Garmin-typical metrics such as "Body Battery", stress level, steps, and is also said to provide insights into women's health. Additionally, the band analyzes VO2max and training status in order to provide wearers with "fundierte Einblicke in Leistungsfähigkeit, Trainingsfortschritt und die Wirksamkeit des Trainings".

The band additionally provides data on training readiness, HRV status, training benefit, and recovery time. This is intended to allow users to continuously track their athletic development.

Features and Sensors

The Cirqa automatically detects certain activities such as running and walking. Additionally, more than 80 different activities can be started manually, including running, walking, and yoga. Workouts such as boxing or yoga can also be started manually in the app. Recorded activities can be confirmed or adjusted in the app, allowing the band to improve its activity recognition over time in order to obtain "präzisere Ergebnisse" according to Garmin.

Since the Cirqa does not have a built-in GPS module, a smartphone with GPS is required for recording running routes or live location sharing. The connection to the phone is made via Bluetooth. The band is waterproof and can therefore also be worn while swimming.

Market Positioning

According to Garmin, the band is aimed at users who "ihre Gesundheit und Fitness ganz bewusst leben, aber nicht ständig auf ein Display schauen möchten". It helps to "Gewohnheiten besser zu verstehen sowie persönliche Ziele im Blick zu behalten". With this, Garmin is explicitly positioning the Cirqa against providers such as Whoop.

Compared to Whoop, which according to its own statements is heading toward an IPO as a 10-billion-dollar company, the Cirqa at 200 euros is significantly more affordable. Google is also present in the segment described by the provider as a "boomenden Nischenmarkt", with the Fitbit Air, which launched at 99 euros. Garmin is taking on the fitness tracker pioneer Whoop with the screenless Cirqa Smart Band for 200 USD and thereby "fordert damit den Vorreiter" heraus.

The battery life is stated by Garmin as up to ten days. This is intended to allow the band to continuously record data such as stress level, step count, and sleep quality for several days without needing to be recharged in between.