Garmin Forerunner 955: Setting Timers, Using Stopwatches, and Enhancing Training

How to Set the Timer on Your Garmin Forerunner 955

The Garmin Forerunner 955 offers versatile timing functions essential for precise training, including countdown timers and stopwatches, both accessible via the Controls Menu for quick setup and deployment in your fitness regimen.

Understanding Your Garmin Timer Functions

Precise timing is a cornerstone of effective training and performance monitoring. Your Garmin Forerunner 955 is equipped with several timing utilities, each serving a distinct purpose in your fitness journey. Beyond merely telling time, these functions allow for structured workouts, accurate recovery periods, and performance measurement.

• Countdown Timer: Ideal for setting specific durations, such as rest intervals between sets, planks, meditation sessions, or cooking. It counts down from a pre-set time and alerts you when it reaches zero.
• Stopwatch: Perfect for measuring elapsed time, whether it's the duration of a specific exercise, a recovery walk, or the total time of an impromptu activity. It allows for lap recording, providing granular data.
• Interval Timer (Within Activities): While not a standalone "timer" in the same menu, the Forerunner 955 excels at advanced interval training, where you can program complex sequences of work and rest periods directly into your activity profiles (e.g., running, cycling workouts). This is typically set up via Garmin Connect or directly within a sport profile's settings, offering highly customizable structured training.

Mastering these tools empowers you to execute your training with greater precision and adherence to your program's design, optimizing adaptations and progress.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting a Countdown Timer

The countdown timer on your Forerunner 955 is a straightforward utility for managing specific time-bound tasks or rest periods.

1. Access the Controls Menu: From the watch face, press and hold the UP/MENU button (middle-left button) for approximately two seconds. This will open the Controls Menu.
2. Navigate to Timer: Scroll through the options using the DOWN button until you find the Timer icon (often represented by an hourglass). Select it by pressing the START/STOP button (top-right).
3. Choose or Create a Timer:
   • You will see a list of preset timers (e.g., 5 min, 10 min, 15 min). If one of these suits your needs, select it.
   • To set a custom duration, scroll down and select Custom.
4. Set Custom Time (if applicable):
   • If you selected Custom, use the UP and DOWN buttons to adjust the hours, minutes, and seconds.
   • Press the START/STOP button to move between the hour, minute, and second fields.
   • Once your desired time is set, press the START/STOP button again to confirm.
5. Start the Timer: The countdown will begin immediately after you confirm the time.
6. Timer Completion: Your Forerunner 955 will vibrate and emit an audible alert (if enabled) when the timer reaches zero, signaling the end of the set duration.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using the Stopwatch Function

The stopwatch is an invaluable tool for measuring elapsed time during an exercise, a specific drill, or an entire workout.

1. Access the Controls Menu: From the watch face, press and hold the UP/MENU button for approximately two seconds to open the Controls Menu.
2. Navigate to Stopwatch: Scroll through the options using the DOWN button until you find the Stopwatch icon. Select it by pressing the START/STOP button.
3. Start the Stopwatch: Press the START/STOP button to begin measuring time. The stopwatch display will show the elapsed time.
4. Record Laps: While the stopwatch is running, press the LAP/BACK button (bottom-right) to record a lap time. This allows you to segment your activity and review specific intervals.
5. Pause/Resume: Press the START/STOP button to pause the stopwatch. Press it again to resume timing from where you left off.
6. Reset the Stopwatch: To clear the stopwatch and reset it to zero, press and hold the START/STOP button while the stopwatch is paused.

Integrating Timers into Your Training

Leveraging your Garmin's timer functions can significantly enhance the structure and effectiveness of your workouts.

• Precise Rest Intervals: Use the countdown timer to enforce strict rest periods between sets of strength training, ensuring adequate recovery without excessive downtime. For example, a 60-second timer for moderate intensity lifts, or 120-180 seconds for maximal efforts.
• Time-Under-Tension (TUT): For bodyweight or resistance training, use the stopwatch to ensure you spend a specific amount of time performing the eccentric (lowering) or concentric (lifting) phase of an exercise, maximizing muscle stimulus.
• Pacing and Effort Management: During steady-state cardio or specific drills, the stopwatch can help you maintain a consistent pace for a set duration, or track how long it takes to complete a specific distance or number of repetitions.
• Circuit Training: Combine the countdown timer for work intervals and rest intervals to create dynamic and efficient circuit workouts, moving smoothly from one exercise to the next.
• Recovery and Mobility: Utilize the countdown timer for holding stretches, foam rolling, or mindfulness exercises, ensuring you dedicate sufficient time to these crucial recovery modalities.

Troubleshooting Common Timer Issues

While generally straightforward, you might encounter minor issues with your Garmin's timer functions.

• No Sound/Vibration: Check your watch's sound and vibration settings within the Controls Menu or system settings. Ensure that tones and vibrations are enabled for alerts.
• Timer Not Saving: Standalone timers do not typically "save" as an activity. If you need to record timed intervals as part of a workout, ensure you are using an activity profile's built-in interval features or simply using the stopwatch within an active recording.
• Difficulty Finding Timer: If you've customized your Controls Menu, the Timer or Stopwatch might be hidden or moved. You can reorder or add controls through the watch settings: Settings > Controls.

Conclusion

The timer functions on your Garmin Forerunner 955 are more than just simple clock features; they are integral tools for the discerning fitness enthusiast, trainer, or student of kinesiology. By precisely managing time, you gain control over your training variables, optimize recovery, and ensure adherence to structured programs. Integrate these features thoughtfully into your daily routine and observe the tangible benefits in your performance and progress.