Garmin Launches $199 CIRQA Band as Subscription-Free Whoop Rival
Updated
Updated · Outside Magazine · Jul 29
Garmin Launches $199 CIRQA Band as Subscription-Free Whoop Rival
3 articles · Updated · Outside Magazine · Jul 29
Summary
$199.99 CIRQA is available now as a screenless Garmin band that collects 24/7 sleep, heart-rate and recovery data without a mandatory subscription.
Garmin is positioning the device less as a software shake-up than as an ecosystem plug, letting users keep Garmin Connect training metrics even if they wear an Apple Watch, a mechanical watch or no watch.
CIRQA can auto-detect activities, use a phone's GPS and upload workouts lasting at least 15 minutes, while also broadcasting heart-rate data to other Garmin devices.
That fit matters most for cyclists and multisport users because Garmin can merge CIRQA baseline data with Edge computers, heart-rate straps and power meters inside its existing hardware ecosystem.
The launch also gives Garmin a direct answer to Whoop's subscription model and a more closed-system counter to newer open-hardware tie-ups such as Coros and Wahoo.