Epix 2 Beginner Guide

Hello David. I'm into a similar "path" as yours: mostly strength training, some GPS walks (with my dogs). So, the Epix is definitely too much for our kind of active people. However, it is a very nice watch and I like to use it as a smartwatch, although, in that respect, it has a few (some say many) shortcomings (no phone answering feature, limited message replies, mostly).

Having said this, you could use the strength training features of this watch, which are the same you had on your venu 2 plus (I come from venu 2, since the plus wasn't available), but I stopped using those too. It can count reps pretty accurately, but it is quite a job to set up your training sessions as preloaded workouts (I've done it, but don't use it). The good things you can use though are all the info you get on your recovery time, training readiness, etc.

Plus, it looks sooooo cool!!

Hope this helps a little

Gianluca

Thank you Gianluca! 
Hmm, I need to look into these 'Preloaded Workouts' you mentioned. I don't know what that is. I use 'Centr', which is a Fitness App where it prepared me my daily workouts and meals - I follow those. With Garmin watch, I usually just selected 'Strenght' and that was it, insert the reps and weight. 

However, if preloaded workouts means that I can somehow put my workour schedule for week into Garmin Watch, that would be actually quite awesome. Because at the moment, I have to have my phone nearby, where I track which exercise is next and have the 'rest timer' on there too.

Best,

David

Not exactly: you can create a number of workouts on Connect web and then upload them to the watch to then recall when you need them. But I did this already with the venu 2 and, being on the web connect were still all there and I uploaded them also to my epix. I have created HIT routines, and push-pull workouts, total body, etc.

Very good feature, but i use the cardio workout most of the time. I can't be bothered with editing the reps at the end of the workout although it's not much cause the tracking is pretty accurate. But it's good that you can set your rest in between sets and the watch warns you with a beep when the new set is supposed to begin.

Mind you: the process of creating these workouts is not straightforward and it takes (or at least it took me) some messing around to perfect them. But, eventually, I was able to create what I intended to do.

Gianluca

Thanks a lot!

One more silly question ... is it safe to have Epix 2 while taking a shower? I know it has some water resistance, but I never actually tried to take smartwatch under the water .. :D

David Epix said:

is it safe to have Epix 2 while taking a shower?

Absolutely but be aware that if the touchscreen is enabled the water drops could change screens. Either disable touchscreen (press and hold top right and bottom left together) or just be aware. FWIW, I swim with my Epix in the pool or open water several times mosts weeks throughout the year without any problems or fear of water ingress.

Thanks for sharing this! I have had several smartwatches that were supposed to be waterproof till certain degree (or rather depth and time), but I never really had the 'courage' to go into the Sea or Pools with my smartwatch.

I know they are supposed to handle this, since Garmin even has 'Swimming' as Tracking exercise, but I am soo worried that I would damage the watch somehow. Especially in pools, they use Chlorine and in Sea there is Salt. Maybe one day I will dare :) 

David Epix said:

Is there something I would need to configure specifically to enhance my experience

One thing, configure your favorites activities list. Then you will see it on Start|Stop press. This is main feature of your watch.

Also I set up sleep-mode, time when watch do not display watchface and decrease screen lightness. I disabled always-on-display too.

With Epix2 you can swim and dive, it is resistant to salt, sweet and chlorinated water, you can also jump to water. Taking shower/bath is possibile too, but your clock and skin prefer to be clean and then dry, so it's not recommended due to hygene purposes.

Tembo said:

it's not recommended due to hygene purposes.

Are you suggesting it's not recommended to wear the watch in the shower? Far better to wear it in the shower especially after exercising to remove sweat etc from the watch and the strap. The key is to ensure it's dried afterwards. I'd recommend taking it off after showering to dry the skin under the watch and dry the watch too, paying particular attention to the charging port before connecting the watch to a charger or a computer.

In my opiniom of course. For me wet watch and skin is not the same as wash it. When it comes to drying it, you are absolutely right!

Congrats on your new Epix! The reason why such devices are not widely used during strength training is because the body parameters relevant for tracking and improving your muscular development rather come from blood tests than heart rate+distance+speed monitoring (which is what the watch can do).