Garmin CIRQA Launches at $199, but a Key Heart Rate Feature Requires a Subscription
Garmin’s new CIRQA fitness band is set to go on sale starting Friday, July 24, with a price of $199. The screen-free wearable is being marketed as a subscription-free fitness tracker, a message clearly aimed at users who are tired of paying monthly fees for health and workout data.
However, early hands-on impressions suggest the story is a little more complicated.
The Garmin CIRQA does not have a display, so users must rely on the companion app to view workout data. While Garmin promotes the device with the message that no subscription is required, some useful features are locked behind Garmin Connect+, the company’s paid membership plan that costs $6.99 per month.
That includes nutrition tracking, guided meditations, and guided workouts. More surprisingly, it also appears to include access to real-time heart rate during workouts.
For a fitness tracker with a heart rate sensor, this is a major limitation. Without a subscription, users reportedly cannot see their current heart rate while exercising. Heart rate zones are also unavailable during training unless the paid plan is active.
Instead, non-subscribers can only view their average heart rate since the workout began. While that may be useful for reviewing general effort, it is far less helpful during activities such as interval training, cardio sessions, or endurance workouts where real-time heart rate feedback is important.
This raises questions about Garmin’s “no subscription required” messaging. Technically, the CIRQA can be used without a monthly plan, but some buyers may expect basic live heart rate data to be included at no extra cost, especially on a $199 fitness wearable.
The issue is even more noticeable because the CIRQA has no built-in screen. On a traditional Garmin smartwatch, users can view current heart rate, heart rate zones, and structured workout prompts directly on the watch without needing an additional subscription. With CIRQA, the lack of a display makes app-based live data even more important.
Competing fitness bands and health trackers in the same category often provide real-time heart rate information without charging an ongoing fee. That could make Garmin’s decision frustrating for users who want a simple, subscription-free workout tracker.
The Garmin CIRQA still brings Garmin’s health and fitness ecosystem to a lightweight wristband design, which may appeal to users who do not want a smartwatch. But shoppers should be aware that “no subscription required” does not necessarily mean every important fitness feature is included for free.
For anyone considering the Garmin CIRQA, the key question is simple: are you comfortable paying $199 upfront if live heart rate tracking during workouts requires an additional monthly subscription?
