Garmin Fenix 5 Sapphire Edition Owner's Manual

is not visible on compatible fēnix devices while the heart rate 

monitor is underwater.
You must start a timed activity on your paired fēnix device to 

view stored heart rate data later. During rest intervals when out 

of the water, the heart rate monitor sends your heart rate data to 

your fēnix device.
Your fēnix device automatically downloads stored heart rate 

data when you save your timed swim activity. Your heart rate 

monitor must be out of the water, active, and within range of the 

device (3 m) while data is downloaded. You can review your 

heart rate data in the device history and on your Garmin 

Connect account.

The heart rate monitor can store up to 20 hours of data in a 

single activity. When the heart rate monitor memory is full, your 

oldest data is overwritten.
You can start a timed activity on your paired fēnix device, and 

the heart rate monitor records your heart rate data even if you 

move away from your device. For example, you can record heart 

rate data during fitness activities or team sports where watches 

cannot be worn. Your heart rate monitor automatically sends 

your stored heart rate data to your fēnix device when you save 

your activity. Your heart rate monitor must be active and within 

range (3 m) of the device while data is uploaded.

If the heart rate data is erratic or does not appear, you can try 

these tips.
• Reapply water to the electrodes and contact patches (if 

applicable).

• Tighten the strap on your chest.
• Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Follow the care instructions (

).

• Wear a cotton shirt or thoroughly wet both sides of the strap.

Synthetic fabrics that rub or flap against the heart rate 

monitor can create static electricity that interferes with heart 

rate signals.

• Move away from sources that can interfere with your heart 

rate monitor.
Sources of interference may include strong electromagnetic 

fields, some 2.4 GHz wireless sensors, high-voltage power 

lines, electric motors, ovens, microwave ovens, 2.4 GHz 

cordless phones, and wireless LAN access points.

A buildup of sweat and salt on the strap can decrease the ability 

of the heart rate monitor to report accurate data.
• Rinse the heart rate monitor after every use.
• Hand wash the heart rate monitor after every seven uses or 

one pool swim, using a tiny amount of mild detergent, such 

as dishwashing liquid.
NOTE: Using too much detergent may damage the heart rate 

monitor.

• Do not put the heart rate monitor in a washing machine or 

dryer.

• When drying the heart rate monitor, hang it up or lay it flat.

You can use your compatible fēnix device paired with the 

HRM-Tri accessory or other running dynamics accessory to 

provide real-time feedback about your running form. If your fēnix 

device was packaged with the HRM-Tri accessory, the devices 

are already paired.
The running dynamics accessory has an accelerometer that 

measures torso movement in order to calculate six running 

metrics.
Cadence: Cadence is the number of steps per minute. It 

displays the total steps (right and left combined).

Vertical oscillation: Vertical oscillation is your bounce while 

running. It displays the vertical motion of your torso, 

measured in centimeters.

Ground contact time: Ground contact time is the amount of 

time in each step that you spend on the ground while 

running. It is measured in milliseconds.
NOTE: Ground contact time and balance are not available 

while walking.

Ground contact time balance: Ground contact time balance 

displays the left/right balance of your ground contact time 

while running. It displays a percentage. For example, 53.2 

with an arrow pointing left or right.

Stride length: Stride length is the length of your stride from one 

footfall to the next. It is measured in meters.

Vertical ratio: Vertical ratio is the ratio of vertical oscillation to 

stride length. It displays a percentage. A lower number 

typically indicates better running form.

Before you can view running dynamics, you must put on a 

running dynamics accessory, such as the HRM-Tri accessory, 

and pair it with your device (

). 

If your fēnix 5/5S was packaged with the accessory, the devices 

are already paired, and the fēnix 5/5S is set to display running 

dynamics data screens.

Select an option:
• If your running dynamics accessory and fēnix 5/5S device 

are already paired, skip to step 7.

• If your running dynamics accessory and fēnix 5/5S device 

are not already paired, complete all the steps in this 

procedure.

Hold MENU.

Select Settings > Activities & Apps.

Select an activity.

Select the activity settings.

Select Data Screens > Add New.

Select a running dynamics data screen.
NOTE: The running dynamics screens are not available for 

all activities.

Go for a run (

).

Select UP or DOWN to open a running dynamics screen to 

view your metrics.

The running dynamics screens display a color gauge for the primary metric. You can display cadence, vertical oscillation, ground 

contact time, ground contact time balance, or vertical ratio as the primary metric. The color gauge shows you how your running 

dynamics data compare to those of other runners. The color zones are based on percentiles.
Garmin has researched many runners of all different levels. The data values in the red or orange zones are typical for less 

experienced or slower runners. The data values in the green, blue, or purple zones are typical for more experienced or faster 

runners. More experienced runners tend to exhibit shorter ground contact times, lower vertical oscillation, lower vertical ratio, and 

6

Heart Rate Features