Data from millions of global smartwatch customers offers insight into the year’s top activities

OLATHE, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), today released its 2021 Global Garmin Connect Fitness Report, offering insights into the activities of millions of Garmin smartwatch users around the world as the COVID-19 pandemic stretched into its second year. Whether hitting the trails, the slopes or even the yoga mat, Garmin customers logged more activities in the Garmin Connect™ fitness community app than ever before, with double-digit increases in almost every activity category.


“In the face of ongoing lockdowns and the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, Garmin users logged a record-breaking number of fitness activities in 2021,” said Joe Schrick, Garmin vice president fitness segment. “We already knew that our customers are performance-driven and resilient, and the data proves that even a global pandemic won’t stand in the way of their relentless drive to ‘beat yesterday.’”

The number of indoor activities logged by Garmin users increased by twice as much as outdoor activities year over year. Fitness sessions that took place indoors rose 20.54% in 2021 over 2020, with Pilates and yoga leading the way. Wellness activities also saw strong growth, with a big uptick in breathwork sessions. Activities performed outdoors in the elements increased by 9.52%, with gravel cycling seeing the most growth followed by winter sports. Here’s a look at year-over-year percentage increases for our customers’ favorite activities:

  • Pilates: 108.30%
  • Breathwork: 82.76%
  • Gravel cycling: 49.55%
  • Yoga: 45.55%
  • Winter sports: 39.16%
  • Walking: 37.13%
  • Golf: 28.35%
  • Swimming: 22.48%
  • Hiking: 19.57%
  • Trail running: 11.58%

With Garmin users pushing the limits all over the world, the Connect data yields noteworthy year-over-year regional insights, including:

  • South America performed 125.41% more breathwork activities, 87.51% more gravel rides and 37.6% more trail runs.
  • Western Europe logged an increase of 59.86% more gravel cycling rides, 14.52% more trail runs and 65.57% more yoga activities.
  • Eastern European countries recorded an 85.02% increase in yoga activities and a 66.13% increase in gravel rides.
  • North Americans added 34.39% more yoga activities and 28.54% more gravel rides.
  • CAMENA (Central Asia Middle East and North Africa) logged 217.11% more Pilates activities, 57.53% more gravel rides and 44.96% more swimming activities.
  • Central America performed 54.49% more gravel rides and 43.98% more swimming activities.

Fitness activities logged using Garmin smartwatches rose across the board in 2021, including boating, bouldering, hang gliding, HIIT workouts, rowing and rock climbing, to name a few. To find the best Garmin smartwatch to help you pursue your passion, visit Garmin.com/which-watch.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences and enrich lives, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, email media.relations@garmin.com, follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garminnews, instagram.com/garminoutdoor, youtube.com/garmin, linkedin.com/company/garmin, or visit our blog at Garmin.com/blog.

About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark, and Garmin Connect is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

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Notice on Forward-looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors that are described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 26, 2020, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2021 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983. A copy of Garmin’s Form 10-K and the Q3 2021 Form 10-Q can be downloaded from https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts

Krista Klaus

913-397-8200

media.relations@garmin.com