Hyrox, Multisport Watches, and Why This Comparison Matters
Forerunner 970 vs Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is a multisport watch comparison focused on real Hyrox race tracking, running watch accuracy, and practical usability under race stress, using simultaneous data from both devices worn during the same event. Hyrox combines eight 1 km run segments with functional workout stations such as sled pushes, rowing, burpee broad jumps, walking lunges, and wall balls, demanding frequent transitions, changing wrist positions, and high heart rates. This format is the perfect testing ground to see which watch maintains reliable GPS, heart rate, and lap tracking when your focus is on surviving the course rather than babysitting your tech. By wearing the Garmin on one wrist and the Amazfit on the other in the same 01:36:48 race, the tester created an unusually direct and fair field test that exposes strengths and weaknesses you will not see on a calm training run.
Setup, Race Modes, and In-Race Interface
In a Hyrox race, setup and interface can matter as much as raw sensor specs. The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro gains an immediate edge with a built-in Hyrox race mode accessible directly from the workout menu. Once selected, the watch already “knows” the race structure and lays out segments and stations for you, so you hit start and focus on racing. Garmin’s Forerunner 970, by contrast, needs the third-party Roxfit app installed and configured beforehand to add Hyrox-specific structure. According to Lifehacker, the author’s Forerunner 970 ended up logging every segment as a run, likely due to setup missteps. That is the key difference: Amazfit prevents this class of error by providing a dedicated mode, while Garmin’s approach is powerful but less forgiving when you are juggling pre-race logistics and nerves. For multisport athletes who race Hyrox often, that simplicity matters.
In-Race Usability, Sensor Reliability, and Accuracy
During the race itself, both watches stayed competitive on core metrics like heart rate, but usability pulled them apart. The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro showed small on-screen icons for upcoming stations, giving an at-a-glance reminder of what is next when mental fatigue sets in. Its lap button behavior also made manual transitions between 1 km runs and station work feel natural. The Forerunner 970, though technically sophisticated, felt clunkier to operate mid-effort, especially when every second of attention counts. Wrist-based heart rate can struggle with movements such as sled pushes or rowing, and the tester notes they would like to pair the Cheetah 2 Pro with a chest strap in future Hyrox events to validate readings under those conditions. Still, for this race, both watches produced usable data, with the differentiator being how easy each made it to record the correct segment at the correct time.
Post-Race Analysis, Apps, and Battery Considerations
Hyrox race tracking is only half the story; the real value emerges in post-race analysis. Here, Amazfit’s Zepp app clearly outperformed Garmin Connect for this specific format. Zepp arranged the entire event as a clean timeline, marking each run and station in sequence with clear icons, so you can immediately see how long each segment took and how your pacing shifted. Garmin Connect, fed by the Forerunner 970’s interval-heavy activity, required more manual reconstruction: cross-referencing timestamps, heart rate spikes, and notes to determine where each station occurred. For athletes dissecting performance, that extra work adds up. Battery life was not a limiting factor in a 01:36:48 event for either device, and both watches remained responsive throughout. The difference lies in how directly each platform connects the raw data to the Hyrox race structure your mind remembers from the course.
Which Watch Should You Choose for Hyrox and Beyond?
Forerunner 970 vs Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro comes down to race type and training priorities. The tester describes themself as a “die-hard Garmin fan,” noting that in a previous half-marathon head-to-head, the Forerunner 970 won thanks to interface reliability and deep running dynamics. For traditional road running and structured training, Garmin still shines with advanced metrics and a mature ecosystem. Hyrox, however, is a different challenge. The Cheetah 2 Pro’s native Hyrox mode, intuitive lap transitions, station icons, and superior Zepp post-race layout make it the clear winner for this race format. According to Lifehacker, “for the $300 price difference, it’s not even close for this specific case.” If your calendar is full of Hyrox-style functional racing, Amazfit offers better race-day execution; if you live for long runs and detailed training analytics, the Forerunner 970 remains a strong choice.