What This GPS Running Watch Comparison Really Tests
This GPS running watch comparison examines how the Garmin Forerunner 970 and Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro perform when worn side by side in a real Hyrox race, focusing on tracking accuracy, in-race usability, reliability under fatigue, and overall value for competitive runners who care about both data and race-day experience. Instead of lab conditions or casual training runs, both racing smartwatch models were pushed through a structured event that combines eight 1 km runs with functional workout stations such as sled pushes, rowing, burpee broad jumps, walking lunges, and wall balls. That format stresses more than GPS and heart rate; it tests how quickly you can interact with the watch while exhausted and whether the data structure matches the chaos of a hybrid endurance event. The result is a practical look at which device better supports actual performance, not just spec sheets.
Hyrox Setup and Interface: Native Mode vs Third-Party Fix
The clearest difference showed up before the race began. Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro includes a native Hyrox workout mode inside its menu, so selecting the event is as simple as choosing Hyrox and pressing start. The watch knows the race consists of repeated 1 km runs and stations, and it structures data around that pattern. Garmin Forerunner 970, despite its reputation in the running world, does not offer a built-in Hyrox mode. To match the same structure, you must download Roxfit, the official Hyrox companion app that plugs into Garmin Connect and adds Hyrox-specific tracking. It works well but needs advance setup, and missing a step can leave you guessing mid-race. As the article notes, Roxfit is “your go-to app regardless of which watch you’re wearing,” but Amazfit users can treat it as a results hub instead of a necessary workaround.
In-Race Performance: Icons, Laps, and Cognitive Load
Once the Hyrox race started, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro’s race-focused interface made a clear difference. Its built-in Hyrox mode shows small on-screen icons that indicate the next station type, which matters when most of your focus is on breathing and pacing rather than menus. Those visuals reduce cognitive load and help you prepare for upcoming efforts. Manual lap transitions—required as you move from each 1 km run to a station—also felt more natural and intuitive on the Amazfit. The Garmin Forerunner 970, although technically more capable in many respects, felt clunkier to operate under pressure when attention was divided between effort and watch controls. Heart rate performance has been described as closely matched between the two, so the real distinction in this racing smartwatch face-off is not raw sensor quality, but how swiftly and clearly each watch supports your decisions while the clock is ticking.
Post-Race Data and Everyday Training Features
After the finish line, analysis tools matter. The Zepp app, which pairs with the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro, gives a cleaner, more Hyrox-specific timeline of splits and station data than Garmin Connect in this scenario. According to Lifehacker, “Amazfit’s companion app, Zepp, is significantly better than Garmin Connect for analyzing Hyrox data.” Roxfit then acts as the neutral ground where official results and breakdowns live for any watch user. Outside Hyrox, broader buying advice still applies: GPS running watches like the Forerunner line are built with runners in mind, offering single-button run starts and deeper race metrics, while more general fitness watches focus on lifestyle tracking such as sleep, recovery, and multi-sport support. Both devices sit in the GPS running watch category, but their ecosystems differ, so competitive athletes should consider not only race-day behavior but also how each platform fits daily training, strength work, and recovery monitoring.
Value for Competitive Runners: Which Racing Smartwatch Wins?
From a pure Hyrox perspective, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro offers strong value. Its Hyrox mode is built in, transitions feel natural, and the Zepp app presents race data in a structured, easy-to-read way. The watch in the test carries a price of USD 449.99 (approx. RM2,060), while the Garmin Forerunner 970 used costs USD 749.99 (approx. RM3,430). That difference is meaningful if Hyrox and hybrid racing are your main goals. The Garmin Forerunner 970 still appeals to data-heavy runners who want a more traditional GPS running watch with advanced features for long-distance training and racing beyond Hyrox. If your calendar is full of road races, intervals, and marathons, Garmin’s broader ecosystem may justify the higher price. For athletes prioritizing structured hybrid events and straightforward race-day usability, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro stands out as the more race-ready choice in this head-to-head GPS running watch comparison.
