What This Head-to-Head Hyrox Test Really Measures
A head-to-head running watch comparison between the Garmin Forerunner 970 and Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro in a real Hyrox race examines race watch performance under pressure, including metric accuracy, on-wrist usability, and post-race analysis for serious runners and hybrid athletes. In this test, both watches were worn simultaneously through a full Hyrox event, where athletes alternate eight 1 km runs with functional workout stations such as sled pushes, rowing, burpee broad jumps, walking lunges, and wall balls. That format makes Hyrox a harsh stress test for any premium running watch: rapid transitions, spiking heart rates, and constant mental fatigue. The question is not only which device tracks heart rate or distance more accurately, but which one keeps the athlete informed without demanding extra attention. For competitive racers, the better watch is the one that disappears into the background while still capturing every crucial data point.
Race-Day Setup: Native Hyrox Mode vs. Third-Party Workaround
Before the first kilometer, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro gains an edge through its built-in Hyrox race mode. From the workout menu, selecting Hyrox instantly loads the complete structure of the event, so the watch is ready to segment runs and stations the moment you hit start. This native profile means no extra downloads or configuration when nerves are highest. The Garmin Forerunner 970, despite its reputation as a flagship running tool, does not include a dedicated Hyrox mode. To mirror the same structure, the tester had to install Roxfit, a third-party app that integrates with Garmin Connect and adds Hyrox-specific prompts. Roxfit works well, and it is the official companion app for Hyrox athletes across devices, but Garmin users must remember to configure it in advance. According to Lifehacker, missing any setup step leaves you “on your own mid-race,” which is far from ideal when the clock is already ticking.
On-Wrist Experience: Icons, Laps, and Focus Under Fatigue
During the Hyrox race itself, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro pulls ahead on user experience. Its Hyrox mode displays small on-screen icons showing what station is coming next, so even when your lungs are burning you receive a clear visual cue about the upcoming block of work. That subtle design choice matters when mental bandwidth is gone. The lap button logic also feels more natural on the Cheetah 2 Pro, which expects you to manually mark transitions between runs and stations and responds smoothly as you move through the course. The Forerunner 970, although more technically sophisticated in many areas, feels clunkier to operate mid-effort when your focus is on pushing sleds rather than managing screens. Both watches stay aligned on core measures like heart rate, but in this race watch performance test, the Amazfit makes it easier to stay in the zone without mis-logging segments.
Post-Race Analysis: Zepp vs. Garmin Connect for Hyrox
Once the Hyrox dust settles, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro again scores points through its Zepp companion app. Zepp lays out a clean timeline of the race with icons marking every run and station, in the exact order you experienced them. Data is organized around the event itself rather than generic laps, so it is straightforward to review pacing, heart rate, and station times without mental guesswork. Garmin Connect, by contrast, records the session predominantly as running intervals, which means you need to cross-reference timestamps and heart rate spikes to reconstruct where each station occurred. That extra manual work is familiar to long-time Garmin users, but it undermines quick, intuitive learning from a hard race. ZDNET notes that Amazfit’s software capabilities stay broadly consistent from its USD 170 (approx. RM800) Active 3 Premium up to the Cheetah 2 Pro, showing a clear focus on accessible training insights.
Accuracy, Value, and Which Watch Suits Serious Racers
In terms of core metrics, the Forerunner 970 and Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro remain closely matched; previous testing found their heart rate tracking aligned, and both support advanced running data. The decision for competitive athletes comes down to race workflow and price-to-performance. The Forerunner 970 lists at USD 749.99 (approx. RM3,500), while the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro comes in at USD 449.99 (approx. RM2,100). That difference is significant for buyers weighing premium race watch performance against budget. Garmin still appeals to data-heavy runners who want deep customization, five-button control, and integration across a larger ecosystem. However, for Hyrox and similar hybrid events, the Cheetah 2 Pro’s native race mode, intuitive lap handling, and clearer post-race visuals make it the more practical race-day companion. For most serious runners focused on structured competition rather than tinkering, Amazfit’s balance of cost and usability gives it the win.
