I love exercise, but running still scares me, and the $199 Garmin Forerunner 55, a new GPS watch with beginner-friendly running features, could change that

Garmin designs many of the best running watches, some more advanced than others, and the Forerunner 55 goes back to basics with workout suggestions, guidance while running, and recovery recommendations Available June 2 in three colors It will be available in three colors starting June 2

Garmin Forerunner 55 includes Garmin Coach, a virtual training program that provides running tips from expert coaches and offers free 5 km, 10 km, and half marathon training plans The program offers free 5k, 10k, and half-marathon training plans These plans adjust to your running progress over time

Meanwhile, the PacePro feature allows you to adjust individual runs based on the course and distance you want to go You can adjust your pace when needed or receive notifications when you change your cadence And if you plan your runs in advance, the predicted goal time feature allows you to see the distance and how long it will take you to reach your destination goal

Garmin's newest entry-level running watch also includes the runner safety features found in the new Garmin Forerunner 945; the Forerunner 55 has the option to send location messages to designated contacts The LTE version of the 945 has more emergency communication tools, but costs $649 before monthly cell phone charges

While the 945 may be a worthwhile investment for seasoned runners, beginners may be attracted to the 55's low price and versatility; it is not as fashionable as the Fitbit Versa 3 or the Garmin Venu and has a fairly sporty appearance, but it has enough daily wear health smartwatch tools for everyday wear

The Forerunner55 features continuous heart rate monitoring and activity tracking for several different sports, plus sleep tracking and Garmin's Body Battery energy monitoring feature Women can also track menstrual cycles and signs of pregnancy

The Forerunner 55 also mirrors smartphone notifications and supports certain apps from the Garmin Connect IQ Store; it is not as powerful as the Apple Watch SE ($279), but it is competitively priced

In battery life, it beats many of the best smartwatches; according to Garmin, the Forerunner 55's battery life is up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode

Of course, we'll have to test these battery life claims as well as running and general performance; stay tuned for a review of the Garmin Forerunner 55