Garmin is responding to the criticism of the past few days: Live heart rate data during a workout on the Garmin CIRQA will soon be available even without a Connect+ subscription. An update to the Garmin Connect app is expected to unlock this core feature, which was previously behind a paywall.
Key Points at a Glance
- Garmin will soon make live heart rate tracking during CIRQA workouts available without a subscription.
- The change will be rolled out via an update to the Garmin Connect app “in the coming days.”
- Previously, a Garmin Connect+ subscription costing 8.99 euros per month was required for this feature.
- It remains to be seen whether the heart rate zone chart will also be available without a subscription.
- Many advanced features will continue to require a paid subscription.
Why the Garmin CIRQA Faced Criticism
The Garmin CIRQA launched as a subscription-free alternative to Whoop for 199.99 euros. It was precisely this promise that began to unravel shortly after the product’s launch: hands-on tests showed that even simple workout features required a subscription. Anyone who wanted to see their current heart rate in real time during a workout had to sign up for a Garmin Connect+ subscription for 8.99 euros per month. Without a subscription, users could only see their average heart rate after the workout.
For a tracker aggressively marketed as “subscription-free,” this sent a bad signal—and the Whoop alternative thus lost its appeal precisely in the area that was supposed to make it interesting.
Good news update! Garmin will be making a change to Garmin Connect Mobile in the coming days, so you’ll now be able to see Live HR from Cirqa during a workout (previously, you could only see workout Average HR unless you had Garmin Connect+). See… feedback works. Sometimes. 🙂 https://t.co/q5qL8T4YhZ
— Ray Maker (@dcrainmakerblog) July 22, 2026
What the Update Changes
Garmin responded quickly and confirmed to tech blogger Ray Maker (DC Rainmaker) that the Garmin Connect app is receiving an update that will enable Live Heart Rate during workouts without a paid subscription. According to Garmin, the update is set to roll out “in the coming days.” Garmin left open whether the heart rate zone graph will also be visible without a subscription, as is the case with the Polar Loop, for example. For buyers who don’t plan to subscribe, the CIRQA will still become noticeably more attractive.
These features remain behind the Connect+ paywall
Before purchasing, it’s worth reading the fine print, as a whole range of advanced features remains exclusive to Connect+ subscribers:
| Without a subscription (in the future) | Only with Garmin Connect+ |
|---|---|
| Live heart rate during workouts | Garmin Coach (personalized training plans) |
| Core features such as steps, sleep, Body Battery | Nutrition tracking |
| Over 80 sports with auto-detection | Meditation and breathing exercises |
| Average heart rate | Structured workouts |
| Heart rate zones, data visualizations, workout instructions |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Garmin CIRQA and Connect+
Will live heart rate on the Garmin CIRQA cost anything in the future?
No. After the announced app update, live heart rate can be used during workouts without Garmin Connect+.
How much does Garmin Connect+ cost?
The subscription costs 8.99 euros per month and unlocks features such as Garmin Coach, nutrition tracking, and structured workouts.
When will the update be available?
Garmin hasn’t specified a fixed date but says the update for the Garmin Connect appwill beavailable “in the coming days.”
Conclusion
Garmin’s decision to listen to criticism is the right response—hiding live heart rate behind a subscription simply didn’t align with the CIRQA’s promise of a subscription-free experience. However, Garmin isn’t completely off the hook yet: as long as basic training metrics like heart rate zones could still be subscription-only, there’s still a bit of a bad taste left. If you want to try out the subscription-free approach at a lower price, the Amazfit Helio Strap (around 100 euros) is a more affordable alternative—albeit with fewer sensors.
Sources
Notebookcheck, Ray Maker (X), Android Authority, Garmin product page
