Sporting equipment: Lululemon Studio Mirror vs. Garmin Forerunner 965

Quick Verdict

The Lululemon Studio Mirror is suitable for users who want a comprehensive home workout experience with a large display and live classes, while the Garmin Forerunner 965 is better for athletes who need a portable device with advanced GPS and performance tracking features.

The Lululemon Studio Mirror offers a large display and a wide variety of workout programs with live classes, but it requires a monthly subscription and is not portable. It is also discontinued.
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is a portable smartwatch with multi-band GPS, advanced performance tracking, and a long battery life, but it may have occasional heart rate errors during intense workouts and does not specify if it has live classes.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Lululemon Studio Mirror	Garmin Forerunner 965
Name	Lululemon Studio Mirror	Garmin Forerunner 965
Display Size (Mirror vs. Watch)	43-inch full HD 1080p display with a 178-degree wide viewing angle	1.4" (35.4 mm) diameter. AMOLED, with optional always-on mode. Resolution is 454 x 454 pixels.
Subscription Cost (if applicable)	$39 per month for up to 6 household members. A one-year minimum commitment is required.	No subscription needed.
Workout Program Variety	Offers over 10,000 fitness classes across various domains, including dance fitness, cardio, strength training, yoga, and meditation. It provides access to exclusive classes, including AARMY, Y7 Studio, DOGPOUND, FORWARD__Space, Pure Barre, Rumble, AKT, and YogaSix.	Over 30 activity profiles including running, triathlon, cycling, swimming, strength training, yoga, skiing, snowboarding, rowing, and mountain climbing. Provides suggested workouts and training readiness.
Real-time Performance Tracking	Tracks workout progress with a health score feature. It can connect to Strava or Apple Health to view fitness data.	Provides real-time monitoring and feedback. Offers advanced metrics like heart rate variability, lactate threshold, and training load. Includes running dynamics and running power from the wrist. Also tracks real-time stamina.
Heart Rate Monitoring	Compatible with Bluetooth heart rate monitors, Apple Watches, and Android Wear OS watches. A chest strap heart rate monitor is available for purchase.	Tracks heart rate with abnormal heart rate alerts. Uses Garmin Elevate 4.0 optical heart rate sensor.
GPS Functionality	No GPS functionality	Multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology for superior positioning accuracy and optimized battery life. Includes preloaded TopoActive maps with turn-by-turn directions.
Water Resistance	No water resistance	5 ATM, suitable for surface swimming and showering. It can withstand pressure equivalent to 50 meters.
Battery Life	Needs to be plugged in	Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days. GPS mode: Up to 31 hours. GPS with music: Up to 10.5 hours. All Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 19 hours.
Interactive Features (e.g., live classes)	Offers live classes with trainers. A front-facing camera allows for live interaction and feedback from instructors.	Not specified if it has live classes.
Data Syncing and Compatibility	Syncs with Bluetooth heart rate monitors, Apple Watches, and Android Wear OS Watches. It can connect to Strava or Apple Health.	Compatible with Android and Apple iOS. Connect IQ allows for third-party app integration. Garmin Share allows device-to-device transfers.
Portability	Weighs around 70 pounds and has dimensions of 56" H x 22.4" W x 1.4" D.	Weight: 53g. Physical Size: 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm.
Price	Original price: $995. Currently discontinued.	$599.99

Overall Comparison

Lululemon Studio Mirror: 43-inch display, $39/month subscription, 10,000+ classes. Garmin Forerunner 965: 1.4-inch display, no subscription, 30+ activity profiles, 53g weight.

Pros and Cons

Lululemon Studio Mirror

Pros:

Diverse and engaging workout programs with options for all fitness levels.
Accurate heart rate monitoring.
Easy to set up and integrate with other fitness apps.
Access to top-rated instructors.
Real-time performance tracking to help track progress.
Syncs data with various platforms like Apple Health and Strava.

Cons:

Subscription cost of $39 per month with a one-year minimum commitment.
No GPS tracking.
No water resistance.
Needs to be plugged in.
Heavy and not easily portable.
Comfort during long workouts is unknown.

Garmin Forerunner 965

Pros:

Wide variety of sports profiles
Training suggestions and readiness assessment
Valuable real-time feedback during activities
Advanced metrics and training load monitoring
Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
Durable titanium bezel and Corning Gorilla Glass DX
Multi-band GPS for accurate tracking
Easy to set up
No subscription cost
Good value for athletes seeking advanced fitness tracking

Cons:

Occasional heart rate errors during intense workouts compared to a chest strap

User Experiences and Feedback

Lululemon Studio Mirror

What Users Love

Provides access to over 10,000 unique fitness classes.
Compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Trainers are experts in their fields.
App has a health score feature to track fitness levels.
Carbon steel frame paired with a mineral bronze powder coating.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

Studio Mirror membership includes six individual profiles per account.
Membership includes access to over 10,000 world-class workouts.

Garmin Forerunner 965

What Users Love

Offers a wide variety of over 30 sports profiles.
Provides training suggestions and assesses your readiness.
Generally easy to set up.
Real-time tracking provides valuable feedback during activities.
Advanced metrics and training load monitoring help users fine-tune their workouts.
Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.
One of the most accurate GPS watches reviewed.
Syncs data with the Garmin Connect app.
Considered a good value for athletes seeking advanced fitness tracking.

Common Complaints

Heart rate accuracy is generally good for steady-paced workouts. However, some reviews note occasional errors during intense workouts when compared to a chest strap.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.