![\"Garmin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784974996_924_w=800.png\")
<\/p>\nThe CIRQA is too long for most wrists, and on a slim arm it looks odd. Everything else about the device that needs improvement can be fixed with a software update. The size can\u2019t.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Garmin has got most of it right. The feature set covers the relevant ones you would otherwise get on a sub-$500 Garmin watch, with Body Battery<\/a>, Training Readiness<\/a>, HRV Status, Training Status and VO2max<\/a> all free. The 10-day battery<\/a> claim is honest. The Gen 4.1 sensor<\/a> is a reasonable choice at $199.99.<\/p>\n Connect+<\/a> is the weak point, because the live activity view shows almost nothing without a subscription and charging for live heart rate on a heart rate band is hard to defend. Garmin may or may not fix that, but it is the kind of thing that gets fixed. Firmware ships and subscription tiers get rebalanced.<\/p>\n The module is 47mm long, and that is what buyers are stuck with for as long as they own it.<\/p>\n Measured against Whoop<\/p>\n In the author\u2019s opinion, Whoop defined what a screenless band should look like, so it makes for a natural comparison.<\/p>\n Against Whoop 5.0 \/ MG Whoop 5.0 \/ MG Garmin CIRQA Polar Loop Amazfit Helio Strap Fitbit Air Note: Weights are the complete device including the default band. Amazfit publishes 20g for the Helio Strap without stating whether the band is included.<\/p>\n Length is the problem<\/p>\n The CIRQA module is the same length as the body of a Fenix 8<\/a> in its 47mm case, although the Fenix spans more wrist once its lugs are counted. Garmin has managed to build a device with no screen, no GPS and no Wi-Fi with a body as large as its flagship multisport watch.<\/p>\n The width barely differs from Whoop, but the extra length is what stands out even in Garmin\u2019s official launch photographs.<\/p>\n Thickness and weight are actually wins<\/p>\n The CIRQA is both thinner and lighter than Whoop, neither of which shows up in a product shot. That\u2019s probably why neither has come up in the criticism since launch!<\/p>\n Fitbit went too far the other way<\/p>\n The Fitbit Air<\/a> is far narrower and lighter than Whoop, but it pays for that in sensor area. Its pod is 17mm wide against Garmin\u2019s 27mm, which limits how much optical array will fit behind the glass.<\/p>\n Who this affects<\/p>\n On a 7-inch wrist the CIRQA sits flat, and anyone who already wears a 51mm Garmin will not think twice about it. Below a wrist of about 6.5 inches, the module starts to run past the flat part of the wrist and onto the curve, which is where it looks wrong and where the sensor may lose even contact with the skin.<\/p>\n The bicep band mostly solves it<\/p>\n Wearing the CIRQA on the upper arm<\/a> removes the problem almost entirely. The bicep is a flatter and larger, softer surface; CIRQA\u2019s 47mm appears normal against the biceps, and even so it\u2019s often out of sight under a sleeve. Garmin had the sense to ship an upper arm band at launch, at $59.99 in both sizes.<\/p>\n \u00a3179.99<\/p>\n $199.99\/\u20ac199.99<\/p>\n Quick answers<\/p>\n How big is the Garmin CIRQA? Is the Garmin CIRQA bigger than Whoop? Will the Garmin CIRQA fit small wrists? Is there a smaller version of the Garmin CIRQA? Does the upper arm band solve the size problem? Last Updated on 24 July 2026 by the5krunner<\/a><\/p>\n My favourite kit and nutrition<\/p>\n Injinji<\/a> \u2013 Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them. Reader-Powered Content<\/p>\n This content is not sponsored. It\u2019s mostly me behind the labour of love, which is this site, and I appreciate everyone who supports it.<\/p>\n Support the site:<\/a> Follow<\/a> (free, fewer ads) \u00b7 Subscribe<\/a> (paid, ad-free) \u00b7 Buy Me A Coffee<\/a> \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n All articles are written by real people, fact-checked, and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy<\/a>. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure<\/a> \u2014 some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.<\/p>\n \t\t tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The CIRQA is too long for most wrists, and on a slim arm it looks odd. Everything else…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":710332,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[197690,4258,227351,59,86,56,54,55,228614,53802],"class_list":["post-710331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-fitbit-air","tag-garmin","tag-garmin-cirqa","tag-gb","tag-technology","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom","tag-wearable-sensors","tag-whoop"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=710331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710331\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/710332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=710331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=710331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=710331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nLength
\nWidth
\nThickness
\nFootprint
\nWeight<\/p>\n
\n34.7mm
\n24.0mm
\n10.6mm
\n833mm\u00b2
\n26.5g<\/p>\n
\n+35%
\n+13%
\n-15%
\n+52%
\n-22%<\/p>\n
\n+21%
\n+13%
\n-15%
\n+36%
\n+9%<\/p>\n
\n-2%
\n+1%
\n0%
\n-1%
\n-25%<\/p>\n
\n+1%
\n-29%
\n-22%
\n-29%
\n-55%<\/p>\n![\"Garmin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784974996_993_w=800.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Garmin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784974997_490_w=9999.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Get](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784974997_546_w=9999.png\")
<\/a>+other retailers<\/p>\n
The module measures 27 x 47 x 9mm and weighs 14.8g. Complete with the S\/M band it is 20.7g, and 21.2g with the L\/XL band. The band itself is 24mm wide, narrower than the 27mm module.<\/p>\n
Yes in length and footprint, no in thickness and weight. The CIRQA module is 35% longer than the Whoop 5.0 and covers 52% more skin, but it is 15% thinner and 22% lighter complete with band.<\/p>\n
The S\/M band fits 120mm to 200mm wrist circumference, so it will fasten. The question is the 47mm module rather than the strap. Below roughly a 6.5 inch wrist the module runs onto the curve of the wrist rather than sitting flat.<\/p>\n
No. Garmin sells two band lengths and one module size. Whoop, Polar and Fitbit all do the same.<\/p>\n
Largely, yes. The bicep is a flatter and larger surface, and the module is hidden under a sleeve. Garmin sells a dedicated upper arm band in black at $59.99 in both S\/M and L\/XL.<\/p>\n
\nGarmin 90-degree charging adapter<\/a> \u2014 The small adapter that keeps your charging cables tidy. Essential for race day. I use one.
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\nMaurten<\/a> \u2014 The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
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\nFavero Assioma Pro RS2<\/a> \u2014 The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
\nGarmin Forerunner 970<\/a> \u2014 A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
\nPolar H10<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
\nWahoo ELEMNT Roam 3<\/a> \u2014 The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.<\/p>\n![\"Buy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780522390_714_w=9999.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"the5krunner](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780522391_674_w=9999.png\")
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