Garmin CIRQA smart wrist band leak/hint (Whoop competitor)

Update: For the latest confirmed CIRQA details, including part numbers, sizes, FCC filing analysis, and trademark confirmation, see the master CIRQA hub.

Another hint from dcrainmaker’s increasingly popular Instagram feed suggests that Garmin CIRQA is inbound for Feb 2026.

I don’t know the full background of the post, but it appears to be about various sports gadgets used in testing. dcrainmaker lists all the devices used but omits to give the name of one, merely calling it “another optical HR band”. If you thought that could be Whoop or Amazfit Helio, you’d be wrong, as they are listed by name.

It’s merely a bit of fun to read more into these things that I should, but let’s have a go anyway. Here’s the logic

1. Garmin has definitely leaked a smart band called CIRQA on more than one of its own regional sites. I saw evidence of the listings with my own eyes, as did many others. In my mind, that’s 99% certainlty that a Whoop-like product is coming.
2. Dcrainamker earlier showed a picture of him wearing 3 biceps bands under one of his own-branded, tight-fitting tri-suits. One of the bands I identified as clearly being Whoop, and I suppose another could have been Amazfit Helio. The third I didn’t recognise.
3. dcrainmaker often gets Garmin gear at least 2 weeks before the announcement/launch. I don’t think he has ever inadvertently let any evidence slip that a pre-release product name exists, nor any identifiable product images. Although he does obliquely refer to things more by what he doesn’t say rather than what he does say.
4. The image above merely confirms he was using ‘another optical HR band’ in a test alongside Whoop and Amazfit Helio. It could be that he forgot what it was called or couldn’t be bothered to write the name correctly (instead using more letters to avoid writing its name). It could be another unknown, new Whoop competitor – it wouldn’t surprise me at all to get a Whoop-like product from Coros.

But I think we would all bet that it’s Garmin CIRQA rather than any alternative.

When Will Garmin CIRQA Be Released

It makes sense for Garmin to release a non-watch accessory outside the main launch windows to avoid taking coverage away from watch/bike computer launches and to manage the workload of its internal marketing teams, if nothing else. e.g. Garmin launched the Index Smart Sleep Band in June, which is after the typical Spring running product launches. Garmin earlier released the HRM 600 chest strap in May.

So that might point to a later launch, but with the multi-region Garmin leak, my bet would favour a more imminent launch. Let’s say within the next two weeks. If you want specific guessed dates, these are good guesses: Wednesday, 11 Feb and Wednesday, 18 Feb 2026.

A word of caution, though. Here is another review wearing a 5 optical HR band under his cycling top sleeve. None are named And I’m pretty sure you can read anything you like into that picture. However, I’m certain that none is Garmin CIRQA. Why? A: Because it’s my photo. Like dcrainmake,r I’ve got a LOT of wrist/biceps bands

Last Updated on 12 April 2026 by the5krunner

the5krunner

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.