Garmin’s extensive range is always present in our guides. best cycling computer and the Best smartwatch for cyclingBut Garmin isn’t just great at providing devices for tracking your rides, the brand also has some great free fitness software that, when used effectively, can be a useful training aid. Become.
Garmin Connect is one of the branded free software that comes standard to all Garmin users. Best free app for cyclingIn addition to easily syncing your device with Garmin Connect to push your activity to training software like Training Peaks and Strava, there are many useful features for tracking and analyzing your fitness progress within the app itself.
And it’s free! And with Strava’s advanced training features hidden behind a paywall, it’s becoming an increasingly compelling option if you own a Garmin device.
Andy Turner, Cycling Weekly’s resident training expert and founder and head coach of ATP Performance, digs into the features, picks five of the best, and teaches you how to use them effectively. I will give it to you.
Garmin Connect’s Best Fitness Features
1. my day
(Image credit: Garmin)
“My Day” lets you enter tons of data to track not only the activities you’ve done, but also your weight and hydration. Workout data is synced from your Garmin GPS computer or fitness tracking watch and provides an overview of the activities you’ve performed, such as biking, swimming, running, or working out at the gym.
Being able to track your weight weight loss cycling I would like to monitor my weight over a longer period of time to show trends. Whether you want to lose body fat, gain muscle, or just maintain your weight, this will keep you on track.
Overall, it’s a better way to track weight more generally, given that day-to-day variation can be quite large depending on muscle glycogen levels, hydration, or inflammation.
Tracking your water intake is another great feature and one we often ignore. Being able to quickly add 250, 500 or 750ml helps with general tracking and also allows you to set individual goals for the day. It helps you reach your goals throughout the day instead of noticing.
2. Performance statistics
(Image credit: Garmin)
Garmin Connect Performance Stats pages fall into three main categories: VO2maxthe power curve and Functional Threshold Power (FTP).
Your VO2max is predicted based on your performance during your workout, including heart rate, power output and running speed, as well as your age, gender and weight. It then provides a value and score based on this. I did my girlfriend’s VO2max test myself with a gas exchange analyzer and can confirm that she doesn’t have her VO2max of 76 which Garmin gave me, but it’s a great way to track current fitness trends. is a useful method. Values dropped and increased as I trained more and performed better.
Power curves provide both all-time records and 4-week, 3-month, or 1-year highs, providing excellent insight into where you are in a particular training phase relative to where you want to be. provide insight. competition season. This is a way to help you keep track of where your strengths are and what you need to work on depending on your goals and your current state of training.
The FTP section is a commonly used metric that is easy to understand for most athletes and updates based on your power level during various training rides to give you an estimated FTP.This is useful for different settings cycling training zone to get the most out of your session.
3. Kcal In/Out via MyFitnessPal
Connect your Garmin Connect account to MyFitnessPal to calorie input Monitor both kcal ins and outs, as well as macro and micronutrients.
Make sure you’re burning enough calories to make up for the energy you use during your training sessions by adding them to Garmin Connect, flared up When recovered for subsequent sessions.
4. Menstrual cycle tracking
(Image credit: Garmin)
This is a missing feature in many fitness apps not directly aimed at female athletes. Since I can’t comment after actually using it, I asked my partner for his impressions.
First, you will be asked if you have regular or irregular menstrual cycles, no periods, and if you are pregnant. Then, explain when your last period started, how long it lasted, how long your menstrual cycle is, and what birth control pills you’re using. Then predict when the next cycle will start.
On the day of your period, you can also track symptoms and add notes. My partner was impressed that the symptoms page was completely comprehensive and covered everything one could experience.
This is an important part of training for female athletes. As various studies have shown, the phase of your cycle can affect how you perform certain types of training.
Of course, this is very personal. You know your body better than anyone else, so training during your period may not be as bad as it seems. However, if you know you’re struggling with high intensity or weight training before and after your period, this aspect of the app will come in handy. use hormones Allows you to tailor your training plan to yourself.
This app promises that only you can see this information and it is not published anywhere. However, like all apps that track data, it is worth reviewing their data protection policies. People are concerned that cycle tracking apps could be used for malicious purposes, especially after the Roe v Wade decision was overturned earlier this year. So always be aware that your data may not be safe and protected before using such tracking apps.
5. Tasks
(Image credit: Garmin)
Challenges are a great way to give you some extra Motivation, especially during winter Where competitive rates may be reduced.
There are running, cycling, and general activity challenges. You can also challenge yourself to connect with one of Garmin’s challenges or create your own challenge and invite people to join you. This is good for a little friendly competition.
in short, Strava KOMor at least improve the time on the outdoor segment, or indoors Alpes du Zwift, which may be more motivating for some riders.or enter Zwift Race.
