Updated Garmin Connect - Cycling doesn't log any intensity minutes (Fenix 5S)

Intensity minutes and training status are calculated on the device and are not related to updates of Garmin Connect.

"Unproductive: your training load is at a good level, but your fitness is decreasing". It means that your VO2 max is going down. Check your max HR. Is it correct?

What Is the Training Status Feature on My Garmin Device?

Intensity minutes: "Intensity minutes are earned based on your current heart rate when compared to your average resting heart rate"

So, check your average resting heart rate.

How Are Intensity Minutes Earned?

My max heart rate on the device is 200 bpm and rest is 60 bpm. (Age, height and weight are also set correctly.)

So if I cycle for 41 minutes with avg heart rate of 148 bpm and max 180 bpm (mostly in zone 3), then that should earn me no intensity minutes? Is that what you're saying?

2867401 said:

Is that what you're saying?

I haven't said anything. I'm just trying to help you fix the issue you are experiencing or understand why you don't get any minutes if it is working as intended. That starts with understanding the requirements.

The support page says: "Some Garmin devices require you to reach or exceed 10 consecutive minutes where your step count or heart rate is elevated above the threshold considered moderate intensity. Once you reach and exceed that time threshold, the amount of credit will increase by 10 minutes and will continue to accrue if you remain in your moderate or vigorous zones."

Fenix 5S is one of those devices that require 10 minutes.

So, what is the threshold for moderate intensity on your watch? And do you reach that for at least 10 consecutive minutes?

My guess is that zone 3 would be moderate intensity and zone 4 or higher would be vigorous intensity. The HR zones for intensity minutes can't be set for Fenix 5 so we don't know for sure.

Ref: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=QhvzPZYSVs0Q6CWuCgHqD6

A ride of 41 minutes with HR mostly in zone 3 could mean that you don't get at least 10 consecutive minutes in zone 3. Check when zone 3 starts and look in the HR graph to find 10 consecutive minutes.

I couldn't find a defition for the moderate intensity level other than "you can hold a conversation but not sing while exercising". Assuming it's level 3, which for me would be 140 bpm then, looking at the heart rate graph for my cycling trip, it does appear that my heart rate does not stay above 140 bpm for at least 10 consecutive minutes. However, earlier I did a level 2 run for 1 h 40 min and my hear rate stayed mostly at level 2 and definitely wasn't above 140 bpm for more than 3 consecutive minutes. And I did earn intensity minutes from the entire duration of the run. That makes no sense.

I think I'm going to ignore the intensity minutes from now on as nonsense (scientifically speaking). Thanks anyway.

The step counter can also be used for intensity minutes. During running you take a lot of steps so it is probably what is being used for your running.