Training Load useless, please update your algorithms

razz said:

1 or 2 simple formulas that i can program in any language; java/python/javascript etc ...)

for now i need to use different site/app to calculate my 'training load', coz Connect is useless ....

Somehow it sounds like an oxymoron. If you can program it in 1 or 2 simple formulas in any language, why do you do it manually using different site/apps? 

should i remake all Connect Web App then ?

razz said:

should i remake all Connect Web App then ?

No, just override or inject the lines you need to. Using local overrides. Just like for example the GCO

still not so easy, as i don't know exact algortihm used by Garmin.
I can just use someting similar (based on TRIMP etc. but it won't be comparable)

but anyway, thanks for idea

razz said:

still not so easy, as i don't know exact algortihm used by Garmin

Use your own. Garmin only has algorithms for the standard activities it uses it for, and that's why it is limited. Diverse external conditions completely change the calculation, and that's why it is not calculated for every activity type.

However, you wrote "it is a simple thing", that "can be done with 1 or 2 simple formulas" so you certainly know better than Garmin how to do it, hence just do it (and offer it to others, if you wish).

... BTW:

razz said:

My VO2Max is rising (great :) ) but Training Load is dropping ....

I'd tell it is expected. As your VO₂max rises, you get more performant, and for executing the same workout you need less effort, hence the Training Load drops, unless you consistently increase the workout load to compensate the VO₂max increase.

The issue is that the whole architecture of Garmin Connect, Garmin Express and any Garmin fitness device is fundamentally wrong!

The Exercise load (derived from the heart rate only!, is NOT the VO2max) is only calculated at the Garmin device e.g. at the Edge 530 or Edge 1030 or Forerunner 753 and then this dimensionless figure is dumped into the database in the Garmin Express environment. Garmin Connect only fetches this dimensionless figure from the Express environment to display it (if you are lucky) at the Training Status page PER DEVICE which is in Garmin Connect.

The initial VO2max, however, is only stored in the Garmin Connect environment, not on the device so also not in Express. The VO2max must be fetched out of Connect via the Garmin Express database environment to get it into your device and make the complete Training Load calculation, so the combination of the Exercise Load and the (hopefully increasing) VO2max into the complete Training Load

So the whole calculation of the Exercise load and Training Load ONLY takes place at the device. Even your training zones (both heart rate and power zones) are ONLY stored at the device and in the Garmin Express database.

This can all be seen if you create a Garmin Connect account without connecting any device to it. Then all of a sudden there is no Training Status Report page and the activity Running is completely missing.

In Garmin Connect NO CALCULATION WHATSOEVER is done!

This has the following impact for the athlete:

1. Your athlete's training load is never calculated, only the Training Load of the device is calculated;
   
   
2. If you use 2 different Garmin devices for e.g. registering your running and cycling activities even done on the same day, both Exercise Loads and Training Loads will be calculated and reported independently so are therefor completely useless for a multi sport athlete;
   
   
3. If your Garmin Device breaks down and is replaced by a new one, even with exactly the same type, you have to build up the Training Status with the Exercise Load and the Training Load FROM SCRATCH!
   
   Even more: keep your fingers crossed that the Training Status reports start to re-appear again in the right place. There are quite some major bugs in the software of Garmin Express and Garmin Connect if it comes to their inter working.
   Up until now also the PhysioTrue Up function which should cover this doesn't work properly at all.
   
   
4. If you have two Connect accounts (which can happen if you accidentally activate a new device on another mail address) in which you have stored activities and you want to merge all activities into one Connect account, all copied and therefor manually downloaded Activities from your 'old' account WILL NOT BE PICKED UP in the Load calculations, even if they come from exactly the same device!
   
   
5. It is impossible to let activities recorded by other brand heart rate device such as Polar being included in the Exercise and Training Load in Garmin Connect.
   Other brands are not so stupid to calculate on their device (only), they calculate in their apps where they also let you store your training zones (e.g. Training Peaks, Polar Flow)

CONCLUSION: Garmin Devices and Garmin Connect are TOTALLY USELESS for proper Training Load analysis and planning.

Especially for multi sport athletes.

The whole calculation of the Exercise Load and Training Load should be done in the athlete's Garmin Connect account, just as the storage of the athlete's training zones!

This request is done MANY MANY MANY times in several different parts of these user fora, but until now never picked up by Garmin.

trux said:

However, you wrote "it is a simple thing", that "can be done with 1 or 2 simple formulas" so you certainly know better than Garmin how to do it, hence just do it (and offer it to others, if you wish).

It's easy to write algorithm - that's what i wrote.

attaching it to Garmin site is a different story, if you don't have access to Garmin site code etc...
and yes, i know how to do it and maybe i'll do it for myself, but i won't change Garmin Connect.

garmin doesn't do that only for money (they want you to buy new models and also wrong/bad architecture is explained by 8711504 )