The Anaerobic Mystery: A Garminite's Guide to Anaerobic Triumphs!"

Hey there, fellow Garminites!

Cracked the anaerobic code? Check. Discovered the mystical Zone 2 fat-buster? Check, check. But let's be real, getting that anaerobic workout tracked can feel like chasing a unicorn sometimes, am I right?

I’ve been deep-diving into the abyss of Training Status Load Focus—trying to juggle Anaerobic, High Aerobic, and Low Aerobic zones in the Garmin Connect App. High Aerobic seemed to be my default hangout spot, but I uncovered the treasure trove that is Low Aerobic, that sneaky Zone 2 fat burner. Now, onto the elusive anaerobic workout.

Here’s the scoop from a non-scientist, non-doctor, non-trainer Garmin aficionado (that’s me!): It’s all about that stellar Garmin setup—Fenix 7X Pro Solar or the trusty Edge 530 Bike Computer, paired with the magician of this story, the Garmin HRM Pro Plus strap.

So, get this: Anaerobic, High Aerobic, and Low Aerobic workouts? They’re heart-rate zone-based, not about what activity you’re doing—whether it’s biking, swimming, or taking Fido for a stroll. For anaerobic, aim for that heart rate rollercoaster—Zone 2 to Zone 4 in a flash, back down, rinse, repeat. Sounds simple, right? Again to achieve the anaerobic training, the goal is to get your heart to go from Zone 2 to Zone 4 as fast as possible then let it go back down to Zone 2 and repeat. That is it.

The HR strap is the maestro here, giving you the heart rate lowdown, while your watch or bike computer plays the supporting role, showing off those heart rate zones like a champ. Pro tip: fiddle with those data screens for heart rate readings—it’s a game-changer!

Now, if this nugget of wisdom worked wonders for you, shout it out! After all, we’re here to crack these Garmin mysteries and help our fellow Garminites conquer their training goals.

Keep those heart rates soaring (in the right zones, of course!) and let the Garmin magic unfold! ♂️♀️♂️

0 8245377 5 months ago

Makes total sense. I realized it was HR driven but couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting credit based on activity. Ie Weight training SHOULD be anaerobic- right??? But nope.

0 FlowState 5 months ago in reply to 8245377

8245377 said:
Makes total sense. I realized it was HR driven but couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting credit based on activity. Ie Weight training SHOULD be anaerobic- right??? But nope.

If you're implying that weight training should always be anaerobic and never aerobic, this post might be relevant:

[https://www.reddit.com/r/AthlyticAppOfficial/comments/15hz33n/comment/kdjydm5/]

I realize this is an old thread but felt like replying anyway since I noticed some of the same trends and thought I could explain for you. You are correct that a lot of the time weight lifting is anaerobic. It is dependent on your heart rate and not all weight training will have you in the anaerobic zone, like the other comments were trying to get at.

You can tell if you are in an anaerobic state if you are between 80 and 90% of your maximum heart rate (MHR). Working out within your anaerobic threshold requires you to keep your heart rate within zones 4 and 5 – around 80-90% of your maximum heart rate. This means all the times you take a long rest in between sets, you will essentially be training in the aerobic zones. Anaerobic training is about how your body produces energy with very little oxygen. This occurs when we train at a high intensity for short bursts which is why you need to be pushing hard to get your heart rate up to 80-90% maximum which is when your body will resort to burning glycogen instead of using oxygen.

I believe the app is very accurate. I am in the anaerobic zone far more when I am doing heavy compound lifts like deadlifts, squats, or bench, and resting shorter in between sets. It makes sense when you think about it and you can adjust your rest time between sets if you want to train more in the anaerobic zones for a high intensity workout. When I have a normal lifting day where I rest in between sets more and generally am not pushing as hard as possible, I will have the majority of my workout in the aerobic zones. I think the important distinction is you can lift weights and have an aerobic based workout, it isn’t always anaerobic since anaerobic is defined by a high heart rate and lack of oxygen supply to fuel the processes, therefore the body starts burning stored glycogen in the muscles.