Choosing a sport for heart frequency zones (bike, running,...)

In my case I reach a higher max HR value and a higher LTHR when running than I do when cycling. This is likely down to how my body "fuels" and uses certain muscle groups. Given that HR Zones are derived from either Max HR or from Lactate Threshold HR it makes perfect sense to have sport specific zones. 

Yes, I fully agree that makes perfect sense to have sport specific zones.

BTW, I wondered if for a specific running activity would have taken into account the HR zones defined for running.

And I probably understand why basic HR zones is another option, because only running, swimming or cycling you may choose, while for all the other activities as walking, the basic HR zones will be considered, IMHO.

runny said:

BTW, I wondered if for a specific running activity would have taken into account the HR zones defined for running.

Yes. Otherwise there would be no point in having sport-specific HR zones.

I'm curious what you think the running HR zones are for if they're not used for running activities.

runny said:

And I probably understand why basic HR zones is another option, because only running, swimming or cycling you may choose, while for all the other activities as walking, the basic HR zones will be considered, IMHO.

You can also decline to set sport-specific HR zones, in which case the basic (default / non-sport-specific) zones will be used.

runny said:

It may be confusing.

Maybe, but again, you don't have to use the sport-specific HR zones if you don't want to.

For example, if you run, but you don't bike or swim, then there's no reason to set anything but the basic zones.

JFYI, the Heart Rate Zones are nothing else than just a visualisation aid designed for the user. They are in no way used internally for calculating any of Garmin's metrics. And this is reason why Garmin allows to set multiple different sport zone tables. There are countless methods how people want to see their zones, and also coaches or physiologists recommend diverse methods. So there is a big part of users who use different method at different sport. You can simply define the zones in the way you like, or that your coach, physician, or friends recommend you. It has absolutely no impact on the metrics like VO2max, Training Load, Training Effect, LTHR, etc, etc.

Thank you all, now it's all clear for me. I am learning any feature of my new Fenix, so sometimes my questions a bit improper, sorry for that!

trux said:

They are in no way used internally for calculating any of Garmin's metrics.

This is true except for one special case:

Intensity minutes may optionally be calculated based on the user's heart rate zones. (The default setting is to not use heart rate zones.)

trux said:

So there is a big part of users who use different method at different sport.

I agree but I will also say that it's not simply due to user preference (e.g. different preference for different sports, due to different coaching methods). In a real sense, a single individual may have a different max *achievable* heart rate for different sports (like running and swimming), due to the different muscle groups involved. So for example, even if a user prefers to use zones based on % max HR for both running and swimming, with the same % zones for both sports, the zone values in bpm for each sport may be different due to the different max achievable HR for each sport.

trux said:

the Heart Rate Zones are nothing else than just a visualisation aid designed for the user

Sure, but if you do any kind of zone-based training (e.g. interval workouts based on zones, easy/tempo runs based on zones), then the actual definition of the zones does have an impact on the way you train, beyond just looking at numbers.

Exactly, and that's why you can set up the zones in any way you prefer, and even differently for different sport categories, without fearing that it messes your metrics. It won't, since the HR Zones are just a visual training aid.

..........Intensity minutes may optionally be calculated based on the user's heart rate zones. (The default setting is to not use heart rate zones.)........ 

Sorry, where can you set Intensity minutes based on user's HR zones? 

Thanks

runny said:

where can you set Intensity minutes based on user's HR zones? 

In the Intensity Minutes settings: typically (on recent models) in the watch  menu » Settings » Health & Wellness » Heart Rate » Weekly Intensity Minutes » Use Heart Rate Zones. Alternatively, also on the Connect app, with the same (or similar) path (depends on your watch model).

I can set "Use HR zones" only on Connect app.

It's not possible (or at least I did not find the path) on my fenix 7x pro, altough is brand new. What model do you have?

Thanks!