Garmin Coach

I have a Garmin Fenix 5x Plus running 4.2 firmware and the latest version of Garmin Connect on my iPhone. Today I discovered that I have access to Garmin Coach (Garmin Connect, More, Training, Training Plans, Garmin Coach). I am excited about this new feature and hope it will be effective in getting me back to running after an injury.

I wonder if there is a place that details the difference in coaching philosophies? The videos are helpful, but a comparison table would be better.

0 pennacnp over 6 years ago

Unlike some of you here, I am not an ultrarunner. So I am very excited that Garmin has included a software feature that focuses on those who are beginning their running journey. Today, I chose a Garmin Coach and complete the initial set-up five minute run. Once the workout was complete the watch asks for a effort rating. I wonder if this is how the program adapts the next workout? This logic would be much easy to build into a program than factoring pace, terrain, VO2, cadence, etc. Does anyone here have any further insight into how the Garmin Coach program adapts sequential workouts to improve fitness?

Thanks in advance.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

I am very excited too, as soon as I saw your post I went and set mine up. I will do the first run at night.

0 AllanOlesen67 over 6 years ago

What are people's thoughts on the quality of the workouts in the plan?

I have started the Galloway plan, and already in the second workout there seems to be one error and one unclear item.

The error is that according to the video I am supposed to do two acceleration-glider intervals. Each interval consists of one step of 30 seconds of walk-shuffle-jog-run-glide and on step of 30 seconds of walk. But in the workout which is sent to the watch, the walk step is omitted - the interval only contains one step.

The unclarity is in two running steps. I have to run until I press the lap button. There is absolutely no guidance to the intended duration of these runs.

0 pennacnp over 6 years ago

What are people's thoughts on the quality of the workouts in the plan?

I have started the Galloway plan, and already in the second workout there seems to be one error and one unclear item.

The error is that according to the video I am supposed to do two acceleration-glider intervals. Each interval consists of one step of 30 seconds of walk-shuffle-jog-run-glide and on step of 30 seconds of walk. But in the workout which is sent to the watch, the walk step is omitted - the interval only contains one step.

The unclarity is in two running steps. I have to run until I press the lap button. There is absolutely no guidance to the intended duration of these runs.

I agree the acceleration-glider intervals are a bit confusing and the watch interface is not very helpful. Also, as relatively new runner I thought the other two coaches started out with too much. This shocked me a little since the female coach markets a injury prevention plan.

0 AllanOlesen67 over 6 years ago

I agree the acceleration-glider intervals are a bit confusing and the watch interface is not very helpful.

It is an outright error, not just confusion. The video describes a 30 seconds walking step between the 30 seconds acceleration-glider steps. This step is missing in the workout plan on the watch.

Also, as relatively new runner I thought the other two coaches started out with too much. This shocked me a little since the female coach markets a injury prevention plan.

Well, Galloway definitely doesn't start out with too much. I think my weekly running volume will be one third of what it used to be before the plan. I am thankful that I have had two workouts which contained run steps of undefined length so I could decide for myself and add some volume (even though I would still have wanted some guidance on that part). But the next scheduled workout is only 1 mile + warm up and cool down.

I wonder if these adaptive plans do adapt to the previous history of the runner. I have a feeling that my plan is targeted towards a runner which is barely able to run.

0 6978587 over 5 years ago in reply to AllanOlesen67

I confirm that watch misses the acceleration glinder steps and the last 10 minute rest..it is confusing on how the watch guides you to do the 400m intervals after the acceleration glinder ... Is there an email to propose changes and improvements on garmin coach?