Lactate treshold

You can do a lactate threshold test anywhere. Just go all out for 30 minutes. The LTHR is the average of the last 20 minutes.

I'm pretty sure that's incorrect in a couple of ways.

If you use the guided test (on a 735 for example) then it's a running only metric. But you can do it inside or outside.

Also, flat out for 20 mins doesn't cut it. You have to run progressive starting slow and building up so you run both sides of threshold pace. The guided test will help you do that

HTH

CW

@chunkywizard
Garmin give you one method of calculating LTHR, there are others, many others, some more complicated than others, often more complicated then they need be. However, the aim is to establish as close as possible, without blood sampling, that point where lactic acid is created faster than it can be buffered. In other words it starts accumulating in the blood - the lactate threshold.

To expand on my 'go hard for 30 and take the average of the last 20' the full workout would be as follows:

15 minutes of progressive warmup including some 100m efforts in the last 5 mins, going easy for the couple
Start 30 minutes all out effort - pace it so that you build into it rather than fade at the end. It's a paced all out effort that you maintain for 30 mins.
15 minutes of cool down.

The LHTR is the average HR of the last 20 mins of the 30 mins effort. This can be done on a bike, indoors or outdoors; running, indoors or outdoors. You can then calculate your training zones accordingly.

Garmin give you a tool (on some devices) that will do the work for you. I prefer to be in control of the numbers and the methodology. And simple works.

PS
Anyone would be foolish to launch straight into 30 mins of hard effort without warming up.
PPS
Even if you did, physiologically you would traverse all the different intensities from easy to well over threshold pace, just in a much shorter time.

PPPS
Do a search for Lactate threshold heart rate testing. http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/joe-friel-s-quick-guide-to-setting-zones, http://datacranker.com/heart-rate-zones/, http://www.livestrong.com/article/501287-calculate-lactate-threshold-cycling/. All variations on a theme.

Sample Garmin workout

1. Warm up 10 minutes
2. Warm up 3 minutes (program some 100m efforts or just do your thing)
3. Warm up 2 minute.
4. Go 10 minutes (hard effort)
5. Go 20 minutes (hard effort, pushing all the way to the end.
6. Cool down 15 minutes.

With this workout, it's easy to see the average for the last 20 mins as each step is recorded as a lap. The key is not to go too hard too soon and fade.

http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/fenix5/EN-US/GUID-1B0C9B93-01CD-4A0C-A30F-B815C0347159.html

If i understand correctly, the lactate treshold test has to be done outside and running ? So not possible to do it Inside or cycling ... Is it correct ?

It is going to calculate for you both a running pace and a heart rate so I think the expectation is that this is done not just outside with GPS good reception but also on relatively flat terrain. Having said this, my experience using the F3, is that watch under-reports my pace threshold - at least with regards to both my Marathon and Half Marathon times. Perhaps the F5 will do do better.

I like the F3 test as it is guided ,repeatable and not subjective

You can do it on a treadmill as well, but a footpod would be advisable to get good pace

CW

You can do it on a treadmill as well, but a footpod would be advisable to get good pace

CW

yes- treadmills are notorious for being inaccurate on pace. Never really trust that pace readout.

BSX Insight with iPhone on a treadmill. Do it by heart rate not pace, as then you can adjust to the weather conditions on race day.

I based my whole 2016 marathon training and race on this LT measurement and it worked like a dream with a 14 minute personal best on a warm day in Copenhagen. Doing similar again this year for London.

Costs a bit, but if you can afford it.....also the BSX Insight sensor will work with a Fenix 5 for normal run activities, if you want to track SMO2 beyond the LT test.

You can't do the LT running test indoors on a Garmin in the same way you don't get running V02 Max updates indoors either. Need GPS.

You can't do the LT running test indoors on a Garmin in the same way you don't get running V02 Max updates indoors either. Need GPS.

For some very strange reasons. You get better pace information from a correctly calibrated footpod than from the GPS.