Training status

Only the native RUNNING (GPS + HR) and CYCLING APP (with power meter + HR) will update TRAINING STATUS.

I understand it has probably been a year since you read the manual for your Fenix 5S but there you can find all the greater details on how to get your training status:
https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/fenix5/EN-US/GUID-6F81BF5B-B49A-4506-95E2-0F4A04D8B319.html

Fred, thank you for your reply.

I have done some runs with a HRM but my runs were short. How long my run should be and does it have to be at a constent speed? Can I break the run with fast walking?

When I hike with a group, our walking speed is around 4.5/5 km per hour & my heart rate tends to jump as most of my hikes usually would be climbing hills, shouldn’t this trigger the training status.

I can’t understand why only running & cycling seems to work best with Fenix. When I bought the watch it was advertised specifically for hikers ;(

I have looked many times at the manual, can’t find anything that would solve this issue.

From the manual I provided in the link (scroll to the bottom):

”The device needs one or two weeks of training history, including activities with VO2 max. results from running or cycling, to determine your training status.”

You need 10-15 minutes of running twice per week or 20 minutes of cycling twice per week.

”Tips for Getting Your Training Status


To get the most out of the training status feature, you can try these tips.

• Run outdoors with heart rate at least two times per week, or ride with heart rate and power at least two times per week.
  
  After using the device for one week, your training status should be available.
  
• Record all of your fitness activities on this device, allowing it to learn about your performance.”
  

Only the native RUNNING (GPS + HR) and CYCLING APP (with power meter + HR) will update TRAINING STATUS.

This is not quite accurate.

Training Status compares changes in VO2Max (which requires Running or Cycling with a PM), with changes in your Training Load (which requires only HR).

Provided you run or cycle (with a PM) every couple of weeks to get a recent VO2Max figure, you can still get changes in Training Status through changes in Training Load through other activities.

This is not quite accurate.

It is quite accurate.

I wrote: "Only the native RUNNING (GPS + HR) and CYCLING APP (with power meter + HR) will update TRAINING STATUS."

I wrote "update" instead of "change", meaning those two apps will update the V02Max.

You are quite right in that other activities, via training load, will influence training status AFTER the training status has been UPDATED via running or cycling. Thank you for clarifying.

Fred, thank you for your reply.

I have done some runs with a HRM but my runs were short. How long my run should be and does it have to be at a constent speed? Can I break the run with fast walking?

When I hike with a group, our walking speed is around 4.5/5 km per hour & my heart rate tends to jump as most of my hikes usually would be climbing hills, shouldn’t this trigger the training status.

I can’t understand why only running & cycling seems to work best with Fenix. When I bought the watch it was advertised specifically for hikers ;(

I have looked many times at the manual, can’t find anything that would solve this issue.

Training Status requires a VO2Max estimate. To do this, the watch compares your input (HR as a % of maxHR) with output to work out how fit you are. Cycling with a power meter makes measuring output very easy. Your running speed also allows an estimate of output. Other activities aren't as well studied in sports labs, and/or are harder to measure output objectively. Hiking can be excellent exercise, but differences in gradient and trail surface means output (and VO2Max) can't be easily measured.

For cycling, there are too many variables (road surface, wind direction) for speed alone to provide an estimate of output - but directly measuring output with a power meter is very accurate.

Once you have got a VO2Max estimate, it only requires 1 run every 2 weeks to keep it updated. 10 minutes running is normally enough to generate a VO2Max estimate - you will see a pop-up on the watch screen with a Performance Condition estimate when it has enough data.

My VO2 max has been recently updated during a run and I also got a Performance Condition estimate. However, no training status. I have the heart rate for all activities set to % of Max HR. :confused:

My VO2 max has been recently updated during a run and I also got a Performance Condition estimate. However, no training status. I have the heart rate for all activities set to % of Max HR. :confused:

Did you read any of my or Mcalistas posts?

Please read post #5 with quotes from the manual and Mcalista goes further and gives you detailed info on how often you need to run after the initial first week. If you still do not understand after reading the manual and our answers, please contact Garmin support.